Rebecca Heaton
Navigate the changing seasons and enjoy the beauty of nature year-round by filling your indoor spaces with plants. They’re good for your health and happiness!
It’s that time of year again, when the long, warm days of summer and endless hours spent outside begin to fade and the season transitions into decreased daylight, cooler temperatures, and more time indoors. But that doesn’t mean you have to sacrifice a connection to nature: you can bring the outdoors in and preserve a bit of summertime by surrounding yourself with houseplants!
Not only do indoor plants make for beautiful home décor, a robust body of research indicates that they can also make you happier and healthier. Here’s how.
The power of plants in person
The change of seasons often brings a change in mood, and plants can help you deal with that shift in a positive way. “Scientists have proven that sitting in nature surrounded by greenery helps to reduce our blood pressure, heart rate, and stress hormones,” says Manoj Malde, an award-winning garden designer, TV gardener, and author of Bringing the Outdoors In.
Houseplants are an easy way to bring that nature into your home, and several studies have confirmed this positive mood boost. In one experiment, participants who spent 5 to 10 minutes in a room with houseplants felt happier and more satisfied than those who did not. In another study conducted during stay-at-home orders, people who had indoor plants experienced fewer symptoms of depression than those without.
“Simply having a few plants grouped together with a reading seat nearby can make you feel that you’re almost being hugged by plants,” says Malde, “and it’s a way to bring that happy feeling of spring and summer seasons inside your home.”
Caring for plants and yourself
Research also consistently shows that taking care of plants has a positive effect on mental wellness, cognitive health, and overall life satisfaction. “Plants are like children, they are a responsibility that needs constant watering, feeding, and nurturing to grow,” says Malde. “As you see them grow, they might produce buds or sprout new leaves, and this can give you an overwhelming sense of joy and achievement, and make you feel better about yourself.”
In one study, participants who spent several minutes repotting an indoor plant reported feeling less stressed compared to peers working on a computer-based activity. The same study also measured lower blood pressure in individuals after repotting, suggesting that caring for house plants also has physical health benefits.
Ready to create your indoor garden?
“Start small with simple, low-maintenance plants and let your collection grow as you feel ready,” says Malde. When deciding where to place plants, he advises taking advantage of space and light. “I have vines dangling down from the tops of cupboards. I have groups of plants in my bay windows. And on my kitchen windowsill, I have orchids, which thrive from the abundant light.”
Malde recommends selecting containers for your plants that fit with the mood and theme of your house style, too. “If you have very modern interiors, for example, you’ll want colors and graphics that reflect that style within the pots and planters that you choose.” He also suggests podiums or platforms to set your plants at different levels for increased visual interest.
“Indoor plants are a reminder that spring and summer will return,” says Malde. And sometimes, the best plants are simply the ones you’re excited to have in your home.
6 indoor plants for your health
Consider the following houseplants—each with health benefits!—to green your indoor spaces.
|
Plant |
Health benefits |
|
Aloe vera |
can help heal minor cuts and burns via the gel found in its leaves |
|
Peppermint |
may ease queasy stomachs, calm stress and anxiety, promote restful sleep, and also soothe sore throats |
|
Culinary herbs |
contain a wealth of vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants—and they smell good, too (think basil, oregano, and parsley) |
|
Spider plant |
acts as a natural air filter to reduce pollutants (spider plants removed 95 percent of cancer-causing formaldehyde from the air in a sealed container over a 24-hour period in one NASA study) |
|
Snake plant |
has been shown to remove toxins like formaldehyde and benzene from the air over time |
|
Bonsai tree |
can help reduce stress, improve concentration, and boost mental health through the therapeutic act of trimming and manicuring the tree |
|
Pelargonium |
may help ease cold and other respiratory tract symptoms |
|
English ivy |
has been shown to improve air quality and lower levels of carbon dioxide, formaldehyde, and other air toxins |
|
Peace lily |
has air- purifying properties and helps to remove carbon dioxide and other volatile organic compounds from the air |
Cultivate your plant-care habits
Follow these tips to keep your indoor plants happy and healthy.
- Match plants with light conditions. Some houseplants prefer the strong light next to a window, others thrive in low light. Follow light and watering instructions per plant.
- Water properly. Houseplants, other than succulents or cacti, need thorough and regular watering, but drainage—and removing excess water from drip trays or pot bottoms—is equally important to avoid root diseases.
- Fertilize. The frequent watering required by most houseplants leaches nutrients out of the soil. Use a natural solid or water-soluble fertilizer regularly, per each plant’s instructions.
- Keep foliage clean. Dust that accumulates on the leaves of houseplants will block light and harbor insects. Clean leaves by wiping them with a moist towel.
The right light
Your indoor plants will tell you if they are getting too much or too little light. Too much light usually dulls, yellows, or wilts the foliage even if the plant has plenty of water. Too little light usually makes stems grow “leggy”, with large spaces between leaves.
This article was originally published in the July-August 2024 issue of alive magazine (US edition).
Joshua Duvauchelle
Joanne Peters
Andy De Santis, RD, MPH