You only need to search #plantgang or #houseplantclub on Instagram to get an eyeful of gloriously green living spaces, kitted-out by green-thumbed fanatics with everything from succulents to lush ferns and tropical shrubs.
Turning your home into a peacefully green retreat from the outside world makes perfect sense right now. We’re living in a time full of stressors and interior decorating can be expensive. Indoor plants look great, and they can often be bought on a budget. But dig beneath the surface and you’ll find that the benefits of greening your interior go far beyond what meets the eye: research is proving there are real benefits to be had for your mental and physical wellbeing too.
Here are two ways adding some green to your life can be good for you, too.
Improve air quality
While our connection to nature is deep-rooted, modern living has seen us spending less and less time in it. It’s widely recognised that we’re spending up to 90 per cent of our time indoors1, meaning more regular exposure to airborne pollutants commonly found in our homes and offices.
The good news is that by bringing certain types of plants into your space, you’re employing a natural air purifier, and in some cases even increasing your oxygen levels. And there’s science to back it up, too.
A 2019 study2 found that common household plants like Devil’s Ivy and the Spider plant were effective at removing benzene, a form of carcinogenic gas that can cause leukaemia with long-term exposure3.
Another 2022 study discovered that household plants also had the ability to remove nitrogen dioxide – a common pollutant – from the air4.
Top air-purifying plants
Before rushing off and buying every potted plant in sight, make sure you do a little online research first. Not all plants like the same light and warmth conditions, so make sure you know how to best look after your new leafy green friends.
Here’s a list of top air-purifying plants for your consideration:
- Spider plant
- Devil’s Ivy
- Weeping Fig
- Peace Lily
- Snake Plant/Mother-In-Law’s Tongue
They improve your wellbeing
Most of us know instinctively that being close to greenery makes us feel instantly more at ease with our surroundings. And research shows that filling your space with green friends actually can help improve your mood, concentration, productivity and feelings of positivity.
The Japanese practise of Shinrin-Yoku5 (nature therapy) has proven that the simple act of surrounding yourself by nature can be beneficial for health by lowering blood pressure and boosting mental health through lowered cortisol levels. But bringing some green into your living space has also proven to have its benefits to wellbeing, including reduction in stress, improved cognition and reduced aggression6.
Our environment impacts our overall wellness, our home is our sanctuary. But even working with plants, both indoor and outdoor, has been proven to reduce stress both mentally and physically when compared to office-based roles. A 2015 study analysed physiological changes of 24 adult males as they switched between plant-based tasks and computer-based tasks with significant differences. Working with plants showed a decrease in blood pressure & a more stabilised heart rate, with all participants reporting a sense of calm and relaxation.
Low stress? A reduction in blood pressure & overall feelings of calmness? What’s not to love?
Footnotes:
- https://www.safetynews.co.nz/pandemic-exposes-importance-workplace-air-quality/#:~:text=spending%2090%25%20of%20their%20time%20indoors
- https://www.mdpi.com/2073-4433/10/4/221/htm
- https://emergency.cdc.gov/agent/benzene/basics/facts.asp#:~:text=Indoor%20air%20generally%20contains%20levels,benzene%20than%20in%20other%20areas.
- https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s11869-022-01171-6
- https://www.groundd.nz/blogs/news/the-japanese-art-of-forest-bathing#:~:text=lowering%20stress%20hormone%20(cortisol)%20levels
- https://www.psychologytoday.com/nz/blog/cravings/201909/11-ways-plants-enhance-your-mental-and-emotional-health#:~:text=negative%20effects%20of%20stress%2C%20encourage%20physical%20activity%20and%20other%20positive%20behaviors%2C%20improve%20cognition%2C%20reduce%20aggression%2C
