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More and more people have been putting plants into their homes during this modern urban jungles craze that has sparked the internet. Whether you just enjoy the sight of plants or you understand the benefit of having them in your homes, people are starting to love the idea of having lush greenery throughout their home. Everyone has a green thumb, you just need to learn how to use it!
Little Leaf Shop, Washington D.C. Photo credit: Rachel Maucieri
Locally Owned Places to Purchase Plants
Little Leaf | Monday-Friday, 11 a.m. – 7 p.m.
1401 S St NW, Washington, DC 20009
Instagram
Very chic shop that as all the necessities to start planting.
Ginkgo Gardens | Monday-Friday, 9 a.m. – 6 p.m.
911 11th St SE, Washington, DC 20003
Facebook | Instagram
Serves as a lush oasis in the heart of bustling capitol hill.
Greenstreet Gardens of Virginia | Monday-Friday, 8 a.m. – 6 p.m.
1721 W Braddock Rd, Alexandria, VA 22302
Instagram
Family run business that offers a large variety of plants and flowers galore .
Nature by Design | Monday-Friday, 10 a.m. – 6 p.m.
300 Calvert Ave, Alexandria, VA 22301
If you are looking for a plant that you can’t seem to find anywhere, chances are that you will find exactly what you are looking for at Nature by Design.
American Plant | Monday-Friday, 9 a.m. – 6 p.m.
5258 River Rd, Bethesda, MD 20816
Facebook | Instagram
American Plant is a great nursery to go to if you are looking for a custom arrangement.
Photo Courtesy Little Leaf Shop Instagram
Benefits of Having Plants in the House:
Urban Jungles bring many benefits besides the sheer beauty of the decor plants add to our homes. Plant care and self-care go hand in hand. Houseplants provide many positives to our daily lives in various, scientifically proven, ways. These benefits include air quality improvements, as plants bring in more oxygen and reduce carbon dioxide and nitrogen dioxide, increasing humidity (even the Mid-Atlantic sometimes needs a little extra moisture in the air), assist in regulating air temperatures, and even boosting your immune system. There are even job benefits: productivity tends to improve as plants are present and sick leave has been found to be reduced up to 60%!
Below are some additional health advantages plants:
- Fatigue on average goes down 30%
- Perceptions of pain are lowered, on average 25%
- Coughing is reduced by approximately 35%
- Allergy symptoms such as itchy eyes, runny noses, and dry throat are reduced by about 20%
(from The Perks of Being a Plant Lover)
If you wish to learn more about the health benefits that plants bring into our lives everyday then please click HERE for more details!
How to Create Terrariums, Kokedama Balls, and Macrame
Putting plants in your house is not only beautiful looking but it can be fun too! More and more people are getting incredibly creative with how they decorate their plants. You no longer have to have your plant just sitting in that little orange pot holder standing out in the center of your room. Instead, make a statement with your urban jungles! What most don’t realize is that you can hang your plants like a macrame, have a kokedama ball as a table centerpiece, or create a terrarium for your shelves.
No matter what your stlye is, go on youtube or type into google how to make a macrame for my plants, and there are so many options for everyone to chose and become a professional gardener. Below is an example of how to make a Terrarium.
How to make a Terrarium:
The best plants for a terrarium: Moon valley, Starfish plant, Neve plant, and Assorted cacti
Pro Tips to Keep Your Urban Jungles Flourishing:
- Avoid putting your plants in places next to heat sources (radiator or vent) or in a spot where there are likely cold drafts. Try to find a place where the temperature is always the same. Stability is key.
- When watering your plant ensure you are not over watering or providing too little. Balance is important.
- Before you purchase your new plant, make sure you do a little bit of research on it so you can find the best spot in the house for that plant to grow. Plants are alive, and one might require different care from another.
- Get to know your plant! Studies have shown that talking to your plants actually increases a plants life cycle.
- There are two types of houseplants: the dry kind and the moist kind. For example, a sago palm plant is very low maintenance because it thrives in dry, poor soil and will suffer if you give it too much water, whereas an iris needs to watered thoroughly and regularly or else they will not bloom.
- Renting? No problem! Just be sure to double check with your property management or landlord to be sure of any rules or restrictions. Read our tips for renters wanting to add a little green to their space.
Happy Planting Everyone!
