Indoor plants have always been a popular home accessory, but it’s only in the past few years that we’ve become aware of their health benefits.
From reducing stress and anxiety to improving productivity and filtering harmful pollutants from the air, houseplants offer plenty more benefits than just simple aesthetic appeal.
Below, we highlight 4 of the top benefits of having plants in your home (p.s. check out our other article on how to use technology to grow indoor plants, spoiler: you can use Notion!). Let’s get started:
#1: Indoor Plants Can Help Reduce Stress and Anxiety
As the COVID-19 pandemic continues to disrupt daily life, more and more Americans are turning to indoor plants to reduce their stress and anxiety naturally.
In fact, according to numerous reports, the indoor plant industry has undergone massive growth during lockdown.
But what exactly is it about houseplants that can boost your mental health?
Well, many studies have found that indoor plants generally have a calming effect on people’s mood and stress levels.
But there’s also the fact that caring for plants can be extremely therapeutic. In fact, there’s an entire field dedicated to the study of promoting well-being through plant rearing called horticultural therapy!
Research has also shown that houseplants can reduce tension in people by almost 40% because they remind us of nature and a slower pace of life, which has a calming effect.
Luckily, you don’t need a ton of plants to get the benefits – research shows that even placing a few small plants within close sight can contribute to stress reduction.
#2: They Can Improve Productivity
Speaking of your workspace, did you know that indoor plants can also improve productivity?
According to a recent study from the University of Exeter, adorning an otherwise barren office space with houseplants increased productivity by as much as 15%.
Part of this goes back to indoor plants’ ability to reduce stress and anxiety – both of which are productivity sappers.
But according to research from the University of Michigan, creating a “natural environment” with indoor plants can also boost productivity by replenishing our capacity for attention and focus.
Furthermore, multiple studies have also found that plants in the workspace can increase creativity, which is a key ingredient in problem-solving and productivity.
All in all, if you’re looking for a way to improve your productivity, consider adding a few plants to your workspace.
#3: They Act as Air Purifiers
While not quite as effective as mechanical air purifiers, studies have shown that many indoor plants do have the capacity to remove contaminants (including formaldehyde, xylene, benzene, and more) from the air in your home.
On the one hand, through photosynthesis, adding plants to an indoor space can increase oxygen levels while also naturally removing carbon dioxide from the air.
But indoor plants can also remove toxins from the air we breathe through something called “phytoremediation,” which, put simply, is the process in which plants transform airborne pollutants into non-toxic substances.
Here are a few species of houseplants that have been shown to effectively freshen the air in your home:
- Pothos (also known as Devil’s Ivy)
- Spider plant
- Bamboo palm (like Areca)
- Boston fern
- Ficus tree
- Philodendron
#4: They Look Great!
Last but not least, indoor plants are also extremely aesthetic and add a lovely natural element to any living space.
Whether you own a jungle of lush, tropical plants or just a handful of small succulents, houseplants can enhance just about any room.
That said, finding the right plant for your space can be a little challenging! Here are a few popular varieties that will give your home instant personality:
- ZZ plant
- Dragon tree
- Peace Lily
- Swiss cheese plant (Monstera deliciosa)
- Fiddle leaf fig
- Bird of paradise
And that’s it! Indoor plants aren’t just nice to look at – they’re chock full of benefits from stress reduction to improving air quality.
What are some of your favorite houseplants?
