When it comes to having a home as ecologically friendly, emotionally uplifting, and close to nature as viably possible, houseplants are an indispensable part of the equation.
Whether you go for a looming Areca indoor palm or a modest bunch of potted lilies on the mantelpiece, there are an incredible array of benefits to welcome some foliage into your home.
Here’s a quick look at a few of them.
They purify the air
Everyone knows that plants breathe in CO2 and breath out oxygen. This, in itself, can contribute to the air in your home feeling fresher and more rejuvenating.
The story doesn’t end there, however. Not by a long shot. In addition to clearing CO2, houseplants also have the ability to tackle and neutralise a wide range of other pollutants commonly found in stagnant air pockets around the home.
In fact, you might be surprised to learn that NASA (yes, that NASA) has conducted extensive research on indoor plants for just that reason, in the form of the NASA Clean Air Study. The results of which demonstrate that houseplants can be effective in removing, among other things, contaminants such as benzene and formaldehyde from the air.
The top most effective plants in the study, for the purpose of air purification, were; (1) Garden Mum, (2) Spider Plant, (3) Dracaena, (4) Ficus, (5) Peace Lily.
The only thing you need to be mindful of is that some plants generate more moisture than others. In order to prevent an unexpected mould problem, be selective about which plants you place where. Rooms with good heating systems in place, such as those available from https://www.bathroomtakeaway.co.uk/heating/towel-rails/electric-towel-rails, are the best candidates for the most rainforest-like bits of undergrowth.
They boost your mood
The health benefits of plants are by no means restricted to their ability to purify the air. They can also have a tremendously positive effect on the mental and emotional wellbeing of anyone in the vicinity.
Studies have shown that even just being able to see a tree through the window of a hospital recovery room results in faster recovery times and better mood outcomes for patients.
And while the exact reasons for this phenomenon are unclear, there’s something undeniably life-affirming about having a living part of mother nature nearby at any given time, as a reminder that we’re connected to the tides and beauty of the natural world around us.
They serve as a great ornamental feature
The global fascination with botany, of course, has at least as much to do with the fact that we like the way plants look as it does with the fact that we like the way they make us feel. With the incredible array of different types of houseplants available on the market — featuring every colour of the rainbow, every size, aroma, and shape of plant imaginable — there’s nothing to stop you finding the houseplant that’s a perfect aesthetic match for your own style sensibilities.
Houseplants, as well being a living health aid, are a natural, vibrant ornament, with the ability to set off any room and add a touch of vigour, or a dash of colour, to otherwise drab surroundings.
