Eight health benefits of decorating with plants

Bromeliad plant. Photo by Diane M. Lilly, 2021.

Plants can add beauty and a depth of color and texture to a space, but there are also health benefits to having plants around. There is a houseplant for you, even if you don't have a green thumb! Just do some research for low-maintenance houseplants…and buy just one plant. Keep one plant alive, and you’ll soon catch the houseplant bug…I know from experience! (Plants are the new candy for me now!) If you are interested in houseplants and would like to know some of the benefits, read on to learn how adding live plants in your space can benefit your health.

Plants and indoor air

So, I’ll start with a controversial “benefit” to having houseplants. It has been said that houseplants help clean the air, thus improving indoor air quality in your home. The idea is that plants absorb CO2 and harmful VOCs from the air while at the same time producing oxygen. Some plants—like peace lilies and Gerbera daisies—are thought to help with sleep. According to some of the latest research, however, it may not be accurate that houseplants have much in the way of air-purifying properties. (You can read an article by Inverse that discusses this topic.) So it may or may not be true that houseplants clean indoor air, but how can you pass up the opportunity to have a beautiful plant in your bedroom?!

Peace lilies in my living room. Photo by Diane M. Lilly, 2021.

It’s worth talking about indoor air quality, though…Indoor air quality can be filled with more toxins and pollutants than the air outside, with some research showing levels 2-5 times higher due to the types of products we use in a sealed space. An article by the EPA discusses just how bad the air inside our homes can be and the causes of poor indoor air quality, and it’s worth a read for anyone who spends a lot of time at home. There are sources out there that claim houseplants can act as indoor air purifiers, naturally performing the task of removing at least some of the harmful VOCs (indoor air pollutants) in our homes. I can’t personally speak to whether or not this is true, but I’d like to think plants at least have some effect on indoor air quality, just as plants and trees affect the air outside. It probably takes many plants in a space to make a dent in removing VOCs…All the more reason to fill your home with lots of plants!

Some plants are naturally aromatic/aromatherapy

Let’s not forget that some plants can be quite fragrant! Many artificially scented apparatuses—like candles, aerosol sprays, etc—pump potentially toxic aerosols into the air (i.e., VOCs) that build up over time and can cause breathing issues or other health problems. Choosing aromatic plants that give off a natural scent eliminates the need to buy harmful products. Lavender, for instance, is well known for its incredible fragrance. For anyone interested, Healthline has a great article on the many benefits of lavender. 
​

Image by gate74 from Pixabay.

Plants reduce stress and fatigue

Plants in your living space have been shown to create a sense of calm, which lowers blood pressure, heart rate, cortisol, and stress levels. Just having plants around awakens the natural healing in the brain, which boosts mood and helps with mental health. There’s a reason why “forest bathing” is a thing! Being out in nature is calming and makes us feel more at ease, so bringing plants into our home taps into that experience. Lavender, for instance, is known for its calming properties that reduce stress and help with sleep. (If I keep mentioning lavender, it’s because it’s such an incredible plant!)

Reduces pain and helps with healing

Being near plants can also help speed the healing process, which may lead to a faster recovery. Studies have shown that just having plants nearby can lead to better tolerance for pain and the need for fewer medications for pain. Some plants (like aloe vera) have more direct medicinal properties. If you’re into using plants for medicinal purposes, you’ll love having an indoor garden!

Aloe plant on my windowsill. Photo by Diane M. Lilly, 2021.

Improve mood

If you’ve ever spent time in a garden, you’ll agree that plants help make you feel calmer and more at ease, promoting a sense of well-being. Often, being around plants or working with indoor gardens helps alleviate mental health issues like anxiety and depression. But studies also suggest that being around plants can also alleviate some of the symptoms related to trauma and dementia, especially if you are involved with actually handling the plants and soil. The act of nurturing another living thing can be quite healing! 

It’s not just actual plants that can help improve mood. Sometimes, all it takes is to have the color green in your space. The color green (which, by the way, is trending for 2022) boosts mood through the psychological connection with nature. This makes green a very soothing color for your space.

Money Tree and other plants in my living room. Photo by Diane M. Lilly, 2021.

Improve performance 

The topic of improved performance is very timely, especially with many of us working from home. Believe it or not, according to some studies, a plant sitting on your desk or other workspace has so many benefits when it comes to work performance. Benefits can include sharpened attention, improved focus and productivity, increased creativity, and better concentration and memory. A plant (or plants, even better) provides a visual reminder of nature and maybe even a beautiful fragrance. Plants also increase the oxygen levels in a space. These benefits help with thinking, focus, and mood, improving performance and job satisfaction.

Image by kieutruongphoto from Pixabay.

Edible plants promote healthy eating & aid digestion

Did you know you can grow herbs indoors as houseplants? Well, now you do! Herb plants are great to grow indoors! I love using my fresh herbs (I currently have parsley and thyme) for cooking. When you use fresh herbs in your cooking, you think more about healthy eating. Herbs are not only aromatic, but you can use them in healthy dishes. Grow your herbs indoors, and you'll have access to fresh herbs all year round. Plants like peppermint, spearmint, and basil aid digestion and calm the stomach. Many herbs also have medicinal purposes, so it’s worth researching what your favorite herb can do for you!

Parsley plant. Photo by Diane M. Lilly, 2021.

Noise absorption properties

And I’ll end this article the way I started it, with another controversial property that some plants are said to have—noise absorption. I’ve never even heard about plants and noise absorption until recently. According to an article I recently found by Access Plants, the idea is that large leafy plants—like Monstera deliciosa, or perhaps many plants grouped—can absorb some of the noise levels in the room. I haven’t noticed this effect in my home, but I also don’t have large leafy houseplants…yet! But I thought I would throw it in there to wrap up this list of possible benefits for houseplants.

Image by Nika_Akin from Pixabay.

So, are you convinced yet that you need a plant in your life? Or are you already a proud plant parent? Feel free to share your thoughts about houseplants below, and let’s keep the conversation going!

Related blogs you may want to read:
Small houseplants that love bathroom humidity
How to propagate bromeliad pups
Winter color palette ideas for your home decor
Nine design trends for 2022
11 Interior decorating tips that help reduce anxiety and depression
Nine hygge decor ideas
Eight ways to create cozy winter interiors after the holiday decor comes down
Five things to consider when choosing houseplants
Let’s talk about houseplants
​

This article may contain a few items or commercial mentions, but I only used them for demonstration purposes only. I am not endorsing any particular product or receiving any monetary gain for this blog.
​