House plants provide many benefits, ranging from improving air quality to soothing the nervous system. They’re also a great way to bring the outdoors inside.
Plants are natural air purifiers that can remove harmful toxins from indoor air, including formaldehyde, benzene and trichloroethylene. Certain plants, such as peace lilies and snake plants, are especially effective for this task.
Reduces Stress
Adding plants to your home doesn’t just make it look pretty, they can also have several benefits for your health and wellbeing. Not only do they freshen the air, but many also help to reduce stress levels and improve your mood.
According to a study published in the Journal of Physiological Anthropology, active interaction with indoor plants can have a calming effect on you. It’s believed that interacting with soil (and potting compost) contains microbes dubbed “outdoorphins” which act as natural antidepressants.
Plants can help you to relax and get more creative, especially if you have a busy lifestyle. In addition, caring for a plant is a good way to practice mindfulness, which can be a helpful tool in reducing stress and anxiety.
Cleanses The Air
There are many reasons to have house plants in your home – they’re attractive, they purify the air and they can help you breathe easier.
A 1989 NASA study found that some house plants can clean the air of three common pollutants. These include formladehyde, benzene and trichloroethylene.
But that research was done in a small, sealed chamber – a much different environment to living rooms and offices that are constantly exposed to airflow from the windows, doors and furniture you keep in your space.
According to a new study, even if you had a plant for every square meter of your home, it would only reduce the amount of VOCs in the air by about a third. To be more effective, you’d need a lot of plants and also a properly sized air filtration system.
Boosts Your Mood
Adding plants to your home, office or study space can have an instant positive impact on your mood. They add natural color and fragrance to your surroundings, while boosting air quality in your home.
They also remove carbon dioxide from the air and replace it with oxygen. This process, called photosynthesis, is what makes plants grow!
Plants also release microbes dubbed “outdoorphins” that stimulate the release of serotonin, a chemical in your brain that can make you feel happier and reduce stress. These microbes have been shown to help people with depression and anxiety.
Reduces Allergies
Having house plants in your home helps reduce allergies. They are natural air purifiers, absorbing carbon dioxide and releasing oxygen into the air around you.
They also help remove toxins from your home. This includes harmful chemicals, such as formaldehyde, benzene, and trichloroethylene.
Another way that plants help reduce allergies is by reducing airborne allergens, such as pollen, dust mites and pet dander.
If you have pets, encase your bedding and pillows in dust-mite-proof covers to prevent them from spreading indoor allergens. Wash your bed linens and pillows often in hot water to keep them clean and free of dust, pollen and other particles.
When choosing your house plants, look for ones that are low-maintenance and can withstand a variety of conditions. For example, Epipremnum pinnatum, commonly known as pothos or devil’s ivy, can live in low light areas with infrequent watering and can lower your indoor ozone levels while removing VOCs from the air.
Helps You Sleep
If you are looking for a good way to improve the quality of your sleep, bringing house plants into your home can help. Not only do they provide you with a soothing environment to relax, but they also improve the air in your home.
According to a study published in the Journal of Physiological Anthropology, interacting with houseplants reduces stress and anxiety levels. This is an important benefit, as many people are exposed to high amounts of stress and anxiety in their daily lives.
Adding one or two plants to your bedroom can help you sleep better. Not only do they purify the air, but some have been known to emit a pleasant scent that can calm your mind and promote sleep.
