Indoor plants don’t just look good, they can make us feel good, too. These dynamic green beauties are proven to generate a plethora of wellness enhancements and health benefits that work to cultivate a happier, healthier, greener lifestyle in your home. Studies have shown there are a multitude of benefits in bringing living greenery into your home. Indoor plants for example, can not only clean indoor air toxins while also increasing humidity and oxygen production. But, can also boost moods, creativity, concentration and productivity.
In addition, studies have also suggested indoor plants are therapeutic to care for and provide a sense of meaning and purpose to individuals. Additionally, they give life to stagnant, sterile places in the home. Here we discuss a few of these benefits in detail. Furthermore, we share suggestions on which plants are best for your home, and what to look out for to ensure you keep your home happy, healthy and hygienic.
Indoor Plants Help Reduce Stress Levels
In a study published in the Journal of Physiological Anthropology, it was found that having plants in your home or office can make you feel more comfortable, soothed and grounded. In the study, some participants were tasked with the duty of repotting and looking after plants. Biological factors like stress, heart rate and blood pressure were measured and compared to participants conducting other non-plant related tasks like computer and administrative activities.
It was found that plant-related tasks lowered and reduced stress levels. Along these lines, they provide for a calmer more relaxed outlook on life. As such, having plants in your immediate indoor environment has the potential to reduce both physiological and psychological stress.
Indoor Plants May Improve the Quality of Air
A NASA Study conducted in the 1980’s supports the phenomenon of phytoremediation which refers to the notion of plants scrubbing contaminants from the air. It started when researchers were looking for ways to improve the air quality in sealed spacecraft. It was concluded that the roots and soil of houseplants significantly reduce organic airborne compounds.
Common toxins that plague our indoor environments are as follows;
Formaldehyde – commonly found in tissues, serviettes, wood products and synthetic fabrics
Trichloroethylene – commonly found in paint, varnishes and household cleaners
Benzene – commonly found in adhesives, lubricants, vehicle exhausts and detergents
Ammonia – commonly found in cleaning products and fertilisers
Xylene – commonly found in nail polish, tobacco smoke and paint
Indoor plants absorb carbon dioxide and keep oxygen flowing through your home. They purify and filter the air by removing these potentially harmful toxins, providing for a healthier, happier environment. Oft times, it is these toxins that are considered the triggers for asthma, and other allergies.
Can Household Plants Trigger Allergies or Asthma?
Individuals are often afraid that their allergies or asthma symptoms may worsen with plants indoors. Some flowers such as daffodils can produce pollen and irritate allergies. You will be relieved to learn most common indoor plants do not produce pollen. As such, indoor plants will most likely not worsen any allergies or asthma. With this said however, if your symptoms are triggered by dampness, mold or fungi, you will need to pay careful attention to the soil moisture of your plants. If your allergies are worsened by dust, it is also recommended that you frequently wipe down the surfaces of your plants. Along these lines, the simple addition of plants into your household can do a world of wonders.
Can Household Plants Trigger Allergies or Asthma?
There is often some debate surrounding this question. It often seems counterintuitive to bring plants into the house when an individual suffers with allergy symptoms that are worsened by pollen. You will however, be relieved to learn that most common houseplants do not produce much pollen, and are thus safe to keep in the home.
Often asthma and allergies can be triggered by dampness, mold or fungi. In addition, houseplants can operate like a Trojan horse for insects, mold and other pests. This is when you need to pay attention to the way you care for your plants. Instead of avoiding introducing plants into your home environment, rather learn how to accurately monitor your plants. One should regularly inspect their indoor plants and immediately address any mold or pest concerns to prevent a situation from worsening.
Choose plants that are safe for yourself, your children and your pets
It is imperative that you research a plant before bringing it into your home. While there are a huge variety of plants that are safe to bring into your home, there are still a list of plants that pose a risk to animals and children.
Here is a small list of non-toxic houseplants that can freshen up the air naturally;
- areca, lady, dwarf date, and bamboo palms
Boston fern
rubber tree
spider plant
Ficus tree
They can improve one’s entire outlook on work, and boost productivity
As we have discovered, introducing plants into your home environments has multiple benefits for you and your family. In this same way, introducing plants into a work environment can positively affect an employees and other individuals within the office space.
There have been a multitude of studies done that prove that individuals feel greater job satisfaction with natural plant elements introduced into their office space. Indoor help to buffer the effects of job stress and anxiety, and enhance one’s sense of commitment to their work, thus boosting productivity within the office. In addition, indoor plants can also add life to sterile places, offer privacy and reduce noise levels in an environment. As such, the presence of plants within an office space offers individuals an improved outlook on one’s work life in the office.
Plants Improve your Entire Outlook on Life and Your Environment
As previously suggested, indoor plants and their ability to filter harmful pollutants from the air within our most occupied spaces is of great importance. Indoor plants make the air more breathable, and ultimately assists in transforming a room into a living space.
Plants have an innate ability to bring about a sense of calmness and serenity. Witness the pure joy of a living tree, and the smiles speak for themselves. This, paired with the reduction of both physiological and psychological stresses proves that indoor plants have the ability to improve your entire quality of life. As such, the benefits of indoor plants are of paramount importance for indoor environment quality.