Book Review: Herbal Houseplants, by Susan Betz

Herbal Houseplants

by Susan Betz

Publisher: Cool Springs Press

176 page paperback

Release date: April 27, 2021

Before I picked up this book, my idea of indoor plants was strictly holiday poinsettias and free- standing philodendrons. Anything else belonged out on the deck or inside a greenhouse. Herbal Houseplants showed me what I was missing: Herbs.

Botanically, an herb is a plant with a stem that doesn’t become woody. Historically it can be prized for scent, flavor or medicinal purposes. The author thinks of herbs as plants with possibilities. Indoor plants provide benefits. Herbs personalize the people-plant connection. The author wrote this book to showcase the peace and tranquility that can be found in growing herbs. There are endless possibilities here.

The piece about catnip was my personal fave.  Through the centuries, Nepeta cataria has been lauded for a variety of qualities–oil from its leaves was said to stimulate blood flow and even the most laid back person could turn mean and quarrelsome if they chewed the plant’s root.  English tea brewed from catnip leaves was VERY popular until supplanted by Chinese teas. Universally recognized for it’s popularity with cats, catnip mixed with lemon thyme and mint still brews a smooth tea for colds and coughs in humans.

This book has a liberal number of very good drawings and color photographs. There’s also an index, an acknowledgements section, and a two page list of resources and supplies.  Everything you need to know to grow a happy herb is right there for the reading.

About the Author

Susan Betz has been working with herbs to educate the public for over four decades. She’s the author of Stepping into the Circle of the Seasons, Nature/Native Herbs for Pleasure and Purpose and Magical Moons & Seasonal Circles.

About the Reviewer

Weyland Smith is a columnist, interviewer and storyteller for Pagan Pages. He can be reached at [email protected]