Benefits to Growing Houseplants

Most homeowners love decorating their homes with a few houseplants. Some folks plant far too many around their homes, making it look and feel like you are in a tropical rainforest. 

Of course, colorful houseplants can help brighten up your home, but there is a long list of health benefits by keeping plants in your home that you might not be aware of. You might think that these health benefits are made up by enthusiastic home gardeners, but they are backed by science. 

Even if you are new to growing houseplants, you might be worried about not being able to maintain them properly, but there are several varieties that you can choose from, many that require very little maintenance. 

So, how can houseplants benefit your health?

Natural Air Purifiers

Eliminating toxins in your home is of vital importance, especially if there are young children with allergies living in your household. A lot of folks spend their hard-earned money on expensive air purifiers and air humidifiers, but there are several plants that are great at removing harmful toxins. 

A recent study that was carried out by NASA, which was called the Clean Air Study, showed that two common household plants that are readily available in most countries were great at eliminating toxins. NASA believes that both the Rubber and Spider plants can help clean the overall air in a room. 

Spider plants have the ability to remove a variety of toxins including:

  • Carbon monoxide
  • Formaldehyde
  • Benzene
  • Xylene

Just because you don’t see these compounds in your home, doesn’t mean they are not there. They are often found inside your carpet’s fibers, kitchen appliances, and furniture. Consider putting Spider plants around your home to improve the overall air quality.  

To remove toxins like formaldehyde, NASA believes that Rubber plants will do the trick. These plants that produce unique leaves are for sale in most garden stores. 

Rubber plants are common household plants featuring glossy, oval-shaped leaves. Rubber plants may efficiently remove toxins such as formaldehyde from the air. For more information about houseplants that can benefit your health, check out Smart Garden and Home.

Improve Concentration

During the ongoing pandemic, working from home has become part of the “new normal”. Many people have adapted to their new working environment without any issues, while others find it difficult to stay focused working from the comfort of their own home. 

Some find themselves getting easily distracted working from home, which can impact their productivity. Putting houseplants in your home office might prove beneficial. Many find houseplants can make people feel calm, improve their concentration, and their memory too. 

A recent study that was carried out by the Washington State University showed that twelve percent of people managed to get their tasks completed faster when they worked in a room with houseplants. If you are struggling to stay focused when working from home, why not invest in a few houseplants to help you stay motivated during those long workdays?

Lift Your Mood

If you are feeling down in the dumps, why not add a bit of green to your home. Houseplants are nice to look at, but caring for them can help improve your mood too

In another study, elederly people who were living in an assisted living facility were asked to care for houseplants. Scientists were delighted to see that the environment almost immediately changed in this facility, as they realised the elderly folks were much happier than before. 

Some people like talking to their beloved houseplants, which might sound crazy, but it’s normal, and it can help you grow a bond between you and your plants. 

Improve your Mental Health

There are several ways to improve your mental health such as talking to others about your problems, taking prescription medication, and speaking with a medically trained expert. But did you know that houseplants can help reduce feelings of stress, anger, sadness and fear?

Along with improving your mental health, houseplants can also help reduce muscle tension and your blood pressure too. Instead of relying on medication with harmful side effects, why not plant a few colorful houseplants around your home?

In today’s society, a lot of folks struggle with their self-esteem. The environment we live in can play a major role in how we see ourselves. If you live in a house with several plants, you might have a better perception of yourself. On top of this, if you successfully manage to grow and maintain your houseplants, you might feel proud of yourself, which can help your confidence.

Stay Fit

By adding gardening to your daily routine, you will find yourself burning a few calories by doing so. Every thirty minutes you spend gardening, you will burn approximately one hundred calories. If you maintain a healthy diet and manage to avoid feeling stressed, gardening, whether it’s indoor or outdoor could help you stay fit.