Welcome to plants@work
Welcome to the Plants at Work (formerly efig ltd) website - the association representing Interior Landscapers by promoting the use and benefits of Interior Plants.
There are many benefits of joining us, including:
- Industry Representation
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- Fantastic Training Programme
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News
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Houseplants to Brighten Your Blue Monday Friday, 17 January 2025
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Dracaena: The Dragon Plant - A Perfect Fit for Appreciate a Dragon Day Tuesday, 14 January 2025
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Top Houseplants for 2025 Interior Landscaping: Insights from plants@work Suppliers Thursday, 09 January 2025
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Interior Landscaping Design Trends for 2025 Wednesday, 08 January 2025
Children’s Mental Health Week 2025: Know Yourself, Grow Yourself – Growing Resilience with Houseplants
Today marks the start of Children’s Mental Health Week, organised by the charity Place2Be, with this year’s theme: "Know Yourself, Grow Yourself." The aim is to help children and young people across the UK embrace self-awareness, explore their strengths, and understand how personal growth can support their well-being and resilience.

Why Self-Awareness Matters for Mental Health
Self-awareness is a vital part of emotional development. Children can better navigate life's ups and downs when they understand their emotions, strengths, and challenges. By encouraging young people to reflect on their experiences and personal growth, we can help them build confidence, manage stress, and develop resilience.
Houseplants: A Simple Way to Support Mental Health
One way to engage children with this year’s theme is through growing and caring for houseplants. Gardening, even on a small scale with indoor plants, has been widely recognised as a powerful tool for mental well-being. Looking after plants can help children:
- Develop Responsibility – Caring for a living thing fosters a sense of purpose and achievement.
- Reduce Stress and Anxiety – Studies show that being around plants can lower cortisol levels, promoting calmness.
- Improve Focus and Patience – Watching plants grow encourages mindfulness and persistence.
- Enhance Mood and Creativity – A green environment can boost positivity and inspire creative thinking.

Encouraging Children to Grow Their Own Plants
Bringing plants into the classroom or home is an easy way to promote emotional growth alongside the theme of Know Yourself, Grow Yourself. Consider introducing children to easy-to-care-for houseplants, such as:
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Spider Plant – Hardy and adaptable, a great starter plant for kids.
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Aloe Vera – A low-maintenance succulent that also has soothing gel inside.
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Peace Lily – Helps purify the air and thrives in low light.
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Cacti & Succulents – Fun and resilient plants that require minimal watering.
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Pothos (Devil’s Ivy) – Grows quickly, offering a visual reminder of growth and progress. |
Bringing the Theme to Life
Encourage children to track the growth of their plant in a journal, reflecting on how both they and their plant are growing over time. Schools, nurseries, and families can take part in fun activities such as:
- Creating a "Growth Corner" at school with student-grown plants.
- Encouraging children to take photos of their plants as they grow.
- Writing about what they’ve learned from caring for their plant.
- Connecting plant care to personal growth—just like a plant needs water and sunlight, we need rest, support, and learning to thrive.

Supporting Children’s Mental Health with Place2Be
Place2Be has been working for nearly 30 years to support children’s mental health in schools. They provide expert mental health support and help ensure children have the tools they need to grow emotionally and mentally.
Let’s take this opportunity during Children’s Mental Health Week 2025 to nurture both plants and young minds. By encouraging children to "Know Yourself, Grow Yourself," we can help them develop self-awareness, resilience, and a lifelong appreciation for nature’s positive impact on well-being.
For more information on how to get involved, visit www.childrensmentalhealthweek.org.uk.