Taking care of something is part of human nature. It feels good to feed something and watch it grow. I guess that’s why some people have kids. It’s why most people get hamsters. But that’s not always an option. Maybe your apartment doesn’t allow cats, and you don’t have enough room for a good fish tank. You need something low maintenance, that won’t die a painful death.

Have you tried getting a plant?

I’m by no means someone with a green thumb, but I’ve learned the benefits of taking care of plants, and some of the basics on how to keep my new friends alive. If this sounds like something you think would be good for you, here are some reasons you should go out and get a plant.

Also, if you decide you want a houseplant and need some suggestions of good plants to get, check out my last article here.

1. Good for air

Plants are known for being good for air. Trees, after all, are a main producer of oxygen. Houseplants have their own benefits when it comes to making air cleaner. Some house plants remove toxins from the air, making your house cleaner and healthier to live in.

2. Looks nice

No matter what kind of plant you get, every kind is gorgeous. Houseplants come in every shape and size, each of them just as cool as the last. Some of them come with flowers, others with vines, and some with spines or other cool leaves. If you’re looking for something large or something small, you will be able to find one amongst your many plant options. Plants are a great addition to any apartment because they make any space look clean and nice. No matter what you get, it will brighten up your home.

3. Easy to take care of

Compared to a cat, dog, or child, a plant is pretty easy to take care of. Versus other living things in your house, they don’t require constant supervision or trips to the doctor. They just need good soil, sunlight, and an appropriate amount of water. Granted, some types of plants are harder to keep alive than others, but most are relatively easy.

4. Cheap

With these little requirements, it's not surprising that plants are relatively cheap to take care of. Unless you buy an expensive plant to start with, most are fairly inexpensive. The average plant cost anywhere between $2-$20, and after that, you only need to buy bigger pots and more soil for when it gets bigger. Other than that, your plants will barely cost you anything.

5. Rewarding

Taking care of a plant is very rewarding. Since plants are still living things, when you take care of it well, you get to see it grow and bloom and turn into something much bigger and beautiful than what you started with. This is especially true with plants that can bloom, or ones that grow vines or offshoots. The more these grow, the bigger sign it is that you’re taking good care of your plant.

So make to go out and start your own plant collection!