Turn Your Succulent Plant Into A Diffuser With This Essential Oil Hack

When you place a living plant in your home, you're doing more than just adding a little greenery to your decor. Even a single plant can make a difference in your well-being, according to The Washington Post. "Different properties of plants, such as how they look, smell and feel, impact us in so many ways," says horticultural sciences professor Mengmeng Gu. "They can feel good to the touch, make a space more fragrant and please our eyes." Many people enjoy adding a pot of succulents to their indoor garden because they are easy to care for and readily available at local stores. You can enhance the soothing effect that these plants will bring to your home by turning the pot into an essential oil diffuser as well. All you need is a collection of lava rocks to spread around the plants where you will distribute a few drops of the essential oil.

Succulents grow in a wide assortment of colors, shapes, and sizes, with endless combinations to choose from. With names like Pink Frills, Daydream, Blue Quartz, and String of Buttons, you can create a planter filled with natural beauty and variety that will become a peaceful oasis in your home. Distributing the essential oils onto the lava rocks will allow the scent to permeate their porous surfaces, and the fragrance of the oil can be enjoyed for several days.

The aroma of essential oils provides a number of health benefits. For example, peppermint is useful in treating headaches and migraines, and it may also alleviate an upset stomach. Lavender has a calming effect, which can be helpful with congestion or headaches, and its relaxing nature can also relieve restlessness that leads to insomnia. The scent of orange oil also has a calming and relaxing effect that can help lower stress. The smell of lemon oil helps improve circulation and support the immune system.

Aromatherapy can actually be beneficial for your succulents as well. The scent of the oils will repel pests that are harmful to plants. For example, the soothing scent of cedarwood deters insects such as aphids and moths from damaging your plants. The aroma of sage may help you feel less melancholy and more focused, and it will also keep flies and chiggers away from your indoor garden. The use of these essential oils will protect the life of your plants and will result in a healthier atmosphere in your home.

Create your succulent diffuser by filling a planter about halfway full with potting soil. Place each succulent in the pot about 1/2 inch apart. Fill the remainder of the pot with soil and water until it reaches about 1 inch from the top. Then spread the lava rocks across the soil. Finally, sprinkle about 6-8 drops of essential oil onto the lava rocks, being careful not to drop it directly onto the plant or the potting soil. Succulents don't need to be watered daily but actually grow better when the soil has time to dry out between waterings.

According to TIME, keeping plants in the home or workplace has proven to help people reduce stress, promote healing, increase focus, and become more productive. Libby Bolles, owner of Fancy Leaf Plant Co. in Florida, explains, "Taking care of plants brings overall health and wellness to your life." The benefits of creating a succulent garden are enhanced when you transform your planter into a source of aromatherapy benefits as well. Creating a succulent diffuser is a great way to bring beauty, inspiration, and well-being to your home.