Indoor Plants that Enhance Built Environments

"A beautiful plant is like having a friend around the house." - Beth Ditto

WE ARE THE INDOOR GENERATION

In the current lifestyle, Health is a most discussed topic nowadays. Year after year we increase our expenditure on fitness clubs and yoga, on exercise trackers and equipment, yet we spend more time indoors than ever before (almost 80-90%). We are becoming a truly indoor generation. Hence improving the indoor environment has become essential than ever before.

Today, making work and home coexist has become utmost important. Indoor environments are being altered to multi-functional - work from home spaces & make shift spaces for various creative endeavors to be carried out. Such spaces could reflect beauty and grace by the introduction of natural elements such as indoor plants.

Let’s explore the indoor plants & its contribution in making our lives happier & fresh.

WHAT ARE INDOOR PLANTS

Plants that require a low amount of light and water to thrive are typically known as indoor plants. Indoor plants form an essential component of every Environment Concious Interior Designs.There are multiple benefits of having indoor plants on the occupant’s wellbeing as well as they help to brighten up the indoor environment. 

INDOOR PLANT BENEFITS

Indoor plants when planted & planned well can ameliorate the indoor environment.

It has been found often that the Indoor plants do have some positive effects on building occupant’s health, wellbeing & productivity. Viewing the green plants daily in balcony/table tops/ room corners, observing the growth/change in these plants (size, foliage patterns, colors of flowers, fragrance etc.) & gardening have a therapeutic effect on the occupant’s health. Taking care of plants is seen to have reduced the feelings of loneliness & depression in people; it provides sense of purpose & refuge from constant distractions caused by screens & notifications.

 

According to a 2015 study from researchers at Chungnam National University in Korea, plants may help soothe people by suppressing the sympathetic nervous system. In the study, the researchers had young men complete a computer task or transplant a plant. After, the researchers measured their psychological and physiological states. The study concluded that men were calmer after the act of plant transplanting than after the computer task, suggesting that interacting with plants may help counteract some of the stress that comes with interacting with technology.

People become less nervous and anxious when they were in an environment which includes indoor plants or a view of nature. 

Talking to the plants – can help soothe the melancholy.

The personal Plant space in indoors adds to happiness factor & acts as a mood enhancer by seeing our plants bloom & thrive.

The potted plants & their care (by being the plant parent) imbibe qualities of patience, love & care for other living beings in us. They make us more compassionate and empathic towards others.

Consuming freshly grown vegetables (micro greens) at home, Plant styling & Plant photo corner (Instagram friendly spaces) are some of the latest trends w.r.t Indoor plants.

Experiences of Pleasure, perfumes, peace, piety & glimpses of paradise are associated with the indoor plants along with many health imperatives. 

INDOOR PLANTS TYPES

Indoor plants play variety of roles such as they act as dust-catchers at home, could be natural healers, provide natural scents, act as natural humidifiers, act as mosquito repellents, microgreens could be used for salads, soups & curries, can add visual quality to the home interiors...etc.

Tulsi (Holy Basil) – Plant with medicinal benefits which boosts immunity, improves digestion, acts as an excellent mosquito repellent & with its sweet fragrance has soothing impact on mind. This plant with its multiple benefits could be a best choice for home.

Money Plant - A hardy plant with heart-shaped leaves, money plant is a common indoor plant. This low maintenance plant is a homeowner's favorite for a good reason that, it releases oxygen at night and is excellent for filtering the air.

Areca Palm – This plant filters the air & can also add moisture to it and is considered to be helpful for people who suffer from sinus issues. This plant prefers partial shade to grow well, making it an ideal indoor plant.

Snake plant – This plant is tolerant to indirect light/dim light & helps to remove the toxins from the air. It helps in improving oxygen. Living spaces & kitchens are suitable location for the placement.

Monstera deliciosa (Swiss cheese plant) – The lush green and glossy leaves adds a visual appeal to the space. It needs support, hence plant in a large pot. 

Rubber plant (Ficus elastica ‘Robusta’) – These are easy-care houseplants; they also improve indoor air quality. It required medium bright light (indirect sunlight) & can tolerate low light, Mist frequently to maintain high humidity.

Hedera (Ivy) – This plant reduces mold and improves air quality. Prune to keep the shape and control of its vine length.

Cholophytum cosmosum (Spider plants) – It is most easy to maintain plant, adds ornamental beauty & helps in air purification. Keep it away from direct sunlight as it prefers medium light.

Schefflera plant - Place in medium light (bright, indirect sunlight); Keep soil dry between watering and mist frequently. They prefer high temperatures.

Aloe (Aloe Vera) - Heals burns, Aloe juice improves digestion, clears acne etc. These plants prefers high light, Can bloom if light is intense, Do not overwater. High daytime temperatures needed, Fertilize moderately on a monthly basis.

Peace Lily – These plants are adaptable and require low-maintenance. They help to remove mold from air. Bathrooms or damp areas of home are suitable location for the placement.

Microgreens - seeds of fennel, coriander, fenugreek, celery and mustard can be grown as micro greens. It takes couple of weeks for the seedlings to grow 2cm-5cm tall. They can then be snipped with scissors and added to salads, soups and curries.

ADORNING INDOOR SPACES WITH INDOOR PLANTS

Arrange plants in Odd Numbers - Group plants in an odd number. Using an even number can look symmetrical, making the arrangement look more formal. Odd numbers give a more natural & casual look.

Choose Different Sizes - Group together plants with different widths and heights. The difference in size gives a more organic look than plants of the same size, which look uniform.

Think About Leaf Shapes – Choose plants with variety of foliage patterns, different shapes and growth types. For example, place a squat trailing plant (pothos), a fountain-like plant (dracaena), and a tall plant with upward leaves (fiddle-leaf fig tree) together for an arrangement with interest and harmony.

Include Plants with Colorful Leaves – Plants are blessed with variety of colors, wisely choose the color of the plants. For a cohesive unified look, put plants together that have leaves of the same color. For more diversified contrast look, go for plants with foliage of different colors.

Use Decorative Pots - Choosing pots can be based on personal preference or as per the look of an interior design theme. You can use pots with similar finishes and colors to make the arrangement look like a set. Or you can combine all your favorite pots of different materials and colors for an eclectic arty finish.

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INDOOR PLANT CARE

It is advisable to use Low-maintenance plants - When choosing indoor plants, select varieties that will withstand indoor growing conditions such as low light intensity and dry air. To be satisfactory, indoor plants must do more than merely survive under indoor conditions. They must maintain an attractive appearance with a minimum of care.

Plants for small spaces – Consider the space available at house for accommodating indoor plants before buying them. Walls and windowsills along with hanging plants (using vibrant drape macramé hangers) are a terrific way to introduce some greenery without using up any floor space at all. The can be hung from the ceiling or can be placed on a high shelf.

Beware of too much of sun – A common problem with both indoor and outdoor plants is that they can suffer from too much sun. The sun's rays can stress a plant's leaves to the point of dehydration, causing the plant to lose much of its green vigor. Often times, the soil beneath the plant will have little or no moisture, causing it to harden. Keep changing locations of plants or plant sun-loving plants near full sun portion of the house.

Never overwater as it can cause root rot. Watering from bottom using saucer, watering when the soil on top appears dry & misting once a week could be done.

Start with the right container – Terracotta clay pots, wooden tubs, Brass and copper pots could be used. Containers should be with drainage holes to drain off extra water.

Soil is very important for houseplants -  

Garden Soil - Premier quality topsoil or red soil from your nearest nursery is preferable. Sand - Coarse sand enhances water drainage providing mechanical support for growing plants. Coconut coir peat - Coconut coir is a byproduct of the coconut industry which resembles peat moss and is available in India as compressed blocks or bricks. Compost -Contains organic decompose culturing zillions of beneficial microbes that enhance soil properties with excellent water holding capacity and nutrient content.

SIMPLE TIPS TO DIAGNOSE INDOOR PLANT PROBLEMS

Brown tips or burned margins to leaves may mean too much fertilizer, or you’ve let the plant roots dry out, or you’ve let the plant become burned by sun or dry winds.

Yellowing and dropping of leaves may indicate gas fumes, overwatering, poor drainage or poor soil aeration. Small leaves suggest tight or heavy soil mixture, lack of fertilizer or not enough moisture.

Yellowing, wilting, or soft-weak growth may mean too much heat or root injury.

White, cottony masses on leaves or stems may be mealy bugs or cottony cushion scale. A soap bath will help. Brown spots or streaks on the leaves may mean a bacterial or fungus disease.

Since house conditions are usually less than ideal, it’s advisable to change plants once in a while. Don’t expect a plant to live forever inside.

When you embellish interior spaces with indoor plants, you're not just adding greenery. These living organisms interact with your body, mind and home in ways that enhance the quality of life.

Let’s strive towards creating more & more Environment Conscious Designs through introduction of Plants indoors… thereby enhancing the Built environment & help promote healthy living everyday.

Happy Planting!!!

Ar.Sujit Vasant Jadhav

(M.Arch Landscape)