Health Benefits of Indoor Plants
When you feel down, it’s amazing what a walk in the park can do. That’s because when we get in touch with nature, we improve our wellbeing. Studies show time spent outside in green areas can reduce our mental fatigue, increase relaxation, etc. However, we actually spend a considerable amount of our time indoors instead-around 90%. That is where indoor plants come in handy. Although they are not a substitute for the great outdoors, indoor plants can provide similar benefits. Many houseplants absorb toxic substances such as formaldehyde, benzene and trichloroethylene; found in man-made materials that are known to “off-gas” pollutants into the air in your home.
So, what is it about plants and nature that makes us happier and healthier? One theory is that our connection to nature and living things is in our DNA. Edward O. Wilson, a biologist, wrote about the biophilia hypothesis, which suggests all humans possess an innate tendency to seek connection with other forms of life-whether that be other humans, animals or nature-and that this connection is deeply rooted in our biology.
Scientific Benefits of Indoor Plants
- Allergy Relief- Researchers found that rooms with plants have less dust and mold than rooms without any plants. Leaves and other parts of the plants act as natural filters to catch allergens and other airborne particles. Avoid plants with pollen or spores.
- Plants & Moisture- Furnaces and air conditioners can sap humidity indoors, especially in the winter. That can raise your chances for catching a cold or the flu, or even make your skin itch. Houseplants add moisture to the air. One study found a collection of spider plants boosted the humidity in a bedroom from 20% to 30%.
- Air Purifiers- Carpets, paint, cleaners, printer toners and inks and many other indoor objects give off pollutants called volatile organic compounds (VOCs). They can build up in the air and irritate your eyes and skin, worsen your asthma, or make it hard for you to breathe. Houseplants can soak up VOCs. Some good houseplants for the air are English Ivy, Asparagus Fern and Dragon Tree.
- Relaxing Lavender- This fragrant purple plant has been an important herbal medicine for centuries. You can inhale lavender oil or massage it on your scalp for aromatherapy. You can also boil the leaves for tea. Some studies suggest it may help calm you and lower any anxiety.
- Restful Sleep- Plants take in carbon dioxide and give off oxygen. It’s how they turn sunlight into food, a process called photosynthesis. Some, like Gerbera Daisies, keep giving off oxygen even after the sun goes down. Put a few pots in your bedroom and the extra oxygen may help you sleep more soundly.
Choosing the right plants
Indoor plants are a warm and welcoming addition to any home, but if you’re not well- versed in plants, you might be overwhelmed at just how many options there are to choose from-big plants, small plants, hanging plants, succulents and so much more. To make your selection a little easier, here’s a list of the most popular and best indoor plants.
- Best low-light indoor plants: ZZ plant, Cast iron plant
- Best low maintenance indoor plants: Peace lily, Pothos collection, Tillandsia lonantha
- Best indoor plants for small spaces: Snake plant, African violet
- Best indoor plants for pet owners: Birds nest fern, Pilea peperomioides
- Best flowering indoor plants: Anthurium, Bromeliad guzmania, Orange orchard
- Best indoor plants for clean air: Parlor palm, Boston fern, Ivy
- Best indoor plants to build confidence: Philodendron, Spider plant, Prickly party collection
- Best “next level” indoor plants: Monstera, Fidale leaf fig
Indoor plant care tips
So now that you know which plants to get and how much these potted plants are doing for your health, here’s how you can do your leafy friends a solid and keep them healthy too.
– Allow for proper drainage
– Set tropical shade plants 3 to 5 feet away from a southwest-facing window, where they can get bright but indirect sun.
– It’s important to know your plants specific watering needs-and to avoid the temptation to water more frequently than necessary.
– Just like water, fertilization needs vary from plant to plant. But indoor plants tend to deplete their soil nutrients faster because they’re kept confined in a planter.
– Combat dry indoor conditions by misting plants once or twice a week to promote humidity.
An indoor garden can be your refuge from the outside world, and for many people it is a source of great joy. Whether you live in a small apartment, or a large house; by introducing certain plants into your home, you will start to notice improvements to your health and overall happiness. As well as enhancing your mood and creating a living space that is soothing to be in, plants can also help with loneliness and depression: caring for a living thing gives us a purpose and is rewarding-especially when you see that living thing bloom and thrive.
Resources:
www.webmd.com
www.thesill.com
www.forbes.com
www.rightasrain.uwmedicine.org