‘Plant Parents’ Are as Obsessed With Their Houseplants as Other People Are With Their Pets

There are people who love plants, and then there are people who love plants.

Earlier this month, the Wall Street Journal ran a fascinating story about “plant parents” — people who own dozens, if not hundreds, of indoor plants that they care for extensively. Most of the plant parents have given names to their shrubs and trees, and all of them have formed emotional bonds with the greenery in their homes.

Indoor Plants Are Good For Your Health

Many of the plant parents featured in the story talk about the love and connection they feel with their indoor plants. Puneet Sabharwal, CEO and co-founder of plant subscription site Horti, told the Wall Street Journal that his 72 plants make him feel like he has “a jungle of these plants that already are a community and somehow I get integrated into that.”

And no wonder: Not only do houseplants brighten up your home, they are also beneficial for your mental and physical health.

Studies have shown that indoor plants can improve your mood, relieve stress, increase concentration and productivity, boost your immunity and lower your disease risk. Houseplants can also reduce air pollution in your home: Extensive research conducted by NASA has found that indoor plants can eliminate up to 87 percent of air toxins in just 24 hours.

Picking The Right Plants

One plant parent, Antonio Johnson, has 40 houseplants, some of which he says “serve as a representation of his personality,” according to the Wall Street Journal. The snake plant, he tells the newspaper, is just like him: “It will do well with you or without you.”

The snake plant is a low-maintenance option that looks good in any home. But if you want to become a plant parent, remember that not every plant works in every space. After all, you wouldn’t want to pick greenery that needs a lot of sunlight if your apartment gets a lot of shade.

You should also think about what you want from your plants. Do you want your home to smell nice? Check out jasmine flowers or citrus plants. Do you prefer something low-maintenance? Get yourself a cast iron or snake plant. Other plants, like aloe vera or ferns, can keep your house naturally cool.

You can find any of these at your local nursery or home improvement and gardening center. Or check out online plant retailers, like The Sill or even Amazon.

Houseplants can make any home look beautiful, smell wonderful and feel serene. No wonder these plant parents are obsessed!