Bringing a little extra green into your home doesn’t just spruce up your decor—it can benefit your physical and mental health as well. In fact, houseplants have a surprising number of benefits that can improve your wellness, so there’s no better time to get your indoor jungle started.
Plants Can Help You Manage Stress
Engaging with nature is one of the best ways to combat stress, and indoor plants help bring the beauty of nature right to your home.
If you’re looking to disengage from technology and get your hands dirty, caring for your houseplants is the perfect outlet. It also gives you something else to focus on if you get overwhelmed by the day’s stresses.
Plants Can Positively Impact Your Mental Health
One study found that horticultural therapy had a positive impact on people who were experiencing mental illnesses, such as anxiety, depression, and even dementia. Working with plants helped patients increase their feelings of well-being, despite the mental challenges they faced.
The takeaway here is that indoor plants give you something else to focus on, something that’s only for you. Not to mention that sense of accomplishment you’ll get when you see your plants thrive.
Indoor Plants May Improve Your Focus
Having trouble keeping up with your studies, or are you pursuing a new interest? Surrounding yourself with indoor plants can help keep you in the headspace to achieve your goals.
Consider a study that took place in South Korea, where students were around both real and fake plants in separate groups. Those that were around real plants had improved mood and concentration, even though the visual stimuli were essentially the same.
In other words, there is value in having real plant life in your home—and it’s not just for looks. If you’re skeptical, try starting with one or two plants and seeing the difference for yourself.
Finding the Best Plants for Your Home
If you’re interested in keeping indoor plants, but you’re not sure if your thumb is green enough, these are some hardy yet beautiful varieties that could be a perfect fit.
Dragon Tree (Dracaena marginata)
Dracaenas are perfect for spaces with bright, indirect light — though they’re tolerant to low-light conditions as well. Smooth, slender stems and palm-like foliage give this plant tons of character. As a bonus, they’re not too fussy about watering: you’ll just need to do it once a week, or whenever the soil dries out.
ZZ Plant
A ZZ Plant practically thrives on neglect, so they’re perfect if you want something that’s low-maintenance. Thick, plastic-like stems and rubbery leaves give this plant plenty of visual appeal. They prefer dry soil conditions and bright, indirect light, though they can still do well in low light.
Pothos Vine
Pothos vine brings a lush jungle right to your home, with vibrant leaves and twisting vines that you can wrap wherever you please. These plants love bright, indirect light and moist soil conditions—they’re also very easy to propagate as well.
Spider Plant
Spider plants are cheerful and bright, with tons of thin, cascading greens. These beautiful plants are super easy to care for and often produce little baby sprouts that you can easily re-pot.
Considerations for Fur Babies
When shopping for indoor plants, keep in mind that some of them are toxic to pets (including a few of the ones mentioned here).
While your four-legged friends can enjoy many of the benefits of indoor pets together with you, there are a few varieties that should remain out of reach. These plants can be harmful if your pet likes to munch on the greenery around your home.
Here are a few of the most common ones to know:
- Aloe vera
- Chrysanthemums
- Lilies (most varieties)
- Mistletoe
- Poinsettias
- Sago palm
- Snake plants
The ASPCA has some helpful resources on toxic plants, but know that these lists aren’t exhaustive. Always make sure to research whatever plants you bring home beforehand.
Managing Your Wellness
It’s no secret that your mental health can have a big impact on your physical health. Keeping houseplants can help you feel more at peace while you’re home. Green thumb or not, find the plants that work for your space and you can reap the benefits.
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