I HAD to try and save them! I HAD TO!

I went to Lowes this weekend to pick up just a couple of things and at the back of the store on a cart were a selection of plants that were dying from mistreatment at the hands of lackadaisical Lowes employees. They were all marked down (as they should be considering the state they're in!) So I bought a few new house plants.

When I got married I had dozens of plants, but with the coming years and move after move after move, I ended up leaving most behind. I never really got around to replacing them all even after settling at the farm for so long.

But now that we're here for awhile it's time to put some growing things back in the picture. And these are what I'm starting out with.

You have probably heard that plant help clean the air in your home. In fact some studies have shown that with enough of the right plants you can lessen or eliminate "sick house syndrome".

Other benefits of indoor plants include:

Increased positive feelings and reduced feelings of anxiety, anger and sadness.
Reduction of sound levels
Reduction of stress levels
Control of humidity to the within the optimum levels for human health
Cooling effect
Absorption of carbon dioxide and emission of oxygen refreshing the air
Improved concentration levels leading to improved productivity particularly with those working with computers
Reduction of absenteeism in the workplace
Faster recovery from mental tiredness
Interiors feel spacious, looked after and clean
People prefer to occupy rooms that contain plants
Improved image - interiors are perceived as "more expensive"

Clean your house and reduce stress in your home this winter by filling it with plants. And don't say you have a brown thumb and can't grow anything without killing it. Usually it's a matter of too little or too much water or too little or too much light. (Or cats eating or, um, going "potty" in the flower pot...remember the gorgeous palm I got last spring? Yeah, well it died a horrible and untimely death because a certain cat decided to use it instead of the litter box! Yuck!)