Fresh Cut Flowers and Indoor Live Plants

I am a woman who loves to make our house a home.   Keeping the house clean and tidy all the time is not enough for me.   I want to see something that catches the eyes at home when you sit back and relax.   Not just the usual furniture, wall decors and accessories but something that has life in it.  This may either be fresh cut flowers in a vase or indoor live plants in an attractive pot.

It is best to have fresh flowers or indoor plants at home than those artificial flowers or plants and I prefer fresh cut flowers and live indoor plants to artificial ones.  There is more life and meaning to the former than to the latter.   Just like other people, they also like to have pets at home to look after and as an added company.    Fresh flowers and indoor plants are also something to look after and give added beauty and colour to the home.   They must be fed, watered and taken care of as well.  

Studies showed that fresh flowers and indoor plants have lots of benefits. They make you feel more relaxed and optimistic, and they are able to reduce stress levels in the home.  Looking at green plants for example will make you feel calmer.

On top of that, fresh flowers and indoor plants improve the air quality in the house. Through their foliage they are able to purify the air and remove toxins from household chemicals or paints. They also filter dust out of the air and increase humidity levels in the home.

So fresh flowers and indoor plants are not only aesthetic, they are also beneficial to our health.  

Few tips in choosing the right fresh cut flowers and indoor plants for your home:

Fresh Cut Flowers:

1.  Something that will last for a week or two i.e. roses normally last for a week and carnations, lilies, orchids and chrysanthemums for about two weeks or more.
2. Buy flowers with closed non-drooping buds.  This indicates that they are recently picked from the garden and would last longer than those buds that are already open.
3. Look out for good plump, firm flowers with healthy leaves and unbroken stems.
4. Choose flowers that will match or blend with the colour of your room.
5. Choose flowers that have a good smell or scent if necessary.
6. Choose the right size and cut of your flowers that will be appropriate for the type and size of your vase.  If you do not have the vase yet, find a vase that is also appropriate for the size and amount of your cut flowers.  Avoid clamping your flowers in a small vase. Allow enough room for the flowers to breathe in the vase.
7. Use lukewarm water and fill the vase about half to three quarters of water.

Indoor live Plants:

1. Identify which part of the house should the indoor plant be placed. ie. In a window sill facing or against the sunlight, in the corner of the living room, in a tea or side table, etc.
2. Consider the size and height of the plant you intend to put in a certain room.
3. A plant that suits the climate and the amount of shade or sunlight that needs.
4. Choose a plant that blends and add colour to the room.
5. Few examples of good indoor plants are: Cactus, Ferns, Geraniums, Kalanchoe, Bonsai, African Violets, Poinsettias, Orchids, Peace Lilies, Bromeliads, Hibiscus and Anthurium;    Birds of paradise is another extremely beautiful flower for the indoors but is very sensitive to low temperatures as it is tropical in origin.  Bromeliads are more suited to the American climatic conditions and can produce amazing flowers to brighten up even the dullest of atmospheres.
6.  Water the plants regularly and feed them with plant food.  Avoid overwatering the plants.

Furthermore, this may sound silly to others, but some people like me talk to my fresh flowers, indoor or even outdoor plants.  I believe it will help them grow and last.  According to science, plants need carbon dioxide to grow, and when you talk to a plant, you breathe on it, giving it an extra infusion of CO2.  They are also capable of emotions just like human beings, and you could promote healthy growth by showering your plants with attention and talk.  I think this make sense.

Anyway, I hope this will initially encourage and guide you to start using fresh flowers and indoor plants in your home instead of artificial plants.   Although, there are several websites about how to choose, take care and make fresh cut flowers and indoor live plants last.  I will not discuss further in my article but again would encourage you to refer to the internet in case you want to learn more.   Cheers!!!