Biophilia – bringing the outside indoors.
This extraordinary year has meant, for one reason or another, we have been able to have more time to focus on where we live and how we interact and connect with our outdoor spaces. Over the summer that has seen many people take to their garden and turn their attention and energy towards something positive and rewarding. Something hopeful for the tomorrow, sowing seeds, growing and planting within the space we have. As the days get shorter and the weather more inclement we naturally start to spend more time indoors and that new found freedom and expression discovered in our gardens can continue but in a different way.
One word that keeps popping up in various articles and blogs is Biophilia. It means, (according to a theory of the biologist E. O. Wilson) an innate and genetically determined affinity of human beings with the natural world. As everything else felt like it was on pause and had stopped this year, nature continued. Birds still found a mate and began to nest, plants still grew and bloomed the sun still made its daily trip around our weird and wonderful planet.
Biophillia has also been adopted by the well-being and mental health sectors, offering a way in which to reduce anxiety levels and create a place of sanctuary at home. Bringing nature indoors is not new, but houseplants in particular have increased in popularity over the past few years, with Millennials in particular adopting this botanical interest and creating homes that are not only an escape from the everyday but are healthy places to live.
“Biophilia means love of nature. It focuses on our innate attraction and genetic connection to the natural world. We’ve all got different experiences, cultural, geographic, social… but the one thing that nearly everyone has had is a positive experience of nature”.
Houseplants in their many forms breathe life into interiors and keeping plants indoors has been known to improve air quality by filtering air and removing certain toxins. Plants like Ivy, Pothos and Snake plants are known for their pollutant cleaning properties.
For those who have newly discovered a love of gardening or plants as a result of this year or for those of you who are looking for a way to continue your love and passion for plants- why not try to keep your garden of Eden growing through the winter months, but bring it indoors and turn your green fingers to houseplants.
The key to good plant parenting is to try and recreate the plants natural environment with light, water and humidity. Our glasshouse is brimming with everything you might need to keep your affinity with the natural world going, all winter long.
