Clicking the website for Rutgers University (NJ) Department of Biology and  Pathology, we learn that Horticultural Therapy while “an ancient practice,” is a “relatively new profession.” As far back as the 19th century, a signer of the Declaration of Independence observed and documented the benefits of his patients working with plants.

Ways plants can contribute to parents’ and elders’ aging well

1. Feeling needed gains importance as people age. Plants need some care.
2. Watching something grow is life-affirming.
3. Plants provide the above and, unlike pets, some can remain healthy with very little care.
4. Plants are decorative–creating an attractive, pleasant living environment.

The easy-care flowering houseplants featured in the last post provide interest, beauty and affirmation of life: buds appear and flowers come forth (and one plant’s leaves open in the morning and close at night). Besides the decorative aspect, a sense of purpose and responsibility comes with taking care of plants. We need to be needed. Feeling needed is a valuable emotional asset as people grow older and older.

Indoor plants that grow in soil or water
–all like low or filtered light

Some plants, such as Syngomium, want only water and low light to survive. As with all indoor plants, the person who provides the water is needed. The Syngonium is an erect houseplant with decorative leaves. It grows well in water if the roots remain submerged (click to enlarge image) and in soil if it isn’t allowed to dry out. (Ignore the wax begonia stem with a leaf and pink blossom in the horse-radish jar. It’s just there to add color.) The Syngonium has been in that jar for a year; the begonia for two days!

Sr. Advisor R likes Philodendron: old fashion, easy care, very popular in the last century. Hers are so attractive–some growing in water in pretty glass containers, others in pots placed in white canisters on each side of her fireplace mantel. Her plants are 5+ years old. They flow downwards (as opposed to being erect). The idea is to keep them smallish. Don’t want them dragging on a table top or the floor.

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Golden Pothos is an unfussy trailing vine plant that grows in all indoor light conditions; needs watering about every two weeks or when the leaves start wilting slightly. Train its vines or just cut them off when they get too long.  Place the cut-off pieces in a container of water and grow plants in water…they’ll root.

Grown in water or in potting soil, a bit of fertilizer once a year if you wish–in Spring. And they’re air purifiers.
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The Wandering Jew is another houseplant with attractive leaves, but it probably doesn’t want to be grown in water. Colors differ depending on variety. Often used as a hanging plant–it does “wander.”