Green Therapy: How Houseplants Secretly Improve Your Life – Ken Lain

It turns out that houseplants do more than just add a pop of greenery to a room—they provide a range of physical and mental benefits too. Biophilia refers to the innate tendency of human beings to seek out connections with nature and other living things. According to this philosophy, humans are more disconnected from nature than ever before, which may help to explain the increasing popularity of decorating with and caring for houseplants.

While the benefits of being exposed to nature are well known, like outdoor plants, houseplants can positively affect our air quality, mood, and even our mental health. If you are thinking about getting into the world of houseplants, read on for the top benefits of decorating your home with them.

Breath Easy – plants are excellent at removing toxins from the air and improving air quality. Studies by NASA have found that plants remove over 80 percent of volatile organic compounds every 24 hours. These include chemical compounds in many household items like paint, carpets, and toys that evaporate and compromise air quality, posing health risks. Formaldehyde, acetone, ethanol, butanol, and benzene are all found in modern, climate-controlled buildings. One large or two smaller plants per 100 square feet are recommended for noticeably improving air quality.

Calm & Quiet – besides their effects on our mental and physical well-being, houseplants also have some tangible benefits, including noise reduction. Whether you live in a noisy apartment building or near a busy road, decorating with plants is the answer! Thanks to their dynamic surface area, plants reduce background noise through sound absorption.

Comfort at Home – it is well documented that outdoor plants regulate the temperature of your landscape, and houseplants regulate the temperature in your home. Through photosynthesis, plants emit moisture into the air, which helps to cool and warm a room, depending on the temperature. In a cold room, added humidity makes the air feel warmer because moist air holds more heat. In warm rooms, studies found adding plants reduces the temperature by up to 10 degrees. Keeping the leaves of your houseplants clean and free of dust is essential to ensure that they can photosynthesize adequately and continue to release moisture into the air.

Doing More with Green – houseplants helps to boost productivity by as much as 70% percent, which has made interior landscaping extremely popular in workplace settings. Office settings decorated with plants take fewer sick days and score higher on general work satisfaction surveys. A study in England found when classrooms were decorated with plants, students in lectures showed more significant levels of attentiveness and attendance than in classrooms without plants.

Feeling Better – plant therapy isn’t just a buzzword; it’s a real thing. Research has shown the absence of plants in our lives is linked to increased stress, anxiety, and even depression. Alternatively, spending time in spaces with lots of plants has a therapeutic effect that leads to feelings of calmness and reduced stress. Caring for houseplants has been shown to reduce loneliness and depression and instill a sense of accomplishment and purpose.

Improves Your Mood – plants positively impact your mood. Research demonstrated a link between improved mood and the presence of plants. One study found that active interaction with plants, even potting soil, helps reduce daily stress. This is thanks to tiny microbes, nicknamed “outdoorphins,” in plants and soil that act as natural antidepressants.

Pretty Decor – houseplants look great and are a budget-friendly home decor option! Plants are living pieces of art and bring natural character to any space. There are endless creative possibilities when it comes to decorating with plants. Adding houseplants to any room makes the room appear bigger, warmer, and more inviting.

Decorating with houseplants is increasingly popular and offers multifarious benefits. Houseplants purify the air we breathe, improve mood, boost productivity, enhance mental health, reduce background noise, regulate temperature, and serve as great Decor.

Until next week, I’ll be helping gardeners feel better about houseplants here at Watters Garden Center.

Ken Lain can be found throughout the week at Watters Garden Center, 1815 Iron Springs Rd in Prescott, or contacted through his website at WattersGardenCenter.com or Top10Houseplants.com.