While there’s no denying COVID-19 has changed Australians’ lives and homes forever, what hasn’t changed is their obsession with all things home gardening. The 2021 Plant Trend Report spills the dirt on what’s good in the world of plants this year – and how to rock them in your own home.
COVID-19 left many Aussies in a bit of a pickle when it came to health – at a time that we needed to care for our physical and mental wellbeing the most, accessing our usual places for exercise or wind down became harder as restrictions, limitations and closures took hold across the country.
So what did Aussies do instead? Our recent study found that many spent 2020 transforming their homes to become the ultimate sanctuary, with 61% using their home as a space for relaxation, mindfulness or fitness.
THE 2021 PREDICTION:
Nature-based practices and remedies will offer relief for COVID-weary Aussies
Plants are the perfect addition to a holistically-healing and nourishing home – studies have shown that having them in your indoor and outdoor spaces boosts both physical health and mental wellbeing.
And in even better news, some plants don’t just make you healthier by simply being around them – actually consuming them can bring you even more health benefits!
Herbs are a particularly health-fortifying type of plant, which can be easily grown at home – they’re hardy, fast-growers and have multiple uses and benefits. You don’t even need that much space – a sunny kitchen windowsill will do the trick nicely (head here for a step-by-step guide on setting up a windowsill garden). If you do have a backyard, herbs can be easily grown in pots, barrels, or of course – straight in your veggie patch.
Give your wellbeing a healthy kick with these six super herbs:
- Sage (Salvia officinalis)
- Thyme (Thymus vulgaris)
- Lemon balm (Melissa officinalis)
- Chamomile (Matricaria recutita)
- Oregano (Origanum vulgare)
- Rosemary (Salvia rosmarinus)
Turning herbs into healing remedies
Ok, so you’ve planted your herbs and they’re thriving – what’s next? To help you squeeze every drop of goodness out of your herb patch, we asked Greener Spaces Better Places friend and herbalist Erin Lovell Verinder for her top tips and tricks – Erin recommends:
- Herbal teas to de-stress and sleep well
Growing herbs like lemon balm or chamomile can be incredibly calming for the nervous system, especially when consumed fresh or as dried herbal teas. These plants act on the nervous system to untangle stress and anxiety, and are perfect to usher in a sound night’s sleep.
- Adding fresh herbs to meals
Many medicinal plants are incredibly easy to grow and have infinite applications in the kitchen. Try greening different meals with delicious culinary herbs that also have medicinal qualities – oregano, rosemary, sage and thyme all have a very grounding and wholesome effect.
- Make your own skin relief
Making your own herbal-infused oil from dried herbs such as rosemary or lavender (Lavandula) and a plant-based oil, such as coconut or olive oil, is an incredibly simple thing to do and can offer a serene feeling when applied on the skin.
Growing a lush herb garden at home that you can create homegrown remedies from is one easy way to ensure that you can take care of both your mental and physical health in 2021.
To find out which herbs will best suit your home or garden, head to your nearest nursery or garden centre and have a chat with the experts.
