Green Plants Improve our Health

St. Patrick’s Day reminds us to look for green. Green is the color of peace and serenity and important for our psychological wellbeing. Plants play a big role in filling that psychological need. Much research has been done on the importance of plants in our lives.

Have you ever noticed how people choose seats next to plants when given a choice in malls or parks? Our world is busy, and we are constantly bombarded with noise, movement, and chaos. Plants help relax us. Because of their simplicity, plants, or natural scenes, reduce physical and mental excitement and improve our health.

Research has found that in offices with plants, employees are more content and comfortable. Plants in an office result in higher office morale and less absenteeism. Employees exposed to plants were more creative and productive. This, in part, is why you find plants in most business settings and other interior settings. The federal government has strongly endorsed the use of plants as an integral part of office interiors.

Shamrock plants in the University of Illinois Conservatory

As St. Patrick’s Day approaches, remember how important plants are to our psychological wellbeing. A popular St. Patrick’s Day plant is the shamrock. Although there are several types available, the most popular is the Oxalis due to its shamrock leaves. The leaves are in threes, with each individual leaflet 1½ to 2 inches wide. Available with purple or green leaves, this plant is easily grown for table tops or hanging baskets. An added plus is the white or pink flowers that open in winter and spring and continue all year round with sufficient light.

The shamrock plant is a bulb or tuber. After flowering, leaves may die down and the tubers benefit from rest in drier soil and cooler temperatures. As new growth resumes, move it back to a warmer location, increase watering, and resume fertilizer applications. The plant prefers bright light without direct sun.

At times I have seen other plants sold as shamrocks. These include ordinary lawn clovers, weedy oxalis plants, and other clovers. However, the shamrock described above is the only one that makes a nice, long-term houseplant.

Another good green St. Patrick’s Day plant is the green carnation. These are white carnations dyed green. Use them in a vase or as a corsage. These are usually readily available this time of year. If not, you can easily dye a carnation green by letting it drink green colored water. White flowers can also be painted green with special floral paint.

Happy St. Patrick’s Day!

Originally Published in Canton Daily Ledger Column on 3-13-1999