Beautiful Indoor Plants for a Good Night's Sleep

Plants are the most underrated home decorations. Most homeowners forget that living greens aren't only perfect to fill empty spaces. They also carry benefits. They clear the air of toxins, release a fresh batch of oxygen, and retain room temperature. Some species of plants are only alive at night which provides restful sleep. Moreover, adding plants to your home encourages a green environment.

If you are looking for bedroom decors, then you must include plants on the list. Below are some species of plants you can nurture indoors if you want an extended shut-eye. You can purchase a pot of garden shops or plant boutiques at Ayala Malls Cloverleaf. Have fun checking out these plants and learning how to care for them

Aloe Vera

Aloe vera is a favorite medicinal plant and succulent. Its leaf produces a gel used as a remedy for several skin conditions, e.g., burn, sunburn, frostbite, cold sores and, psoriasis. It releases oxygen at night which increases the oxygen levels in your bedroom. Those with asthma, heart conditions and pulmonary diseases can benefit from the high levels of oxygen while sleeping.

Care Tips:

1. Aloe vera must be in a cactus potting soil. Regular potting soil works as long as you add perlite or building sand.

2. Place it on a surface with bright light.

3. Water it when the soil is parched.

Chinese Evergreen

One of NASA's approved indoor house plants, Chinese evergreen is tropical plant thriving in humid air. It has tiny red berries which break of the lush green hue of its leaves. It emits high oxygen content and absorbs chemicals such as benzene and formaldehyde.

Care Tips:
1. Chinese evergreen is best on a well-draining soil which is an equal mix of fertilized soil, perlite, and sand.

2. Spray water on its leaves especially when the air is dry.

3. Avoid overwatering to prevent root rots.

4. Fertilize old plants once or twice a year using water-soluble houseplant fertilizer.

5. Trim its parts once it gets large or leggy.

6. Save the cuttings in water to propagate new plants.

English Ivy

Ivy, the common name of the genus Hedera, is a plant that crawls along the ground, tree, or wall to access sunlight. English Ivy is known to treat inflammation issues in the body. It can also relieve irritation and other skin conditions due to its anti-bacterial properties. Hanging the climbing vine in your sleeping quarters eliminates airborne mold. Thus, you can minimize acquiring of respiratory tract congestion.

Care Tips:
1. Hang the ivy in corners with low light or filtered bright light. This prevents the plant from drying up.

2. Keep the room temperature stable.

3. Water it on a regular basis as growth accelerates in a moist environment.

4. Trim the long stems that have few leaves to support its growth.

Jasmine

There are hundreds of species of Jasmine, and they have one thing in common. Their scent decrease anxiety levels which can help people struggling with depression. The aroma also allows people unwind before heading to bed. Its flowers are also aesthetically pleasing. It has five to eight petals that unfold to form a star. Having a plant in your home saves you from expensive doctor's fees as each of its parts can be used to cure ailments and fight illnesses.

Care Tips:

1. Jasmine needs soil combined with bark, coir, and other organic materials.

2. It can tolerate direct sunlight along with cold temperature. Place them near the windows during spring and fall. Lessen sun exposure during winter.

3. Prune your plant to keep under control.

4. Repot during springtime. 

Rubber Plant

Rubber plants have large leaves that absorb high quantities of air contaminants. They can stand up to 50 feet. The plant directs pollutants to the soil so microbes can break them down and deposit them in the ground. Hence, it provides its nutrients while improving the quality of air in the area.

Care Tips:

1. The rubber plant must be in a shadowy area. That way, it won't be hot for the temperature won't be too hot for the plant.

2. Its soil must be moist especially during the growth stage.

3. Wipe its leaves with a damp cloth or spritz it with water.

4. Water it once or twice a month during dormant stage. Increase the amount of water once its leaves start to droop.

Snake Plant

Snake Plant, also known as "Mother-in-Law's Tongue," converts carbon dioxide to oxygen during night time. It is one of the three houseplants that can filter the air while you sleep. Besides formaldehyde and benzene, it also takes in trichloroethylene, xylene, and toluene. A potted plant for each person is sure to reduce respiratory problems and headaches from waking up.

Care Tips:

1. Snake plants prefer a dry environment. Allow its soil to dry between waterings.

2. Position them in areas with no sunlight.

3. Propagate it through leaf cuttings and place it on land an inch deep.


Indoor plants are low on maintenance, so there's no reason for you to skip them. They are perfect people who don't have the luxury to tend to their greens. Think of the benefits of a well-oxygenated bedroom before passing up on a pot or two.

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Simple Sustainable Living for the Non-Conformist

People are busy to go green. What's worse is that multi-billion companies are using the Green Movement to bolster their sales and make people think that they are on their side. Though the Green Movement sprung a hundred years ago, it's relevance to daily lifestyle remains. Industries continue to obliterate natural resources which are irreplaceable. The destruction ends up endangering human health and various ecosystems.

Different nations celebrated the first Earth Day on the 22nd of April, 1970. Its goal is to maintain an environment of decency, quality, and regard for all living creatures. To ensure environmental protection and consciousness, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) was created. On top of the agency are legislations pointing towards the negative impact of several profitable industries such as forestry, fisheries, mining, and manufacturing.

Why the Green Movement is Limited to Specific Groups

Being eco-friendly is beneficial to all yet people prefer not to go green. Even homeowner and renters who choose to live in a sustainable estate like Cloverleaf would dwell on the reasons not to go green. Every non-conformist know this while the public may not be aware of their choices as it became part of their daily life.

To shed light on this thinking, here are the top reasons why not everCloverleafyone is a follower of the Green agenda:

1. Most people don't have enough time. An average person spends 9-16 hours at work in Cloverleaf offices including travel time and sleeps for an average of 6-8 hours. That leaves them with 9 hours to take charge at home, run errands, bond with family, or do activities they are passionate. Unless sustainable living and being green is their passion, there is not enough time to think of the idea.

2. Some are not aware of the impact of individual actions. A mainstream consumer prioritizes their comfort over anything else. They don't think that minimizing usage of plastic bottles or straws can save the ocean and the planet that will house future generations. They can't see the big picture because they aren't conscious of the effects of their decisions. They won't give up their comfortable lifestyle and switch to eco-friendly alternatives just because they are accustomed to it.

3. Companies brainwash their consumers. Most consumer goods are either in plastic or not sustainably manufactured. Clothing and textiles use synthetiCloverleafc dyes and other chemicals to color and design their product. Supermarkets and groceries sell consumable goods in plastic containers or place them in a non-biodegradable bag. These stores also sell eco-bags which most consumers dump upon using them.

4. Organic and all natural products, as well as eco-friendly solutions, are expensive. Alternatives to mass-produced products have high prices because the supply is less than the demand. These products also have a high production cost as they often employ traditional methods of manufacturing.

There is an opposing side to everything even if the things or advocacy will benefit the people and its habitat. Group, companies, and other individuals will disagree with the Green Movement and do everything in their power to persuade the population to do the same. There are no right or wrongs as each person has their opinion on the matter. Some people choose to live sustainably, while others would instead stick with what's comfortable.

How a Non-Conformist Can Shift to Green Living

A non-conformist always has a choice. Thay can reflect on their current lifestyle to think about its long-term effects or stick to it and watch the planet decay. Change comes from a decision and being part of the Green Movement begins from the changes at home. There are several ways to include sustainability in a simple home living.

Below are some ways to become an eco-friendly homeowner:

1. Relocate to a mixed-use township like Cloverleaf in Quezon City or Arca South.

A mixed-use community has residential towers, commercial spaces for dining, shopping, and entertainment as well as establishments for healthcare and office complex. These types of township minimize carbon footprint as institutions and structures are within reach. People's needs are within walking distance. Hence, there's no need to use a vehicle to get to the area.

2. Patronize homegrown brands.

Locally-manufactured furniture and home accessories, town specialties and other native products are examples of items within the country. These brands acquire their materials within their location. Therefore, they burn less gasoline over imported ones. The same goes for pieces of clothing and quick bites. The ECOlta Fair at Escolta features brands with innovative products such as The Real Happy Cow, Indayog, and A Beautiful Refuge.

3. Decorate with purpose.

Fill a room with greens instead of synthetics or plastic decor. A plant is exciting and challenging to have for its needs and benefits. It cleanses the air in the area as it absorbs toxins and releases carbon dioxide. To minimize the hassle of maintaining a plant, choose one which doesn't require regular watering and steady source of sunlight. Some indoor plants can survive without weeks of watering.

Besides plants, bedsheets, pillowcases, cushions, and fabric shower curtains are some of the functional home items which make a statement. Go for one hundred percent organic cotton when shopping for these pieces. The material uses water-based dyes.

4. Use all-natural hygiene and cosmetic products.

Soap, shampoos, conditioners, and lotions from store shelves all contain chemicals to preserve and enhance their performance. Unfortunately, exposure to these compounds results in a negative impact on people's health in the long run. All-natural products use plant-based materials and other organic compounds. These goods are less likely to produce skin reactions because of their mild ingredients. However, they may have a short shelf life as they lack preservatives.

5. Modify the features of your home.

Install a low flat toilet for less gallon per flush consumption. Use LED (light-emitting diode) or CFL (compact fluorescent lamps) to reduce heat and energy. Insulate your home using borate-treated newspapers (a combination of oxygen and boron which is fire-retardant). Plant tall trees to have a shield from UV rays. Place programmable thermostats, so the air-condition runs only at the designated temperature.

These five steps to sustainable living don't mean becoming a blind conformist. Freedom to choose is still with people. It's up to them to decide how to accept the benefits of the challenge of living in green.

Note: This article was originally published on July 7, 2014 as "Making Your Home More Green." It was revised and updated to increase public awareness on the impact of their collective actions.