Health Benefits of Houseplants

Boost your air quality and mood with indoor plants

As more people are staying home this year we are becoming inevitably creative with indoor space. One easy way to wake up a room is by adding the natural beauty of plants. But does plant-care really equal self-care? We have good news for you …

How lovely the silence of growing things and how incredible these things can exist in our home.

Plants give back (just talk to them)

To plant a seed is to believe in tomorrow.  With love, good light and nutrition (plus filtered water), plants give back in extraordinary ways significantly more than brightening up a dull space. This growing, living thing is a responsibility to care for and provides a purpose for many.

In a study performed by the Royal Horticultural Society, researchers discovered that talking to your plants may help them grow faster. Ikea joined in with an anti-bullying experiment to show what can happen to a plant that’s been relentlessly bullied.

The two plants were kept under identical controlled environments. After one month, the plant that received praise was healthy and thriving, while its insult-riddled counterpart was wilted and droopy. Plants responding positively to sounds is not a modern notion. Experts believe this theory dates back to 1848 in a book called Nanna (Soul-life of Plants), in which German professor Gustav Fechner suggested plants might be capable of feeling human-like emotions.

While we do not know for a fact that plants respond to affection, all things grow with love. So, go ahead and chit chat with your plants. They make great listeners.

health benefits of houseplants

What houseplants can teach us

Every plant at home has their own requirements in order to grow, and so do people. From the moment you bring your plant home, it is taken care of as it acquires to a new living space. Some leaves may drop off due to the new environment, but with patience and nurturing, it flourishes. This is an area in life that teaches us patience and nurturing to growth. That good things take time to build. One can understand this skill taught by nature after truly experiencing it.

Mental health, especially during COVID-19 is a highlighted concern as stress and anxiety rise. This pandemic has affected people in their entirety of work and home life where mindfulness is needed now more than ever. Plants can remind us of a connection to nature and grounding ourselves. Seeing or being around plants helps people feel calm and promote an overall sense of well-being. This may be because caring for plants suppresses sympathetic nervous system activity and promotes comfortable, relaxed, and natural feelings.

Allergy Relief: Rooms with plants typically will have less dust and mold. They act as natural fillers to catch airborne particles that may cause allergies. Try to avoid plants with pollen or spores. Houseplants can add moisture to the air. A study found a collection of spider plants boosted the relative humidity in a bedroom from 20% to a more comfortable 30%. Plus, they are gorgeous to look at boasting lavish green and white leaves.

First Aid: An aloe vera plant is a wonderful home remedy for sunburns, minor burns or skin conditions. Snap off a little piece and soak up the juices.

Increases attentiveness and memory. Living with plants, whether at home or work, may help improve memory and attention span while increasing concentration and productivity. This study shows that employees were more productive when just a few houseplants were added to their workspace. Try this in your home office!

health benefits of houseplants

Reduces stress levels, increase creativity and mood. Caring for plants may reduce physiological and psychological stress. People are 15 percent more creative when surrounded by greenery and natural elements.

Air-purifier: Many indoor objects give off pollutants called volatile organic compounds (VOCs) that may negatively impact health. Many plants are capable to fight or remove elements such as benzene, carbon monoxide or formaldehyde. While studies show you would need 680 plants to fully purify the air of a 1500-square-foot space, any little bit helps. Nasa has revealed a list of the best air-cleaning plants for your home.

  • English Ivy
  • Bamboo Palm
  • Chinese Evergreen
  • Dragon Tree
  • Mother-in-Law's Tongue
  • Peace Lily
  • Spider Plant
  • Mass Cane/Corn Plant
  • Parlor Palm
  • Aloe Vera
  • Ficus

Be aware that certain plants can be toxic to pets when ingested, sometimes causing seizures, indigestion, or worse ... Adding plants to your home to purify the air and a better mood can be done while still keeping pets safe. Here are our favorite pet-friendly plants

  • Parlor Palm
  • Ponytail Palm
  • African Violet
  • Boston Fern
  • Watermelon Peperomia
  • Orchid
  • Friendship Plant

If you're ever curious as to whether a certain plant is a safe investment for your home, the ASCPA also has an extensive list of plants to avoid, both indoors and out.

Let’s root together and watch each other grow!

The beauty of nature is eternally surprising and open to anyone who will nurture it. Even if you are not a plant expert, try a starter plants and with practice (and patience) your home will soon be blooming with leafy roommates. Most importantly have fun!

For more ways to support your health, add Sambucol Black Elderberry to your wellness routine.