In recent years, the popularity of indoor home plants has skyrocketed, and for good reason.
As people spend more time indoors, demand for houseplants has shot up.
Houseplants not only add beauty and tranquility by brightening up your living space but also provide a range of health benefits that contribute to your overall well-being.
Some of the health benefits of house plants are as below:
Mental Health:
The beauty of plants and the act of caring for them can be truly healing.
Being around greenery offers many mental health benefits.
Looking at something aesthetically pleasing can boost neurotransmitters like dopamine and serotonin.
Keeping plants primes your brain to look forward to interacting with the plant and receiving a hit of “feel good neurochemicals.
Horticultural therapy has long been used to treat mental health and other conditions like depression, dementia etc.
It helps improve memory, cognition and socialization.
Stress Management
Plants offer immediate benefits by improving mood and stress management.
Caring for plants can reduce stress and anxiety, improve mood and concentration, and boost confidence.
Plants provide a tangible, positive result for the caretaker which can help them feel more in control of their lives, something that can reduce anxiety and promote overall wellness.
It gives the caretaker a sense of pride and accomplishment—being observant of how the plant is growing, looking, and to troubleshoot ways to solve problems.
Watching them grow can be soothing, promote peaceful feelings, and provide a meditative experience.
Plants benefit health holistically because they are a non-stimulating partner that is accepting and tolerant, and are good listeners.
Plants thrive with simple care and attention and are very visibly thankful for your efforts.
May boost your productivity
Multiple studies have found that plants in the workspace increase both productivity and creativity.
A study from 1996 found that students in a campus computer lab worked 12 percent faster and were less stressed when plants were placed nearby.
In a 2004 study, researchers challenged people to make creative word associations. They performed better when a plant was in the room with them.
And a 2007 study showed that people with more plants in their workspace took fewer sick days and were more productive on the job.
Real plants may sharpen your attention
In a small study, researchers put students in a classroom with either a fake plant, a real one, a photograph of a plant, or no plant at all.
Brain scans of the participants showed that the students who studied with real, live plants in the classroom were more attentive and better able to concentrate than students in the other groups.
May improve your whole outlook on work
Research has found that those whose office environment included natural elements like indoor plants felt greater job satisfaction and more commitment to the organization than those who didn’t work around natural elements.
Plants may help healing & recovery from illness faster
Being able to look at plants and flowers may speed your recovery from an illness, injury, or surgery.
A 2002 review of the research revealed that people recuperating from several kinds of surgery needed less pain medication and had shorter hospital stays than people who weren’t looking at greenery during their recovery periods.
Air purification & providing high quality oxygen
House plants can help with air purification, especially in areas where air quality may be in question.
Breathing cleaner air also helps you think clearer, calms stress, and reduces the risk for asthma.
Houseplants absorb carbon dioxide, filter pollutants and release oxygen.
This is an important idea considering how much time people spend indoors.
By adding more oxygen, theoretically, you might have better focus, fewer headaches, and an improved mood.
Filter Pollutants
Nasa research examined the leaves, soil, roots and microorganisms of several houseplants and found that plants can act as a natural air filter to reduce pollutants.
Improved Mood
Naturopathic doctors have long incorporated plant medicine into their practices, and generally spending time around plants offers a “whole-person positive impact”
When we talk about treating the whole person, we mean looking after the body, the emotions and the spirit; plants can touch each of those essential areas.
Plants improve air quality, bring beauty into your home and boost emotional and spiritual wellbeing by giving you a chance to care for something.
Better Sleep
Plants in your bedroom could improve your sleep quality, while greenery in your kitchen helps brighten up your space if there’s no window.
Overall Health
They provide long-term benefits, such as improving air quality which may reduce instances of headaches or by adding moisture to the air which helps with dry skin.
Gut and skin health
Handling soil, which contains microbes, can promote microbiome diversity in your home, which could benefit gut and skin health.
Let's now take a look at 10 houseplants which are good for health
The healthiest houseplant is the one that matches your personal style as well as daily schedule and routine.
Don’t worry too much if you don’t have a green thumb!
Many of the best plants for your health are easy to care for, so you can enjoy their presence and reap the health rewards.
Snake plants, spider plants, rubber plants, peace lilies, ferns, and English ivy are some of the best indoor plants for boosting oxygen levels and purifying the air.
#1. Spider Plants
Spider plants have narrow leaves and get their name from the small plantlets produced on long stems, that vaguely resemble spiders.
They are extremely easy to grow, don’t require constant attention and thrive with little investment on your behalf.
As per the Nasa research, spider plants removed 95% of toxic formaldehyde from the air in a sealed container over a 24-hour period.
#2. Peace Lily
The name ‘peace lily’ evokes a sense of calm. These sturdy plants also flower and are aesthetically pleasing and may benefit your health over time
A 2022 study suggests that peace lilies have air-cleaning properties and help to remove carbon dioxide and volatile organic compounds from the air.
#3. Rubber Plants
Rubber plants — also known as rubber trees make for great indoor houseplants. They’re generally easy to take care of and only need to be watered every week.
Research shows that rubber plants feature air-purifying properties.
#4. Elephant Ear Plants
These plants are instantly recognizable by their big, heart-shaped leaves.
They need bright light and regular watering to keep the soil moist, and they can get big and may need extra space.
Some species have been grown for their edible starchy tubers, which are a food staple in certain tropical regions.
Medicinally, the leaves have been noted for their use in treating insect stings.
#5. Snake Plants
The snake plants feature tall leaves that grow vertically.
They’re decorative and extremely low-maintenance.
As per research, they have been shown to remove toxins from the air over time.
#6. Ferns
As per research, Boston ferns performed best when it comes to air cleaning.
The plants grow easily and look the best indoors in hanging baskets or on plant stands, which allow their leaves to drape.
#7. Pathos
These plants feature vibrant heart-shaped leaves.
They’re easy to grow, needing only indirect sunlight and infrequent watering.
Research shows that these plants can lower indoor ozone levels, which can make it easier to breathe and reduce your risk for respiratory ailments, as well as remove VOCs from the air.
#8. English Ivy
As a houseplant, the ivy grows well in hanging baskets or pots.
They grow best in direct sunlight and need to be watered thoroughly once the soil dries out.
It is a versatile plant that’s been shown to lower levels of carbon dioxide, formaldehyde, and toxins in the air.
#9. Succulents & Cacti
These thrive on little to no care. They are drought-resistant, meaning they don’t need regular watering; only just when the soil is completely dry.
They come in many shapes and sizes to decorate your space and can help clean the air.
Some varieties, including the jade plant, can increase humidity in a room.
Aloe vera plants, in particular, also have medicinal properties and can help heal cuts, burns, and other skin ailments.
#10. Herbs
Small potted herbs not only look cute in your kitchen, but they may also inspire you to cook more often and eat healthier.
Growing your own basil, parsley, or mint is also cheaper than purchasing herbs from the grocery store.
Several herbs, like chamomile and lavender, have been shown to reduce anxiety.
Herbs also contain vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants, which are a boon for your dietary routine.
The relationship between man and nature is timeless. The closer relationship we have with nature, the better it is for our natural wellbeing.
In the 21st century, while we continue to live in corporate jungles the best way to have some nature in our lives is to keep plants in our homes.
So take your pick from the plants mentioned above and continue to thrive and prosper.