Houseplants don’t just look nice – they can also give your mental health a boost

Press/Media: Press / Media

Description

Lauriane Suyin Chalmin-Pui, Wellbeing Postdoctoral Fellow with the Royal Horticultural Society and University of Sheffield writes about indoor plants discussing several of our peer-reviewed papers; This article is part of Quarter Life, a series about issues affecting those of us in our twenties and thirties. From the challenges of beginning a career and taking care of our mental health, to the excitement of starting a family, adopting a pet or just making friends as an adult. The articles in this series explore the questions and bring answers as we navigate this turbulent period of life:

For those of us without access to outside green space, houseplants are a stylish and affordable way of getting a nature fix. Alongside looking nice, indoor plants actually have several other perks – the biggest benefit of which could be improving your mental health. And the good news is you don’t need to be a self-professed “plant parent” to experience these benefits either.

One in eight UK households don’t have access to any kind of garden. Young people and those from minority ethnic backgrounds are among those least likely to have a garden.

Not having access to nature can have a number of effects on our health. It’s been linked to symptoms of depression and anxiety, as well as other health conditions, such as asthma, cardiovascular disease, and poor immune function. For many of us, houseplants are an essential link to nature.

While there’s not yet a robust body of research on the mental health benefits of houseplants specifically, plenty of studies have shown how beneficial green space and gardening are for mental health. For instance, one study found that people who garden daily have better wellbeing and lower stress levels compared to those who don’t.

Gardening also reduces symptoms of depression and anxiety and increases positive emotions to the same extent as biking, walking and eating out. Many of these outcomes are likely to be true of houseplants too.

A recent review of 42 studies demonstrates that even just being in the presence of indoor plants can improve mental and physical health. These experiments compared participants doing various activities in rooms with or without plants.

The presence of plants saw better performances on cognitive tasks involving focus, sorting or memory recall, greater pain tolerance when holding hands in ice cold water, and lower levels of physiological stress. Interestingly, the aesthetic appearance of plants is important too, with separate research showing that people tend to react more positively to lush, green plants with rounded and denser foliage.

But most of these studies are centred around the mere presence of plants. From research on the benefits of gardening, we can assume that caring for houseplants will bring out many more emotional benefits – such as pride, social connection, satisfaction, fascination, mental resilience in times of stress, and may even help you heal from past trauma.

Good for you

There are plenty of other reasons owning houseplants is beneficial for you.

Plants can remove pollutants such as carbon dioxide, nitrogen dioxide (from nearby traffic), fine particles (from dust) and volatile organic compounds (from air fresheners, cooking and cleaning). For people indoors for the majority of the day, indoor air quality is hugely important.

High concentrations of carbon dioxide can reduce cognitive performance (such as concentration and memory recall) while prolonged exposure to other indoor pollutants can cause long-term health problems – ranging from minor eye or throat irritations to respiratory problems and cancer.

But removing a meaningful quantity of indoor pollutants would require a lot of plants in a very bright room – something unrealistic for most people. If you do want to give it a try, plants with a high leaf area – such as an India rubber tree (Ficus elastic) or devil’s ivy (Epipremnum aureum) are your best bet.

A young woman wearing gardening gloves uses a spray bottle to water her houseplant.

Houseplants can be good for other aspects of your health, too. antoniodiaz/ Shutterstock

In theory, plants can also help increase indoor air humidity. Most of our buildings are too dry. Keeping humidity in an optimal range can prevent the spread of viruses, fungal growth, as well as eye, skin and nose dryness. Though dependent on other conditions in the room like size, light, and airflow, some of the best plants for increasing humidity are English ivy (Hedera helix), Devil’s ivy (Epipremnum aureum) and Peace Lily (Spathiphyllum).

Lifelong learning

You don’t need a green thumb to enjoy success with houseplants. Gardening is all about learning through trial and error, and even the most seasoned gardeners make mistakes. Indeed, not all plants will thrive everywhere – and some may struggle through infestations, won’t adapt to light or water conditions, and die. Try not to get hung up on this setback. It’s always worth trying again, perhaps with a different species and armed with more botanical knowledge.

Each plant has different requirements, so look for plants that are suited to the conditions in your home. You may even want to find plants that actually thrive on neglect. Some of the best options for beginners are the spider plant (Chlorophytum comosum), the parlour palm (Chamaedorea elegans), and anything in the cactus and succulent families, such as the zebra cactus (Haworthia) or the jade plant (Crassula ovata).

Growing herbs is also a cheap and useful starting point for beginners. There are also apps out there that can help make it easier for you to care for your plants, by giving you advice, reminders and a forum to ask questions.

Owning houseplants can have a range of benefits for our health – especially mental health. It can also be a great hobby that always teaches you something new, encourages self-expression – choosing and caring for plants –, and gives you a tangible sense of fulfilment.

Period1 Aug 2022 → 7 Aug 2022

Media coverage

7

Media coverage

  • TitleHouseplants don’t just look nice—they can also give your mental health a boost
    Degree of recognitionInternational
    Media name/outletThe Print
    Media typeWeb
    Country/TerritoryIndia
    Date7/08/22
    DescriptionFor those of us without access to outside green space, houseplants are a stylish and affordable way of getting a nature fix. Alongside looking nice, indoor plants actually have several other perks – the biggest benefit of which could be improving your mental health. And the good news is you don’t need to be a self-professed “plant parent” to experience these benefits either.

    One in eight UK households don’t have access to any kind of garden. Young people and those from minority ethnic backgrounds are among those least likely to have a garden.

    Not having access to nature can have a number of effects on our health. It’s been linked to symptoms of depression and anxiety, as well as other health conditions, such as asthma, cardiovascular disease, and poor immune function. For many of us, houseplants are an essential link to nature.

    While there’s not yet a robust body of research on the mental health benefits of houseplants specifically, plenty of studies have shown how beneficial green space and gardening are for mental health. For instance, one study found that people who garden daily have better wellbeing and lower stress levels compared to those who don’t.

    Gardening also reduces symptoms of depression and anxiety and increases positive emotions to the same extent as biking, walking and eating out. Many of these outcomes are likely to be true of houseplants too.

    A recent review of 42 studies demonstrates that even just being in the presence of indoor plants can improve mental and physical health. These experiments compared participants doing various activities in rooms with or without plants.

    The presence of plants saw better performances on cognitive tasks involving focus, sorting or memory recall, greater pain tolerance when holding hands in ice cold water, and lower levels of physiological stress. Interestingly, the aesthetic appearance of plants is important too, with separate research showing that people tend to react more positively to lush, green plants with rounded and denser foliage.

    But most of these studies are centred around the mere presence of plants. From research on the benefits of gardening, we can assume that caring for houseplants will bring out many more emotional benefits – such as pride, social connection, satisfaction, fascination, mental resilience in times of stress, and may even help you heal from past trauma.

    Good for you

    There are plenty of other reasons owning houseplants is beneficial for you.

    Plants can remove pollutants such as carbon dioxide, nitrogen dioxide (from nearby traffic), fine particles (from dust) and volatile organic compounds (from air fresheners, cooking and cleaning). For people indoors for the majority of the day, indoor air quality is hugely important.

    High concentrations of carbon dioxide can reduce cognitive performance (such as concentration and memory recall) while prolonged exposure to other indoor pollutants can cause long-term health problems – ranging from minor eye or throat irritations to respiratory problems and cancer.

    But removing a meaningful quantity of indoor pollutants would require a lot of plants in a very bright room – something unrealistic for most people. If you do want to give it a try, plants with a high leaf area – such as an India rubber tree (Ficus elastic) or devil’s ivy (Epipremnum aureum) are your best bet.

    In theory, plants can also help increase indoor air humidity. Most of our buildings are too dry. Keeping humidity in an optimal range can prevent the spread of viruses, fungal growth, as well as eye, skin and nose dryness. Though dependent on other conditions in the room like size, light, and airflow, some of the best plants for increasing humidity are English ivy (Hedera helix), Devil’s ivy (Epipremnum aureum) and Peace Lily (Spathiphyllum).

    Lifelong learning

    You don’t need a green thumb to enjoy success with houseplants. Gardening is all about learning through trial and error, and even the most seasoned gardeners make mistakes. Indeed, not all plants will thrive everywhere – and some may struggle through infestations, won’t adapt to light or water conditions, and die. Try not to get hung up on this setback. It’s always worth trying again, perhaps with a different species and armed with more botanical knowledge.

    Each plant has different requirements, so look for plants that are suited to the conditions in your home. You may even want to find plants that actually thrive on neglect. Some of the best options for beginners are the spider plant (Chlorophytum comosum), the parlour palm (Chamaedorea elegans), and anything in the cactus and succulent families, such as the zebra cactus (Haworthia) or the jade plant (Crassula ovata).

    Growing herbs is also a cheap and useful starting point for beginners. There are also apps out there that can help make it easier for you to care for your plants, by giving you advice, reminders and a forum to ask questions.

    Owning houseplants can have a range of benefits for our health – especially mental health. It can also be a great hobby that always teaches you something new, encourages self-expression – choosing and caring for plants –, and gives you a tangible sense of fulfilment.
    Producer/AuthorLAURIANE SUYIN CHALMIN-PUI
    PersonsChristian Pfrang
  • TitleHouseplants don’t just look nice – they can also give your mental health a boost
    Degree of recognitionInternational
    Media name/outletnews24
    Media typeWeb
    Country/TerritorySouth Africa
    Date3/08/22
    DescriptionFor those of us without access to outside green space, houseplants are a stylish and affordable way of getting a nature fix. Alongside looking nice, indoor plants actually have several other perks – the biggest benefit of which could be improving your mental health. And the good news is you don't need to be a self-professed "plant parent" to experience these benefits either.

    One in eight UK households don't have access to any kind of garden. Young people and those from minority ethnic backgrounds are among those least likely to have a garden.

    Not having access to nature can have a number of effects on our health. It's been linked to symptoms of depression and anxiety, as well as other health conditions, such as asthma, cardiovascular disease, and poor immune function. For many of us, houseplants are an essential link to nature.

    While there's not yet a robust body of research on the mental health benefits of houseplants specifically, plenty of studies have shown how beneficial green space and gardening are for mental health. For instance, one study found that people who garden daily have better wellbeing and lower stress levels compared to those who don't.

    Gardening also reduces symptoms of depression and anxiety and increases positive emotions to the same extent as biking, walking and eating out. Many of these outcomes are likely to be true of houseplants too.

    A recent review of 42 studies demonstrates that even just being in the presence of indoor plants can improve mental and physical health. These experiments compared participants doing various activities in rooms with or without plants.

    The presence of plants saw better performances on cognitive tasks involving focus, sorting or memory recall, greater pain tolerance when holding hands in ice cold water, and lower levels of physiological stress. Interestingly, the aesthetic appearance of plants is important too, with separate research showing that people tend to react more positively to lush, green plants with rounded and denser foliage.

    But most of these studies are centred around the mere presence of plants. From research on the benefits of gardening, we can assume that caring for houseplants will bring out many more emotional benefits – such as pride, social connection, satisfaction, fascination, mental resilience in times of stress, and may even help you heal from past trauma.

    Good for you
    There are plenty of other reasons owning houseplants is beneficial for you.

    Plants can remove pollutants such as carbon dioxide, nitrogen dioxide (from nearby traffic), fine particles (from dust) and volatile organic compounds (from air fresheners, cooking and cleaning). For people indoors for the majority of the day, indoor air quality is hugely important.

    High concentrations of carbon dioxide can reduce cognitive performance (such as concentration and memory recall) while prolonged exposure to other indoor pollutants can cause long-term health problems – ranging from minor eye or throat irritations to respiratory problems and cancer.

    But removing a meaningful quantity of indoor pollutants would require a lot of plants in a very bright room – something unrealistic for most people. If you do want to give it a try, plants with a high leaf area – such as an India rubber tree (Ficus elastic) or devil's ivy (Epipremnum aureum) are your best bet.

    In theory, plants can also help increase indoor air humidity. Most of our buildings are too dry. Keeping humidity in an optimal range can prevent the spread of viruses, fungal growth, as well as eye, skin and nose dryness. Though dependent on other conditions in the room like size, light, and airflow, some of the best plants for increasing humidity are English ivy (Hedera helix), Devil's ivy (Epipremnum aureum) and Peace Lily (Spathiphyllum).

    Lifelong learning
    You don't need a green thumb to enjoy success with houseplants. Gardening is all about learning through trial and error, and even the most seasoned gardeners make mistakes. Indeed, not all plants will thrive everywhere – and some may struggle through infestations, won't adapt to light or water conditions, and die. Try not to get hung up on this setback. It's always worth trying again, perhaps with a different species and armed with more botanical knowledge.

    Each plant has different requirements, so look for plants that are suited to the conditions in your home. You may even want to find plants that actually thrive on neglect. Some of the best options for beginners are the spider plant (Chlorophytum comosum), the parlour palm (Chamaedorea elegans), and anything in the cactus and succulent families, such as the zebra cactus (Haworthia) or the jade plant (Crassula ovata).

    Growing herbs is also a cheap and useful starting point for beginners. There are also apps out there that can help make it easier for you to care for your plants, by giving you advice, reminders and a forum to ask questions.

    Owning houseplants can have a range of benefits for our health – especially mental health. It can also be a great hobby that always teaches you something new, encourages self-expression – choosing and caring for plants – and gives you a tangible sense of fulfilment.
    Producer/AuthorLauriane Suyin Chalmin-Pui
    PersonsChristian Pfrang
  • TitleThe Conversation: Houseplants can give your mental health a boost
    Degree of recognitionInternational
    Media name/outletNew Zealand Herald
    Media typeWeb
    Country/TerritoryNew Zealand
    Date2/08/22
    DescriptionFor those of us without access to outside green space, houseplants are a stylish and affordable way of getting a nature fix. Alongside looking nice, indoor plants actually have several other perks – the biggest benefit of which could be improving your mental health. And the good news is you don't need to be a self-professed "plant parent" to experience these benefits either.

    One in eight UK households don't have access to any kind of garden. Young people and those from minority ethnic backgrounds are among those least likely to have a garden.

    Not having access to nature can have a number of effects on our health. It's been linked to symptoms of depression and anxiety, as well as other health conditions, such as asthma, cardiovascular disease, and poor immune function. For many of us, houseplants are an essential link to nature.

    While there's not yet a robust body of research on the mental health benefits of houseplants specifically, plenty of studies have shown how beneficial green space and gardening are for mental health. For instance, one study found that people who garden daily have better wellbeing and lower stress levels compared to those who don't.

    Gardening also reduces symptoms of depression and anxiety and increases positive emotions to the same extent as biking, walking and eating out. Many of these outcomes are likely to be true of houseplants too.

    A recent review of 42 studies demonstrates that even just being in the presence of indoor plants can improve mental and physical health. These experiments compared participants doing various activities in rooms with or without plants.

    The presence of plants saw better performances on cognitive tasks involving focus, sorting or memory recall, greater pain tolerance when holding hands in ice cold water, and lower levels of physiological stress. Interestingly, the aesthetic appearance of plants is important too, with separate research showing that people tend to react more positively to lush, green plants with rounded and denser foliage.

    But most of these studies are centred around the mere presence of plants. From research on the benefits of gardening, we can assume that caring for houseplants will bring out many more emotional benefits – such as pride, social connection, satisfaction, fascination, mental resilience in times of stress, and may even help you heal from past trauma.

    Good for you
    There are plenty of other reasons owning houseplants is beneficial for you.

    Plants can remove pollutants such as carbon dioxide, nitrogen dioxide (from nearby traffic), fine particles (from dust) and volatile organic compounds (from air fresheners, cooking and cleaning). For people indoors for the majority of the day, indoor air quality is hugely important.

    High concentrations of carbon dioxide can reduce cognitive performance (such as concentration and memory recall) while prolonged exposure to other indoor pollutants can cause long-term health problems – ranging from minor eye or throat irritations to respiratory problems and cancer.

    But removing a meaningful quantity of indoor pollutants would require a lot of plants in a very bright room – something unrealistic for most people. If you do want to give it a try, plants with a high leaf area – such as an India rubber tree (Ficus elastic) or devil's ivy (Epipremnum aureum) are your best bet.

    In theory, plants can also help increase indoor air humidity. Most of our buildings are too dry. Keeping humidity in an optimal range can prevent the spread of viruses, fungal growth, as well as eye, skin and nose dryness. Though dependent on other conditions in the room like size, light, and airflow, some of the best plants for increasing humidity are English ivy (Hedera helix), Devil's ivy (Epipremnum aureum) and Peace Lily (Spathiphyllum).

    Lifelong learning
    You don't need a green thumb to enjoy success with houseplants. Gardening is all about learning through trial and error, and even the most seasoned gardeners make mistakes. Indeed, not all plants will thrive everywhere – and some may struggle through infestations, won't adapt to light or water conditions, and die. Try not to get hung up on this setback. It's always worth trying again, perhaps with a different species and armed with more botanical knowledge.

    Each plant has different requirements, so look for plants that are suited to the conditions in your home. You may even want to find plants that actually thrive on neglect. Some of the best options for beginners are the spider plant (Chlorophytum comosum), the parlour palm (Chamaedorea elegans), and anything in the cactus and succulent families, such as the zebra cactus (Haworthia) or the jade plant (Crassula ovata).

    Growing herbs is also a cheap and useful starting point for beginners. There are also apps out there that can help make it easier for you to care for your plants, by giving you advice, reminders and a forum to ask questions.

    Owning houseplants can have a range of benefits for our health – especially mental health. It can also be a great hobby that always teaches you something new, encourages self-expression – choosing and caring for plants – and gives you a tangible sense of fulfilment.
    Producer/AuthorLauriane Suyin Chalmin-Pui
    PersonsChristian Pfrang
  • TitleLe piante d’appartamento non sono solo belle da vedere, ma possono anche dare una spinta alla tua salute mentale
    Degree of recognitionInternational
    Media name/outletIL MIO DIABETE
    Media typeWeb
    Country/TerritoryItaly
    Date2/08/22
    DescriptionPer quelli di noi che non hanno accesso allo spazio verde esterno, le piante d’appartamento sono un modo elegante e conveniente per rimediare alla natura. Oltre ad avere un bell’aspetto, le piante da interno hanno in realtà molti altri vantaggi, il più grande dei quali potrebbe essere il miglioramento della tua salute mentale . E la buona notizia è che non è necessario essere un “genitore vegetale” autodichiarato per provare questi vantaggi.

    Una famiglia su otto nel Regno Unito non ha accesso a nessun tipo di giardino. I giovani e quelli provenienti da minoranze etniche sono tra quelli che hanno meno probabilità di avere un giardino.

    Non avere accesso alla natura può avere una serie di effetti sulla nostra salute . È stato collegato a sintomi di depressione e ansia, nonché ad altre condizioni di salute, come asma, malattie cardiovascolari e scarsa funzione immunitaria. Per molti di noi, le piante d’appartamento sono un legame essenziale con la natura.

    Sebbene non esista ancora un solido corpus di ricerche sui benefici per la salute mentale delle piante d’appartamento in particolare, molti studi hanno dimostrato quanto gli spazi verdi e il giardinaggio siano benefici per la salute mentale. Ad esempio, uno studio ha scoperto che le persone che fanno giardinaggio quotidianamente hanno un benessere migliore e livelli di stress inferiori rispetto a coloro che non lo fanno.

    Il giardinaggio riduce anche i sintomi di depressione e ansia e aumenta le emozioni positive nella stessa misura in cui andare in bicicletta, camminare e mangiare fuori. È probabile che molti di questi risultati siano veri anche per le piante d’appartamento.

    Una recente revisione di 42 studi dimostra che anche solo essere in presenza di piante d’appartamento può migliorare la salute mentale e fisica. Questi esperimenti hanno confrontato i partecipanti che svolgevano varie attività in stanze con o senza piante.

    La presenza di piante ha visto prestazioni migliori nei compiti cognitivi che coinvolgono la concentrazione, lo smistamento o il richiamo della memoria, una maggiore tolleranza al dolore quando ci si tiene per mano in acqua ghiacciata e livelli più bassi di stress fisiologico. È interessante notare che anche l’aspetto estetico delle piante è importante, con ricerche separate che dimostrano che le persone tendono a reagire in modo più positivo a piante rigogliose e verdi con fogliame arrotondato e più denso.

    Ma la maggior parte di questi studi sono incentrati sulla mera presenza di piante. Dalla ricerca sui benefici del giardinaggio, possiamo presumere che prendersi cura delle piante d’appartamento farà emergere molti altri benefici emotivi, come orgoglio, connessione sociale , soddisfazione , fascino , resilienza mentale in periodi di stress e potrebbe persino aiutarti a guarire da traumi passati .

    Buon per te
    Ci sono molti altri motivi per cui possedere piante d’appartamento è vantaggioso per te.

    Le piante possono rimuovere inquinanti come anidride carbonica, biossido di azoto (dal traffico nelle vicinanze), particelle fini (dalla polvere) e composti organici volatili (da deodoranti per ambienti, cucina e pulizia). Per le persone al chiuso per la maggior parte della giornata, la qualità dell’aria interna è estremamente importante.

    Alte concentrazioni di anidride carbonica possono ridurre le prestazioni cognitive(come la concentrazione e il richiamo della memoria) mentre l’esposizione prolungata ad altri inquinanti interni può causare problemi di salute a lungo termine, che vanno da lievi irritazioni agli occhi o alla gola a problemi respiratori e cancro.

    Ma rimuovere una quantità significativa di inquinanti interni richiederebbe molte piante in una stanza molto luminosa, qualcosa di irrealistico per la maggior parte delle persone. Se vuoi provarlo, le piante con un’area fogliare alta, come un albero di caucciù ( Ficus elastic ) o l’edera del diavolo ( Epipremnum aureum ) sono la soluzione migliore.

    In teoria, le piante possono anche aiutare ad aumentare l’umidità dell’aria interna . La maggior parte dei nostri edifici sono troppo asciutti. Mantenere l’umidità in un intervallo ottimale può prevenire la diffusione di virus, la crescita di funghi e la secchezza di occhi, pelle e naso. Sebbene dipendano da altre condizioni nella stanza come dimensioni, luce e flusso d’aria, alcune delle piante migliori per aumentare l’umidità sono l’edera inglese ( Hedera helix ), l’ edera del diavolo ( Epipremnum aureum ) e il giglio della pace ( Spathiphyllum ).

    L’apprendimento permanente
    Non hai bisogno del pollice verde per goderti il ??successo con le piante d’appartamento. Il giardinaggio consiste nell’imparare attraverso tentativi ed errori e anche i giardinieri più esperti commettono errori. In effetti, non tutte le piante prospereranno ovunque e alcune potrebbero lottare contro le infestazioni, non adattarsi alle condizioni di luce o acqua e morire. Cerca di non rimanere bloccato su questa battuta d’arresto. Vale sempre la pena riprovare, magari con una specie diversa e armati di più conoscenze botaniche .

    Ogni pianta ha requisiti diversi, quindi cerca piante adatte alle condizioni della tua casa. Potresti anche voler trovare piante che in realtà prosperano in caso di abbandono. Alcune delle migliori opzioni per i principianti sono la pianta ragno ( Chlorophytum comosum ), la palma da salotto ( Chamaedorea elegans ) e qualsiasi cosa nelle famiglie di cactus e succulente, come il cactus zebra ( Haworthia ) o la pianta di giada ( Crassula ovata ).

    La coltivazione di erbe aromatiche è anche un punto di partenza economico e utile per i principianti. Ci sono anche app là fuori che possono aiutarti a prenderti cura delle tue piante, dandoti consigli, promemoria e un forum per porre domande.

    Possedere piante d’appartamento può avere una serie di benefici per la nostra salute, in particolare per la salute mentale. Può anche essere un grande hobby che ti insegna sempre qualcosa di nuovo, incoraggia l’espressione personale, scegliendo e prendendoti cura delle piante, e ti dà un tangibile senso di realizzazione.
    Producer/AuthorHELLEN PARSON
    PersonsChristian Pfrang
  • TitleHouseplants don’t just look nice – they can also give your mental health a boost
    Degree of recognitionInternational
    Media name/outletThe Conversation
    Media typeWeb
    Country/TerritoryUnited Kingdom
    Date1/08/22
    DescriptionFor those of us without access to outside green space, houseplants are a stylish and affordable way of getting a nature fix. Alongside looking nice, indoor plants actually have several other perks – the biggest benefit of which could be improving your mental health. And the good news is you don’t need to be a self-professed “plant parent” to experience these benefits either.

    One in eight UK households don’t have access to any kind of garden. Young people and those from minority ethnic backgrounds are among those least likely to have a garden.

    Not having access to nature can have a number of effects on our health. It’s been linked to symptoms of depression and anxiety, as well as other health conditions, such as asthma, cardiovascular disease, and poor immune function. For many of us, houseplants are an essential link to nature.

    While there’s not yet a robust body of research on the mental health benefits of houseplants specifically, plenty of studies have shown how beneficial green space and gardening are for mental health. For instance, one study found that people who garden daily have better wellbeing and lower stress levels compared to those who don’t.

    Gardening also reduces symptoms of depression and anxiety and increases positive emotions to the same extent as biking, walking and eating out. Many of these outcomes are likely to be true of houseplants too.

    A recent review of 42 studies demonstrates that even just being in the presence of indoor plants can improve mental and physical health. These experiments compared participants doing various activities in rooms with or without plants.

    The presence of plants saw better performances on cognitive tasks involving focus, sorting or memory recall, greater pain tolerance when holding hands in ice cold water, and lower levels of physiological stress. Interestingly, the aesthetic appearance of plants is important too, with separate research showing that people tend to react more positively to lush, green plants with rounded and denser foliage.

    But most of these studies are centred around the mere presence of plants. From research on the benefits of gardening, we can assume that caring for houseplants will bring out many more emotional benefits – such as pride, social connection, satisfaction, fascination, mental resilience in times of stress, and may even help you heal from past trauma.

    Good for you

    There are plenty of other reasons owning houseplants is beneficial for you.

    Plants can remove pollutants such as carbon dioxide, nitrogen dioxide (from nearby traffic), fine particles (from dust) and volatile organic compounds (from air fresheners, cooking and cleaning). For people indoors for the majority of the day, indoor air quality is hugely important.

    High concentrations of carbon dioxide can reduce cognitive performance (such as concentration and memory recall) while prolonged exposure to other indoor pollutants can cause long-term health problems – ranging from minor eye or throat irritations to respiratory problems and cancer.

    But removing a meaningful quantity of indoor pollutants would require a lot of plants in a very bright room – something unrealistic for most people. If you do want to give it a try, plants with a high leaf area – such as an India rubber tree (Ficus elastic) or devil’s ivy (Epipremnum aureum) are your best bet.

    In theory, plants can also help increase indoor air humidity. Most of our buildings are too dry. Keeping humidity in an optimal range can prevent the spread of viruses, fungal growth, as well as eye, skin and nose dryness. Though dependent on other conditions in the room like size, light, and airflow, some of the best plants for increasing humidity are English ivy (Hedera helix), Devil’s ivy (Epipremnum aureum) and Peace Lily (Spathiphyllum).

    Lifelong learning

    You don’t need a green thumb to enjoy success with houseplants. Gardening is all about learning through trial and error, and even the most seasoned gardeners make mistakes. Indeed, not all plants will thrive everywhere – and some may struggle through infestations, won’t adapt to light or water conditions, and die. Try not to get hung up on this setback. It’s always worth trying again, perhaps with a different species and armed with more botanical knowledge.

    Each plant has different requirements, so look for plants that are suited to the conditions in your home. You may even want to find plants that actually thrive on neglect. Some of the best options for beginners are the spider plant (Chlorophytum comosum), the parlour palm (Chamaedorea elegans), and anything in the cactus and succulent families, such as the zebra cactus (Haworthia) or the jade plant (Crassula ovata).

    Growing herbs is also a cheap and useful starting point for beginners. There are also apps out there that can help make it easier for you to care for your plants, by giving you advice, reminders and a forum to ask questions.

    Owning houseplants can have a range of benefits for our health – especially mental health. It can also be a great hobby that always teaches you something new, encourages self-expression – choosing and caring for plants –, and gives you a tangible sense of fulfilment.
    Producer/AuthorLauriane Suyin Chalmin-Pui
    PersonsChristian Pfrang
  • TitleHouseplants don’t just look nice – they can also give your mental health a boost
    Degree of recognitionInternational
    Media name/outletYahoo!news
    Media typeWeb
    Country/TerritoryUnited Kingdom
    Date1/08/22
    DescriptionFor those of us without access to outside green space, houseplants are a stylish and affordable way of getting a nature fix. Alongside looking nice, indoor plants actually have several other perks – the biggest benefit of which could be improving your mental health. And the good news is you don’t need to be a self-professed “plant parent” to experience these benefits either.

    One in eight UK households don’t have access to any kind of garden. Young people and those from minority ethnic backgrounds are among those least likely to have a garden.

    Not having access to nature can have a number of effects on our health. It’s been linked to symptoms of depression and anxiety, as well as other health conditions, such as asthma, cardiovascular disease, and poor immune function. For many of us, houseplants are an essential link to nature.

    While there’s not yet a robust body of research on the mental health benefits of houseplants specifically, plenty of studies have shown how beneficial green space and gardening are for mental health. For instance, one study found that people who garden daily have better wellbeing and lower stress levels compared to those who don’t.

    Gardening also reduces symptoms of depression and anxiety and increases positive emotions to the same extent as biking, walking and eating out. Many of these outcomes are likely to be true of houseplants too.

    A recent review of 42 studies demonstrates that even just being in the presence of indoor plants can improve mental and physical health. These experiments compared participants doing various activities in rooms with or without plants.

    The presence of plants saw better performances on cognitive tasks involving focus, sorting or memory recall, greater pain tolerance when holding hands in ice cold water, and lower levels of physiological stress. Interestingly, the aesthetic appearance of plants is important too, with separate research showing that people tend to react more positively to lush, green plants with rounded and denser foliage.

    But most of these studies are centred around the mere presence of plants. From research on the benefits of gardening, we can assume that caring for houseplants will bring out many more emotional benefits – such as pride, social connection, satisfaction, fascination, mental resilience in times of stress, and may even help you heal from past trauma.

    Good for you

    There are plenty of other reasons owning houseplants is beneficial for you.

    Plants can remove pollutants such as carbon dioxide, nitrogen dioxide (from nearby traffic), fine particles (from dust) and volatile organic compounds (from air fresheners, cooking and cleaning). For people indoors for the majority of the day, indoor air quality is hugely important.

    High concentrations of carbon dioxide can reduce cognitive performance (such as concentration and memory recall) while prolonged exposure to other indoor pollutants can cause long-term health problems – ranging from minor eye or throat irritations to respiratory problems and cancer.

    But removing a meaningful quantity of indoor pollutants would require a lot of plants in a very bright room – something unrealistic for most people. If you do want to give it a try, plants with a high leaf area – such as an India rubber tree (Ficus elastic) or devil’s ivy (Epipremnum aureum) are your best bet.

    In theory, plants can also help increase indoor air humidity. Most of our buildings are too dry. Keeping humidity in an optimal range can prevent the spread of viruses, fungal growth, as well as eye, skin and nose dryness. Though dependent on other conditions in the room like size, light, and airflow, some of the best plants for increasing humidity are English ivy (Hedera helix), Devil’s ivy (Epipremnum aureum) and Peace Lily (Spathiphyllum).

    Lifelong learning

    You don’t need a green thumb to enjoy success with houseplants. Gardening is all about learning through trial and error, and even the most seasoned gardeners make mistakes. Indeed, not all plants will thrive everywhere – and some may struggle through infestations, won’t adapt to light or water conditions, and die. Try not to get hung up on this setback. It’s always worth trying again, perhaps with a different species and armed with more botanical knowledge.

    Each plant has different requirements, so look for plants that are suited to the conditions in your home. You may even want to find plants that actually thrive on neglect. Some of the best options for beginners are the spider plant (Chlorophytum comosum), the parlour palm (Chamaedorea elegans), and anything in the cactus and succulent families, such as the zebra cactus (Haworthia) or the jade plant (Crassula ovata).

    Growing herbs is also a cheap and useful starting point for beginners. There are also apps out there that can help make it easier for you to care for your plants, by giving you advice, reminders and a forum to ask questions.

    Owning houseplants can have a range of benefits for our health – especially mental health. It can also be a great hobby that always teaches you something new, encourages self-expression – choosing and caring for plants –, and gives you a tangible sense of fulfilment.
    Producer/AuthorLauriane Suyin Chalmin-Pui
    PersonsChristian Pfrang
  • TitleHouseplants don’t just look nice – they can also give your mental health a boost
    Degree of recognitionInternational
    Media name/outletBig Issue
    Media typeWeb
    Country/TerritoryUnited Kingdom
    Date1/08/22
    DescriptionFor those of us without access to outside green space, houseplants are a stylish and affordable way of getting a nature fix. Alongside looking nice, indoor plants actually have several other perks – the biggest benefit of which could be improving your mental health. And the good news is you don’t need to be a self-professed “plant parent” to experience these benefits either.

    One in eight UK households don’t have access to any kind of garden. Young people and those from minority ethnic backgrounds are among those least likely to have a garden.

    Not having access to nature can have a number of effects on our health. It’s been linked to symptoms of depression and anxiety, as well as other health conditions, such as asthma, cardiovascular disease, and poor immune function. For many of us, houseplants are an essential link to nature.

    While there’s not yet a robust body of research on the mental health benefits of houseplants specifically, plenty of studies have shown how beneficial green space and gardening are for mental health. For instance, one study found that people who garden daily have better wellbeing and lower stress levels compared to those who don’t.

    Gardening also reduces symptoms of depression and anxiety and increases positive emotions to the same extent as biking, walking and eating out. Many of these outcomes are likely to be true of houseplants too.

    A recent review of 42 studies demonstrates that even just being in the presence of indoor plants can improve mental and physical health. These experiments compared participants doing various activities in rooms with or without plants.

    The presence of plants saw better performances on cognitive tasks involving focus, sorting or memory recall, greater pain tolerance when holding hands in ice cold water, and lower levels of physiological stress. Interestingly, the aesthetic appearance of plants is important too, with separate research showing that people tend to react more positively to lush, green plants with rounded and denser foliage.

    But most of these studies are centred around the mere presence of plants. From research on the benefits of gardening, we can assume that caring for houseplants will bring out many more emotional benefits – such as pride, social connection, satisfaction, fascination, mental resilience in times of stress, and may even help you heal from past trauma.

    Good for you

    There are plenty of other reasons owning houseplants is beneficial for you.

    Plants can remove pollutants such as carbon dioxide, nitrogen dioxide (from nearby traffic), fine particles (from dust) and volatile organic compounds (from air fresheners, cooking and cleaning). For people indoors for the majority of the day, indoor air quality is hugely important.

    High concentrations of carbon dioxide can reduce cognitive performance (such as concentration and memory recall) while prolonged exposure to other indoor pollutants can cause long-term health problems – ranging from minor eye or throat irritations to respiratory problems and cancer.

    But removing a meaningful quantity of indoor pollutants would require a lot of plants in a very bright room – something unrealistic for most people. If you do want to give it a try, plants with a high leaf area – such as an India rubber tree (Ficus elastic) or devil’s ivy (Epipremnum aureum) are your best bet.

    In theory, plants can also help increase indoor air humidity. Most of our buildings are too dry. Keeping humidity in an optimal range can prevent the spread of viruses, fungal growth, as well as eye, skin and nose dryness. Though dependent on other conditions in the room like size, light, and airflow, some of the best plants for increasing humidity are English ivy (Hedera helix), Devil’s ivy (Epipremnum aureum) and Peace Lily (Spathiphyllum).

    Lifelong learning

    You don’t need a green thumb to enjoy success with houseplants. Gardening is all about learning through trial and error, and even the most seasoned gardeners make mistakes. Indeed, not all plants will thrive everywhere – and some may struggle through infestations, won’t adapt to light or water conditions, and die. Try not to get hung up on this setback. It’s always worth trying again, perhaps with a different species and armed with more botanical knowledge.

    Each plant has different requirements, so look for plants that are suited to the conditions in your home. You may even want to find plants that actually thrive on neglect. Some of the best options for beginners are the spider plant (Chlorophytum comosum), the parlour palm (Chamaedorea elegans), and anything in the cactus and succulent families, such as the zebra cactus (Haworthia) or the jade plant (Crassula ovata).

    Growing herbs is also a cheap and useful starting point for beginners. There are also apps out there that can help make it easier for you to care for your plants, by giving you advice, reminders and a forum to ask questions.

    Owning houseplants can have a range of benefits for our health – especially mental health. It can also be a great hobby that always teaches you something new, encourages self-expression – choosing and caring for plants –, and gives you a tangible sense of fulfilment.
    Producer/AuthorLAURIANE SUYIN CHALMIN-PUI
    PersonsChristian Pfrang