Want to Feel Less Stressed, Happier, and More Creative? Go Buy a Snake Plant!
5 Science-Backed Benefits of Indoor Plants
Did you know that houseplants can be traced all the way back to the ancient Babylonian Empire? It’s true — records of indoor potted plants date back to the 9th century and the Hanging Gardens of Babylon. Our ancestors were onto something.
Houseplants are more than leafy green decor — they’re the real MVP. That’s because indoor plants have serious science-backed health and wellness benefits.
Since 2013, the Royal Horticultural Society has seen 10% — 15% growth year over year in the houseplant industry. But thanks to social media and also thanks (but no thanks) to the COVID-19 pandemic — the most significant growth has happened in the last two years.
Houseplants are seriously trending — especially among millennials.
You will find millions of photos behind popular plant hashtags like — #plantsmakemehappy, #Ihavethisthingwithplants, #urbanjunglebloggers, and my personal favourite #plantladyisthenewcatlady. Indoor plants are a focal point of interior design. You can even order plants straight to your door with monthly plant subscription services like The Sill and The Plant Club.
Here is what studies and research tell us about bringing nature indoors!
- Houseplants Reduce Stress Levels and Increase Happiness
Any solution to lowering stress levels while increasing happiness is a heck yes from me. Houseplants seem to be magical green gifts that do exactly that.
Studies show that spending time in nature reduces stress, calms the nervous system, lowers blood pressure, and decreases heart rate — all of which make us happier and healthier humans. By bringing nature inside with houseplants, we’re able to tap into the same healing powers.
Gen Meredith is a professor at Cornell University and the lead researcher on a recent “nature therapy” study. Meredith says “it doesn’t take much time for positive benefits to kick in — we’re talking 10 minutes outside in a space with nature.” Students’ mental and physical health was the driving force behind this study. The research team hopes to see a movement towards more natural treatments for stress and anxiety. The goal? A prescription for time in nature to support mental and physical health. To me, that sounds like prescribed adult recess and I am here for it — especially with the science to back it up.
Now, we can dig into this a little further. When you interact with plants, repotting or transplanting them, it heightens their benefits.
The Journal of Physiological Anthropology published a study on the mental and physical benefits of human interaction with indoor plants.
Researchers split the participants into two groups. One group completed a short computer task and the other repotted a plant. The data showed that the gardening task lowered both heart rate and blood pressure. The computer task did the opposite. The conclusion? Working with plants can reduce physiological and psychological stress.
If the ultimate goal is to get back to our roots and connect with nature — it seems the closer we can get the better.
You’ll find microscopic bacteria called Mycobacterium Vaccae in soil. When you touch plant soil, these friendly bacteria enter your system. Studies have shown that M. vaccae increases serotonin in the brain. Serotonin is the key hormone that balances our anxiety, mood, and happiness. Low levels of serotonin affect both our mental and physical health. Depression, anxiety, sleep trouble, and IBS are all side effects of serotonin deficiency.
Neuroscientist Dr. Christopher Lowry has been studying M. Vaccae for years. Lowry’s research shows that these bacteria have similar effects to antidepressants. “There is a growing recognition that the microbiome can impact health in general and, more specifically, mental health…Dr. Lowry’s work can potentially be a game-changer in our understanding of this, and could ultimately lead to new treatments,” said Dr. Jeffrey Borenstein, president of the Brain and Behavior Research Foundation. This particular study was published in the journal Neuroscience in 2007.
Whether it’s a phone or computer — the majority of us spend most of our day interacting with technology. Day after day this takes a toll on our physical and mental health.
It seems like the best thing we can do to counteract this is by getting our hands dirty — so get planting! Finding a new, mindful, and enjoyable activity is always a win. Especially one that allows you to step away from your inbox, set aside your phone, and slow down.
2. Indoor Plants Improve Air Quality
If it’s good enough for NASA, it’s good enough for me!
All plants release oxygen and absorb carbon dioxide — but in 1989 NASA made a discovery. During the NASA Clean Air Study, they determined that common indoor houseplants could remove toxins such as benzene, formaldehyde, and trichloroethylene from the air we breathe. From adhesives and paint supplies to detergents and spot removers — these toxic agents are found in household products and can have serious effects on our health. Research suggests that efficient air purifying is accomplished with at least one plant per 100 square feet of indoor space.
NASA published the first list of air-purifying plants as part of this 1989 study. Here are a few of my favourite air-purifying plants from NASA’s list:
Pothos Plant (Epipremnum Aureum)
- With trailing vines and heart-shaped leaves, the Pothos Plant is a gorgeous starter plant. It tolerates both bright and low light, along with minimal watering. The Pothos Plant is also very easy to propagate. Propagating plants is an easy, inexpensive way to get more plants from the plant you have. While there are different ways to propagate, they all start with a cutting from the parent plant.
Red-Edged Dracaena (Dracaena Marginata)
- Breathe easier with the Red-Edged Dracaena, also known as a Madagascar Dragon Tree. Like the Pothos, this air-purifying plant is great for beginner plant parents. If you’re looking for a statement piece — look no further. The Dracaena can grow from six to ten feet tall making them a great focal decor point!
Aloe Vera (Aloe Vera)
- Another air-purifying hero from NASA’s list — Aloe Vera is a household favourite! Like the Pothos and Dragon Tree, Aloe Vera is a great plant for newbies. Aloe Vera is generally known for sunburn relief, but it has many more healing properties. These include reducing dental plaque, lowering blood sugar, improving skin, and preventing wrinkles… Cleopatra used Aloe Vera in her skin routine — need I say more?
3. House Plants Balance Humidity Levels
Like so many things in life — humidity is all about balance. On one hand, when there is too little moisture in the air, I deal with dry skin and a sore throat. But, with too much humidity, I end up looking like Monica from Friends during the episode The One in Barbados.
Controlling the humidity levels in a home is easier said than done. Humidity can fluctuate from one room to another and season to season. For example, you’ll usually find that your bathroom is more humid than other rooms in your home. This is due to the amount of moisture in the air. A humid bathroom could gain a lot from a low light, easy to care for a dehumidifying plant — like a Snake Plant.
Be-leaf it or not, helping balance humidity levels in our homes is another superpower of houseplants. To increase humidity levels, plants release moisture into the air. To decrease humidity levels, plants absorb moisture through their leaves. Granted, one plant won’t replace a high-powered humidifier or dehumidifier — but it’s a great start!
Two of my favourite dehumidifying plants are the Snake Plant and the Boston Fern.
Snake Plant (Dracaena Trifasciata)
- I could go on and on about the Snake Plant! Not only are these hardy perennials super easy to care for — they check all the boxes for science-backed health and wellness benefits. I’ve said houseplants are the real MVP. Well, Snake Plants belong in the Hall of Fame. They regulate humidity, are one of the top air-purifiers as listed by NASA and they make you happy! Plus, they release extra oxygen at night making them a perfect bedroom plant!
Boston Fern (Nephrolepis Exaltata)
- These luscious beauts are very popular houseplants. Like the Snake Plant, they’re an approachable option for a new gardener. The Boston Fern is a tough cookie and will bounce back if you forget to water it now and again. All it needs is moist soil, indirect sunlight, and some misting of its leaves in the dryer winter months!
Two of my favourite plants for increasing humidity are the Spider Plant and the Areca Palm. Like the other examples in this article, both of these green goddesses are easy to care for.
Spider Plant (Chlorophytum Comosum)
- Research from 2015 named the Spider Plant the best for increasing indoor humidity. They are also exceptionally adaptable. Spider Plants grow long, slender arching leaves — mimicking water in a fountain. Their leaves grow to about a foot and a half long and make beautiful hanging plants.
Areca Palm (Dypsis Lutescens)
- This plant of many names — Butterfly Palm, Golden Cane Palm, or Bamboo Palm is native to Madagascar. Palms add a tropical vibe to any space. They can grow anywhere from six to ten feet — making them a gorgeous addition in any household. A six-foot palm releases almost one quart of water in 24 hours. Plus, the ASPCA says that the Areca Palm is non-toxic to both cats and dogs. Many plants are toxic to pets and children. This is why it’s important to research before bringing any indoor plants into your home.
4. Surrounding Yourself with Plants Aids in Recovery
Next time you go to buy a balloon, a card, or a stuffed animal for a sick or recovering loved one — consider buying a plant!
Research shows that live plants have a significant impact on a person’s recovery.
The study divided eighty female patients recovering from thyroid surgery into two groups. They placed half in hospital rooms with 12 plants and flowers — let’s call them the plant room. The other half were placed in an identical hospital room without foliage. We’ll call them the plain room.
Every single one of the patients placed in a plant room reported shorter hospital stays, needed less pain medication, had lower pain ratings, and experienced less anxiety. The plant room patients also expressed more positive feedback and the staff, the facility, and had a better overall experience. The experience of the patients in the plain rooms was the opposite across the board.
Over the years, there have been many similar studies conducted in hospitals and assisted living facilities. The sentiment remains the same; being surrounded by plants and flowers and/or looking out to green space through a window aids in the recovery process and overall experience.
Essentially, if the going gets tough — your fern might be able to save you money on your medical bills while keeping your spirits up!
What can’t plants do?!
5. Indoor Plants Boost Productivity & Creativity
Whether you are working from home or the office, science has proven that the best co-worker might be a Bird of Paradise or a Fiddle Leaf Fig.
In a study by Texas A&M University, creativity increased by 15% when working in a room with live plants. Being surrounded by plants also generated more ideas and flexible problem-solving solutions. Creativity and problem-solving are huge assets in a work environment… but could it be that simple? Apparently yes — and it comes down to the colour green.
A German study looked at how different colours affect our creative output. Participants looked at a series of colours before starting a creative task. The research showed that the colour green was the top colour for boosting creativity.
Dr. Stephanie Lichtenfeld, the author of the study, expressed that the association between green and creativity comes back to green being a signal of growth. “Green may serve as a cue that evokes the motivation to strive for improvement and task mastery, which in turn may facilitate growth,” Lichtenfeld stated. It seems as far as creativity is concerned, green means grow!
Virginia Lohr is a Washington State University Horticulturist who studies the effects of plants on people. In one WSU study, participants performed identical tasks but in two separate rooms. I bet you can guess — one room had plants and one didn’t. The research shows that productivity increased by 12% when in the room with potted plants!
Sounds like it’s about thyme you fill your workspace, and your life, with plants.
Houseplants reduce stress, increase happiness, purify the air, balance humidity, aid in recovery, boost productivity and creativity — and they look gorgeous! Just ask the millions of plant lovers who’ve hashtagged #plantsmakepeoplehappy.
The bottom line? Indoor plants improve the quality of life.
We’ve always known the healing power of nature, but these incredible findings seem too good to be true. That being said, if there is one thing we can’t deny — it’s science.
