It’s back-to-school time -- that means learning new things and brushing up on what you already know. What better subject to get a refresher on than nature? From classrooms to dorm rooms,houseplants bring the beauty of nature indoors and brighten any space.
Justin Hancock, garden expert from Costa Farms, says plants are perfect companions for students.
Hancock shares his Houseplants 101 lessons for indoor gardening success
Plants are more than just pretty faces. Did you know that indoor plants can remove toxins from your indoor space and help you concentrate better? There are lots of benefits of indoor plants, and here's how a few super heroes can change your life.
O2 for You Anthurium from Costa Farms
Reduce Stress - Stay calm, carry on, buy a plant. People who keep flowering houseplants in their home feel happier, more relaxed and less stressed. According to an article in the Journal of Environmental Psychology, flowering plants add positive energy which reduces stress-related depression.
Improve Indoor Air - The EPA found that the air in your home may be more polluted than outdoor air. Strategic placement of plants in your living and working space improves your indoor air quality, scrubbing out toxins. Having at least one plant for every 100 square feet provides maximum air-cleaning benefits, from allergy symptom relief to enhanced mood and concentration.
Heal Faster - A flowering plant is often the gift of choice for someone ill or in the hospital, and there's science behind the reason why. Just the presence of a flowering plant in a hospital recovery room speeds the healing process. If you want to help in someone's recovery, bag the cut flowers that don't last long and choose a Peace Lily for long-lasting benefits.
Become More Empathetic - An article from the University of Texas indicates that people who buy and care for plants are more likely to care for their fellow human beings. A ZZ plant is easy to fall in love with and pass the love along.
Neon Pathos-Costa Farms
Enhance Learning - Looking for a way to help your kids get better grades? There are cognitive benefits from being around plants, helping focus and concentration which in turn improves learning capabilities. Easy care pothos is a plant that gets an "A" and enlisting plant care with your children helps them learn how fun and easy it can be. For the workplace, a red aglaonema on your own desk will help increase concentration up to 20% for the tasks at hand.
Orchid-Costa Farms
Create a Spa-like Experience - It's no accident that spas use plants to create a restful and calming experience. Add plants to your shower or bath to amp up the restful ambiance, along with a few candles and low lighting, and you've created an environment that helps you relax, unwind, and smile. Orchids are a perfect fit as they love humidity and will provide you with that 'ahhhhh' factor of beauty and restfulness.
Dracaena-Costa Farms
Group Therapy - If you think just one plant is good for you, imagine the benefits of several plants that will help clean your air and provide a sense of well-being, whether at home or your workplace. A combination of dracaena, peace lily and snake plant can transform your inner space into a beneficial, toxin free environment for optimal healthy living.
Costa Farms®, the largest grower of indoor houseplants in North America, suggests we create healthier, cleaner and happier indoor spaces by surrounding ourselves with these green heroes. It's an inexpensive way to improve our health and well being, and National Indoor Plant Week, September 15th - 21st, is the perfect time to get started. Watch this video to learn more about O24U and the benefits of indoor houseplants.
Join the national effort for cleaner, fresher indoor air in homes,
schools and workplaces and support National Indoor Plant Week and Costa
Farms' national grassroots campaign, ‘O2 for You’: Houseplants with a Purpose, on September 15-21, 2013!
This week-long initiative was created to raise consumer awareness on the value and benefits of live indoor houseplants.
Event founder Mark Martin from Interior Tropical Gardens says, “We like to say that the ‘oxygen arrives when the plants do.’”
Besides removing carbon dioxide and giving back oxygen, emerging
research indicates that certain varieties of indoor houseplants work
best to help cleanse interior spaces of indoor pollutants and improve
productivity in offices where we spend most of our day.
Plus, studies from the US Environmental Protection Agency (USEPA)
have found that levels of indoor air pollution can be two to five times
higher - and in some cases 10 times more polluted than outdoor air. And
since most of us spend about 90 percent of our time indoors, these
findings are particularly alarming.
This is where nature’s natural air purifiers take center stage.
Working 24/7, certain plants absorb almost all volatile organic
compounds (VOC’s) in indoor air. These toxic VOC’s are common chemicals
like ammonia, formaldehyde and benzene emitted from products you may
already have in your home and office like carpets, printer ink, tobacco
smoke and cleaning products.
During National Indoor Plant Week and throughout the month of
September, look for varieties such as peace lilies, ferns and spider
plants with ‘O2 for You’ plant tags at your local retailer and reap the
benefits of these hardworking plants.
Throughout the week, people are encouraged to use social media to
share messages about the many benefits of indoor plants and how they not
only cleanse our indoor spaces but help reduce stress, as they brighten
up any room with beautiful foliage and color.
If you're anything like me, then Spring for you is a mixed bag. You get to bask in the beautiful weather, attend outdoor events and activities, and stand in line at Rita's water ice (seriously, why aren't these open in the winter?) However nothing comes for free and with the beautiful weather comes an increased pollen count. For some, these three words don't mean much, but for others they are three words to be feared. Allergy seasons can be just as bad, if not worse in some cases, than flu season. Though there is no way to truly combat allergies there are some things we can do to help ease us through the coming months.
You don't need to rid your home of houseplants
Yes, plants, along with trees, grass, mold, etc... are the biggest offenders of high pollen counts. It may seem fruitful to keep your allergies in check at the expense of your houseplants, but fret not as there are several plants you can have throughout your home with low pollen counts including, begonias, nasturtiums, crotons, peace lilies, miniature roses, and passionflowers. However even with these, plants are a large collector of dust, so be sure to dust them (along with the rest of your house) weekly. Also be sure not to over-water your plants as this can eventually lead to moldy soil.
Natural anti-histamines
In addition to your surroundings there are also several natural, ingestible antihistamines like the herbs parsley, thyme and bay or vegetables like broccoli, kale, onions and garlic that can help. Okay, yes, garlic is not a vegetable, it's neither an herb or a spice, so what is it? you tell me. You can even grow these yourself in your home garden, just be sure to
plan ahead and find out the optimum times for growing and harvesting. Vitamins D and C also help fight histamines, you can either take vitamin supplements for D and C or eat citrus fruits high in vitamin C.
Other tips and tricks to fight pollen
Oddly enough, I've read washing your hair after a day out is a good way to fight pollen as your hair is a big catcher of it.
Washing your sheets, comforters, etc... weekly.
Dusting and vacuuming your home.
The use of a Neti Pot (several people in the office swear by these)
Or really, when all is said and done, just pop a Benadryl. Happy Spring! You have any tips for fighting seasonal allergies and Hay fever? Let us know in the comments!
What's a cool, lucky plant to give on St. Patty's Day besides the shamrock?...the Lucky Bamboo!
Interestingly, Lucky Bamboo is actually not a bamboo at all, but rather a Dracaena! It comes in a variety of shapes and sizes and is the primary plant recommended for improving Feng Shui and for creating spaces where you feel safe and more energized to meet the demands of today's high-pressured world. They are very eye-catching and come with an ancient Chinese tradition-- the number of stalks represent distinct meanings and bring specific fortune.
Costa Farms
• Two Stalks – This commonly represents love, good luck or both.
• Three Stalks – This is meant to bring happiness, wealth, and a long life.
• Five Stalks – This helps with five areas in life; Spiritual, Mental, Emotional, Physical, Intuitive.
• Six Stalks – This is a good gift for prosperity and good luck financially.
• Seven Stalks – This is commonly given to help with good health physically and mentally.
• Eight Stalks – This lucky bamboo plant is meant to give a gift of fertility.
• Nine Stalks – This is a general good luck – and a very beautiful plant!
• Ten Stalks – This is given to symbolize peace and contentment for a person.
• Twenty One Stalks – This is the ultimate expression of good luck and fortune that you can give someone. In addition, it is quite beautiful while still being an easy to maintain houseplant.
So, definitely heed these meanings and give your recipient the gift most appropriate.You can find these Lucky Bamboo at home improvement retailers nationwide. For more information and care instructions, head to Costa Farms.com.
The anticipated vacation is just around the corner, and you're ready to head to your destination without a care in the world. The kids, the dog, the cat are all taken care of. What are you forgetting? Your plants! Don't want your neighbor coming in and snooping around? No worries. Here are some self-watering pots that will keep your oxygen-replenishing friends happy until your return.
The Ikea Jubel Self-Watering Plant Pot is functional and pretty. The inner pot turns to reveal three different colors, depending on your preference. Add water through the colorful hole and a 100% cotton thread wicks it to the plant. A small container weighing only one pound will hold your herbs and smaller plants, keeping them happy and healthy for your return.
Heading away for a couple of weeks? This Brookstone Self-Watering Planter holds good sized plants and is slim enough for windowsills and small spaces. A water gauge indicates when the reservoir is empty and needs to be filled. A specially formulated granular material, called Lechuza® PON separates your potting soil from its water reservoir, aerates the roots, provides your plant with nutrition and helps regulate adequate water supply. A variety of colors makes this planter versatile, as well as functional.
Stack your plants in this tiered Self Watering Planter, water and walk away. You simply cannot overwater as each tier features a combination self watering/drainage system. This is a great planter for small space decks and patios and creates a tower of fresh flowers, herbs and veggies.
Don't let wilted, dried out and sometimes dead plants greet you when you return home from your wonderful vacation. Come home to thriving plants that you love, and love you back with flowers, food and fresh, clean air. What do you think of self-watering planters? We'd love to hear your thoughts.
Did you know that after New Year's Day, Valentine's Day is the most celebrated holiday around the world. Throughout history, this day is honored with romantic traditions that include cards, candy, and gifts to express love and appreciation. If those diamond studs are not in your budget this year, and you love flowers, consider the orchid. Unlike cut flowers that are short-lived, the orchid blooms for weeks as a continual reminder of someone's love expression. And better yet, as a beneficial houseplant, will continue to yield for years.
Orchids offer classic, timeless beauty. This restful and romantic orchid garden features a tiny landscape: orchids, arbor, and organic white bowl in perfect harmony. The double slender stems are topped with open flowers and round buds waiting to open. Orchid blooms flower for up to 6 weeks, which makes this mini garden a winner on Valentine’s Day.
Orchids are easy...really! To water, simply place the plant in your sink and drench with water, let drain, and replace in it's location. Wait until the moss or medium is 95% dry before watering again. Light requirements are a cinch. If you can comfortably read with the light in a room, your orchid will be very happy. Direct sunlight is not recommended. Orchids are the perfect Valentines Day gift for everyone on your list. So give a little love and give an orchid...easier on your wallet than diamond studs for sure! Happy Valentines Day from all of us at Garden Media Group. ~Peggy Garden Media Group
Many gardeners spend the winter months planning and dreaming of fresh flowers and veggies they'll grow come spring. But why wait!? Bring your garden inside with the Click & Grow.
Talk about easy, this self-contained electronic smartpot does all the work, including watering. The pot includes all the necessary technology for success including sensors, batteries, a pump and water reservoir. You pop in a plant cartridge that houses the seeds, nutrients and special software and then just watch and wait. In just a couple of weeks you can enjoy fresh herbs, flowers and veggies from the comfort of your home. It even lets you know when to fill the reservoir or change the batteries. It does all the work for you. Check out the video to see just how easy the Click & Grow is. Now everyone really can be a gardener!
Music is an integral part of our lives, and has been since the dawn of man. Research suggests that music can be healing, soothing, uplifting and energizing. Music taps into our inner consciousness. But what about plants and music? Most studies agree that plants also thrive on music. Here are two cool planters that we found that incorporate music into the growing process.
The Muse musical vase is a music box for plants. There are several colors with different tunes so you can choose one that sings to the song in your heart and one your plant will love to hear too. Easy to assemble, you just turn and enjoy the music, the movement and the emotions of caring for your sweet plants.
The Koishi Planter Pot is actually an instrument controlled by your plant. You place your plant on the Planter Pot and the activity within the plant is transformed into an audio-visual performance. The music is unique and instantaneous, like a private concert your plant gives to you. Great for meditation, or simply enjoying as background music. Check out the video and listen to what this plant is playing.
Our houseplants can provide us with not only the benefits of clean air, but also music and sounds for healthy living. An interesting interaction we can all enjoy, plants included.
Are you joining in the national effort for cleaner, fresher indoor air in our homes, schools and workplaces? National Indoor Plant Week (September 16-22) is in full swing with several companies giving out free plants and retailers showcasing some great displays with houseplants (see images). This grassroots initiative was created to raise awareness of the value and
benefits of live indoor plants. They're more than just a pretty face; they're our "green heroes"!
During National Indoor Plant Week and throughout the month of September, look for indoor
houseplants such as peace lilies, ferns, palms and spider plants with bright ‘O2
for You’ plant tags at local retailers.
So, go out and buy yourself some fresh air for yourself and your family!
To learn more about houseplants and their benefits, visit www.o2foryou.org.
It isn't necessary to turn your house into a tropical jungle to get the most from houseplants. In fact, just a few well-placed, well-grown houseplants can contribute to a lived-in coziness to any room, whether it's filled with Victorian clutter or spare streamlined furnishings. The trick is to give the plants what they want in terms of light, water, humidity, fertilizer, and a good soil mix, and they'll perform like they were back in their native environment.
Check out this video from Costa Farms to learn the ins and outs of houseplants!
We're excited to help spread the word about National Indoor Plant Week (September 16-22), a grassroots initiative that was created to raise awareness of the value and benefits of live indoor plants.
Did you know that research indicates that certain varieties help purify interior spaces and improve productivity in offices where we spend most of our day? Studies from the US Environmental Protection Agency have found that levels of indoor air pollution can be 2-5 times higher - and in some cases 10 times more polluted than outdoor air.
This is where the indoor plants come in! These green heroes, as we like to call them, provide truly amazing benefits. Working 24/7, certain plants absorb almost all volatile organic compounds (VOC's) in indoor air. These VOC's are common chemicals like ammonia, formaldehyde and benzene found in many products around your home and office, like carpets, printer ink, tobacco smoke and cleaning products.
During National Indoor Plant Week and through the month of September, look for varieties such as peace lilies, palms, ferns and spider plants, with 'O2 for You' plant tags at your local retailer. These are the hardest working plants when it comes to cleaning your air!
Please help us spread the word about the about the many benefits of indoor plants! For more information on National Plant Week visit www.nationalindoorplantweek.com). To learn more about 'O2 for You: Houseplants with a Purpose' visit www.o2foryou.org.
Who's ready to design with houseplants? We’re excited to introduce Costa Farms latest innovation – the Find Your Style App! This awesome new web tool gives you the inspiration to start designing rooms within your home with houseplants. How cool is that!
Once in the Find Your Style app, you have the option to either upload your own picture or choose one of six (6) room styles. Then you can add plants to see how your room would look before you buy. All of the plants were specifically selected for each room's style. The great thing about this app is that it also provides detailed care information about each plant, so you know which plant is best suited for your room.
At the end of the design process, you can print your shopping list and go to your favorite garden center to complete the project. You can also share with your Facebook friends or pin it to your Pinterest boards.
Thank a plant on Earth Day. Silently and always “working”, these green heroes
toil tirelessly to purify the environment, naturally cleansing the air and
providing truly amazing health benefits! They filter indoor air 24/7 to sweep it
clean from dangerous chemicals and toxins while continuously releasing fresh
oxygen in homes and offices. When selecting indoor plants, consider the plants “job”. Does it work the day
shift or night shift? Is it for the home or office? Does it work in bright light
or low light? This Plant Guide
from O2 For You
allows users to find houseplants that suit their conditions and fit their
lifestyle. According to a landmark NASA study, it is recommended that at least one or
more medium sized houseplant for every 100 square feet in the home or office
will help maximize the health benefits and freshen the air. Why Are House Plants Green Heroes? People's lives depend on technology,
but ordinary household products such as paints, tobacco smoke, printer ink and
carpets hold hidden dangers that plants can help reduce. Former NASA research scientist Dr. Bill Wolverton found plants improve air
quality through their natural “filtering” ability. He discovered houseplants can
absorb up to 87% of volatile organic compounds (VOC’s), like formaldehyde and
benzene, found in many homes and offices. Houseplants work round the clock to “clean” the air! How? They absorb these
VOCs into the root zone where they’re broken down by microbes. Some of the
hardest working plants are the peace lilies, ferns and palms. Bring a Houseplant to Work Put a plant on your desk to feel happier,
enjoy better health and be more productive. The NASA study recommends office
workers should have at least one medium size plant in their “personal breathing
space” at work to effectively remove indoor pollutants. Research conducted in the Netherlands supports this, finding office workers
who had plants in their workspace out performed co-workers without plants.
Workers reported they felt better and their concentration improved with plants
on their desks, especially working at computers! Another test conducted in Norway reports that 25% fewer health problems
occur, in particular respiratory ailments, headache, and fatigue, when plants
were introduced to their workspace. Snake plants, broad sword ferns and rubber plants are among the top ten air
purifiers recommended by experts. They’re easy to grow, are natural humidifiers
and remove airborne chemicals. Other green heroes are philodendrons,
dieffenbachias and ZZ plants. Take a Heavy Night Breather to Bed Some plants actually work at night
while we sleep! These green heroes “breathe out” oxygen (O2) and absorb carbon
dioxide (CO2) at night, rather than in the daytime, when the majority of plants
do their “breathing.” Kate Santos, director of research for Costa Farms, the largest indoor houseplant
producer in North America, recommends snake plants and orchids, particularly in
the bedroom. These natural botanical air purifiers make perfect bedroom buddies
to refresh and beautify these spaces for a healthy, restful night’s sleep! “Which plant you choose, and where you place your plants is important to reap
optimum benefits,” says Santos. Santos says to consider the light, humidity, and temperature to determine the
best spot for a plant. “Put a Majesty Palm in your living room, fern in the
family room and a Peace lily in the kitchen. Add golden pothos or heart leaf
philodendron for beauty and maximum air cleansing benefits.” Look for the ‘O2 for You’ displays at Lowe’s Home Depot, and Walmart nationwide this April.
Thinking about taking your houseplants to a whole new level in your home. How about going vertical with a living wall?
Indoor vertical gardens are becoming increasingly popular as more and more people learn about the benefits of indoor houseplants. Plus, who doesn't want a little green in your home during the winter months!
Last month, Garden Center magazine compiled a great list of indoor plant recommendations from Costa Farms specifically for vertical gardening indoors.
To get started, just choose any of the following popular plants that are available at your local garden retailer:
Once you have your plants, then it's time choose one of the many planter options that are available just for vertical gardens. My favorites are the colorful pockets from Woolly Pockets or the designer living wall planters from Bright Green. Now it's time to pick your space, create your design and get vertical! It's that easy!
Looking for an ideal indoor houseplant that is durable enough to withstand low light and irregular watering? Well, look no further than a new branded line of houseplants called Plants of Steel from Costa Farms. They'll be launching this new collection of houseplants at retailers nationwide next month.
These plants are for people who are really starved for time; busy at work or are always on the road traveling for work. Sounds like my kind of plant! Check out these top four houseplant recommendations from Costa Farms that can withstand very little sunlight and maintenance:
Aglaonemas (pictured above) are durable, versatile tropical foliage plants that are very popular for use indoors and for interiorscape settings. The old standby varieties and newer hybrids come in shades of green with faint silver bands, dark green with cream colored bands or predominately silver with some green banding.
The Ponytail Palm (pictured right) is basically a ‘plant it and forget it’ kind of plant, providing it has enough light to thrive and somewhat steady water throughout the growing season. Because this is an arid plant by nature, periods of dryness are not deadly for an established plant. As with all palms, ponytail palms should never be top-trimmed, and they will respond wonderfully to a consistent feeding program in the growing season. Keep in mind, though, that the ponytail palm is an extremely slow-growing plant, so don't expect your desktop plant to transform into a corner unit in one or two growing seasons.
A tropical plant, Sansevierias could be elected easiest of all houseplants. They like warmth and dry air; will accept a little sun or a lot; and are not even fussy about the amount of moisture in the soil. Called many nicknames by gardeners, including snake plant and mother-in-law’s tongue, Sansevierias are favored for its ability to grow in low-light situations. The durable snake plant will tolerate benign neglect in a wide range of temperatures.
The Zamioculcas zamiifolia (pictured left), otherwise known as the ‘ZZ plant’, is a durable houseplant that requires next to nothing in care, thrives in almost all conditions and isn't bothered by pests and diseases. The ZZ plant, with its shiny foliage and stems, grows up to three feet tall. It needs shade, so it's perfect for dimly lit areas in the house. This easy-going plant doesn't require a special soil mix, and it can go for weeks--perhaps even months — without water, thanks to its big underground tuber where water is stored. It does best with occasional watering — about every other week or so.
Be sure to look for the green Plants of Steel label at a local retailer near you!
The other day I was strolling through my garden center packed with perennials, fall decorations, pumpkins and foodie fav's like apple cider donuts and pumpkin butter. It was a spectacular crisp fall day with a stunning azure sky.
Meandering my way through the crush of the crowd, donut firmly in hand, my eyes rested upon the displays of gorgeous houseplants. I was hooked.
Realizing my home is in need of sprucing up, I reckoned that houseplants are an easy way to add instant beauty to any room. And with my rather "eclectic" mix of furniture, they unify my rooms with a serene nod to Mother Nature.
Beside adding natural beauty to our indoor spaces, did you know that these 'green heroes' provide oxygen and help remove carbon dioxide and volatile organic compounds found in items like common household cleaning products, paint and ink cartridges, and even carpets?
And there are ongoing studies on the power of plants to lower blood pressure, speed healing, and help us better focus at work and in school!
With so many varieties to choose, it's easy to find houseplants that match your style, mood and taste.
Still stumped? Try orchids.They're easy to grow and a great houseplant that you'll enjoy for months to come.
Even though it's October, 'pink-up' and pick up a beautiful pink Phalaenopsis orchid at Lowe's to help raise funds for the breast cancer movement.
Through the Plant for a Cure (R) program, Lowe's is donating 10 % of the purchase price of orchids bearing the Plant for the Cure tag to Susan G. Komen for the Cure(R).
For more fascinating facts on houseplants check out Costa Farms along with their O2 For You campaign and their cool new Growing Style digital magazine - and add some "green" to your life! And let us know your favorite houseplant!
It's hard to believe that the kids are back in school and football season has begun! I'm still wondering where the summer went!
Now is really a great time to evaluate your garden successes and plan ahead for next year. I found some helpful hints for things to do this month on the Old Farmer's Almanac website.
Check them out here and let us know if you have any other fall gardening tips to share:
*Compost should be watered during dry periods so that it remains active.
*This is the best time to plant dormant evergreen trees and shrubs.
*Correct any soil deficiencies you've noticed. Healthy soil is crucial to healthy plants.
*Young trees should be staked to prevent the roots from being pulled by fall and winter winds.
*If you haven't brought your houseplants in yet, do it before you have to start heating your home. This gives them a chance to adjust. Wash them thoroughly before bringing them in to rid them of any pests and eggs.
*As perennials fade away, mark their locations with small sticks. Some might not be apparent after the winter and might be disrupted by spring cultivating.
*Plant spring bulbs as long as the ground is workable. Plant the following bulbs soon: trout lily, narcissus (including daffodil), snowdrop, winter aconite, starflower, and crown imperial. For crown imperial, add a little lime to the soil.
*Take cuttings from such outdoor plants as impatiens, coleus, and begonia. An early frost can ruin your chances for cutting at a later date.
Well, that's all I have for today. Looks like I have a lot of work ahead of me!
When it comes to all things home,
Zillow Porchlight knows the best tips, tricks and ideas. 
It’s back-to-school time -- that means learning new things and brushing up on what you already know. What better subject to get a refresher on than nature? From classrooms to dorm rooms,houseplants bring the beauty of nature indoors and brighten any space.
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Are you joining in the national effort for cleaner, fresher indoor air in our homes, schools and workplaces? National Indoor Plant Week (September 16-22) is in full swing with several companies giving out free plants and retailers showcasing some great displays with houseplants (see images). This grassroots initiative was created to raise awareness of the value and
benefits of live indoor plants. They're more than just a pretty face; they're our "green heroes"! 
Looking for an ideal indoor houseplant that is durable enough to withstand low light and irregular watering? Well, look no further than a new branded line of houseplants called Plants of Steel from Costa Farms. They'll be launching this new collection of houseplants at retailers nationwide next month.
Realizing my home is in need of sprucing up, I reckoned that houseplants are an easy way to add instant beauty to any room. And with my rather "eclectic" mix of furniture, they unify my rooms with a serene nod to Mother Nature. 
