The benefits of indoor plants

Have you considered sprucing up your living or work space by adding some greenery? Not only do indoor plants look great, they carry with them an abundance of knock-on benefits for human health and wellbeing. As urban populations grow, many of us are finding ourselves missing a connection to the natural world – whether we’re aware of it or not. This longing for nature can negatively impact our mental and physical health, but fortunately there’s a straightforward solution: indoor plants. 

Indoor plants require a small amount of effort to care for, but they will pay you back for that care many times over in a huge variety of ways.

They enhance our sense of wellbeing. 
Plants can change the physical aspects of a room for the better. They can increase humidity, reduce noise, mask awkward design features and provide shade in a bright room. All of these factors positively affect mental health and create a sense of wellbeing. And, in a workspace, this encourages productivity, creativity and focus. 

Plants improve our health. 
One workplace study found that adding plants to offices decreased fatigue, colds, headaches, coughs and sore throats, while another study in a hospital found that adding plants to hospital rooms sped up patient recovery. 

Indoor plants improve air quality. 
Indoor air quality can be up to 2–5 times worse than outdoor air, so adding indoor greenery can help reduce pollutants such as asbestos, mould and formaldehyde. Plants absorb carbon dioxide and produce oxygen, all while regulating humidity and absorbing harmful chemicals in the air. Better air quality means fewer headaches and better overall health for you. 

Plants make us happy. 
Studies have shown that plants can elevate our mood. One explanation for this could be the same reason that some are hesitant to adopt a pot plant: they require a degree of care. However, rather than being a drawback, researchers have speculated that caring for plants fosters a sense of accomplishment and even companionship for plant owners. 

Indoor plants reduce stress and anxiety. 
Caring for indoor plants, whether by watering, potting, feeding or pruning, can provide an opportunity to forget about the stresses of daily life. Furthermore, some studies have shown that interacting with indoor plants, via touch or smell, helps to actively reduce physiological and psychological stress.

Indoor plants add colour and life to a room without the need for excessive amounts of time or money. When you add plants to a work or living space you’re not just providing decoration; you’re adding a source of happiness and wellbeing that will share your home or office and enhance your quality of life.