House Plants: Good for Physical & Mental Health
Most people already know that a vase of fresh flowers on a table or a green leafy house plant on a window sill can dramatically transform a drab space into a vibrant living area. In addition the emotional and psychological boosts even the smallest plant can bring to us, plants also have a lot to offer our physical health. Houseplants can reduce stress, get rid of toxins in the air and increase the oxygen in a given space. Luckily, indoor plants are also easy to care for, for the most part.
Growing up, my mother kept nearly 30 plants in the kitchen bay window. She watered them faithfully every Friday. Thanks to Mom, our kitchen was a popular gathering spot – especially when the flowers were blooming. One of my favorite plants was the Christmas cactus. Ours bloomed in late fall / early winter. Its blooms were bright pink. Those beautiful flowers brightened our kitchen every winter. As kids, we helped our Mom with her indoor plant collection. Plants are a great way to teach kids responsibility, and the rewards are great.
Even now, as I write this post, there is a blooming violet on my desk. Violets are favorite choices for houseplants. What’s on your desk? If you would like to have some plants around to energize and inspire you, here are some tips on which plants to pick:
Choosing an indoor plant is simple. Find a plant that enlivens your senses. Most green, leafy or flowering plants will do the trick. But there are hundreds of varieties out there – find the ones that you really like or choose according to what your goal is.
- To relieve stress, try something green such as a dragon tree, Chinese evergreen or bamboo plant. Studies show that even in rooms with little light, these plants do well and create a relaxing atmosphere. Apparently our human evolutionary history awakens when we see thriving plant life – we know plants are essential to our survival and being around them makes us calm.
- To boost your mood, as well as your mental power and creativity, bring in some fresh cut flowers and flowering plants. My violet does the trick for me, you can also try lilies, orchids and bromeliads. Flowering house plants put you in a good mood. Good moods are associated with higher levels of dopamine, the hormone that controls the flow of information through the brain.
- To fight colds and illness, green leafy plants can’t be beat. Since dry air raises the risks of infection and sinusitis, house plants with lots of leaves are ideal as they return moisture to the air. Studies show that they can increase humidity in any given space by as much as five percent. Ivy plants are well suited to this task, such as English ivy, peace lillies and African violet.
- To clean the air of toxins, either tall standing plants or small table top plants will do. All plants are effective in filtering toxins, so pick a few of your favorites and put them around your office or home office strategically. Plants are perfect air purifyers. They take in toxins the same way they take in carbon dioxide. The toxins and CO2 make their way through the plant’s system to the root. The plant then expells them into the soil where they are broken down organically. The plant eventually uses these now nontoxic compounds as food.
It is clear to see the many benefits of house plants, so don’t waste another moment! Check out our plants stores to find the perfect indoor plants for your needs and lifestyle. Be sure to stop by our House Plants page to find some more beautiful plants and learn about the care and feeding of your most important interior design element!
Here are some beautiful house plants to consider to boost your energy, immunity and attitude: