As September gently unfurls the cozy feeling of fall, there's a special event that encourages us to step inside and embrace the beauty and joy that comes from caring for plants. Every year, during the third week of September, we celebrate National Indoor Plant Week. This event isn't just about marking a date on the calendar; it's a chance to bring a profound sense of well-being into the heart of your home.
In this blog post, we'll step into the wonderful world of indoor plants and how they can become a source of happiness and health - especially for seniors - during National Indoor Plant Week and beyond!
As we age, our relationship with nature becomes increasingly vital for our well-being. Indoor plants can be an excellent addition to your home, offering numerous physical and emotional benefits, such as:
Improved Air Quality: Indoor plants help purify the air by absorbing carbon dioxide and releasing oxygen. This makes your living space feel fresher and promotes better respiratory health.
Stress Reduction: Caring for indoor plants can be a therapeutic experience. The act of nurturing and watching your plants thrive can help reduce stress and anxiety.
Enhanced Mental Health: Indoor plants have been shown to boost mood and creativity. Surrounding yourself with greenery can create a calming and visually appealing atmosphere.
Connection to Nature: For seniors with limited mobility, indoor plants provide a way to stay connected to the natural world. They bring a touch of the outdoors inside.
When selecting indoor plants, you’ll want to consider a few essential factors, such as the ease of care, amount of light and space needed to grow, watering needs, and your personal preference. You want to be able to enjoy all aspects of your plant babies! We’ve identified six indoor plants that are not only senior-friendly but also beautiful and easy to find in most local nurseries:
1. Snake Plant (Sansevieria): Known for its air-purifying properties and low maintenance requirements, the snake plant is an excellent choice for beginners.
2. Peace Lily (Spathiphyllum): With its elegant white blooms and air-purifying abilities, the peace lily adds beauty and serenity to any room.
3. Spider Plant (Chlorophytum comosum): This resilient plant is known for its air-cleaning qualities and attractive arching leaves.
4. Aloe Vera: Aloe vera is not only easy to care for but also provides the added benefit of soothing gel for minor skin irritations.
5. Jade Plant (Crassula ovata): Jade plants are symbols of good luck and prosperity. They have thick, succulent leaves and prefer bright, indirect light.
6. Pothos (Epipremnum aureum): Pothos is a hardy vine that can thrive in various lighting conditions. Its vibrant green leaves cascade elegantly, making it a visually appealing choice.
It might be helpful to know that most indoor plants thrive in indirect sunlight, so they won’t all need to sit in a sunny window. You can distribute them throughout your living spaces, including entryways and bathrooms. When it comes to watering, overwatering is the most common mistake people make. As a rule of thumb, water your plants when the top inch of soil feels dry to the touch. Some plants may benefit from increased humidity levels, so you can occasionally mist them to create a more humid environment. From there, to encourage healthy growth, you’ll want to trim any brown or yellowing leaves.
Now that you have ideas on which plants to grow and how to care for them, why not get involved with National Indoor Plant Week? You can use this time as an opportunity to decorate your living space with indoor plants. Invite friends and family over to exchange tips, stories, and even plant clippings to propagate. If you're up for a small outing, visit a local nursery or garden center to explore a wide variety of indoor plants and gather ideas for your collection.
Overall, this is an excellent time of year to bring the beauty and benefits of nature into your home. With the right selection of indoor plants and some simple care, you can enjoy a healthier, happier, and more connected life. So, embrace the greenery, nurture your plants, and watch your living space transform into a tranquil oasis.
If you’re thinking about a fresh new living space altogether, we hope you consider a Resort Lifestyle Community. We have lovely living spaces with plenty of natural light and patio space to grow plants indoors and out! Simply find a location near you and schedule a tour today.
Resort Lifestyle Communities (RLC) develops all-inclusive resort-style communities to provide a relaxing and worry-free retirement lifestyle for residents. The comfort, safety, and enjoyment of our residents are our top priorities. For this reason, every community is staffed with live-in managers, a 24/7 emergency alert system and concierge service, gourmet chefs, housekeepers, maintenance staff, a full-time lifestyle director, and more. For more information about RLC, visit RLCommunities.com.
