As staying at home is becoming a more popular lifestyle choice, surrounding the space with greenery is a self-care move for physical and mental health. So always try to bring the outdoors inside.
Plants are the main choices of those looking to set up a green corner. You probably already know the benefits, mainly because purify the air. but what about flowers? Do they just smell good and look good or do they have other advantages? Let’s find out?
Benefits of growing flowers indoors:
1. Reduce stress
Who doesn’t have a routine that often causes stress? During the pandemic, and with the news of the home office and uncertainties of the future, this can be quite frequent. However, the presence of seedlings indoors significantly reduces this.
2. Improve mood
Have you ever seen someone win bouquets without a smile on their face? That’s why we keep giving and taking, as the mood becomes more positive.
3. Increase creativity in the workplace
Another exciting benefit of having them around you is that they boost creativity. If you or your team need a little inspiration, consider adding a flower arrangement to your workspace.
In case you are home office and looking for things that motivate you, create a green corner. You can generate better ideas, solve problems and work more efficiently when you are in an environment full of nature.
4. Help to heal
Research at Rutgers University in New Jersey reported an interesting result when adding seedlings to the rooms of 90 recovering patients. Study participants showed superior physical improvement when compared to patients in similar rooms, but without the presence of plants.
Flowers are a positive and helpful addition to your home and life. Many people stop growing them because they believe they are difficult to care for. After all, isn’t buying fresh branches much easier?
If you want a lasting improvement in your mood, plant your own branches. By keeping them, you provide attention that only humans can give. And when they receive that, they reward their owners with more beauty. This is the kind of process that creates positive human emotions.
The best conditions
Believe it or not, there are seedlings that aren’t as fussy as you might think. Even if you’re a beginner, they don’t take a lot of time and, contrary to popular belief, they’re self-sufficient and friendly! However, like all relationships, there are some things to consider. Although each species is different and has specific requirements, here are some general tips:
care
First, assess your environment. Branches towards the interior need lots of sunlight, so find a spot that gets up to six hours of sun. If you can’t offer that factor, consider investing in artificial fluorescent lighting, designed particularly for planting.
Pay close attention to the demands of each type and don’t forget the watering. Despite the green area bringing many benefits, they are more susceptible to diseases and insect infestation. This is something you need to keep an eye on and treat with organic pesticides that can repel these harmful elements.
With consistent watering schedules and routine maintenance, you’ll be able to enjoy seedlings growing in the comfort of your own home. Do not know where to start?
14 species indoor flowers easy to plant:
1. Geranium
Very popular outdoors, it is surprisingly easy to grow indoors. Geraniums are beautiful, come in a variety of colors and have a lovely fragrance, giving character to windows and gardens.
Place them in direct sunlight for at least 6 to 8 hours. For artificial lighting, leave them on for 14 hours a day. The species likes a light, well-drained substrate. You don’t need to water consistently as they prefer to dry out between waterings. See all about how to grow geraniums here!
2. African Violet
Are you looking for a plant that grows all year round? Then African violets are perfect. Some gardeners discard them because they have quirks that they find intimidating – especially with regard to watering, as they respond best to warm or lukewarm water that has been standing still for more than 48 hours.
Cold water can scare them and cause them to blacken. On the other hand, others consider them very simple to care for. Because they’re small, you can position them in corners and anywhere that has access to bright indirect light.
For them to fully thrive, avoid overwatering and watering the foliage – as this often causes spotting and damage.
3. Flower of Fortune (Kalanchoe)
succulents that bloom? That’s right! The beautiful colors of the petals and the scallop-shaped green leaves make it even more special.
They like bright, natural light, avoid windows and direct sun as they can burn. To help it grow, ensure equal amounts of light and total darkness. As with all succulents, kalanchoe grows best when the soil is dry. The thick, fleshy leaves can store water, so focus on proper drainage.
4. Jasmine
No other flower smells as good as this one. Imagine having your own fresh jasmine spreading its sweet fragrance all year round.
For it to thrive indoors, it needs to provide strong lighting, such as from a sunny window. The branch can tolerate up to four hours of direct sunlight every day. Plus, it’s really low maintenance, so it might not mind forgetting you – if you miss your watering schedule.
5. Begonias
Indoors or outdoors, begonias are simple to plant. Many varieties bloom year-round and have interesting shapes.
Like the angel-wing begonia, which produces clusters that hang loose on attractive green leaves. Make sure the substrate is evenly moist but not soggy and that it receives filtered indirect light.
6. Peace lily
The peace lily is also low maintenance and uncomplicated. That’s because it really can withstand most types of conditions. Its beautiful foliage is reason enough to have it in your home. The type loves medium to low light and too little watering is better than too much. Touch the upper part of the soil, if it is dry, it can get wet. See how to grow and care for it here!
7. Beehive Lipstick
A aeschynanthus radicans, also known as columeia lipstick, has a shape that resembles the cosmetic packaging. As a vine, place them in hanging pots to add color to your space. But remember to keep it away from strong light and not to soak it.
8. May Flower
With colors in red, pink, orange, white and more, Mayflower thrives in even the most neglected conditions. It requires little light and enough water to keep a substrate slightly moist.
9. Streptocarpus
The genus has striking patterns and patterned leaves. Velvet petals are also eye-catching. Find a cool spot in bright indirect light to accommodate them. Only water the soil if it is dehydrated and prevent water from getting on the leaves.
10. Clivia
This seedling – which displays bright shades of yellow, orange and red – looks like a trumpet and still emits a very attractive fragrance.
Indoors, it needs room temperature and little direct sunlight. At night, complete darkness helps their growth. For best conditions, a substrate with good drainage is essential.
11. Bromeliad
With her quirky and unusual appearance, it’s surprising to learn that she isn’t high maintenance. Simple to plant and grow, they reward you with flowers in bright colors of orange, yellow, red and more.
Because they are epiphytes, aerial species that absorb moisture from space, they grow in their host’s atmosphere – meaning less water and minimal land requirements. Being able to tolerate dry soil conditions, they like bright indirect light. When watering, water should be trapped between the leaves so that it can be well absorbed. See all about bromeliads here!
12. Lavender
Unlike the other types we mentioned, it will need some time to acclimatize to your home. Once you get the hang of it, it’s low maintenance. For a thriving, long-lasting seedling, establish it in a pot with fast-draining potting soil so water doesn’t cause root rot. Don’t get too wet. Click here to learn how to grow lavender!
13. Amaryllis
Few species can compete with the low maintenance of this one, which grows indoors with ease.
Place the container in an area that receives bright, indirect light. Water sparingly until you see new growth, and water regularly thereafter – keeping it evenly moist. Because it is tall, its branches tend to grow crooked. Then, from time to time, turn the pot to encourage straight stems.
14. Poinsettia
For best growth, find a window with sunlight for it. Plant in well-draining soil and only water when you feel the earth is dry.
Check out some products below to start and take care of your garden!
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