Recently there have been many accounts on the benefits of having house plants.  They help by soaking up VOCs, which slowly off gas from a variety consumer products.  Most VOCs are suspected carcinogens, if not already proven so.  Having plants indoors lowers the levels of these chemicals, and hence promotes better health.  But like pets, they are also proven to reduce stress levels.  In addition, they also oxygenate the air – meaning it smells better and will ultimately give a little boost to blood oxygen levels, which does everything from helping you fight off infection better to helping you think quicker.

Clearly, there are many benefits received from having plants.

The sad part is that most people treat plants like furniture.  Though they don’t move, they are a living creature and do require care.  So here are some tips to keep your plants in tip top condition.

1. During summer put you plants outside. I have many monstrous houseplants, and they all ooze vitality.  There is deep green foliage everywhere, without any barren limbs.  People ask me all the time how I get them so lush, and the secret is to put them outside in the summer.

But there is a little more to it than that.  Like humans, plants that aren’t used to the full sun will burn easily after a winter indoors.  So you have to acclimatize them when you first put them out. Different plants have different sun needs, but even a full sun plant should see no more than 1 hour of sun a day in the beginning.  They will get used to it quickly, and after a couple of weeks will be ready.  Just make sure you know what their sun requirements are.  Full shade plants will burn to a crisp quite easily.

Also note that as long as they don’t freeze, they are fine outside.  Even a plant that is found on the equator can handle 2 degrees Celcius overnight.  Please note that while they can handle almost freezing, many plants will die quickly even in a light frost.  So if there is a risk of frost, take them in.

2.  Keep them clean. Many houseplants literally suffocate in dust.  While this won’t be much of a problem if they are outside every summer (and are rained on) they may need a mid-season cleaning.  There are products out there for this, but you have to attend to each leaf individually, plus I think most of us are aware enough to realize that spraying more chemicals on anything is never a good idea. No matter how innocuous the manufacturer claims they might be.

If your plants have dusty leaves simply put them in the shower and then hose them down.  Leave them in there for a while to dry off, then shake them off a bit get rid of excess water.

3. Note how much water they need. Plants are most frequently killer by either too much or too little water.  Note the kind of plant it is.  Ferns, lilies, spider plants, etc… can stand more water than most, but even they should have dry periods.  Tropicals are used to a wet and dry season – in fact, after taking mine in I don’t water them for a couple of months.

Succulents are different.  They store water in their leaves or body, and as such require less water than you might think.  For example, I have a massive jade plant.  It needs watering only when the leaves become soft.  If the leaves are firm, it is topped up and can go without water for some months.  Besides, not watering them triggers their flowering.

So I hope you get some houseplants and take proper care of them, as they will also take care of you.