A PlantBox living wall packs heaps of plants into even the most space-restricted homes and makes looking after them ultra-easy. There are heaps of benefits, too—cleaning the air of toxins, improving our physical and mental health, 100% sustainable growing, and creating a healthier, happier home. Read on to find out more.
Here’s a not-so-fun fact: we spend only 10% of our time outdoors. Getting outside and having a regular connection with nature does wonders for our health, wellbeing and productivity. But, as research proves, this time—along with access to a green space—is rarely available.
A PlantBox living wall allows you to reconnect with nature—and all the wonders it offers—by packing heaps of no-fuss plants into your home, even if you don’t have much available space to begin with.
Research shows that greening an indoor space results in healthier, happier and more productive occupants. Better yet, the more plants there are, the more benefits there are to be gained.
Pack heaps of plants into a small space
PlantBox maximises the space you have—spaces which otherwise go unused, such as a bare brick wall or the edge of a kitchen counter—and creates a trendy-yet-low-maintenance transformation.
You might think you will need a virtual jungle to notice an improvement in your health or air quality, but that’s simply not true. PlantBox is able to pack anything above 12 plants into your home, and that’s with the smallest configuration, a set of 3. You can expect around 40 plants in a set of 10—and it wouldn’t require any furniture rearranging either! Since each set can be combined to best fit your home, you don’t have to stop there either…
Easy, uncomplicated plant care
You might expect such large numbers of plants to be difficult to care for—again, not true! The cascading watering system eliminates all your watering woes and means even non-gardeners can look after large amounts of plants without ever worrying about accidentally killing them.
Each PlantBox has a water level indicator to show how thirsty plants are and holds 1.8 litres of water, preventing water-wastage and the need for daily watering. Water is poured into the top PlantBox and cascades into those below, filling up each one as it goes. Plants then draw up the water they need, when they need it, through a special inner wicking-felt lining. It couldn’t be simpler!
Plants clean the air of toxins
Plants act as round-the-clock filters to clean the air we breathe. They absorb high levels of airborne toxins and turn them into food to help them grow. Within 24 hours, plants will absorb high levels of volatile organic compounds (VOCs)—airborne toxins released from everyday plastics, carpets and furnishings. Even on imperceptible levels, air pollution causes illness, as well as symptoms of headache, sore eyes, nose and throat, or nausea.
Here’s another not-so-fun fact: levels of VOCs are usually higher indoors than outside—even in city centres! Fortunately, plants have no saturation point: The more toxins there are, the faster the plants absorb them. Some plants even work overtime as they continue to absorb VOCs and other toxins at night, all the while producing fresh oxygen.
NASA’s study on indoor pollution revealed specific types of plants—including peace lily and Chinese evergreen—can clean the air more effectively than many air purifiers. Our list of top 10 houseplants for indoor living walls features 7 superstar air-scrubbers.
Fresh oxygen increases concentration and productivity
Fresh air not only improves our health but increases our concentration and productivity. How this happens is amazingly simple. Plants produce fresh oxygen by absorbing carbon dioxide via photosynthesis. Carbon dioxide, produced from our breathing, is a well known cause of drowsiness and concentration loss. Plants therefore encourage more effortless brain activity, allowing for a greater capacity to maintain concentration and to better perform tasks.
Before we move on, let’s talk about leaves. Did you know leaves are capable of trapping airborne dust particles and absorbing the toxins they carry? These particles are not released back into the air either. This removal can improve the humidity of an indoor space and reduce respiratory problems for its occupants.
Plants support mental and physical health
Simply spending time around plants calms, uplifts and restores us. Plants raise wellbeing while at the same time lowering symptoms of depression, stress and anxiety. Studies have even shown plants speed up recovery from mental fatigue and reduce high blood pressure.
You might not realise it but there is a lot to be gained from caring for plants. As well as giving our minds a much-needed break, the responsibility of caring for plants can give a real sense of purpose, pride and achievement. It’s highly satisfying to successfully nurture a plant from seed to flower or, when growing your own food, from plant to plate.
Scientists in Oslo, Norway introduced plants into hospitals and discovered they helped to speed up patient recovery from major surgery and lessened their need for medication. The study also found real plants reduced staff absenteeism by 60% and reduced patients’ fear of visits. Just imagine what a bunch of houseplants around the home can do for your health.
Sustainable, environmentally friendly indoor gardening
PlantBox is made from 100% recycled materials, sourced from UK household waste. The mould used to create PlantBox is specially designed to make two PlantBoxes simultaneously. This reduces the carbon footprint by over 75% compared to other plastic moulds. In our effort to minimise the impact of shipping, we designed PlantBox to nestle inside each other when transported. Since PlantBox is manufactured in Norfolk, UK, the carbon footprint is further reduced for orders within the UK as there are no air miles. Our packaging is made from 100% recycled cardboard and we use potato starch bags to hold the small bits, avoiding single-use plastic and wasteful padding.
PlantBox is designed to be as super-sustainable as possible, which is why PlantBox was voted a RHS Chelsea Sustainable Garden Product of the Year 2021 Finalist.
Grow your own food
Aside from transforming an indoor space with gorgeous greenery, a living wall can also offer practical—and tasty—uses too. Growing your own food is enjoyable and satisfying, and that’s before it has even hit the plate! You don’t need a huge amount of space—a kitchen surface, beside the back door or an unused windowsill can all be turned into a personal fresh food aisle. There are lots of delicious fruits, veggies and herbs that make great home-grown crops, many of which are suitable for first-time growers and provide delicious, fresh flavour to your favourite dishes. Simply let your taste buds be your planting guide.
A PlantBox living wall will help to reduce your carbon footprint, plastic packaging and food waste. By slashing food miles to food metres, you are reducing the reliance on long-distance transportation of food, which guzzles fossil fuels and emits large amounts of carbon dioxide. It is estimated that an average distance of 1,500 miles is travelled from farm to plate. You can also cut out the need for chemicals or pesticides, which harm the environment.
Check out our Top 5 Reasons to Grow Your Own Food.
Plants scent a space
Did you know the fragrance of real flowers can make you feel better? They are also able to ease migraines and headaches, while generating positive moods and promoting mental functioning. Plants such as lavender can promote calm and wellness, even helping to aid sleep.
1% of sales pledged to environmental issues
With every PlantBox purchase you are helping to give back. 1% of PlantBox sales is pledged to 1% For The Planet, a global organisation that supports non-profits who are tackling our most pressing environmental issues, so you are transforming more than your own space. Find out more.
