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by Raven Halle We all know why plants are important environmentally: they produce oxygen, filter pollution, offer homes for animals, and many more things. What we don’t all know, however, is how important and helpful it is to have and maintain indoor plants! Not only are they visually pleasing and can add flair and character to your space, but studies have proven that they can also increase productivity, reduce levels of stress, and elevate your mood. Here are the top 5 beginner friendly plants that can thrive indoors. If you have pets, ensure that your plant of choice is pet friendly! 1. Snake Plant The Snake Plant derives its name from its leaves, which are long and grow vertically (not reptilian at all!). Aside from its good looks, snake plants are known to be able to survive long periods without both water and sunlight, making them a good choice for a first time plant parent. They also are known to filter out potentially harmful chemicals from the air. 2. Dracaena This plant is perfect for those who are always busy and live on-the-go, as they are very low maintenance and are able to
adapt to different light environments. These are best for low-light spaces, as they are not recommended to be in direct sunlight. 3. ZZ Plant ZZ Plants are very drought tolerant and can also survive in low light areas! They have the ability to store water, making them low maintenance in terms of watering frequency, as they can be watered as little as once a month. ZZ Plants are also known to some to symbolize prosperity and friendship, so they make for great houseplants as well as gifts!
4. Rubber Tree If you tend to forget often about your plants, a Rubber Tree may be the way to go! It is said that they can tolerate a certain degree of forgetfulness, and handle being under-watered better than being over-watered. All it needs is bright light and a bit of room to grow. It is also great at removing excess carbon dioxide from your home. 5. Aloe Vera
manageable to care for, but they also have many healing benefits. Aloe from the leaf is antibacterial and anti-inflammatory, so it can remedy many issues like sunburns and stomachaches. All it needs is a sunny spot to thrive—its soil likes to get extremely dry before watering is necessary. For more information on The Flats Apartment Living in Downtown Avalon Park, call 407-273-4337 or email Info@ TheFlatsAtAvalonPark.com.
This may be the only plant on the list that you recognize, and for good reason! Not only are Aloe Vera plants extremely
Orange County Launches Public Safety Campaign to Combat COVID-19 Vaccine Hesitancy, Build “Community Immunity” Orange County Government officials – along with representatives from the Florida Department of Health in Orange County, the City of Orlando, Orlando Economic Partnership, Visit Orlando, Walt Disney World, and Universal Orlando – recently revealed their “I Got My Shot” public safety campaign designed to debunk COVID-19 vaccine myths, highlight trusted voices in the community, and encourage residents to get vaccinated. The campaign was developed at the request of Orange County Mayor Jerry L. Demings and has one overriding goal: reach the desired “community immunity” level of 79 percent sooner rather than later. “We want to make all residents aware of the safety, convenience and benefits of taking the vaccine as soon as possible,” said Mayor Demings. “And for those who have already received their vaccines, we’re asking for your help spreading the word to your family, friends and
In addition, Orange County staff conducted over 250 interviews through targeted focus groups to address our community’s concerns and apprehensions about the vaccine. These responses were then incorporated to help frame this public safety campaign.
neighbors.” There are those in the community who have taken a “wait and see” approach to the vaccine. Orange County hopes to provide guidance and increase trust levels by debunking vaccine myths and driving home the true benefits of getting a COVID-19 vaccine. “There’s always going to be a certain level of vaccine hesitancy, so we need to ensure everyone knows the COVID-19 vaccine is safe, available, convenient and doesn’t cost anything,” said Dr. Raul Pino, health officer
for the Florida Department of Health in Orange County. “With the help of local health care providers, we can disseminate accurate information about the vaccine and further contain the virus and its mutations as we strive to reach herd immunity.” This campaign is the second phase of the Safer, Stronger, Together county initiative. With national research showing us that those most hesitant use social media as their primary information source, this campaign has been primarily targeted to live and breathe through social platforms.
Looking ahead, April 26, 2021, Orange County will partner with AdventHealth in a Town Hall setting to answer questions from community members and further combat vaccine hesitancy. More details to follow. To track vaccination progress, and for more information on the tools you can use to help protect our community against the COVID-19 virus and reach herd immunity as quickly as possible, visit, www.ocfl.net/ IGotMyShot.
