Houseplant Feature - The Importance of Keeping Houseplants
“I don’t know how many plants it will take to make me happy, but so far, it’s not 57.”
– unknown
No matter what space, experience or knowledge you have, there is a houseplant out there for you. When buying houseplants, I recommend going to a florist or garden centre, or any specialist plant seller, as they will have more knowledge on care and cultivation. Furthermore, these plants will have been cared for correctly before you buy them, and will be of superior quality to the dying peace lily you can get in your local supermarket.
“But I kill all my house plants!” I hear you cry! Believe me, there is a house plant out there for you, and I’ll make it clear which ones are more forgiving for those plant parents who maybe occasionally forget about watering duties. Spider plants, for example; you have to really WANT to kill them.
But for now, lets focus on the many and varied reasons why you absolutely should get a house plant, like, right now.
Purifying the Air
It is well known that plants metabolise the carbon dioxide that we breath out, and swap it for oxygen. However, they have also been found to remove a percentage of the air-borne pollutants, fungal spores and bacteria from the air around them, so reducing the number of allergens, pathogens and Volatile Organic Compounds in indoor air. These VOC’s build up due to general air pollution and using cleaning products in the house. Therefore, indoor plants make the air you breath just more oxygenated and better for you. This is particularly beneficial to people with mild respiratory problems.
For information on some of the best air-cleaning plants, see this article, written by bio-scientist Alex Wood.
Volatile organic compounds are produced by general daily activity in your home, and are emitted by plastics, cleaning products, nail polish, or chemicals used in furniture production. These VOC’s are 10 times more harmful indoors, particularly to small children and pets.
Improving Mood
Numerous studies have been conducted to prove that the presence of leafy, green plants in particular has positive psychological effects. People have been shown to be more empathetic and get along better with others when around plants. It has also been reported that ill people feel physically better when around plants.
Reducing Stress Levels
The presence of plants in office spaces and homes has been shown to reduce stress levels by improving the general perception of the space around us. Having worked in more than one office space with no plants, I can attest to the fact that they would have been so much less clinical and depressing with some leaves around!
Improved Focus, Attention Span and Creativity
Plants in indoor environments such as office and classrooms has been proven to increase focus and reaction times when completing computer-based tasks, as well as improving attendance levels and encouraging creative thinking. This even works if the plants are fake! (I do not advocate buying fake plants)
Improved Overall Health
Adding plants to your home has been found to reduce blood pressure, help with respiritory problems, reduce fatigue and headaches, and raise tolerance to pain. Hospital patients reported less post-operative pain and reduced anxiety on hospital wards with plants present. Plus all the mental health benefits that are associated with planting and caring for plants in general.
What are you waiting for? Get out there and buy a plant!!!
*Please be aware houseplant-buying may be addictive, in a ‘once you pot you can’t stop’ sort of a way. But if you think about it, there are much more harmful things to be addicted to.
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