No green fingers, but a bit of greenery in your own four walls would be great? Plant expert Bettina Bayer-Grilz reveals which houseplants don’t need much care or light and what you should nevertheless bear in mind – despite their modesty.
There is something a little meditative about them. Something that slows us down and calms us down. They can positively counteract stress, mood swings and lack of motivation. “Houseplants make an emotional contribution to our well-being,” says Bettina Bayer-Grilz from “bellaflora”, “They have such a positive effect on us humans because our appreciation of nature is deeply rooted in our evolution. For our ancestors, who were hunters and gatherers, flower colors signaled food. That is why the sight of them stimulates the release of dopamine. Even if we have enough food all year round, flowers still lift our mood today and spending time with plants calms us and is good for the soul. Houseplants bring comfort, life and a positive mood into our living spaces.”
You can also benefit from houseplants in the office. Maintenance tasks such as watering and fertilizing help to clear your head a little – and the plants also purify the air. “They improve air quality by absorbing carbon monoxide and releasing oxygen. They ensure good breathing air and optimal brain function. They can also reduce the level of pollutants in the air, improve concentration and reduce the risk of ‘brain fog'”.
Indoor plants that purify the air particularly well:
- Real aloe
- Flamingo flower (Anthurium)
- Calathea
- Mountain palm (Chamaedorea)
- Green lily (Chlorophytum)
- Dieffenbachia
- Dragon tree (Dracaena)
- Golden fruit palm (Dypsis)
- Birch fig (Ficus benj.)
- Rubber tree (Ficus elastica)
- Window leaf (Monstera) …
It all depends on the right location
Before deciding on a green roommate, the expert recommends at least giving some thought to the location: Will there be a lot or little light? Are there many temperature fluctuations? Are we dealing with high or low humidity? Can the air circulate well there?
Because: “The success or failure of a houseplant depends primarily on its location and care. One and the same place can be ideal for one green roommate, but a total fiasco for another.” A tip from Bayer-Grilz: “For shady, darker corners, I recommend plants with dark green leaves, for example the beautiful lucky feather (Zamioculcas), the dragon tree (Dracaena), the robust bow hemp (Sansevieria), the decorative basket maranthe (Calathea), the climbing philodendron (Philodendron scandens). And if it’s too dark for these plants, you can provide light with special plant lamps.”
Even with robust species, it is important to choose the optimum location and know the respective requirements. However, they don’t take it too badly and don’t really hold a grudge if you neglect them for a while.
These houseplants are particularly easy to care for – and decorative:
- Bow hemp (Sansevieria)
- Money tree (Crassula ovata)
- Dragon tree (Dracaena)
- Lucky feather (Zamioculcas)
- Cacti
- Yucca (Yucca elephantipes)
- Window leaf (Monstera)
And if you want to make things even easier, you can use hydroponics. The plants draw water independently from a reservoir that supplies them for weeks, so that even longer absences are no obstacle. So let’s be clear: even people without green fingers can create a plant paradise at home – with little effort and without a great deal of know-how.
Related posts:
From north to west: which plants for your balcony?
