Top 18 Indoor Plants Promoting Wellness at Home
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The world of indoor plants is not just about adding a touch of green to your home or office. These living organisms offer a myriad of health benefits that extend beyond air purification and stress reduction.
In the realm of cognitive function and productivity, being around plants can enhance cognitive abilities, leading to better performance in tasks such as reading, math, and spelling. Studies have shown that having plants in the workplace can increase productivity by as much as 38%, improving mood, creativity, and focus.
Physiologically, exposure to plants has been linked to decreased blood pressure and heart rate, contributing to a healthier cardiovascular system. Plants can also help relax the nervous system, reducing muscle tension and promoting physical well-being.
On a psychological and emotional level, plants can trigger natural mood-boosting chemicals, improving overall mood and emotional state. Caring for plants can foster a sense of purpose and accomplishment, enhancing life satisfaction and confidence.
Indoor plants can also contribute to better sleep quality by maintaining optimal oxygen levels at night and reducing stress hormones like cortisol.
Engaging with plants is used therapeutically to help manage mental illnesses such as depression, anxiety, and dementia. Studies have shown that hospitalized patients exposed to plants or views of nature experience calmer states of mind, reduced pain, and shorter hospital stays.
In addition to these benefits, many indoor plants also serve as natural air purifiers. For instance, the Bamboo Palm (Chamaedorea seifrizii) helps prevent spider mites in addition to purifying the air. The snake plant (Dracaena trifasciata) is easy to care for and helps purify the air. The Boston fern (Nephrolepis exaltata) improves humidity levels and helps soothe dry noses and sore throats.
The Pineapple Plant (Ananas comosus) produces more oxygen in addition to purifying the air. The spider plant (Chlorophytum comosum) helps filter carbon monoxide, styrene, xylene, benzene, toluene, and formaldehyde from indoor air. The golden pothos (Epipremnum aureum) is a low-maintenance plant that does well in low lighting and helps to purify the air.
The NASA clean air study found that certain plants are capable of filtering pollutants such as carbon monoxide, ammonia, benzene, and more. Dracaena are excellent air purifiers, removing formaldehyde, benzene, trichloroethylene, and carbon dioxide. The money tree (Pachira aquatica) helps clear the air of pollutants like benzene, formaldehyde, xylene, and toluene.
Flamingo Lilies (Anthurium andraeanum) remove airborne formaldehyde, ammonia, toluene, and xylene. The parlor palm (Chamaedorea elegans) is particularly good at removing gases that may come off certain furniture materials. The areca palm (Dypsis lutescens) can help purify toxins like toluene, xylene, and formaldehyde and also acts as a natural humidifier.
The Weeping Fig (Ficus) helps improve the air quality in your home and reduce your chances of getting sick. Aloe Vera (Aloe barbadensis miller) filters toxins like carbon monoxide, formaldehyde, and benzene and provides a soothing remedy for burns and scrapes. English Ivy (Hedera helix) helps remove mold from your home and has medicinal purposes such as reducing swelling and easing the symptoms of asthma.
Researchers interviewed more than 440 Amazon employees in the US and India and found that those who had plants in their work environment reported greater job satisfaction than those who did not. Philodendrons look similar to pothos but are more efficient at inducing feelings of calm, trapping dust, and helping you feel more alert.
In a small study involving 23 participants, it was found that people who studied with real plants in the classroom performed better than those who had no plants at all or fake plants. A 2002 review of the research shows that people who were recovering from surgeries needed less pain medicine and had shorter stays at the hospital when they were exposed to plants and greenery during their recuperation.
In conclusion, indoor plants are not just decorative items. They are living organisms that can improve our health, boost our mood, and even aid in our productivity. Whether you're a gardening enthusiast or a novice, incorporating indoor plants into your home or office can bring about numerous benefits.
- Incorporating the Pineapple Plant (Ananas comosus) in your home or office not only enhances the aesthetic but also produces more oxygen and purifies the air.
- The Boston fern (Nephrolepis exaltata) improves air quality by maintaining optimal oxygen levels, reducing stress hormones, and increasing humidity levels, which can soothe dry noses and sore throats.
- Caring for plants like the golden pothos (Epipremnum aureum) can foster a sense of purpose and accomplishment, contributing to life satisfaction and confidence, while simultaneously purifying the air.
- The Weeping Fig (Ficus) is beneficial for air quality and can help reduce the chances of getting sick, making it an excellent addition to any home.
- Research supports the idea that being surrounded by plants, such as English Ivy (Hedera helix), can improve cognitive function, leading to better performance in tasks, and may even shorten hospital stays for recovery patients.
