Residents of Devonshire, located in the peaceful community of Forney, Texas, just east of Dallas, intuitively understand the latest scientific research about the health benefits of nature. This research strongly suggests that getting outside or bringing nature inside, in the form of plants, is an elixir for the brain, body and soul.

The designers of this wildly successful, master-planned community had this in mind when they first looked over the drawing board at the layout and terrain of Devonshire. This is revealed in the immaculate common areas, meandering walking trails  and outdoor amenities that exuberantly say “come have fun!” 

There are excellent reasons why a visitor sees many more smiles in Devonshire than are usually found in a highly urban neighborhood. The secret? Plants. Lots of plants!

Plants Rule

According to a recent article published by Axios, “Many of our jobs keep us indoors — away from nature — and the pandemic magnified that problem. But it turns out being around nature is essential to health.”

The feature points out that interacting with plants (either outside or inside a home) can “increase life satisfaction, reduce anxiety and stress, spark creativity, boost productivity and even mitigate symptoms of PTSD and dementia.

Plus, certain plants are natural air purifiers for your house.

Melinda Knuth, a horticulture professor at N.C. State said, “When we have plants in our home or take a hike, we see decreases in anxiety and stress. Just being around a plant can decrease the cortisol levels in our saliva."

Plant Sales Are Growing

The pandemic was just the “fertilizer” needed for increasing plant ownership. The Axios article noted, “plant sales soared during the pandemic as Americans coped with being stuck inside by bringing nature into their homes.

“Plant nurseries in the U.S. saw sales jump 10%-15% in 2020, according to a Garden Center survey. Many of these sellers were small, mom-and-pop shops that are now thriving due to our revived interest in plants. 89% of consumers owned at least two houseplants in 2021, according to a Floral Marketing Fund report.”

The Two Most Important Words for New Plant Owners

“Low maintenance” are the two most important words for a plant newbie. Here’s a list of 10 indoor plants from NBC News that can help anyone turn their thumb green.

• Snake plant
• Chinese Money plant
• Lucky Bamboo plant
• Jade plant
• Philodendron
• Dracaena Gold Star
• Money Tree
• Cast Iron plant
• Pothos
• ZZ plant (It’s like ZZ Top, but it’s a plant)

Devonshire: Nature in All Her Glory

The natural beauty of the neighborhoods in Devonshire is a great motivator to get outside and take a deep breath. Having a few, easy to care for, plants inside can also make a big difference in anyone’s state-of-mind.

Now is a great time to see what all the fuss is about. Come take a look at Devonshire, east of Dallas in Forney. Your “forever” home might be just around the corner.