The Healing Power of Plants: The Hero Houseplants That Will Love You Back

by Fran Bailey

Overview

From an award–winning horticulturist, a guide to how to use houseplants to promote health and wellness.

Plants don’t only beautify your home —they promote healing too. For example, the luscious scent of lavender aids in a good night’s sleep, while the kentia palm controls humidity levels that increase mold and mildew. This lushly illustrated guide explains the properties of the most beneficial species, from plants that lower stress and provide a breath of fresh air to ones that bring joy, boost brainpower, and help you communicate. It explains how to choose the right plants for your specific needs, where to place them in your home and office, which ones are pet friendly, and how to make sure they thrive—so you will too.

And if you don’t have a green thumb, you’ll find a guide to 10 easygoing plants that are perfect for starting your indoor garden.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781454936756
Publisher:	Union Square & Co.
Publication date:	11/22/2022
Sold by:	Barnes & Noble
Format:	eBook
Pages:	199
File size:	5 MB

About the Author

Award-winning horticulturist Fran Bailey studied at the Welsh College of Horticulture before moving to London to become a florist. Later she opened her first shop, the Fresh Flower Company, which she runs. Fran has written two other houseplant books in collaboration with the Royal Horticultural Society. Visit forest.london or follow @forest_london on Instagram.

Editorial Reviews

08/05/2019

In this pleasant but thin photo guide, horticulturist Bailey, proprietor of London’s Fresh Flower Company and plant store Forest, offers a selection of houseplants with advice on how “to learn to care for them, and in turn let them care for you.” Each plant receives a large close-up, coupled with a brief overview and bullet-points addressing its needs, such as concerning exposure to light, humidity level, and watering. Themed chapters identify the plants’ benefits, as with “plants for a breath of fresh air” (“when NASA needed the most effective air-cleaning plants for their space stations the Snake Plant, Bamboo Palm, and the humble ivy came top of the list”) though the book’s more extraordinary claims for how plants can reduce insomnia, blood pressure, and injury recovery time, among other feats, are never substantiated. In addition to species profiles and health advice, Bailey also dispenses tips on choosing plants, keeping them healthy, and methods for propagation. The sleek layout, with lots of white space around the text and photos, seems better suited for a website, while McLeod’s editorial-style photographs tend to evoke a mood rather than specific characteristics of a plant. This is more an attractively designed lifestyle book than a truly informative reference guide. (Sept.)

Publishers Weekly