The Physical and Mental Benefits of Having House Plants

Wellness has become one of the buzzwords of the 21st century. And in this dystopian future we’re living in, there’s more focus and conversation about looking after ourselves than ever before, as we’ve never needed it more.

One of the ways you can inject a bit of wellness into your life while simultaneously improving the aesthetic of your living space is by becoming a plant parent.

Indoor houseplants have become increasingly popular as we learn more about what they offer to us.

Physical Health Benefits of Having House Plants

Having plants in your home offers physical health benefits. Here are some of them:

Purified Air

One of the most clear-cut and undisputed benefits of having house plants is their ability to purify air. Why spend a bunch of money on an electronic air purifier which uses electricity to power itself?

With air quality constantly decreasing, some houseplants will do the job for you. They are much cheaper to acquire and look after and they look better, too. They also reduce the amount of dust in your home by giving your space more of a surface area for it to land on.

Reduced Blood Pressure

Plenty of studies on houseplants found that they have positive benefits on health. Some of these studies show that when patients were in a room with houseplants, they had lower systolic blood pressure.

Having high blood pressure can lead to some very serious health conditions, including heart failure, vision loss, stroke, and kidney failure. Your blood pressure will be dictated by your lifestyle, genetics, medical history and not by how many houseplants you own, but every little helps, right?

Reduced Pain

Having house plants can reduce physical pain, too. Patients who had houseplants in their hospital rooms reported feeling less pain, fatigue, and anxiety than those who didn’t.

If you are someone who deals with pain frequently, then some house plants might provide you with some relief, even if it is just a little bit.

Reduces Sickness Symptoms

Offices that have houseplants in them were found to report sickness rate reductions of 60%. That’s more than half of sickness in the office eradicated, just from investing in some house plants. They also look great around an office, too.

They bring some color and life into spaces that quite often need those badly.

Trap Harmful Gases

There’s a specific type of harmful gas that gets released when you cook called VOCs. House plants are really good at absorbing those through their leaves and the soil.

Mental Benefits of Owning House Plants

Nature’s effects on mental health have been well-documented for a while. Tapanese practice of ‘forest bathing’ (shinrin-yoku) is a testament to that.

Increased Productivity

Placing house plants in an office doesn’t just reduce the amount of sickness, but also increase output and productivity. This is probably something to do with house plants helping to release endorphins in your brain. They promote greater focus and energy.

The exact science behind this is yet to be nailed down but there is evidence that suggest how seeing a variety of plant shapes, sizes, and species can lead to a positive boost in productivity.

Improved Mood and Reduced Stress

Exposure to nature makes us happier. As previously touched on, the Japanese have a practice called shinrin-yoku. It's known as forest bathing or forest therapy.

By going on a walk and completely immersing yourself into a natural world, you engage with your senses more. This can be a great way to practice mindfulness.

You may not be able to install a full forest into your home but some house plants can boost that link with nature. They can improve your mood and reduce your stress levels.

See Also: How Your Home Affects Your Mood (And What To Do About It)

Having a Hobby

Having an active hobby helps to occupy the mind. It’s by tending to your plants and engaging in this hobby that endorphins are released in your brain. This can help with conditions like anxiety and depression.

With a house plant, you'll have something to look after, too. You'll have something you can nurture and grow. Seeing that progress can help you to stay dedicated to them and invested in your hobby as a plant parent.

5 Houseplants That Will Boost Your Well-being

Well, if you’re reading this and thinking: Where do I begin when buying house plants?

Here are our five recommendations for house plants.

Swiss Cheese Plant

The Swiss Cheese Plant doesn't just look really tropical. It also brings a more dramatic edge to any space because it's visually striking and great for filtering light in your home.

Aloe Vera

This is a gorgeous plant that has an array of health benefits. It has many medicinal uses, such as healing sunburn, moisturizing, reducing dental plaque, and lowering blood sugar levels. They also produce babies so you can acquire more and more.

Bromeliad Pineapple

It doesn’t just look amazing, but it is amazing. This plant has the unique ability to release oxygen at night. It also releases an enzyme called bromylaine, which is a natural anti-inflammatory. It even helps reduce snoring.

Lavender

A well-known plant, lavender fields in bloom are one of the most striking places you can go visit. Their deep, calming purple color brings a welcome splash of vibrancy to any space. Due to its scent, lavender helps with relaxation. It can also be used as a culinary herb.

ZZ Plant

Not only does its leaf shape and size bring some variety, which can help with your productivity, the ZZ plant is also known for its air-purifying abilities. It’s known as the Fortune Tree in Feng Shui which is supposed to bring luck into the home of whoever owns it.

Checkout this article if you’d like to learn more about these plants, how to care for them, as well as a selection of other houseplants with “superpowers”.

Houseplants are a fantastic investment for your life, home, and health. We’ve only named five above, but there are literally hundreds of different plants and species for you to explore and adopt!