The Healing Power of Plants

August 5, 2019
In this pleasant but thin photo guide, horticulturist Bailey, proprietor of London’s Fresh Flower Company and plant store Forest, offers a selection of houseplants with advice on how “to learn to care for them, and in turn let them care for you.” Each plant receives a large close-up, coupled with a brief overview and bullet-points addressing its needs, such as concerning exposure to light, humidity level, and watering. Themed chapters identify the plants’ benefits, as with “plants for a breath of fresh air” (“when NASA needed the most effective air-cleaning plants for their space stations the Snake Plant, Bamboo Palm, and the humble ivy came top of the list”) though the book’s more extraordinary claims for how plants can reduce insomnia, blood pressure, and injury recovery time, among other feats, are never substantiated. In addition to species profiles and health advice, Bailey also dispenses tips on choosing plants, keeping them healthy, and methods for propagation. The sleek layout, with lots of white space around the text and photos, seems better suited for a website, while McLeod’s editorial-style photographs tend to evoke a mood rather than specific characteristics of a plant. This is more an attractively designed lifestyle book than a truly informative reference guide.