It’s National House Plant Appreciation Week… yes, really!
And with that in mind, two Bolton men are encouraging us to breathe life into our homes with the addition of plants.
John Maree and his business partner Danny Roberts set up Oxy-Plants.com in August last year in the midst of the pandemic.
Based out of a mill in Bolton, Greater Manchester, the lads are helping people across the UK to connect with nature, improve their wellbeing and indoor air quality by inviting plants into their home.
After almost a year of being locked in our homes and glued to TV, computer or mobile screens, John and Danny believe the perfect antidote is to switch off, take a deep breath and take in our surroundings.
“The joy of seeing a new leaf on your plant, or see it grow over a long period of time has been shown to help bring joy and a sense of wellbeing, acting as the perfect remedy to the current crisis we find ourselves in,” says Danny.
In fact, 2020 was the first year that GPs in the UK prescribed plants to patients to help battle anxiety, depression and loneliness. The scheme was launched by Cornbrook Medical Practice in innercity Hulme, Manchester, where many patients live in flats and may not have access to gardens or greenery.
Augusta Ward, 31, a medical secretary at the practice, said: “Having something to care for brings so many benefits to people – especially for those who may not have a garden or be able to have pets.”
The idea is backed by the city’s health commissioners, who want to promote community support or ‘social prescribing’ as one of the holistic ways to improve wellbeing in the city.
So, on their mission to encourage as many people as they can to make a ‘Fresh Start’ in 2021, Danny and John would like to offer The Best Life Project readers a 10% discount code. Simply head to website www.oxy-plants.com and enter the promo code ‘The Best Life Project’ at checkout for a 10% discount.
They have also pledged to donate 50p from every plant sold to their chosen charities Woodland Trust and Mind UK.
For your chance to win a free plant on National Houseplant Appreciation Day (January 10) head to Oxy-plants.com’s facebook page, like the page, and post a photo of your houseplants in the competition posts comment section.
