Skip to main content

5 incredible reasons you should add plants to your home right now

Indoor plants are having a major moment in interior design. Some of this year’s most prominent trends and aesthetics revolve around biophilic design, which involves incorporating greenery and natural materials into your home. But being on-trend isn’t everything; there are tons of reasons why plants are important to have in the home. From purifying the air and creating a more comfortable environment to boosting relaxation and productivity, greenery can have a massive positive impact on your living space. So why are native plants important in design? Keep reading to discover some science-backed reasons why you should start shopping for houseplants today!

Woman sitting at home surrounded by plants

Plants may improve air quality

Some houseplants can freshen the air in your space, purifying it and making it healthier to breathe. NASA made this discovery in the 1980s. The scientists were searching for a way to improve air quality in a sealed spacecraft and found that the roots and soil of plants reduced airborne VOCs. In recent years, the findings have been both confirmed and brought into question by different studies. The study that seemingly disproved the findings suggested that you would need a large number of plants to get the same results as modern air purifiers.

Related Videos

If you do decide to use plants to purify the air in your home naturally, try one of these effective species:

  • Boston fern
  • Ficus tree
  • Rubber tree
  • Spider plant

Greenery can promote healing

Having close proximity to plant life has been shown to help people with injury or illness recover faster. Scientists at Kansas State University studied the impact plants had on hospital patients who were recovering from surgery. The patients who had greenery in their rooms had lower blood pressure and heart rates. They also required less pain medication and felt less anxious overall. This evidence suggests that the mere act of being around plant life can be healing. It’s important to note that this study only looked at plants’ impact in hospitals, not in the home, but it’s probably safe to assume you can benefit from the same stress reduction through plants at home as well.

Woman repotting a houseplant at home

They can lower your stress levels

The positive mental health benefits of nature are well-documented, but even living with and caring for potted plants can help. Houseplants may naturally lower stress levels. One study from the Journal of Physiological Anthropology found that people who cared for plants in their homes or offices felt more soothed and comfortable than those who didn’t. In the study, participants were tasked with either repotting a houseplant or completing a short computer-based project. Researchers then measured their stress-related biological factors like blood pressure and heart rate. The people who gardened had a lower stress response than those who worked on the computer. With these results, researchers concluded that the act of caring for plants reduces the psychological and physiological effects of stress.

White bedroom with hanging vines and other plants

Plants can make your room more comfortable and gorgeous

Indoor plants have an obvious aesthetic appeal, as they can add color and life to any room. Plus, with so many stylish pots and species of plants to choose from, you can really customize your space to fit your design style.

Plants can also be used to solve tricky design challenges and make your space more comfortable. Use a large plant to cover up or draw attention away from unsightly areas. Add natural soundproofing with well-placed greenery. You can also alter the temperature in your home with potted plants. Some plants can be used to increase the relative humidity in the room, or you can place a large plant in front of a sunny window to instantly create some natural shade.

Plant life can increase productivity

Whether you’re working at home or back in the office, decorating with a plant can make a huge difference. Researchers at the University of Exeter discovered that employee productivity increased by 15% when plants were added to a previously plant-less office. Not only can plants make you more productive, but they can also help improve creative thinking and mood while working.

A 2004 study looked at the impact plants have on creativity and task completion. Researchers asked the participants to complete a creative word association task while in a room with a plant, magazine rack, or neither of the items. Researchers found improvements in task performance and mood alike for participants in plant rooms compared with participants in plant-less rooms.

There is so much good that comes from decorating your home or office with plants. Adding plants may improve the air quality in your home and make your space more comfortable overall. Being surrounded by plant life can also make you more productive while working and help you heal faster if you’re injured or ill. Even taking care of plants can improve your mental health and lower your stress levels. Who knew a little greenery could have such a big impact?

Editors' Recommendations

5 easy ways to update your home for under $500
Kitchen with a green tile backsplash

When most homeowners think of renovations, they think of time-consuming projects that always run over budget. And often, they’re right. But updating your home doesn’t have to cost an arm and a leg. Tearing down cabinets and installing brand-new hardwood floors aren’t the only ways to bring your home design into the present. With a bit of planning and elbow grease, you can refresh your home with inexpensive upgrades that will have a considerable impact. Here are five DIY home projects that you can easily complete for less than $500.

Give the bathroom a makeover
Transforming your bathroom into a spa-like oasis doesn’t have to be an expensive project. With a few thoughtful updates, you can create the bathroom of your dreams while staying on budget. Here are a few high-impact ideas that won’t break the bank.

Read more
How to propagate lucky bamboo in 5 easy steps so you don’t have to buy it
Grow and propagate lucky bamboo at home for decoration or to give as gifts
Lucky bamboo in small pot on wooden table.

Lucky bamboo is an awesome indoor plant that's popular for its minimalistic, chic design and ease of care. If you already have one of these beauties and it's been growing strong, you can propagate it to create more plants if you want more. Once you've propagated, you can then let the new plants grow for a bit and either decorate your home with your own indoor lucky bamboo garden or give them away to friends and family. It is believed that lucky bamboo can bring its owners luck and good fortune, so they're great to give as birthday or housewarming gifts. Check out how to grow your own below.

Is lucky bamboo easy to propagate?
The good news is, not only does lucky bamboo do well with being propagated, the process is super simple. All you need in order to get more lucky bamboo plants is a few tools and supplies:

Read more
7 best basement office ideas so you don’t feel like you’re working in a dungeon
Basement home office.

Working from home is now much more commonplace than it used to be, which is one of the reasons people now need office space at home. Even if you don't work from home, you may have kids that need a desk for arts and crafts or office space for homework. Whatever the reason, having an office space in your home is pretty necessary, and if you have a basement, it just may be the perfect spot for a home office. A basement home office can offer the sometimes necessary separation from the rest of the family's activities. If you're thinking about the basement being dark and dingy and, therefore, decreasing the chances anyone will actually go down there to work, don't worry; we've got you covered. We've even found some great unfinished basement office ideas for those of you starting from scratch.

Get rid of clutter
One of the first vital steps to creating a basement office is to define a specific area as office space. This will allow you to remove any boxes, clothes, and clutter, making it less like a storage area. If you’re able, use bookshelves or a place already walled off to have a specific space that doesn’t feel cluttered. You can also invest in storage solutions that hide messes. Wall-mounted units will give you a place to put all of your stuff and create a separation of space. Even a simple room divider can do the trick if you're on a budget.

Read more