Healthy plants, happy homes.

I’m Dr. Paula Elbl, a botanist and plant biotechnologist with nearly two decades of experience studying how plants grow, adapt, and thrive—from the forests of Amazonia to modern biotech labs.

Plant Visits is where I bring that knowledge into your home. I translate plant science into simple, loving care routines so your plants can actually live, not just survive—whether you’re a total beginner, a busy professional, or a proud plant parent who needs backup.

Plants can quietly change a life. They clean our air, soften our rooms, and bring back a bit of the forest into apartments and offices made of glass and concrete. They lower stress, calm our nervous system, and give us tiny daily rituals—watering, turning a pot toward the light, celebrating a new leaf—that pull us out of our heads and back into the present moment.

They make us less lonely, more grounded, and more awake to the seasons and cycles happening right in front of us. And often, through one plant, people begin to see the bigger picture: that this small green life on their shelf is connected to forests, soils, rivers, and a whole planet that needs care. That’s why I do this work—not just to rescue plants, but to open that door in people’s hearts where curiosity, empathy, and love for the living world can come back in.

30 ways plants support your life

1. Cleaner air – many plants help filter indoor pollutants and improve air quality.
2. More oxygen – through photosynthesis, plants release oxygen that supports easier breathing.
3. Humidity balance – plants release moisture, helping dry indoor air feel more comfortable.
4. Reduced dust – leaves can trap dust particles, slightly reducing dust indoors.
5. Stress relief – being around greenery has been shown to lower stress levels.
6. Lower anxiety – caring for plants provides a calming, grounding routine.
7. Improved mood – green, living spaces are linked to greater happiness and emotional balance.
8. Support for focus – plants in workspaces can help people concentrate and stay on task.
9. Better creativity – natural elements and greenery can spark imagination and ideas.
10. Soothing for the nervous system – soft textures and colors help the body relax.
11. Sense of companionship – plants give a gentle feeling of “not being alone” in a room.
12. Daily mindfulness – watering and observing plants encourages presence and attention.
13. Nurturing instinct – caring for a living thing strengthens empathy and gentleness.
14. Connection to seasons – new leaves and flowers remind us of time and change.
15. Tiny wins – each new leaf or rescued plant offers a small but powerful sense of achievement.
16. Natural beauty – plants soften hard edges and make spaces feel more welcoming and alive.
17. Biophilic design – greenery brings natural patterns humans are wired to love.
18. Color therapy – foliage and flower colors can energize, calm, or uplift a room.
19. Personalized spaces – plant choices reflect personality and story.
20. Soothing movement – gently moving leaves create a calming visual rhythm.
21. Educational moments – plants invite questions about biology, climate, and ecosystems.
22. Teaching responsibility – for kids and adults, plants are an introduction to caring for life.
23. Awareness of resources – you literally see the impact of water, light, and neglect.
24. Bridge to bigger nature – one plant can open curiosity about forests and biodiversity.
25. Improved sleep (with the right plants) – calming presence can support restful spaces.
26. Acoustic comfort – plants and soil can slightly absorb sound and soften noise.
27. Soft boundaries – plants can visually separate spaces without walls.
28. Ritual and routine – watering days and pruning create grounding rhythms.
29. Healing symbolism – new growth and recovery in plants mirror human healing.
30. More love for the planet – caring about one plant often grows into care for the Earth.