Posted on April 29, 2021
The power of plants: How houseplants can keep your home healthy
Keeping your houseplants healthy and thriving can be a challenge – but did you know that plants help keep us healthy and thriving in return? As well as looking stylish and adding a splash of green to your living space, plants also offer a variety of health benefits to boost your wellbeing. Just make sure you remember to water them…
Easy breathing
During the day, as photosynthesis occurs, plants absorb carbon dioxide and release oxygen, so houseplants can help to increase oxygen levels in your home. Some plants, including orchids and succulents, continue to release oxygen overnight, making them a great choice for your bedroom.
Healthier humidity
Houseplants help to increase the humidity indoors, which in turn may decrease the occurrence of dry skin, sore throats and dry coughs(1). Studies have shown that complaints regarding coughs and fatigue were reduced by 37% and 30% respectively(1).
Green colleagues
Looking for a way to improve concentration and productivity at home or in the office? Plants have the power. Studies have shown that productivity is greatly improved by the presence of plants in the office(2) and that a plant-filled work environment can help increase memory retention, concentration, work quality and accuracy(3).
Healing helpers
Gifting plants and flowers to hospital patients is more than just a kind gesture. A study has shown that plants can help patients recover from surgery, with lower ratings of pain, anxiety, and fatigue compared to patients without plants in their rooms(4). So if you are on the road to recovery following an illness or injury, houseplants could help.
Cleaner air
Research by NASA has shown how effective plants are at improving air quality in enclosed environments, removing low levels of chemicals like carbon monoxide and formaldehyde(5). NASA recommends golden pothos, English ivy, chrysanthemum and bamboo palm as some of the popular houseplants that are best at eradicating indoor air pollutants. Plants like peace lilies (Spathiphyllum) not only brighten the room with their dark green leaves and white ‘flowers’ (actually a white leaf) but are also proven by NASA to purify the air of the room they are placed in(6). Peace lilies are easy to care for as they grow well in low light and need to be watered once a week and not so frequently.
References:
- https://journals.ashs.org/horttech/view/journals/horttech/10/1/article-p46.xml
- https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0272494410001027?via%3Dihub
- https://ellisonchair.tamu.edu/health-and-well-being-benefits-of-plants/#.VNzuCeddVfA
- https://www.liebertpub.com/doi/10.1089/acm.2009.0075
- https://ntrs.nasa.gov/citations/19930073015
- https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/houseplants/peace-lily/pruning-peace-lily-plants.htm
