Green Thumbs Celebrate National Indoor Plant Week

Summer is almost over, and for many gardeners, it can be hard to say goodbye to all of their hard work and the benefits gardening brings. Your elderly loved one doesn’t need to simply sit inside and wait for next spring to continue working with plants. Each year in September, National Indoor Plant Week reminds seniors that while perhaps they can’t be outside for much longer caring for plants, they can bring that green-thumb passion inside. Beautifying the living space is just one benefit of indoor plants. Here are a few reasons why indoor plants are great for seniors, and how senior home care can support their growing efforts.

Health Benefits of Indoor Plants

Simply by caring for indoor plants, your elderly loved one will reap some wonderful health benefits. Having indoor plants and taking care of them reduces stress, cleans the air, and provides purpose for the gardener. From cacti to orchids, they all can do more than simply beautify your loved one’s home.

Getting Started with Indoor Plants

If your loved one doesn’t have any indoor plants, September is a great time to pick some up. Bring home new plants and enjoy a winter full of lush green beauty even during the snowiest of days.

First, look around your loved one’s home to see areas where plants could thrive. Most plants (but not all!) require some type of sunlight, whether direct or indirect. Is there an area where a nice potted tree would brighten a corner, or perhaps a hanging plant by the window will make a not-so-great view much more pleasant?

Next, do a bit of research on what kind of plants will be best for your loved one to care for. Taking care of indoor plants requires a bit more consistency and care than many outdoor plants. Some great indoor plants for your loved one might be spider plants, snake plants, and aloe vera plants. Many seniors also enjoy caring for succulents and cacti as they require even less care and provide a tropical look to the home.

The final step is diving in and purchasing some plants. For the healthiest plants, flower shops and garden centers are the best bet for your senior. She might appreciate having someone come with her to pick out the plants, and any other caretaking products she’ll need. Her senior home care provider can help with transportation and shopping.

Once home, it’s time to put the plants in their new homes. If a plant is going to live in a hanging basket, a senior home care provider can help hang it. Your loved one might want to set up alerts on her calendar for reminders about watering and fertilizing. Her senior home care provider can help her stay on top of caring for her plants by reviewing her calendar each week to see if the necessary care has been completed. Transitions can be hard for plants so those first few months are an important time for consistency in care.

The final step is to enjoy! Your parent will love being able to be around and care for green plants all year round and these new indoor plants will get her through the winter.

Reference
https://www.healthline.com/health/healthy-home-guide/benefits-of-indoor-plants

If you or an aging loved one are considering senior home care in Newton, KS, please contact the caring staff at Touching Hearts at Home Central Kansas today. Call 620-603-0685.

Touching Hearts at Home Central Kansas is a Trusted Home Care Agency Barton, Dickinson, Edwards, Ellis, Ellsworth, Great Bend, Hutchinson, Larned, Lyons, Marion, McPherson, Newton, Pawnee, Rice, Reno, Salina, Sedgwick, Stafford, and the surrounding areas.