Question: Should you really have plants in your house?

Answer: YES.

#Plants are a great addition to the home for so many reasons. From elements of interior design to edible indoor gardens, plants will always have a place in the home. Keep reading to learn why I am obsessed with being a plant mom and why you should adopt some plant children for yourself, if you aren't already plant crazy like me. If you think you don't need house plants in your life, I bet I will prove you wrong! (However, there are a few reasons why you shouldn't keep plants indoors, which I will address in a bit.)

First and foremost, they are gorgeous and remind us of the peace and beauty of #nature. I think in our busy society we need to bring as much peace and tranquility into our lives as we can and plants are one way to do that. I don't know about you but when I'm around plants, they just have an instant calming effect on me. In college, I always kept plants in my dorm room to lift my mood a bit.

As humans, we rely on plants to live. Over millennia, we have learned to appreciate plants and all of their benefits, which is probably why we feel comforted by them. Plants remind us of our history when we were one with nature. As our world continues to separate itself from this type of lifestyle, we keep looking for ways to return to our more natural roots.

Because they are so appealing and beautiful, #houseplants can make a huge impact as #interiordesign elements. They really liven up a space (yes, that may have been a pun). Whether you use them as bold statement pieces, like the trees in the photo below, or as soft, delicate accents, they will always add interest and make a space more inviting. Layering #green plants on a white background is very on-trend right now whether your style is sleek and modern or farmhouse rustic. But let's not judge on appearances alone, plants are worth more than just their good looks!

Growing plants can be a challenging and rewarding #hobby. Some plants have very special needs and when you figure out exactly what they need to thrive, that flower bud or new leaf will be that much more exciting. Another exciting moment for us plant parents is when we get a little baby plant, or maybe even start with just a seed or a cutting, and we raise it into a majestic specimen. This takes consistency and patience and can help instill those qualities in us. Plants can also teach us #educational lessons as well. They can make great subjects for #science projects for kids or we can explore our own curiosity with experiments of our own. One thing I like to do is grow seeds from the fresh produce I eat. I love to see how the plants develop from seed to little green sprouts. Some of my favorite seeds to sprout are mangoes, lemons, and apples, just to name a few. (I currently have two apple trees that made it through the winter and are growing strong. I plan to form these into small bonsai specimens if they continue growing well.) It would take years before these trees produce fruit, but it is fun to watch them #grow in the meantime.

Plants also provide for us, even indoor ones. Probably the most obvious thing plants provide for us is food. Many #fruits and #vegetables, like lemons, mandarin oranges, salad greens, and even carrots, can be grown indoors and can provide you with your own personal "farm" to table experience. Growing fresh herbs in your kitchen can also take your meals to the next level and can save you some cash at the grocery store because they can be pricey and don't last very long in the refrigerator. Many people grow vegetables outdoors in the summer, but why not grow some inside for the winter! Keep in mind that many of these plants will need ample sunlight to grow properly so either put them in a well-lit location or get some grow lights if that is not possible. Grow lights often become necessary for light-loving plants in the winter because natural light levels are generally much lower, depending on where you live. (Note to beginners: grow bulbs are specially designed to emit the wavelengths of light most needed by plants for photosynthesis and are not the same as regular light bulbs.)

Along with nutrition, certain plants also have health or #medicinal uses. Aloe vera is one example that's very easy to grow. The "gel" that makes up the inner tissue of its thick leaves can be used in #DIY face masks and is great for sunburns. Think about your health and nutritional needs and see if there are any plants out there that could help you! (IMPORTANT: always get your information from reputable sources backed by science and always talk to your doctor before making any drastic changes!) For example, I recently started a container tea garden so I can blend my own herbal, all natural teas to help me feel better during cough and cold season.

If all of these reasons were not enough for you, plants also do one important thing that we can't live without: they create breathable oxygen (O2) and produce #cleanair in the process. It is well known that plants reduce carbon dioxide levels, but there is evidence from several reputable sources that plants also help eliminate other harmful molecules found in our air. According to NASA, several common house plants, such as English ivy, golden pothos, and spider plants, can remove toxic #chemicals like benzene from the air. Obviously, one plant is not enough to clean the air in your whole house but you have to start somewhere. If you only have one or two plants, just put them in the room where you spend most of your time. More plants = Cleaner air so if you think you already have too many plants, don't feel guilty when you (inevitably) buy more. You are doing your lungs a favor!

So I mentioned before that there are some reasons why you should not grow plant's indoors, but this only applies to some people and certain kinds of plants. The most obvious reason is #allergies. If you know you are allergic to a specific plant, obviously do not growth it inside if you want to avoid your allergy symptoms. Another important, yet often overlooked reason not to grow certain plants is that some plants can be #toxic if eaten by pets or children.

Always keep potentially harmful plants away from pets and little ones. (Since cats often go where they please, it is best to not grow anything that may harm them in the house.) Do a quick search online to see if a particular plant is harmful or not. Just beware that there are many false and exaggerated claims out there so always look for reputable sources, like the ASPCA page for poisonous and non-poisonous plants. There are still lots of plants that are safe so this shouldn't stop you from starting or continuing your own plant collection.

Did I prove you wrong? Plants don't ask much from us but they give us sooo much in return, so go get yourself some plant babies!! Check out garden centers in the spring for the best selection or even order online! Happy plant shopping :)