The Botanic Boom

House plants – big and small – have been popular in home design for decades, and the trend has grown in the past 18 months. The pandemic resulted in a “botanic boom.” Why? Because, for many, indoor plants became a link to nature when we were afraid to leave the house. Plus, we finally stayed home long enough to care for them.

Indoor plants serve a great purpose. When we develop a collection of green growing things, we win on all levels: aesthetic, practical, and psychological. Rachel Guffey of Jungle House at 924 Delaware Street in Lawrence says, “I started collecting plants for mental health benefits. They helped me cope with winter seasonal depression. Seeing the plants thrive gave me a serotonin boost.”

One easy, low-maintenance plant recommended by Jungle House is Pothos: aka Devil’s Ivy. “The leaves on this plant will go limp and signify that they need attention. After watering, the plants will bounce back within several hours. Pothos is great for styling because it has long trailing vines which complement any bookshelf or mantle.”

The spider plant, another good example, is popular in current home design. It is resilient and seems to thrive even when forgotten about for a while. This pet-friendly choice is on the NASA list of houseplants that clean and filter indoor air. Yes, NASA actually has a list.

Edible plants have been a crowd-pleaser this year. If you enjoy cooking, there’s nothing better than using herbs and vegetables straight from your own garden. There are plenty of varieties that grow well in pots next to a sunny window or on a patio.

 “Styling with plants adds much life to your home’s interior,” says Guffey. “Lately, we have seen lots of people purchasing plants for the sole purpose of staging their house before it goes on the market.” The folks at Stephens Real Estate think that’s a great idea!