Sensory plants can engage your senses and offer a well-needed break from the computer screen when working from home. The benefits of looking away from the computer screen is well-documented. Creating a small sensory garden of potted plants at a nearby table can give you reason to get up and give your eyes a rest. Before choosing plants to purchase, think about what lessens your anxiety: would a sweet citrus-like scent relieve tension? Would the touch of a soft, velvet-like leaf be comforting? Knowing how you want to interact with your sensory garden will help you choose plants, as well as knowing the growing conditions needed. For instance, many herbs, like lemon thyme, require a fair amount of sunlight. If you have a southern exposure window it would do well, but a northern exposure you might need a grow light. Consider how much care you want to put into the upkeep of your plants, too. Even the most basic of plants will require watering. Once you know the growing and care conditions you can offer to your sensory plants, it’s time to choose. Be sure to consult your doctor if you have any allergies or other health conditions that might cause you to react to either ingesting an herb or touching certain plants. Also, confirm with a vet to be sure a plant is not toxic to pets or children.

Plant for Taste

Herbs are great, but often need to be cooked to be eaten. Some that can be eaten raw include basil, dill, and parsley. These will need quite a bit of light, but start well from seed and can be grown indoors all year.

Plant for Scent

Many herbs have a lovely scent when their leaves are rubbed together. While they are not fit to eat unless cooked, having a few simply for their scent can add a lovely aspect to your sensory garden. Try lemon thyme, peppermint, spearmint, culinary lavender, and rosemary. Non-herb flowers that give off sweet-scents include gardenias, jasmine, and seasonal bulbs like paperwhite narcissus.

Plant for Touch

Some plants have velvety soft leaves that can be quite calming to run a finger over. Try lambs ears, sage, or African violets. The touch-me-not plant is a type of mimosa that curls its leaves in when touched. A child’s favorite, this plant can offer a fun distraction for adults, too.

Plant for Sight

Many plants and indoor flowers will fulfill this category. If you enjoy a structured look then add orchids or cacti into your sensory garden collection. For a more flowing, organic look try philodendrons that can grow new plants in clear water vases for a truly beautiful garden of flowing vines and roots.

No matter how small the space, a sensory garden can become a hobby that offers a break in between meetings and long days in front of the computer. Start with one or two plants and keep collecting. Soon you’ll have an indoor garden to relax in while also staying on top of all your work.

*It is the reader’s responsibility to evaluate their own medical and physical condition and independently decide how to use the information in this blog post. Always consult your doctor before undergoing any sort of health or health-related treatment.