When I first started sheltering in place during the COVID-19 outbreak I had to take in several plants from the store that I run in Newport so that they could be properly fed weekly. What I have noticed since having more of a botanical presence in the little chateau just proves that everything I have read about the benefits of plants is simply… true. According to Psych Central it has been scientifically proven that indoor plants have a psychological impact when one is exposed to a healthy green environment especially when the indoor plant is placed near your workspace or laptop. They have also found that your pulse rate is significantly calmer near a plant than not. During a time when I initially had expected to feel more anxiety than ever before, I have discovered that through my entire quarantine I have experienced minimal to no panicked moments. Overall, I’ve remained surprisingly calm.

Plants also filter the air inside of our home that contain toxins we breathe in on a regular basis. Some toxins that can make up the air in our space come from technology we use, simple plastics, the paint on our walls and other contributing harmful toxins. Check out this post I did on The Benefits of Having Plants in Your Home, here.

Below are some of the botanical friends that I keep around my house that help keep me calm and also… clean my air.

Thank you, plants!

Philodendron

These leafy greens can grow so long that placing these on a high shelf is not a terrible idea; mine are young so I’m excited to see them grow down since I have one placed on a high shelf. These are very low maintenance and will brighten up any interior space, while filtering out any formaldehyde in the air that you breathe in.

How to care for Philodendrons:

Low to medium indirect sunlight; water once or twice a week and make sure the soil is entirely dry when you go to re-water!

Pothos

Similar to the philodendron, the pothos filters out toxins and is very easy to take care of if you lack a green thumb! The shades of greens and yellows in the pothos plant are so unique and will bring quite a bit of life into your very own little chateau. I purchased a Marble Queen Pothos from The Sill in one of their unique pots- it has added such a bright touch to my bookshelf.

How to care for Pothos:

Similar care to a philodendron; low to medium indirect sunlight and water the dry soil 1-2 times/week.

Monstera Deliciosa

I have this plant in a round basket placed on top of a metal stand to give it some height in my living room as more of a statement piece that draws the eye right to it when you step foot into that space. This is another plant that will purify the air in your home.

How to care for Monstera Deliciosa:

Will flourish in bright or medium indirect sunlight; water 1 - 2 times/week when soil is entirely dry

Jade

Jades are actually succulents and these beauties will grow for a very, very long time; they can grow over 3 feet indoors. Jade plants are a little bit more temperamental than some of the others described so make sure you are properly caring for them by season!

How to care for Jade:

Young jades need bright, but indirect sunlight. Large jades can handle direct sunlight. Water the jade entirely until the soil is completely damp and rewater when the soil has gone completely dry in the summertime. In the winter time, it won’t need as much water and may even go dormant. Keep them out of cold, drafty areas in the wintertime.

Where I shop locally for unique plants and pots: