Presented by BetterHelp.
Indoor Plants have been around since almost the beginning of time, dating back as early as ancient Egypt. However, the popularity of houseplants and indoor gardening has exploded in the last few years.
During the pandemic, millennials and Generation Z flocked to local nurseries to give gardening a go, and many posted their journey of becoming “plant parents” online. Soon, indoor gardening made its way to the tastemakers on HGTV and into popular home and gardening magazines. While it may have seemed like a short-lived trend, this newfound surging interest in plant ownership doesn’t seem to be going anywhere soon, and for good reason.
While social media popularity may be fueling the current indoor plant craze, having indoor plants can provide many benefits. In this article, we’re sharing eight of them so you can determine if owning indoor plants is right for you.
8 Benefits of Having Plants Inside Your Home or Workplace
So, why might you want plants in your home or office? Here are eight top benefits of having indoor plants.
1. Plants Can Improve Indoor Air Quality
Checking your HVAC system is one way to confirm your indoor air quality is up to par, but having indoor plants is another option. Research has found that houseplants can remove cancer-causing chemicals like benzene and formaldehyde from the air. Additionally, the soil from potted plants may also clean indoor air. This benefit may be especially useful for those living or working in high-pollution areas.
2. Gardening Can Be Therapeutic
For those living with symptoms of mental illness, working with indoor plants may be helpful. Many therapists use plant therapy to improve the well-being of people with a range of mental health conditions, including depression, anxiety, and dementia.
For medically-reviewed information on plant therapy and its benefits, check out online therapy provider BetterHelp.
3. Plants Can Boost Respiratory Health
Indoor plants can increase oxygen levels in space through the process of photosynthesis and can also raise humidity levels. Both of these things can improve respiratory functioning and health.
3. Plants Can Reduce Stress
Research has found that gardening reduces stress. However, one doesn’t have to garden to get the benefits. It turns out that just being exposed to plants reduces stress levels. In fact, sometimes, just having pictures of plants or nature can produce a positive stress response.
4. An Indoor Garden May Improve Attention and Productivity
Plants aren’t just great for the home. They also make an awesome addition to office environments. Research shows indoor plants are linked to increased attention, productivity, creativity, and concentration. As a result, having plants in a space where you or others need to concentrate can be incredibly beneficial.
5. Plants Can Help with Illness Recovery
One review found that people recovering from surgery had shorter hospital stays and less pain medication than people who weren’t looking at plants during their recovery. This remarkable evidence suggests that being around plants while recovering from an illness or injury may expedite healing.
6. Indoor Plants Can Reduce Noise Pollution
One of the lesser-known benefits of plant ownership is that plants can reduce noise pollution. Much like an acoustical panel or piece of insulation, plants can absorb, deflect, and refract sound waves, making them an excellent (and beautiful) option for reducing noise pollution.
7. Plants Can Support Cognitive Health
One study found that one session in a Japanese garden improved short-term memory for patients with dementia. This research suggests that having plants may support overall memory and cognitive health, which can be a definite benefit for people with memory difficulties or declining cognitive function. However, increased cognitive health can benefit anyone, making this benefit worth considering.
8. Plants Can Improve the Look and Feel of a Place
The most obvious benefit of indoor plants is that they can improve the overall design of a space. Spaces with tons of greenery and plants tend to feel relaxing and inviting. They play into natural and bohemian aesthetics and work well for Asian-inspired home designs. Having plants is a terrific way to make any space feel like an indoor oasis.
Takeaway
From therapeutic benefits to aesthetic enhancements, there are many benefits to having an indoor garden. As a result, many people feel houseplants aren’t just a trend that will fade over time. Instead, they’re a beneficial addition that’s here to stay. If you think getting a houseplant may be right for you, start with one and go from there. You don’t have to commit to a full garden right away. Instead, try it out and see if you like it before going all in.
