August 2019

Having houseplants in your apartment can help make it a healthier place. Why?

They essentially do the opposite of what we do when we breathe; they release oxygen and absorb carbon dioxide. And studies show that houseplants not only freshen the air, but also increase productivity and reduce stress.

Now if you’re thinking that you couldn’t even manage to take care of a fake plant, here are three nearly indestructible plants to help get you started.

Snake Plant

• Why you want it. It doesn’t get much easier than this plant, also known as mother-in-law’s tongue. It has variegated leaves that grow upright and it occasionally blooms with small, white flowers.
• How to care for it. This plant gro
  ws well in a whole range of lighting conditions. The air should be somewhat dry, as well as the soil. Any normal room temperature will suit it just fine.

Pothos

• Why you want it. This plant has excellent air-purifying qualities and thrives in most lighting conditions. Its trailing stems work well in a hanging basket or as a climbing plant.
• How to care for it. Pothos can produce stems that trail 8 feet or longer, so just cut them back when they get too long and your plant will continue to look great. Allow soil to dry a bit between watering.

Aloe

• Why you want it. This succulent with long, pointed leaves has wonderful medicinal properties. You can snip off a piece and apply the gel to skin irritations and burns.

• How to care for it. Aloe likes room temperatures around 70 degrees and a lot of sunlight. As you might expect for a succulent, it prefers dry soil, so avoid frequent watering.

At South and Hickory Place, we love it when a resident turns their apartment into a place that enhances their life. Plants are a great way to do just that, so we encourage you bring a little more greenery to your home.