Have you ever wished there was some magical object that could improve your mood, productivity and health simply by looking at it? How about if it took very little time, effort and money to get that magic item? It sounds too good to be true, doesn’t it? But good news! That magical object does exist, and it’s called a plant.
The power of houseplants
Much research has been done to examine the impact that plants have on us. As it turns out, the benefits are significant.
Spending time around plants is shown to:
- Lower blood pressure
- Reduce cortisol (the stress hormone) levels
- Improve attention and focus
- Increase feelings of happiness and satisfaction
- Provide a sense of connection to nature
Clearly, plants have a powerful effect on our well-being. They reduce anxiety, stress and depression, while increasing our feelings of happiness, relaxation and connection. They also enhance our brain functioning, which allows us to focus better and be more productive.
What may surprise you even more, is the impact that simply looking at plants can have on our physical health. One study showed that hospital patients who had a view of plants requested less pain medicine and had shorter hospital stays than those who did not have plants within sight.
Do houseplants purify the air? Clearing up the confusion
In 1989, NASA did a study that proved that certain houseplants were able to remove toxins and impurities from the air. Unfortunately, their study was limited to air-tight-sealed environments. Later studies clarified that while houseplants do have the ability to purify air, they are not effective enough to measurably improve the air quality in your home.
So, it’s best to let the air purifier do its job and the plants theirs.
10 Easy-to-care-for plants
Are you ready to incorporate plants in your space? Here are 10 low-maintenance houseplants to get you started.
Parlor Palm
Sunlight: Indirect light
Watering: Every 1-2 weeks (allow it to drain well), may also mist the leaves with a spray bottle
Rubber Plant
Sunlight: Indirect light, low
Watering:Once a week (when soil feels dry)
Warning: TOXIC TO PETS!
Peperomia
Sunlight: Indirect light
Watering:Every 1-2 weeks (when top 2” of soil is completely dry)
Dracaena Marginata
Sunlight: Indirect light
Watering:Every 1-2 weeks
Warning: TOXIC TO PETS!
English Ivy
Sunlight: Indirect light, medium to high
Watering:Every 1-2 weeks (when top 2” of soil is completely dry)
Warning: TOXIC TO PETS!
Pothos
Sunlight: Indirect light
Watering: Every 1-2 weeks (when soil is completely dry)
Warning: TOXIC TO PETS!
Philodendron
Sunlight: Indirect light
Water: Every 7-10 days (when top 2” of soil are dry)
Warning: TOXIC TO PETS!
Spider Plant
Sunlight: Indirect light
Watering: Once a week
Snake Plant
Sunlight: Indirect light, medium to high
Watering: Once a month
Warning: TOXIC TO PETS!
Microgreens (broccoli, radish, etc.)
Sunlight: Direct light
Water: Daily
Taking it to the next level with gardening
You might be thinking, “If simply looking at plants can have such a positive impact on my well-being, maybe caring for plants would do even more.” And you would be right! Gardening offers even more health benefits. So if you’re ready to dig in, check out some tips for growing your own herbs and garden.
