When visiting friends or acquaintances, you probably paid attention to the presence in some houses of a special atmosphere of comfort, coziness, and attractiveness. This inviting atmosphere is unique to rooms with indoor plants. According to historians, mankind has been growing them for about 5000 years!
By the way, scientists claim that if people spend much time in a room, there should be at least three houseplants. How about you?
What can plants do?
The influence of indoor plants on human health can’t be overestimated. For example, aloe vera (Aloe barberae), also known as the desert lily, is a medicinal plant. It has an effect on the human body and has many useful properties, including purifying the air in the home.
The juice contained in the leaves of aloe vera is used to heal cuts and burns, including sunburn. Already in Ancient Egypt, they knew about the properties of this plant, using it to treat burns, infections and fight insects. But not only this is its health benefits. The steam from the aloe leaf decoction is also used to relieve asthma attacks.
Also, people recuperating from various kinds of surgery need less pain medication and have shorter hospital stays than people who aren’t looking at greenery during their recovery periods (data collected by Chalmers university of technology).
Yep, medical clinics in Manchester, England ‘prescribe’ potted plants to patients with depression, dementia or anxiety. Indoor gardening can indeed be helpful to people suffering from mental illness.
According to BBC, house plants improve concentration and productivity (by up to 15%), reduce stress levels, and boost your mood - thus improving your mental health.
Clean the air
Back in 1989, NASA conducted research to determine which houseplants help purify the air we breathe by eliminating harmful toxins. Among them are Peace Lily, Chrysanthemum, English Ivy, Snake plant, Bamboo palm. Check the full list in the study.
Benzene, formaldehyde, carbon monoxide, xylene (and more indoor pollutants) enter our homes through furniture, carpets, and common household products. ‘Green pets’ are the ones who can help us avoid numerous health risks.
For example, Ficus elastica is a popular ornamental plant with thick shiny oval leaves that perfectly cleanses the air from formaldehyde. This toxin is released into the air through furniture, floor coverings, and products such as air fresheners, hair sprays, or nails. Over time, the effectiveness of the plant only increases, which means that the positive effect on the human body boosts as well.
Produce oxygen abundantly
...and make you sleep better! Sansevieria (Sansevieria trifasciata Laurentii), also known as mother-in-law's tongue, is a very unpretentious and common houseplant with long, dense leaves. Most plants produce oxygen during the day, however, sansevieria is one of the few houseplants that produces oxygen at night, making it an ideal bedroom flower.
Tip: Place the sansevieria pot within a 2m radius of where you sleep or spend a lot of time. Thus the health benefits will be maximized.
Moisturize the air
About 10% of the air we breathe is humidified by plants. Dipsis (Chrysalidocarpus lutescens) is one of the most popular indoor palms. This houseplant with succulent leaves has a beneficial effect on our life and health. Dipsis saturates the air with moisture, which is especially important during the winter months. Plants such as cacti or succulents also have health benefits: they store water and therefore release little moisture.
Houseplants increase the overall air quality - as the abovementioned NASA researchers claimed. When the team looked for ways to improve the air quality inside a spacecraft, they concluded that the roots and soil of houseplants reduced airborne volatile organic compounds. Check for Boston fern, Rubber tree, Palm trees.
Give a pleasant smell
The influence of indoor plants on humans is not limited to the fact that they are important for health. They are partly ‘responsible’ for the atmosphere at your home. For example, to fill your home with a refreshing aroma, it is not necessary to use household chemicals. Better to buy a plant with a pleasant smell - for example, kafir lime (Citrus hystrix). This chemical-free houseplant will not only help freshen up your home but is also indispensable in the kitchen.
Helps with insomnia
We don't always get the recommended seven or eight hours of sleep - especially when the brain is busy with constant thoughts about what happened during the day and what needs to be done tomorrow. The influence of indoor plants on humans is also manifested here. Several plant pairs - including lavender (Lavandula) and jasmine (Jasminum) - have been shown to promote restful sleep, according to research. The scent of these plants creates a sense of calmness that will help you better prepare for sleep.
Remember that each plant has a favorite place in the house. While some of them will feel comfortable on a windowsill in the bedroom, others will prefer the kitchen. Not all flowers are created equal. When choosing plants for your apartment, take into account their properties and energy, and if it coincides with the energy of the inhabitants of the house, you are guaranteed a positive attitude.