The Positive Effects Of Houseplants

Posted on - 11th May 2020

Not everyone has a garden, or any kind of outdoor space suitable for plants, but that doesn’t mean you can’t enjoy greenery in your home. And you should! As well as looking fresh and fantastic wherever they find their home, houseplants bring with them a whole host of benefits, both for our mental and physical health.

Effects Of Houseplants On Mental Health

Discussion around mental health is hot right now. We are all becoming increasingly aware of the ways in which we should take care of our minds in order to live a happy, healthy and fulfilled life. While it may sound strange, houseplants can have a hugely positive impact on our mental health for a whole number of reasons.

As more and more studies are done, they reveal more of these effects. According to RHS, indoor plants have been shown to have a positive effect on our mood and stress levels. They have also been shown to increase productivity in the office, improve attention spans and also increase pain tolerance.

While we may already have known the first two benefits listed here, the rest are a little bit more surprising. So, if you’re working from home right now, the addition of a houseplant to your work space could be just the thing to help you stay on track and productive as you work. In the bedroom, house plants can increase your spirits and contribute to reducing your stress levels as you wind down after a busy day.

Effects Of Houseplants On Physical Health

As mentioned, research into the effects of houseplants is still ongoing. That being said, some studies have thrown up a few results that suggest that indoor plants can have significant physical benefits such as reduced blood pressure, reduced fatigues and headaches (up to 20-25% in one study) and decreased postoperative pain when used in hospitals.

Houseplants also have positive effects on the surrounding areas, which in turn can positively affect your health.

For example, plants are widely known to improve air quality due to the process of photosynthesis. As they absorb carbon dioxide and release oxygen during the day, they help reduce carbon dioxide levels indoors. As well as this, they also have been known to reduce levels of pollutants, such as benzene and nitrogen dioxide, as well as airborne dust levels.

While we use trees outside our house to reduce outdoor noise in homes, the same can be done for indoor plants. If you live in a flat, or shared accommodation, plants can be used to absorb or deflect background noise. This in itself can also contribute to reduced stress levels, as plants can be used to reduce noise in bedrooms for a better night’s sleep.

The Undeniable Benefits Of Houseplants

It is undeniable that houseplants have many benefits. And, as well as this, they look simply fantastic wherever they’re used. Whether they’re displayed proudly in a living room, line a windowsill in your kitchen, or help to create a place of zen and calm in your bedroom, there’s no reason not to enjoy houseplants in your home in any capacity. What's more, with so many different planters available, from tradiditional terracotta pots to more quirky, contemporary designs, you can find a way to display your greenery so it matches your sofa, wallpaper, and other furniture in your home!

If you are considering adding an interior plant into your space, be sure to check out whether your chosen houseplant is pet and child friendly to avoid any accidents in your home. While many houseplants have huge benefits for humans, they’re not always suitable for pets!