It’s time to start thinking outside the box when it comes to giving gifts. Christmas, birthdays, saying ‘thank you’ or ‘I am sorry’, house-warmings, Mother’s and Father’s Day, any occasion can be an opportunity to give a living gift in the form of an indoor plant.
In no particular order, here are four reasons why the gift of a plant is a fantastic way to show how much you care.
- For the environment
With the threat of global warming we all need to do our part to reduce our carbon footprint. Plants are a renewable resource that act also act to clean the air around them, and they are not made from polluting plastics and other inorganic materials or grown in sweat-shops. Make sure to buy pot plants that are sourced from reputable growers, but really you can’t go wrong when you give a plant in terms of the best eco-smart gift to give.
The Anthurium is a beautiful red-flowering indoor plant with striking dark green leaves that is a fitting gift for any occasion. It is hardy and low maintenance and is happy in a corner where it will quietly get on with both looking spectacular and being environmentally friendly.
- the air around you
This is a big reason why indoor plants are the perfect gift. According to research done by NASA (and if they can successfully land a probe on a planet 54.6 million kilometres away we should take note of what they say about houseplants) plants get rid of up to 87% of volatile organic compounds or VOC’s from the air every 24 hours. This includes particles like formaldehyde found in vinyl, carpets and grocery bags, and benzene and trichloroethylene which is found in ink and paint.
Ever wondered why plants seem to grow so well in offices? NASA discovered that plants clean the air by absorbing contaminants into the soil where the root zone microorganisms transform those contaminants into food for the plants. And because offices tend to be more climate-controlled with less open windows and door, and are a hot-house of chemical toxins with high concentrations of benzene due to the amount of paper and books, plants get more to eat. Do you want to show your clients or customers just how much you value them? Giving a plant will keep their workplace healthier and remind them of you every time they see the plant.
The spider plant or Chlorophytumcomosum is on NASA’s list as being a real work-horse when it comes to cleaning. Not only is it one of the most popular and easiest to grow of indoor plants, but it will actively clean the air in a room of pollutants like carbon monoxide, formaldehyde, benzene and xylene. This potted plant is the epitome of the gift that keeps on giving.
- For every breath you take
During photosynthesis plants absorb carbon dioxide and release oxygen, which makes them good to have around as people take in oxygen and release carbon dioxide. And plants release 97% of the water they take in, making them nature’s humidifiers. Studies done at the Agricultural University of Norway show that growing plants indoors reduces dry skin, colds, dry coughs and sore throats. Your lucky pot plant gift recipient will be singing their praises in no time.
And when most plants are switching to night time breathing a few plants, including orchids, bromeliads and succulents like the popular Money Tree actually do the opposite – they take in carbon dioxide and release oxygen at night, making them wonderfully refreshing to keep in a bedroom.
- To be chemical-free
Keeping an indoor pot plant is a cheap, healthy way to not only make a room look loved, but fragrant plants will give off a naturally amazing smell that is far better than using artificial air fresheners. There are literally hundreds of indoor plants that smell incredible, from the subtle hints of the kaffir lime tree – you can use this little beauty for cooking as well – to the delightfully fragrant Jasminum polyanthum that is quite happy to grow indoors in a pot.
So how many plants does the average home or office need to look good, smell good, and do good? Experts agree that one larger or two smaller pot plants every 100 square feet should do the trick, placed so that their greenery can be seen when sitting at a desk or table. Many studies show that plants reduce fatigue and stress, making them great little aides at exam time or when meeting deadlines.
Going back to the original statement about thinking outside the box, giveplants.co.nz delivers gift plants anywhere in New Zealand for any occasion in recycled and recyclable boxes with a personalised gift card. They have a carefully selected range of plants not only for inside a home or office, but for decks, patios, inner-city apartment balconies and gardens, with flowering plants, trees that fruit, native New Zealand plants, and attractive indoor plants in red or white pots.
My name is Theresa Le Roux, I am originally from Montreal, Canada but I have spent the last 5 years in beautiful New Zealand. I write SEO/Digital marketing/SMM articles for businesses that want a different perspective on subjects that are important to their content output. This can also help grow rankings in the process so it’s a win-win!
I regularly contribute articles about the always changing world of SEO to Clickthrough.co.nz. I am a diehard Game of Thrones fan with a passion for novels and live music! My career goal is to one day write a novel of my own.