You know that indoor plants help make any home look more aesthetically pleasing, fresh, and inviting, but have you ever considered the health benefits of houseplants?
5 Health Benefits of Houseplants
1. They Purify Your Indoor Air
Have you ever really thought about the quality of your home’s indoor air? According to the EPA, indoor air is 2 to 5, and sometime even 100 times more toxic than outdoor air. Some of the culprits for indoor air pollution include:
- VOCs from paint
- Combustion gases from furnaces, fireplaces, cooking stoves, etc.
- Radon gases seeping from below home foundation
- Chemicals released from home building materials, carpet, flooring, furniture, etc.
- Chemicals from cleaning supplies
The list goes on.
A study performed by NASA in the 1980’s concluded that houseplants can reduce indoor air toxins by as much as 87% in a 24 hour period. So how many houseplants should you have? It’s recommended to have roughly one plant for every 100 square feet of floor space throughout your home.
2. They Help You Breathe Easier
Not only do houseplants remove chemical toxins from our indoor air, but they also remove dust and mold spores, providing us with clean oxygen for easier breathing.
3. They Can Reduce Stress, Anxiety and Depression
There’s just something about plants and flowers that make us feel happy. Studies show that living with houseplants can reduce stress, anxiety and depression, and even promote productivity.
4. They Are Natural Humidifiers
Houseplants release moisture into the air, helping the alleviate dry skin, relieve dry sinuses, promote faster healing, and reduce static. Roughly 97% of the water that plants receive gets released into the air.
5. They Promote Restful Sleep
Stress and anxiety can be major contributors to insomnia. By bringing plants in to your bedroom, you can promote a sense of calmness and relaxation, alleviating stress and giving yourself a better nights’ sleep. Also, some plants such as Gerbera daisies and Aloe, continue to release oxygen throughout the night, helping you breathe better while you sleep.
What are the best houseplants to have?
Any houseplant is better than having no plants, but there are some that are better than others when it comes to purifying our air and helping us breathe better. Some of the best air purifying plants that I have in my home include Aloe, Spider Plant, Snake Plant, Boston Fern and Areca Palm.
Below is an info graphic showing what NASA recognizes to be the best plants for filtering indoor air.
