Indoor gardening continues to gain momentum in popularity.
Though social media trends often rise and fade quickly, indoor gardening may have lasting appeal due to the numerous ways houseplants contribute to our health and well-being.
Here’s what research reveals about the benefits of having indoor plants in your home or workspace!
1. Indoor Plants May Help Reduce Stress
A study published in the Journal of Physiological Anthropology found that having plants in your home or office can significantly lower stress levels. Participants were given two tasks: re-potting a plant or completing a computer-based task. Researchers measured heart rate and blood pressure, and found that the act of working with plants reduced stress, while the computer task caused an increase in both heart rate and blood pressure. This suggests that caring for plants can be both physiologically and psychologically soothing.
2. Real Plants May Improve Focus and Attention
If you’re hoping to improve your concentration, real plants might be your best bet. A study involving 23 students showed that those studying in a room with a live plant were more attentive and had better focus than those in rooms with a fake plant, a photograph of a plant, or no plants at all. Brain scans confirmed that the presence of real plants enhanced cognitive performance.
3. Gardening Can Be Therapeutic
Indoor gardening is not only a creative hobby, it can also serve as a therapeutic tool. Horticultural therapy has been shown to support mental health, particularly for individuals with depression, anxiety, and dementia. In some parts of the world, including Manchester, England, doctors are even prescribing houseplants to help patients manage symptoms of mental health conditions. Engaging with plants offers a calming, restorative activity that can foster emotional well-being.
4. Plants May Accelerate Recovery from Illness
Looking at plants and flowers can play a role in speeding up recovery from illness or surgery. A 2002 review found that patients recovering from various surgeries who were able to view greenery needed less pain medication and had shorter hospital stays compared to those without access to plants. Although much of this research focuses on hospital settings, it suggests that natural environments can aid in the healing process.
5. Plants May Boost Your Productivity
Numerous studies have shown that plants in the workplace can enhance both productivity and creativity. A well-known 1996 study found that students in a computer lab worked 12% faster and felt less stressed when plants were placed nearby. In a 2004 study, participants tasked with creating word associations performed better when a plant was present in the room. Another study in 2007 showed that employees with more plants in their workspace not only took fewer sick days but also showed higher productivity.
6. Plants May Improve Your Overall Outlook on Work
In a study involving over 440 Amazon employees across India and the U.S., researchers found that workers surrounded by natural elements like indoor plants reported higher job satisfaction and a stronger sense of commitment to their company compared to those in environments without greenery. The presence of plants helped mitigate the effects of job-related stress and anxiety, contributing to a more positive work experience.
7. Plants May Improve Indoor Air Quality
The idea that plants can purify the air—known as phytoremediation has roots in a NASA study from the 1980s. Researchers were investigating ways to improve air quality on spacecraft and found that the roots and soil of houseplants could significantly reduce airborne volatile organic compounds (VOCs).
While this research sparked interest in plants as air purifiers, later studies have questioned the extent to which houseplants can replace advanced air filtration systems. However, certain plant species are still known to improve indoor air quality. Some of the most effective options include:
1. Areca, lady, dwarf date, and bamboo palms
2. Boston fern
3. Rubber tree
4. Spider plant
5. Ficus tree
