Health Benefits Of House Plants & How To Incorporate Plants Into Your Home

Last updated on : July 01 2022

Like most people, you probably think of plants as purely decorative elements in your home. But you may not know that house plants offer a range of health benefits, from improving air quality to reducing stress levels. 

If you're curious about how a simple potted plant can have such an enormous impact, then keep reading. Learn more about the health benefits plants can give, which plants to keep, and how to get the most out of decorating your home with them.

Health Benefits Of House Plants

House plants are more than just decorations. Many people don't realize just how many health benefits there are to keeping plants in their homes. 

Here are some of the best reasons to have plants around the home.

1. Improved Air Quality

House plants are great for adding a splash of color and life to your home and play an essential role in improving air quality. 

NASA confirmed in 1989 that many plants act as natural air filters, removing harmful toxins and pollutants from the air. This effect can be especially beneficial for people who suffer from allergies or asthma, as it can help to reduce symptoms.

Certain types of house plants are known to filter harmful gases from the air, such as formaldehyde, carbon dioxide, xylene, benzene, methylene chloride, and volatile organic compounds (VOCs) from things like household cleaners, paint, permanent markers, and more.

2. Reduced Stress Levels

House plants can also help reduce stress levels. 

When you're feeling stressed, take a few minutes to relax and enjoy your plants. Being around plants has been shown to lower blood pressure and heart rate and can help improve moods.

Certain plants are primarily known for their stress-relieving effects. Some of the best plants for reducing stress include aloe vera, bamboo, lavender, and rosemary.

3. Better Sleep

Plants can also help you sleep better at night. 

The scent of some plants is relaxing and soothing, which can help you fall asleep more easily. In addition, the presence of plants in your bedroom can create a more positive, calming atmosphere. 

The best plants for inducing sleep include jasmine, lavender, and valerian.

4. Reduced Stress Levels

When it comes to reducing stress levels, nothing compares to keeping house plants. 

Simply being around plants has been shown to lower blood pressure and heart rate, and it can help improve moods. In addition, certain plants are known for their stress-relieving effects. 

Some of the best plants for reducing stress include aloe vera, bamboo, lavender, and rosemary.

Which House Plants Should You Keep?

Now that you know some of the benefits house plants can offer, you may be wondering which ones you should get for your home. 

Some of the best options include:

1. Aloe Vera

Aloe vera is a succulent that's easy to care for and offers several benefits, including improved air quality and reduced stress levels. 

Aloe vera is unique among house plants because it can provide even more health benefits if consumed. It's well-known that aloe vera is excellent for soothing burns, but it can also reduce plaque on teeth, treat canker sores, lower blood sugar levels, and more. 

When buying an aloe vera plant, remember to look for barbadensis miller, the only aloe vera type that is safe to eat.

2. Snake Plant

Snake plants are perfect for beginner plants because they're straightforward to care for and love. 

They also help to improve air quality by filtering out toxins and pollutants like benzene, formaldehyde, xylene, and trichloroethylene, even at night, when other plants can't.

3. Peace Lily

Peace lilies are known for purifying the air and even preventing mildew from forming and removing mold spores, making them popular choices in bathrooms and other areas with higher moisture. 

They're also relatively easy to take care of, making them an excellent option for those new to caring for plants. However, while peace lilies are not true lilies, they are still toxic to cats if ingested in any way, including inhaling the pollen. 

4. Boston Fern

Boston ferns are perfect for homes with pets because they help to remove harmful toxins from the air, like formaldehyde, benzene, toluene, and xylene. 

In addition to improving air quality, they also help moderate humidity levels in a home, which can be helpful for people with dry skin or sore throats.

5. Areca Palm

Also known as the golden cane palm, butterfly palm, yellow palm, and bamboo palm, areca palms are among the best options for improving air quality. 

In addition, these palms emit more oxygen because of the large surface area of their leaves, and they're safe for cats and dogs who like to nibble on houseplants.

6. Spider Plant

Spider plants are also known as spider ivy, ribbon plants, and sometimes hen and chickens. 

Spider plants are easy to care for and help improve air quality by filtering out carbon dioxide and other toxins. In addition, these plants are perennials and will continue to grow year-round.

7. Gerbera Daisy 

Gerbera daisies are known for their ability to boost mood and reduce stress levels. They're also relatively easy to take care of, making them an excellent option for those new to caring for plants. 

However, gerbera daisies are annual flowers that will die when they complete their lifecycle and must be regrown the following year.

8. English Ivy

English ivy is a fast-growing plant known for its ability to filter out toxins and pollutants from the air. It's also relatively easy to care for, making it an excellent option for beginner plant owners. 

If you want to keep English ivy, keep it indoors exclusively. English ivy is an invasive species and is known to take over ecosystems if grown outdoors. 

However, there's nothing to worry about if it's kept in a pot or hanging basket indoors.

Tips For Getting Started With House Plants

With all the benefits of keeping house plants, it's easy to see why they're becoming more and more popular. 

If you want to add some greenery to your home, here are some tips on how to incorporate plants into your decor:

• Start small. If you're new to owning and caring for plants, it's best to start with a few small plants that are easy to care for before moving on to larger plants.
• Consider your space. Take a look at the available space and choose plants that will fit without overcrowding your home.
• Think about your light. Different plants need different amounts of light, so be sure to choose plants that will thrive in the lighting conditions of your home.
• Pick the right pot. The pot you choose should be appropriate for the plant you're choosing and the space you have available.
• Add some personality. There are no rules when decorating with plants, so have fun and let your personality shine through. Don't be afraid to get creative with your plant choices and pots.

Ideas for Decorating Your Home With House Plants

There are more ways to decorate with plants than just putting one in a pot in the corner of the living room. Get creative and try incorporating plants into your home decor in different ways:

• Hang plants from the ceiling is a great way to add greenery to a small space without wasting valuable floor space. Spider plants and Boston ferns are excellent choices for this type of decor.
• Create a living wall. A living wall is a collection of plants arranged on a wall, either in individual pots or in one large pot. A popular DIY project is to make a wall decoration out of succulents.
• Float plants in bowls or glass aquariums is a unique way to display plants and can also help to humidify a room. Fairy moss and other floating plants can be excellent choices for this.
• Add greenery to shelves or tabletops. Shelves make an excellent place for hanging plants like ivy. Shelf units and tabletops are often empty spaces perfect for displaying small plants.
• Use plants as centerpieces. A large plant can be an excellent centerpiece for a dining or coffee table. Have a favorite plant? Please give it a home on your dining room table or coffee table so everyone can see and enjoy it.

You can use as many of these ideas as you want, or none at all. The best part about interior design is doing what makes you happiest.

Read More - How To Create A Relaxing Outdoor Living Space

Bring Plants Into Your Home Today

House plants provide many health benefits, from reducing stress levels to improving air quality. Different plants are better suited for different environments, so it's essential to do your research before purchasing any plants. 

We hope this blog post has given you a good starting point for getting started with house plants and decorating your home with greenery. So why are you waiting? Head to your favorite local garden center and add some new life to your living space today.

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