My House Plant Changed My Life

The Longer I Have This Book, The More I Love It

My House Plant Changed My Life: Green Well-Being For The Great Indoors by David Domoney

I was immediately attracted to this weird looking plant at Walmart. My husband told me they sell those same plants at Lowe's, but better. We went to Lowe's & I came home with an adorable wee little tyke in a teeny black pot (pictured). I couldn't stop smiling & carrying it to whatever window was sunny. I had no clue what kind of plant I had. All I knew was I loved it. Thanks to this book I now know it's a Tiger Aloe & the book even says that the plant will make you happy. Dead accurate. It was a photo of this very plant that was the deciding factor for me to order this book.

The next plant this book convinced me to try was the Venus Fly trap. Again, a trip to Lowe's. They only had little terrarium kits that included a Pitcher Plant. I got three kits & so far they are doing very well, sprouting out of their moist mossy pots.

I then came across another plant in this book that I never had a name for. I have owned it for 26 years! To keep it going where I live now (a late 1700's historic log cabin), I use several grow lights & have it near a window. This plant is a Spineless Yucca. My cats love to chew it & vomit. I have to cover it in winter with row cover, bamboo stakes & clothes pins to keep the cats off it. In summer I put it outside.

You may or may not find it amusing to know that I am a full time Eco farmer who knows very little about houseplants. I spend most of my time growing food crops & cotton; all chemical free. I have very little time, plus too many cats & too little light for houseplants. Or so I thought. The beauty of this book is that it clearly lists what each plant needs. It has given me ideas on how to incorporate more plants that should work in different areas of my home. For example the Maidenhair Fern. I believe I can hang this in front of a bedroom window. The cats wont get it, it will get sun & I will enjoy it's unique fluttering foliage.

The book lists which plants are toxic to pets & kids, their light needs, temperature needs, soil needs, which are best at clearing the air & what toxins they help to clear, "let's make babies", the growth rate, & even how they can make you feel with sections like "plants to calm & relax" & "plants to spark creativity."

The goal of this book is to encourage folks to reconnect with the natural world even if all one does is care for a houseplant or two. It's a great idea. Look at me, I work outdoors & I'm in love with the book. The beginning of the book works hard to convince the reader as to why they should have indoor plants. I agree with these points wholeheartedly. We are in a world where all I see & read about is how folks, even children are become more & more disconnected with the natural world. This isn't healthy for any of us, at any age.

With 50 plants to choose from, you are sure to find at least one to fall in love with. If you are anything like me, you'll easily find even more.