Why Grow Houseplants?
by Pamela Kock

I recently visited a friend’s house, and admired the plants she’d artfully arranged in her home. Lush and luxuriant, they seemed perfectly groomed and hadn’t one yellowing leaf among them. Upon closer examination, however, I found they were fake! The plants’ perfection should have been a dead giveaway, of course. But the fact that these fabricated beauties fooled me brings up a good question – why bother with the real thing? In fact, why do we have the desire for houseplants at all?

My friend, who is proud of her sense of design and style, obviously feels that plants are an integral part of creating a comfortable living space. Interior landscaping is a booming business for use in offices, public buildings, medical centers, hotels, and restaurants – even fast food restaurants have plant displays. We enjoy gardens inside our homes for the same reasons we like them in the great outdoors. Plants soften hard edges, diffuse lighting, create feelings of calm and well-being.

Scientific studies have proven that indoor plants do effectively clean the air. Some varieties remove more toxins and pollutants than others, but nearly all have this capability. Though it would probably take a lot of plants to do the job completely, more than the average person would want to cultivate, even a few will reduce the buildup of toxic chemicals present in many homes and offices. Plants have been proven to fight “sick building syndrome”, a common problem in offices, and even help people with asthma breathe more freely.

Some people bring houseplants into their homes simply because mom has them. Perhaps a cherished aunt always grew African violets; that pot on the coffee table is a reminder of how much we loved her. Plants are often inherited – if the plant’s owner has become too ill or has passed away, a home must be found for the plant just as if it were a pet. Houseplants are often given as gifts, of course. If you receive a basket of gorgeous foliage or blooming plants from the florist, it seems a shame to just let them wither away. Re-potted, those plants can survive for years and remind us of the people that gave them. This is especially true of plants from funeral arrangements; I can look around my home and point out every plant that came from arrangements gracing my father’s funeral, still flourishing and reminding me of his love.

Decoration, air quality, sentimentality – are these the only reasons we love houseplants? Of course it isn’t. If it were this simple, we could invest in statuary, air filters, or display our late grandparents’ collection of salt shakers. Alternatively, we could do as my stylish friend and arrange masterfully fabricated silk foliage and blooms, guaranteed never to fade or wilt. In today’s heavily scheduled, hectic society, we need houseplants to remind us of the rewards that come over time instead of through instant gratification. Nurture a cactus carefully until it blooms, and you’ve accomplished something rare and spectacular. There are thousands of houseplant varieties available, and their diversity will dazzle you with unique growth habits and behavior.

As hobbies go, growing houseplants is probably one of the least demanding. The monetary investment is minimal; a few containers, quality potting soil, and a good plant food is all most common varieties require. The time involved is fairly inconsequential as well, and can be a welcome break in your busy day. You might compare growing houseplants to caring for pets, but there are distinct advantages to the green variety of pet! They don’t create odor problems, don’t require medical care, and won’t run away or scratch up your sofa when left unattended. Our green leafy pets don’t need to be taken for a walk or beg at the table for treats, and if you’re an apartment dweller, your landlord won’t mind a bit if you have fifty of them.

Silk plants and flowers have their advantages, but they won’t provide the feeling of satisfaction that comes from nurturing and watching a plant as it grows. Fake plants won’t clean the air and have very little value in terms of pride and accomplishment, and you won’t get the same feeling of peace as you walk among them. Caring for a real plant will encourage respect and a feeling of harmony with nature, give you something to look forward to amid your busy schedule, and help you re-align your priorities. As the old saying goes, stop and smell the roses. If your Peace Lily is wilting, it’s a sign that you should pay attention not only to the plant, but also to the details in your life. For it is in the details that we find the grand plan for our existence – true pleasure comes not from the result, but from the process.