Imagine growing houseplants that are not only visually stunning but also offer amazing mental and physical health benefits. The great news is that you can! Sensory houseplants are valuable for children and adults with sensory processing issues and other disabilities. They encourage exploration and discovery, support cognitive development, and provide calming effects.
Sensory houseplants and gardens are designed to stimulate senses like smell, touch, taste, sight, and sound. To create the perfect sensory indoor garden, it’s essential to know everything about the plants to maintain the desired atmosphere.
Touch
For touch sensory, focus on textures—smooth, velvety, or crinkled. Plants such as Sage, Begonia, Fig, Ficus, and Aloe Vera enhance the sense of touch. Sensory houseplants like Purple Passion, Velvet Calathea, African Violets, and White Velvet plants have soft, calming textures. Pothos plants are also known to have physiological and psychological benefits when their foliage is touched.
Sight
Plants with vibrant colors and patterns are ideal for sight sensory stimulation. Orchids and Succulents are perfect choices as they brighten any space with their colorful flowers and diverse shapes, sizes, and patterns, boosting visual appeal.
Taste
Edible plants add a delightful sensory experience. Consider growing fruit plants like strawberries and pineapples, which can be enjoyed year-round in your indoor garden. Citrus plants are also excellent for their appealing fruits and for stimulating sight, smell, and taste.
Smell
The sense of smell has a profound impact on mood. Herbs are great for stimulating this sense. Grow herbs like lemongrass, mint, lemon balm, and rosemary to lift your spirits and relieve stress. Lavender, geranium, and eucalyptus are the best fragrant sensory houseplants that are easy to grow indoors. Place them where they receive bright, indirect sunlight throughout the day.
Sound
Sound can soothe or cause anxiety, so the calming rustle of leaves or branches can help reconnect us with nature. Sensory houseplants like Bamboo Palms are perfect for indoor growing and make a pleasant sound when the wind passes through their stems. Ornamental grasses also stimulate the sense of hearing.
By incorporating these sensory houseplants into your indoor garden, you can create a beautiful, stimulating, and therapeutic environment that benefits everyone in your home.
Interested in learning more? Check out this blog on Five Fast Growing Philodendrons!