The results are in and the benefits of indoor plants are many. From improving air quality to boosting your mood, there are plenty of reasons to add a plant or two (or ten!) to your home décor. Here, we explore some of the top scientific findings on the matter so that you can make an informed decision about whether adding some foliage is right for you.
Some of the impacts of indoor plants
Indoor plants naturally clean the air
Research conducted at NASA found that common houseplants were effective at removing chemicals like benzene, formaldehyde, and trichloroethylene from indoor air – all of which have been linked to health problems like headaches, dizziness, depression, and even cancer. Plants work by absorbing these harmful toxins through their leaves and roots before they have a chance to enter your bloodstream via inhalation. Additional studies have shown similar results with regard to other Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs), making plants ideal for those seeking natural ways to maintain healthy indoor spaces.
Interestingly enough, one particular study found that just ONE spider plant was capable of cleaning all the VOCs out of one entire room! If placed strategically throughout your home sweet home, indoor plants could potentially serve as miniaturized versions of nature’s own pollution removal system.
Indoor plants can help you focus and concentrate
In case you needed another reason to bring some plants into your work-from-home set up, several studies have found that they can help improve cognitive function and increase productivity. For example, in a 1995 study, Norwegian researchers found that students who had access to potted plants while taking exams focused better and made fewer mistakes than their peers who did not. If keeping a pot of greenery on your desk helps you stay sharp throughout the day (or at least keep from going crazy), it might be worth the investment!
Indoor plants boost your mood
Multiple studies show that adding indoor plants to hospital rooms or workspaces leads to decreases in anxiety and negative emotions while promoting positive ones like happiness, relaxation, and even awe. One particular review looked at 24 separate studies on the matter and concluded that across all measures, plants consistently enhanced participants’ emotional states. So, whether you’re struggling with anxiety or just need a mental pick-me-up after staring at spreadsheets all day long, grabbing a plant for your office could do wonders for improving how you feel both mentally and emotionally.
Indoor plants might make you healthier overall
Feeling good doesn’t stop at lifting our spirits. Turns out, indoor plants may also lead to physical health benefits. For example, one study found that having plants in hospital rooms helped patients recover from surgery faster and experience less pain than those who did not have access to nature.
Other research has suggested that bringing plants into school classrooms can help students concentrate better, get sick less often, and even score higher on tests. Although more studies need to be conducted to definitively say how strong these effects are, the preliminary findings suggest that there may be real value in finding ways to incorporate some extra greenery into our environment.
Indoor plants can help purify the air… again
We know that indoor plants remove harmful toxins from the air but they also improve air quality by releasing moisture vapor (a process known as evapotranspiration). This works to raise relative humidity levels which helps counteract the drying effect caused by many common indoor activities like cooking, showering, and doing laundry. Not only does this keep the skin’s respiratory system functioning properly, but it also discourages mold growth throughout your home.
Indoor plants fight sickness-causing bacteria
Speaking of mold, high humidity levels actually discourage other types of bacteria from thriving as well. Ever wonder why you tend not to catch a cold when visiting subtropical regions? It’s probably because these environments feature lots of vegetation which release water vapor in the air, hence increasing the humidity. This naturally occurring bactericide can even help fight against more serious diseases like tuberculosis.
Indoor plants can decrease noise levels
If you live in an urban area or suffer from noise-sensitive conditions like anxiety or insomnia, indoor plants could be a simple and effective way to reduce stress levels and promote better sleep. In addition, one study of office workers found that employees with access to potted plants reported feeling less fatigued than their plant-less counterparts did.
You don’t have to worry about them too much
Once you’ve selected the perfect spot for your leafy friend, there’s not much else you need to do. Generally speaking, as long as you give them enough light and water (plants typically don’t need more than about 1 inch each week), they will take care of themselves. Some varieties may require specific amounts or types of sunlight but most potting mixes come with general instructions on how to best tend to your greenery. If all else fails, ask a knowledgeable salesperson at your local nursery for guidance before making any big decisions.
Indoor plants come in all sizes and styles
If you’re tight on space or just not ready to commit to a large-scale indoor garden, don’t worry – there are plenty of options for smaller, more compact plants. And if you prefer your greenery to have a particular look, indoor plants come in all sorts of shapes, sizes, and colors. So, whether you want something that sprawls outwards or hangs down from the ceiling, there’s definitely a plant that will fit both your style AND your space.
Indoor plants make great gifts
Looking for a thoughtful but budget-friendly gift? Houseplants make excellent presents for friends, family members – really anyone in need of some extra TLC! Not only do they show that you care about the well-being of your loved ones, but giving someone a living thing also shows faith in their ability to take care of it. If giving flowers feels too clichéd or buying an animal seems like too much responsibility then presenting someone with an easy-to-maintain potted friend might be just the right solution.
There are tons of reasons to love indoor plants! Not only do they look nice and smell even better but they also offer some serious health benefits that range from improving air quality to physical and emotional well-being. So next time you’re feeling low or your office needs a little sprucing up, consider getting some plants. Your body AND mind will thank you!
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