What Plants Can Do For Your Health

Houseplants represent an integral part of the interior for some people, while others take their love of plants a step further. They see their plants as companions and talk to them. Do you think houseplants are overrated or more trouble than they are worth? You might just change your mind after you find out about the numerous health benefits they offer.

Cleaner Air For Easier Breathing

Most plants absorb carbon dioxide and expel oxygen during the day, while photosynthesis is ongoing. As humans, we do the opposite — we depend on the oxygen in a closed space and release carbon dioxide. When we don't open the windows frequently, a room's air quality can quickly go down.

But a bunch of houseplants will give you more than oxygen alone. They will also cleanse the air in your environment. NASA found that a strong plant presence will remove the vast majority of so-called VOCs (volatile organic compounds) from a room. These VOCs are toxins that are emitted from some liquids and solids in the form of gases. You will find them in many carpets, cleaning materials, paints, glues, and office electronics such as printers, and they can pose both short- and long-term health risks.

Does cleaner air with more oxygen sound good to you? Before you run out to purchase a bunch of random plants, remember that most plants actually emit carbon dioxide at night when photosynthesis is not happening. This makes many plants unsuitable for the bedroom. Exceptions include succulents and orchids.

Aloe vera, gerber, spider plant, ferns and weeping fig (ficus) are examples of plants that will cleanse the air in your office or living space during the day. You'll need at least one plant per 100 square feet or 30 square meters. And before you ask, you won't be poisoning your plants with those notorious VOCs; plants expel these toxins into the soil in which they are planted.

Faster Healing And Less Stress

As the largest exporter of ornamental plants in the world, and the second largest exporter of agricultural products in general, the Netherlands is a country that has a vested interest in promoting the popularity of plants. "Working with plants", a study commissioned by the Dutch Product Board for Horticulture, set out to discover how plants impact our health and well-being in the workplace.

The results were astonishing. Plants in the workplace were found to decrease workers' incidence of disease — including colds, flu, sore throats, headaches and fatigue. The study further revealed that the presence of plants boosts employee productivity. Plants are especially beneficial for workers who suffer from stress. A temporary dip in motivation and productivity might have a simple remedy — a plant.

The Dutch study recommends that two workers share one plant, that there is a plant per 12 square meters of office space, or that every worker can see a plant while they are working.

Read More: Best Plants for Indoor Air Quality

A team from Kansas State University went even further, and studied how plants affect the recovery of patients who have undergone an operation. Patients in rooms with plants were found to do much better. They tend to ask for less pain medication, and don't have as much stress and anxiety as patients in rooms without plants.

Is it just in the head? Well, the researchers discovered that patients who had access to plants also had better heat rates and lower blood pressure. To top it all off, they were released from hospital more quickly as well! There is a good reason people tend to bring plants and flowers to hospital patients as gifts, then.

The Surprising Benefits Of Living With Plants

A More Moist Environment

The Dutch study we mentioned earlier found that workers who had plants in their offices benefited from a decreased incidence of colds and sore throats. That is because plants release moisture vapor into the air around them while they photosynthesize and sweat (yes, plants sweat!).

People who were thinking of investing in an expensive air humidifying system may be better off purchasing plants instead. You will need several plants within the same room to benefit from a more moist environment and the associated decrease in colds, sore throats, coughs and dry skin.

Plants Are Good For The Brain

Studies have proven that plants reduce the incidence of certain illnesses, that they help speed up recovery and that they reduce stress. You've also already read that plants increase productivity in the workplace. It's not much of a leap to conclude that plants might help us concentrate as well.

That is exactly what an English study found. Students in rooms with plants could focus on lectures more easily and were found to have a 70 percent decrease in distractions. They were also nearly 100 percent more likely to come back to lectures in rooms with plants. Yet another study — this time from the United States — also found that the presence of plants increased concentration levels, reaction time and productivity.

Connection to Nature

Connecting with nature becomes possible even in the confined space of an apartment when you introduce plants into your living environment. By creating your own indoor oasis, you can experience the benefits of nature right at home.

Transform a corner of your apartment into a dedicated plant area, where a collection of diverse plants can thrive and bring life to the space. As you care for these plants, engage in mindful practices. Observe their growth, feel the texture of their leaves, and tend to their needs with focused attention. Treat the act of plant care as a meditative exercise, allowing yourself to be fully present in the moment.

To amplify the nature-inspired atmosphere, incorporate natural elements in your decor. Use materials such as wood, stone, or woven baskets to complement the presence of the plants. This fusion of natural elements can create a sense of tranquility and balance within your living space.

In addition to caring for your plants, take moments throughout the day to appreciate their beauty. Simply pausing to observe their growth or to breathe in the fresh scents they emit can help you feel more connected to the natural world.

Design cozy nooks within your apartment, where you can sit and immerse yourself in the presence of your plants. These spaces can serve as peaceful retreats for reading, reflection, or quiet contemplation.

Concerned About Your Plants?

So, you're convinced that plants will benefit your emotional and physical health or would at least like to try if they will make you more productive? You might still be concerned about the well-being of any plants you bring into your home or workplace. While some of us seem to be born with "green fingers", many people have real trouble with plants and find that they simply don't survive for very long.

What are you doing wrong? Most plants do best in areas with good natural lighting, and without drafts or continuous temperature fluctuations. You might be worried that you are not giving your plants enough water, but a plant is much more likely to die from over-watering than lack of water. Your plants will need more water in spring and summer, and less in fall and winter.

Read More: Ten Healthy Herbs To Grow At Home

Make sure to clean your plants regularly too, as dust build-up on their leaves prevents them from thriving. Plant lovers often say talking to their green friends makes them feel better. By talking to your plants or near your plants, you give them a nice supply of the carbon dioxide they need to live, so go ahead and try it!