t a w n i m a r i e .

As far back as I can remember—well, scratch that; as far back as my high school years, I have stayed up far too late, beyond the wee hours of the morning, either being very productive or doing nothing at all. I probably had (and still have) some form of manageable insomnia. I’m probably a high-functioning insomniac. I’m a Night Owl.

Tonight is no different. I sit on the couch, surrounded by silence and houseplants, a cat curled up beside me, blissful. It’s all the same to her. The disturbing glow of my phone illuminates our corner of the room—our corner of the couch.

I had planned to spend the evening writing an article on the benefits of sleep, a topic that now feels laughably ironic given my current state and past experience. As I started listing the benefits—improved memory, reduced stress, better mood—I felt like a fraud.

So I stopped writing. 

I read for a while, a book about a woman who decides to do nothing for an entire year, except sleep. More irony. I am her; she is me;—but we are not the same. Halfway through the book, I realized I was on track to finish it in one sitting, which I hadn’t intended to do.

So I stopped reading.

Now it’s nearly 3am. I get up from the couch and walk to the window. It’s August—“the afternoon of the year,” as Georgi Gospodinov wrote. Here, now, 3am is too early—or too late—to witness any signs of life outside. It’s the afternoon of the night for the Night Owl.

The window is a mirror. I see the cat stretch behind me, yawn, and settle back into position, still blissful. I turn away from the window to study a houseplant. “Use sentient in a sentence,” I tell it. It doesn’t answer. 

I look at the cat, raising one eyebrow as if to prove a point. She’s asleep. 

I admire the design of the plant’s leaves—the way each leaf unfurls and grows toward the light. In this moment, the world seems to exist in quiet repose, happily devoid of the conscious and constant awareness that defines and disrupts my own existence. But the plant, the cat, and what I can’t see outside are alive, awake, aware in ways I can’t comprehend. Sentience is a spectrum.

I look again at the cat, raising both eyebrows and sighing as if to admit defeat. She yawns.

I look outside once more, then down at the cat again, and then at the book. I consider whether I should pick it up and continue reading. Maybe I could learn something from this woman who sleeps.

Indoor plants have a variety of positive effects on us: they purify the air of toxins, reduce the number of dust particles in the room, increase creativity, and boost our moods. They also instantly liven up any space, and add texture and color.

Whether you live in a cozy farmhouse, an industrial loft, or a bohemian paradise, houseplants give your space the little something extra that you’ve been looking for.

If you’re a notorious plant killer, don’t get discouraged — there are many easy-to-maintain indoor plants that don’t require too much of your attention.

A perfect option for someone who forgets to water their plants is a snake plant, as it only needs water every two to eight weeks. Another easy-going plant is the dracaena, or dragon plant, which is also very forgiving and can go without water for up to two weeks.

If you’re currently working from home, both of the above plants are ideal additions to your home office. Their low maintenance won’t distract you from your work, but you’ll still benefit from fresh, purified air and the soothing impact these plants have on your mind.

If you consider yourself an expert gardener and don’t shy away from temperamental greenery, you will be an excellent plant parent to a fiddle leaf fig or areca palm. These beautiful plants may demand a bit more of your time and attention, but once they reach a certain height you’ll feel very accomplished having nurtured them so well.

While fiddle leaf figs can grow up to six feet indoors, areca palms reach heights of up to eight feet tall. Both of these plants look amazing next to a couch or window and will make you feel like you’re living in your personal oasis.

Plant some peace in your home by finding the perfect plants for every room. Caring for and seeing your green friends grow can be incredibly rewarding, and it gives your home a natural touch that will ease your mind and boost your mood every day.