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tips for indoor gardening during isolation

Indoor Gardening: Tips During Social Distancing

Indoor gardening is a therapeutic and stress-reducing activity. However, it requires time and patience. As the days progress, the coronavirus pandemic is adding more stress to our lives. Most of us are stuck in our homes. Luckily, you can start your small garden during this time off. A perfect channel to turn the anxiety and boredom into a meditative activity.

Know Your plant’s Light Requirements

If you have a sun-loving plant, place it facing north or north-east. Since the sun is harsh in summers than winters, keep your sun-sensitive plants to an east-facing window than the west. Thoroughly monitor the temperature and soil moisture to make sure that the leaves are not burnt, which is an essential part of indoor gardening.

Shower Them Together

Plants that require high humidity, must be spritzed water together. It is also a great way to keep them clean. The dust particles can hinder them from getting maximum sunlight. Make sure to use room temperature water with a low quantity of minerals in it. Mist the plants during a cool temperature, either early morning or in the evening. Never spray mist on the plants in fully exposed sun.

Feed Them Some Fertilizer

Fertilizers come as both, solid and liquid, and are great options. The fastest and simplest solution is liquid fertilizer. You can always check the label for the recommended time interval. Over-fertilizing your plants can damage their roots. Better to be on the less side than more.

Bathroom Can Be The Best Spot

Who would have thought that placing your plants in the bathroom can be helpful? Some moisture-loving plants like ferns enjoy their stay in the bathrooms. A place where they can get regular doses of mist.

Order The Indoor Gardening Necessities Online

During this pandemic, shutters are down. It doesn’t mean that you cannot pursue your long-awaited passion for gardening. There are places that offer to deliver plant equipment, including pots and seeds at your doorstep.

Do Not Over Water

Water your plants only when the soil seems dry to the touch. Water is essential, but make sure not to overwater them. Not only do the roots absorb water and nutrients but they also exchange gases through the soil. Think of it “breathing” through roots. This is why it is important to have well-draining pots. Overwatering is often the cause of indoor plant death.

At the End

Indoor gardening requires time, patience and faith. A great way to destress yourself during this isolation period. Trust us, it is not that hard!

Also Read: Sage Cleansing or Smudging for Beginners

5 Reasons to Have Houseplants in Your Dorm Room

5 Reasons to Have Houseplants in Your Dorm Room

These low-maintenance houseplants have numerous benefits that every college student should get behind.

Whether you’re green-thumbed or not, gardening is probably the last priority on any college student’s agenda. Actually, it’s probably not on the agenda at all. With such a huge increase in responsibility, starting college can cause our actual priorities to become overtaken by stress, anxiety and loneliness.

Surprisingly, having a houseplant in your living space is scientifically proven to boost productivity, whilst also improving your mood. Plants can even help you to sleep, making them perfect companions for the stretched student. College News tracked down some of the easiest plants to care for, so there’s no excuse for killing your new roomie. Here are five reasons that your new best friends are plants.

  1. They clean the air

Indoor air pollutants are ranked one of the top five environmental risks to public health. Luckily, the evidence that plants clean the air actually comes from NASA. According to NASA, plants are “nature’s life support system” because they absorb some of the particulates from the air and also take in carbon dioxide, which is then processed into oxygen. Beyond this, microorganisms present in the plant’s soil also have a cleaning effect, which boosts your mood.

Our favourite plant to clean the air: Peace Lily

Care level: Easy

  1. They boost productivity

According to a study from Michigan University, being around plants can increase memory retention by up to 20 percent. Studies also showed improvements in both concentration and productivity. Large plants can also apparently absorb, diffract and reflect background noise. By also boosting alertness and reducing mental fatigue, having houseplants can literally make you smarter.

Our favourite plant for productivity: Spider Plant

Care level: Effortless

  1. They make you healthy 

At the Agricultural University of Norway, a study proved that the humidity generated by houseplants decreases dry skin, colds, sore throats, coughs, and the spread of flu viruses. Another study showed that being around plants post-surgery, led to significant improvement in physiologic recovery and lower systolic blood pressure. These benefits also extended to cognitive healing—patients with plants in their rooms experienced lower levels of pain, anxiety and fatigue.

Plants such as Aloe Vera are also medicinal by nature. Aloe can cure burns, ease constipation, aid cavities and ulcers, and has antioxidant and antimicrobial properties. Keeping one in your kitchen is probably a good idea if your unique gourmet cooking is considered a hazard.

Our favourite medicinal plant: Aloe Vera

Care level: Very easy

  1. They help you sleep

Most plants stop taking in carbon dioxide at night and instead respire like humans. However, some loveable specimens actually do the opposite. These plants are able to improve the air that you breathe during the night, increasing your sleep quality. Fragranced plants such as Lavender are also widely recognised as sleep aids. Lavender has been proven to lower heart rate, blood pressure, and stress levels—making it the perfect relaxant for your dorm room.

Our favourite plant for sleep: Snake Plant

Care level: Indestructible

  1. They reduce stress, loneliness and depression

Whilst it has been proven that houseplants reduce stress and anxiety levels, the act of caring for a plant can also better your mental health. Cultivating something has been shown to be calming and can boost self-esteem and feelings of control. It might sound cliché, but having something to water can get you out of bed in the mornings, boost your optimism, and improve your overall wellbeing.

Our favourite plant for mental health: Anthurium

Care level: Pretty easy

Further Reading: You’re Not Alone: Facing Loneliness In College