Why house plants improve your mood and your living conditions
Have you ever noticed that when you’re feeling a little low, a walk outside can help you feel better? Well, that’s because exposure to nature has been proven to make humans more altruistic and calm. House plants can help bring these benefits inside, and improve overall health at all hours of the day. Let’s unpack why house plants can be so beneficial for you!
Air Purifying Properties:
Many house plants have air-purifying qualities, which help reduce pollution and toxins in the air. Here are some of our favorites:
Philodendrons help to filter formaldehyde, which may be present in your home due to building materials such as woods, glues, and fibreglass materials. When present in the air at high enough levels, formaldehyde may result in itchy eyes, skin irritation, and nausea.
To help your philodendron grow healthily and happily, keep it in a well-lit spot, and don’t overwater. They only really need watered once the soil on top of the plant has dried up. You should have your philodendron thriving in no time.
Not only beautiful in nature, the Peace Lily is known for removing harmful toxins in the air that come from acetone and alcohol. Nail polish remover, varnishes, paints and other substances contain acetone that can result in headaches, lack of coordination and low energy levels. While removing these toxins, Peace lilies also help to add moisture to the air, making it better for breathing and respiratory health.
Worried about buying a house plant and it dying 3 weeks later? You can rest assured the low-maintenance Peace Lily can survive without direct sunlight and is very hard to kill, even if you forget to water it for a while – although we would not recommend doing this!
Mood Boosting Benefits:
House plants are also known for their stress-reducing properties. Studies from the Journal of Physiological Anthropology show that developments in technology can increase levels of stress, but interaction with indoor plants may reduce this by suppressing autonomic nervous system activity in young adults.
Another study shows that being surrounded by house plants while studying or working can improve your cognitive skills. This includes increasing creativity levels, productivity, concentration and even memory. There’s no better reason to introduce some lush foliage to your work desk or study nook.
Last but not least, house plants can help to beat the winter blues. One of our favorite options for this are Phalaenopsis Orchid - because they are long-lasting and have strikingly vibrant flowers. The flowers on orchids open up for months at a time, and then re-bloom for years to come. It’s like having an ever-lasting bouquet of flowers right in your bedroom or living-area.