Want to Improve Your Health? Get Growing!

Health Benefits of Houseplants

Stress-relief: Studies suggest that people who cultivate plants have less stress. Caring for plants allows you to channel negative feelings into a nurturing hobby that can have a calming influence on your mood.

Improved productivity: Natural environments ease tension, which can help you focus and improve your attention span. Keeping plants in your home, especially if you work remotely, can reduce your amount of perceived stress, so you’ll be able to devote your mental energy to learning and memory recall.

Accelerated healing process: Hospitals often have indoor plants and outdoor landscaping strategically located around recovering patients. Research has shown horticulture has a soothing effect, expediting physical and mental recovery. Caring for houseplants can also create a therapeutic experience.

Better relationships: Caring for houseplants can improve your empathy and compassion, supporting good communication and healthy relationships.

Houseplants That Improve Well-Being

Lavender: This plant has purple blossoms and a gentle scent with soothing effects. Lavender is added to candles, soaps and skincare products as the oils are believed to reduce stress, tension, anxiety and depression. It requires well-drained soil that needs to dry out between thorough waterings.

Snake plant: These spiky plants are easy to care for and only require occasional watering. Snake plants remove formaldehyde from the air, which can come from paper products and plywood, and eliminate carbon monoxide.

Peace lily: Peace lilies make excellent natural air purifiers with their wide green leaves and delicate white blossoms. They bloom in the summer but will grow and absorb toxins like ammonia and benzene all year long. The plant can be kept in low or bright light, and the soil should be kept slightly moist.

Red aglaonema: This hardy plant has pointy green leaves with red edges. Red provides mental stimulation, making this plant a good choice for at-home offices. They’re good air purifiers and can survive in low-light environments.

Pothos: The trailing vines and heart-shaped leaves make pothos aesthetically pleasing. It’s extremely low maintenance and good for propagation. You can easily grow more plants by cutting a portion of the main vine and placing the clipping in water. Pothos is poisonous, so keep them away from pets and children. Excessive exposure may also irritate your skin.

Boston fern: This plant is a natural humidifier, so it will prevent the air in your home from getting too dry. Boston fern filters formaldehyde, xylene and other airborne toxins. They require indirect sunlight, consistently moist soil and cool environments.

English ivy: This plant is great for asthma because it can filter airborne mold particles. The trailing vines thrive in bright or indirect light and only require slightly moist soil. English ivy is poisonous and should be kept out of reach of pets and children.

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