Photo courtesy of http://www.urbanjunglebloggers.com
Clutter control is the hot topic of the new year. It seems no blog or magazine is without advice. Amazingly, some of the advice involves buying lots of new stuff to control the old stuff causing trouble. Analysis of this is badly needed, but we haven’t the time. Not now. Not when house plants, living things, have been put , by some, in the category of clutter.
Now what is meant by clutter? The logical thinking might be that clutter is what gets in the way of the enjoyment of our surroundings. Clutter would be things that are not pulling their weight. Things that take up space but are neither useful or beautiful. Things that crowd out what we treasure.
Another photo courtesy of http://www.urbanjunglebloggers.com
That couldn’t define indoor plants. First, they are useful. Plants of course use carbon dioxide and give off oxygen—that has to be helpful. Plants really do help in removing multiple toxins from indoor air. Indoor air needs this. In yet another example of the unfairness of life, the more that has been invested in insulation and windows, the more likely toxins are to be building up in the air. So, plants are good for physical health. Breathing cleaner air has to be a benefit. Mental health can suffer too when things outside are looking far too beige and grey. Tending indoor plants can be a quick, and effective, therapy session.
Plants appreciate the attention paid to them. It doesn’t take much time or effort to clean a few leaves. Clean leaves are more beautiful and also more effective at removing those toxins. Take the time to check the soil before watering. This one simple thing can avoid many problems, some of which are far from simple. Small amounts of time and effort lead to happy discoveries. New begonia leaves are tiny works of art and the sight of an emerging bloom spike on an orchid has to brighten any mood.
All these benefits—sounds expensive. It isn’t!! Friends and family may be glad to share plants—for free. Clubs and organizations have sales and often offer interesting plants at bargain prices..
So plants aren’t clutter and they aren’t a luxury. They bring nature to our homes every day—and nature is needed –every day.
Susan Thornbury
Indulge in an oasis of plant information from http://www.urbanjunglebloggers.com and thanks again for photos from urban jungle photographers and joelix.com.
DALLAS GARDEN BUZZ 