38 / matters magazine / home&garden 2018 "A beautiful plant is like having a friend around the house” -Beth Ditto N atural el- ements h a v e made a c o m e - back in h o m e style. Just look through Pinter- est and Instagram and notice captures of natural fibers, wood, metal, earthy elements, and, most of all, plants. Succulents, in particu- lar, are very on-trend and it’s no mystery why. Try some in a bright, sunny room in your house and see how they live up to these positive qualities. Easy to care for. They do not need to be watered often as they retain more water than the average house plant. You can go on vacation and not wor- ry about someone taking care of your plants. Since they have shallow roots, you also can plant them in creative ways – in teacups, vintage tins, even vertical hangings such as wreaths. Help you breathe easier. During the day, plants finalmatters Home Addition So many reasons to bring succulents into your home BY LAURA JANNEY release oxygen, and at night they respire like humans, re- leasing carbon dioxide. But succulents keep producing oxygen all through the night, which helps keep the air fresh while also removing some toxins. Visual interest. Succulents come in many colors, shapes and textures and can be used in interesting and fun arrangements. Many come in small sizes, so they can fit on a desk, small shelves and kitchen windows. Long lasting. They can last for days even with the stems cut off. This makes them popular with brides who are choosing succulent bouquets, bou- tonnieres and crowns. No insects. Since succulents don’t need to be wa- tered often, there is no wet soil for bugs to breed. Plus, their thick waxy leaves protect the plants from pests. Slow growing. Your plants will keep their size so you don’t have to repot often. Easy to propagate. Want to make more succu- lents? Just take the leaves off the stem, let them sit out for about five days and then place in cactus soil. After a few weeks you will see roots and little succulent babies forming. Inexpensive. It doesn’t cost much to try your hand at raising a few succulents. And if you have to replace a plant, it’s a fraction of the cost of flowers or large house plants. Enjoy your succulents. You may find having a piece of nature in the house adds a wonderful touch of tranquility. Laura Janney is the owner of The Inspired Garden in Maplewood. She is a creative gardener and her core mantra is that flowers and plants feed the soul and should bring happiness. Laura Janney, surrounded by a sampling of her beautiful succulents.