Plants, A Powerful Prescription For The Quarantined
Fill your home office with plants during the quarantine period. They’re great for improving your focus and productivity, purifying your indoor air to boost immunity, and reducing your odds of going crazy. Recommended species are at the very bottom. Just choose safely if you have pets.
Photo by Caroline Reichel
For those of us used to working in an office environment, a work from home mandate probably felt like a gift from the gods. What’s better than having Zoom calls with a collared shirt on top, and sweats on the bottom? Business up top, secret party down below?However, as we start week six (forty-six?) of quarantine, some of us may be realizing just how unconducive our home environment is for staying on task. Whether we’re battling temptations of a fully stocked fridge, elbowing our roommates and partners at the kitchen island (which now doubles as a shared desk), or attempting to block out sounds of tiny humans running amuck, our mental agility has been compromised. To be blunt, our innovation and productivity is in quite a slump.
There is only so much that can be done about the fridge and shared company. But one quick and easy fix to staying on task, is as simple as incorporating plants around your work area. And not just to enhance otherwise drab and lackluster spaces (although, creating picturesque spaces is always a plus) but to boost our productivity and creativity.
Plants are Nature’s Adderall
Routine interactions with plants are proven to have a restorative and regenerative effect on our mind by reducing stress and improving our mood. Creating and surrounding ourselves with monocultures or micro habitats of plant species within our homes has been shown to reduce our body’s production of cortisol. This is a stress hormone released by the adrenal glands.
Reducing cortisol levels in turn reduces blood pressure, calms irritability and boosts cognitive functions like focus and memory. This in turn allows our attention to be redirected to the job at hand. This comes in handy when we’ve been delegated mundane tasks like paperwork, admin, and performing calculations and analyses, readings, etc.
Why do plants have such an effect on our psychological state?
Biophilia! The study of humans’ innate connection to all things natural. This is a topic we discuss at the start of all our CEU presentations on Living Walls and Green Roofs. Biophilia is based around the idea that humans, through a long evolutionary history, have acquired a strong genetic propensity for nature and natural environments. This explains why our senses are stimulated by experiences such as; crashing of ocean waves, strolling through a park, animal companionship, and even the crackling of a fire. We flourish in nature!
Biophilia is an important concept to grasp for people living in a metropolis or megalopolis. For those of us living in increasingly dense urban areas, or more relevant, everyone in quarantine; we experience the mental repercussions of being alienated from nature. Repercussions such as depression, ADHD, regression, and vapidity. A walk through the woods or even having a view of some form of nature while we work alleviates these symptoms.
Several studies conducted over the years tell us that living and working in natural environments (e.g., spaces with greenery and ample sunlight) helps to reduce stress and symptoms of depression. According to one compelling case study survey.
Infographic by Green Plants for Green Buildings #StayPlanted
“88% of respondents said having direct views and access to the natural elements indoors improved their sense of well-being.”
What can plants do for our indoor environment…and our immune systems?
Aside from enhancing aesthetics with bright, vibrant colors and wild textures, plants have the added benefit of air purification. And with all of us spending so much time indoors, our indoor air is likely dirtier than ever. Do not underestimate our slow moving silent friends….they’re actually a living, breathing technology.
An ancient, high-performing one at that. We won’t make claims that plants eat the coronavirus, but they do scrub the air of impurities while producing oxygen for our living environments. These impurities are all around us as a result of normal everyday living.
For example, the cardboard boxes used by all of our home delivery services ‘off-gas’ and release small amounts of chemicals like formaldehyde into the air once they’re in our homes. There are terpenes in laundry detergent and fabric softeners. Nail polish and carpet both gives off toluene. All of these are classified as volatile organic compounds (VOC’s) and they add up over time in our homes to unhealthy levels. The good news is, house plants actively work for us by absorbing and breaking down these VOCs into simpler harmless compounds. Better air quality keeps us healthier by making our immune systems more resilient to getting sick. Effectively, filling your home or office with plants boosts your ability to ward off threats from viruses and keeps you safer.
And through the process of photosynthesis, plants also convert the carbon monoxide (CO2) that we exhale in every breath, into fresh oxygen. Plants are natural air purifying systems…..they just don’t swivel…..on their own.
Where to fit all these plants in my tiny home?
A PIY Living Frame in a Brooklyn client’s condo entranceway.
Turning your home into a garden oasis can take up space on your floors and surfaces. One way to prevent this is to hang them in baskets from the ceiling or put them up on the walls. A living wall garden is a great way to create a lush environment without gobbling up square footage. Urbanstrong offers a variety of living wall options. We can either custom design and install one for you. Or there are options for the DIY crowd. Our fixed-size PIY (Plant It Yourself) Living Frames are like a picture frame that showcases your plants as a type of living artwork.
We provide you a sample list of plants that work in this frame for you choose from, purchase and plant yourself. Or feel free to come up with your own layouts. Just be sure to tag us on your IG posts at @UrbanstrongNYC.
Which plant species do best indoors?
Tropical plants do best in indoor environments. Plants of this family are fairly resilient, making them easy to care for. Below are a few plant recommendations to get you started:
Pothos
Peace Lily
Philodendron cordatum
Aloe Vera
Chinese Evergreen
ZZ Plant (Zamioculcas zamiifolia)
Snake Plant
Basic Plant Care
Assuming that you’re now inspired to create your own garden oasis, there are still general guidelines to follow to ensure your babies are happy and thriving.
Light – is something that sustains all living things on this planet. However, with plants, a certain amount is expected in order for your plant to survive. This is because, through photosynthesis, light serves as a food source for plants. A rule of thumb is to give your plants 6-8 hours of indirect sunlight each day. Depending on the species, this is subject to change. Meaning, shade tolerant species need as little as 4 hours and bright light species may need as much as the day can give. However, for the species listed below 6-8 hours is a comfortable range.
Water– is also a necessity for all life on this planet. As for plants, how much water is needed is dependent on varying factors in your home. Factors such as temperature and humidity levels, light exposure, soil mix, and the type of container the plant lives in. For the species listed below, a weekly watering is recommended. It is important to check the plant’s soil before watering, as to not drown your plants. This can be achieved by sticking your pointer finger in the soil. If the soil is still moist up to your first knuckle, your plant does not need a drink just yet. And pay attention to your plants, they will exhibit signs of their comfort level via leaf tips, leaf color, and posture. A quick google search of any negative symptoms, along with the plant type name, will usually result in a wave of advice.
House Plants and Pet Safety
If you have a dog or cat at home, exercise a bit of caution when choosing houseplants. Some species can be toxic for our furry babies. In our experience, a sneaky munch of just about any plant material can lead to a spew or runny bum for cats or dogs, but that’s about it. But some of the more exotic plants really can be quite poisonous. So have a quick search on a site like the ASPCA’s Toxic and Non-Toxic Plants List first just to be safe.
That’s all for now. Enjoy the rest of your week at home.
