Humans are incredibly conscious beings, filled with constant thoughts-many of which include stressors. Various hobbies can help us unwind and reduce tension, all while having a good time. A thriving trend for stress relief and entertainment among WHS students and staff, houseplants. 

The positive effects that can be found in plants are often overlooked. The presence of plants in a home can reduce anxiety and stress, along with improving ones overall mood.

“It is way more zen,” said Assistant Band Director Madeline Watts,“[taking care of plants] takes my mind off of the meaningless stress things.”

In addition to their calming effects, buying plants can make for an entertaining outing. Whether you’re hunting for a specific type of plant, or just browsing through endless pots of greenery, plant shopping is bound to be a unique experience.

For Watts and her husband,“It’s a fun activity for us to do over the weekend… We always like to get the very colorful plant pots that bring some extra color and vibrancy in,” Said Watts.

Growing and collecting plants is a satisfying, healthy and fun hobby for many. To those interested in taking in their first plant Watts advises to “Do your research… start with a plant that you can forget about, and not water and it’ll still survive,” Said Watts.

The care required for certain plants can be overwhelming at first, but by utilizing instructions provided by nurseries and info on the world wide web, a beginner’s journey into the world of houseplants can be a lot less daunting.