While houseplants have been used for garden designs for the exterior part of homes for a long time, the houseplants now being used to decorate the interior of a home is fast gaining popularity. Unlike before, it is not a rare occurrence to see houseplants in most Nigerian homes.
What you should know: Indoor plants or houseplants are plants grown and kept indoors in homes and offices. They are basically kept for either decorative purposes or health reasons such as air purification. These houseplants have a number of benefits which include they brighten up your space, improves your mood, purifies the air and reduces anxiety levels.
According to research conducted, houseplants improve memory performance by 20%. It is also said to lower stress levels.
Houseplants as Living Decor
Houseplants were used creatively and stylishly this year in so many Nigerian homes. We experienced a paradigm shift from using plants in some hidden way as we allow them to fade into the background to using plants as an actual prop and showcasing them. Houseplants are being used to make pictures look good and to decorate the house thereby giving it that aesthetic boost.
This year no doubt saw a number of trends in the housing sector, from trending paint colours to decor and the likes. Houseplants are another trend we saw take shape in 2020.
Houseplants for Air Purification
As stated earlier, houseplants purify the air through the process of photosynthesis. Just as humans breathe in oxygen and breathe out carbon dioxide, plants do the opposite. They absorb light, carbon dioxide, and water to manufacture sugar. This chemical process creates oxygen as a byproduct. This is why plants that naturally photosynthesize in lower light.
Plants also manufacture phytochemicals which are used to protect the plant from insects, diseases, and microbes that could threaten it.
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Best Houseplants
Aloe Vera Plant
The aloe Vera plant is one of the most popular house plants. This is because of its many medicinal and healing properties. It enhances the skin and even hair. Aloe Vera also helps monitor the quality of air in your home. Having this plant in your home can help rid it of air pollutants found in chemical cleaning products.
A unique thing about the aloe Vera plant is that when the number of harmful chemicals in the air becomes too much, the plants’ leaves will show brown spots.
Calla Lily Plant
Native to Nigeria and other African countries, the Calla Lily plant is super gorgeous. It’s alluring white, yellow or pink petals give off the perfect greenery home decor. Calla lilies need at least six hours a day of very bright indirect light. Note that direct sun often burns the leaves of indoor houseplants.
Orchids
This is another beautiful houseplant and it is also quite popular. Orchids are sensitive and so require care for the flowers to keep blooming. This captivating plant can be grown in the home.
Dumb Cane Plant
The Dumb Cane Plant, also known as the Dieffenbachia plant is a green and yellow/white plant that is very common mostly seen in homes, gardens, parks, and offices. Although it is used to eliminate toxins and clear the air, it can be dangerous if ingested. Keep from the reach of children because it can cause temporary speechlessness due to extensive saliva production and swelling of the lips, mouth, tongue, and throat. These effects, however, wear off in a matter of days.
Mother-in-Law’s tongue
This plant also called Sansevieria plant or snake plant can go a month without water, which is why they are low maintenance because it is very easy to care for it. They also do not need much air or sunlight to survive therefore you can place them in any corner of your house.
Other houseplants include ficus, Boston fern, Chinese evergreen, baby rubber, bamboo palm, Areca palm and mass cane among others.
