Herbs

Ahhh, the choices! Herbs are good for cooking, for teas, for beautiful scents and foliage, and for health. So what are a few herbs that fit the criteria that can fit on a windowsill box or in pots?

Sage: popular and versatile spice, makes a good tea for a sore throat

Mint: good with fruit, in sauces, to flavor water or tea, teas can calm an upset stomach and has calming effects to make you sleepy. Comes in many varietals and flavors, but plant it in its own pot!

Chives: Cut these up and put them on every dinner or salad for a mild onion flavor

Rosemary: This herb is great for flavoring grilled foods, and it also has anti-inflammatory properties and antioxidants. Studies have shown that it stimulates the memory. It's also very aromatic and can be trained to grow in different directions as a small shrub.

Lavender: Beautiful and aromatic, this herb has calming and soothing properties. It also has antioxidants, and helps to induce a restful sleep

Oregano: a popular spice in Italian cuisine, this herb is also antibacterial and anti-fungal.

One of the best parts is that all these are perennials! With good care, they will take care of you for a long time.

Palm Trees

Besides making your living room look like a tropical paradise, palm trees are a natural air cleaner and purifier. The can remove the formaldehyde fumes from the air and fumes from other chemicals often present in the ever-growing amount of plastic in our homes. We have a pot of three Dracaenea trees that we were told not to separate and we have a Royal Palm tree.

Christmas Cactus

Easy to grow, with beautiful flowers at least twice a year. It doesn't need much watering, just a little light. When a chunk falls off, just stick it in a new pot, let it grow a little, and give it to your family and friends. This plant can live for decades.

Aloe

Another easy houseplant, aloe vera is a succulent that will look good among the array above. Nicknamed the “Burn Plant”, you can break off a piece and rub on a burn or sunburn.

Orchid

Orchids have been getting more and more popular in the last few years. Many sizes and colors are available. Orchid flowers can each last for months, and the plants don't need watering very often.

So here's a few ideas to get you started. If you have any questions or want to look into any of these plants a little further, start with these links below.

http://www.guide-to-houseplants.com/indoor-palm-trees.html

http://webecoist.momtastic.com/2009/04/08/air-purifying-plants/

http://air-purifier-reviewsite.com/blog/15-house-plants-you-can-use-as-air-purifiers/

http://www.networx.com/article/10-facts-about-christmas-cacti

http://www.wikihow.com/Care-for-a-Christmas-Cactus

http://www.thegardenhelper.com/aloe~vera.html

http://www.aos.org/orchids.aspx

Essential Houseplants for Healthy Living