Learn how indoor plants can help your mental health

April 8, 2021

Spending more time at home and seeing fewer people can be difficult. Having plants in your home is an enjoyable hobby and can benefit your mental health.

How do plants improve your mental health?

Studies have shown that plants have a positive impact on mental health and improve well-being under different circumstances and for people of different ages. Plant life and nature have psychological, social, cognitive, environmental, social and spiritual benefits.

Reduced depression symptoms

Nature walks reduce symptoms of depression and anxiety when compared to walks in urban areas. One study showed that cognitive behavior therapy for moderate to severe depression was found to be more effective in an arboretum than in a hospital setting and the remission rates were higher than in a medicated group.

Less stress

Natural settings improve mental fatigue recovery, lower blood pressure, reduce anxiety and lower heart rate.

Better memory

Natural environments improve focus and working memory.

Fewer dementia symptoms

Gardening activities improved cognitive functioning and reduced aggression in dementia patients in an adult day care facility.

Improvement of attention-deficit disorder symptoms

Children with ADHD and ADD were better able to concentrate, had a better attention span, memory, and cognitive functioning after nature breaks.

Improvement of post-traumatic stress symptoms

Veterans and natural disaster victims benefited from nature-based rehabilitation and their states of mind became more positive.

Intellect

The architecture and geometry of natural environments are believed to have a healing influence. Animal studies have found that they increase brain size and performance on intelligence tests.

Creativity

Being around nature boosts mood, creativity and gives a sense of vitality.

Productivity

Plants inside or outside a window have been shown to improve attentiveness, alertness, mood, and productivity in employees and students. Physical symptoms of allergies and asthma are also reduced.

Higher self-esteem

Exercising in natural environments improves mood and self-esteem.

Better quality of life

Studies have shown that people who interact with nature are more positive, hopeful, relaxed, happy and satisfied overall.

Easy-to-care-for indoor plants

Start your indoor natural environment with some plants that are easy to care for. They are low maintenance and should be fertilized once a month or so and watered every few days or weeks. If you have pets, make sure to check the ASPCA Toxic and Non-Toxic Plants list here when adding new plants to your home: https://www.aspca.org/pet-care/animal-poison-control/toxic-and-non-toxic-plants

Spider plant

There are over 200 species of spider plants and they are one of the easiest plants to take care of. They are also called air plants and are perfect for hanging baskets. They grow quickly in a variety of conditions and produce pretty white flowers. Water your spider plants 2-3 times a week.

Bamboo palm

Bamboo palms are elegant and can grow quite tall. Place them in bright, but not direct, sunlight, and make sure the soil stays moist. Mist them occasionally.

Boston fern

Boston ferns are pretty and low maintenance. They are tropical and like filtered light and high humidity. Unlike other ferns, Boston ferns are safe for pets.

Christmas cactus

Christmas cactus gets its name because, in the Northern Hemisphere, it blooms over the holiday season. It grows easily and likes moderate light and a little water.

Baby rubber plant

The baby rubber plant, or American rubber plant, is native to Mexico, the Caribbean, and Florida and likes indirect, bright sunlight.

African violet

African violets are native to the tropics of East Africa and are easy to take care of indoors.

Blue Echeveria

Blue Echeveria, also known as hens and chicks, is a succulent that is native to Central America and Mexico. It likes a little water and a lot of light.