Houseplants might seem nice but they can have life-altering benefits. Here are nine reasons you should invest in more houseplants today.
1. They Are Stress Relievers
If you take the stress from work and outside activities home with you, houseplants can help you unwind. Studies show that having houseplants can reduce stress and anxiety, increasing happiness.
Caring for plants can be an excellent mindfulness exercise. Planting, watering and fertilizing the plants around your home gives you a task to focus on.
Make it part of your routine when you get home to transition your mind from the day’s events.
2. They Purify the Air
Houseplants can purify the air. Plants breathe in the carbon dioxide you release when you breathe out. They then release oxygen for you to breathe in.
This cycle is as old as time, but with modern infrastructure and pollution, many of us don’t have the plant exposure our ancestors did.
Aloe vera, spider plants and peace lilies are some of the best houseplants for air purification. Having them and others around your home can help you breathe easier.
3. They Are Aesthetically Pleasing
Houseplants are excellent decor options for your home. You can create a different feeling in each room with plants of various colors and textures. Investing in houseplants can help you have long-term living decorations.
You can choose which plants fit your personality, making them an expression of yourself. It’s often easy to tell a natural plant from a fake one.
Whether they sit by a window or in a shady corner, the sight of living plants can help you feel joy in your home.
4. They Encourage Creativity
Having houseplants can help you be more creative in your work and hobbies. Color psychology research shows that the color green can help you think more clearly and creatively.
Whether you are choosing paint colors, practicing your favorite hobbies or planning out the next week, having plants around can help you develop creative solutions you might not think of otherwise.
The green color, combined with their destressing effects, makes houseplants a staple of creativity spaces.
5. They Smell Good
The phrase, “Stop and smell the roses,” exists because plants smell good. The fresh scents of greenery and the fragrant petals of flowers can boost your mood and motivate you to start your day on the right foot.
Plants can provide natural aromatherapy, removing the need for fancy diffusers.
Lavender and chamomile can have a calming effect. Meanwhile, peppermint and eucalyptus can help you feel alert and stay focused.
6. They Can Provide Food
Modern agriculture allows you to grow some of your food inside your home. You can grow certain citrus fruits, greens and herbs by windows or in sunrooms.
Growing your food can make it tastier since it isn’t traveling hundreds of miles to get to your local grocer.
Research shows that locally-grown food has more nutritional value than food that goes through extensive travel.
7. There Are Pet-Safe Options
You might not think you can have houseplants if you have furry friends. However, there are many pet-safe plants to bring more life to your home.
A pet-safe plant contains zero known toxins that will impact them or you if ingested.
Examples of plants safe for dogs and cats include bromeliads, air plants and money plants. Some pet stores even sell plants designed for your pets to munch on.
If you have houseplants toxic to your cat or dog, place them up high in a secure spot. That way, you can still enjoy the plants while keeping your furry friend safe.
8. They Make Amazing Backdrops
If you work from home, having a nice backdrop for video calls is a must. Houseplants are a great way to create an environment your coworkers can be jealous of.
These backdrops also double as a way to take family photos or create social media posts.
When you are not using your plant backdrop for a video, you can sit around it to help you relax or experiment with new arrangements.
Choose multiple low-maintenance plants that can be your background staples for years.
9. They Reduce Your Carbon Footprint
Houseplants have many environmental benefits that can help you live more sustainably.
- Encourage Natural Light Use – When you have houseplants, you need to keep some windows unobstructed to provide natural light. This also fills your home with natural light, eliminating the need to turn on artificial light in those areas during the day.
- Provide Extra Insulation – Plants can have an insulating effect, reducing the need for heating and cooling systems. As a bonus, this also helps with soundproofing.
- Let You Eat Local – By growing some of your food, you don’t contribute to the emissions caused by the mass production and transportation of produce.
- Replaces Air Fresheners – The great smell of plants can replace electric air fresheners.
- Natural Air Purifier – If you want better air quality, you can try house plants before investing in an energy-sucking purification system.
With these environmental benefits, you can save money and feel good about your carbon footprint.
Investing in More Houseplants
The many benefits of plants that can help you live a better life.
Whether you choose them for aesthetics, smells or mental health, visit your local garden center to find the houseplants that are right for you.