Creating A Plant Sanctuary In Your Rental
We’re living through some stressful times, so it's important to find a little sanctuary for ourselves and our families away from the tensions of the world. Why not create your own personal plant sanctuary in your rental home?
What is a plant sanctuary?
A plant sanctuary is anywhere you can arrange plants as part of a nook where you can nestle in to relax or meditate. It can be indoors, outdoors or both. If you have a small living space, a patio or balcony is an ideal place for your plant sanctuary. A sunny window also works for an indoor space. Having at least part of your plant sanctuary inside is especially wise when entering into the winter season.
Why is a plant sanctuary beneficial?
Greenery has a positive effect on our brains’ electrical activity in a way that improves heart activity and reduces muscle tension. Even the presence of potting soil makes your brain produce more serotonin, a natural mood enhancer.
Many plants also act as air purifiers, taking harmful toxins out of the environment, which is essential as we find ourselves spending more time at home.
Adding plants to your space does not have to be a complicated or expensive project, and you can do it whether you live in a large rental home with spacious grounds or in a smaller unit with limited outdoor space.
Choosing your plants
There’s an entire jungle of plants to choose from for your plant sanctuary. Here are six that are ideal based on the benefits they offer.
1. Money Tree
The money tree is a real mood enhancer, but unfortunately, it doesn’t grow real cash. It’s a tropical plant that can sit on the patio in a warm climate, but also adjusts easily to indoor life if you put it near a sunny window. It grows fast and tall, so give it a little space.
2. Dracaena
This plant is great for a darker place in your sanctuary. The dracaena with its long, broad leaves in varied hues has a reputation for taking harmful chemicals out of the air. It doesn’t require a lot of water and can stay outdoors in warmer climates.
3. Peace Lily
This is an indoor plant favored by many. Keep the topsoil moist and put it near a little sunshine to thrive. Additionally, the peace lily produces fresh oxygen at night.
4. Snake plant
Don’t let the name turn you off. It comes from the pattern on the plant’s long, upright leaves. The snake plant is low maintenance, doesn’t need a lot of water and tolerates moderate light.
5. Spider plant
The spider plant is another type of greenery with benefits that outweigh its scary name. The name comes from the “spiderettes,” or baby plants it produces. The spider plant will give your space a tropical feel while cleansing the air. It likes a little sunshine and occasional watering but is otherwise maintenance-free.
6. ZZ plant
How’s ZZ plant for a relaxing name? This plant is incredibly low-maintenance. It tolerates low light and only needs water about once a month.
The final touches
Plants may be the key elements of your plant sanctuary, but other things can enhance your space too. Soft blue, violets, purples or green flowers create a soothing backdrop. Consider adding furnishings with an outdoor appeal, such as wicker. This will give your space an outdoorsy, tropical feel during the cold months. A gurgling water feature can also enhance the atmosphere, as can soothing music. You can also download natural sounds, such as jungle noises, gentle rain or the distant whistle of a passing train.
Think about what relaxes you and put it all together. It won’t cost a lot or take a lot of effort to create a plant sanctuary that is your own little corner away from the rest of the world.
