Skip to main content

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

Check out these science-backed reasons why you should start shopping for houseplants today

Plants in a bathroom
Luoxi / Shutterstock

Indoor plants are having a major moment in interior design. Some of the 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 plant you should start shopping for houseplants today!

Woman sitting at home surrounded by plants
Luis Alvarez / Getty Images

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.

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
Variety of house plants
Huy Phan/Pexels

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
Rapeepong Puttakumwong/Getty Images

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
Cole Keister/Unsplash

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.

Decor and plants in a white modern house
Anna Sullivan/Unsplash

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.

Lavender plants in pots
inalex/Shutterstock

Which plants can benefit your health?

Many plants have health benefits aside from producing oxygen or boosting your mental well-being. Some plants like aloe vera have additional benefits like soothing mild burns, healing acne, or calming irritated skin due to rashes or itchiness. Herbs like lavender, chamomile, rosemary, echinacea, and ginger also have numerous healing benefits. While these plants can’t heal every wound or illness, they can be beneficial to have on hand if you’re looking for a quick and simple solution.

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

Shannon Cooper
Former Digital Trends Contributor
Shannon Cooper has written about everything from pet care and travel to finance and plumbing in her seven years as a writer…
An entryway mirror can enhance your space: When you should (and absolutely shouldn’t) have one
Decide if an entryway mirror is right for you with these tips
Woman welcoming friends at the front door

An entryway gives your guests their first impression of your home, so you don't want it to feel dark, drab, or cramped. The easiest solution? Add an entryway mirror. Mirrors are one of the best tools in a homeowner's decor arsenal since they reflect light and automatically make a space feel brighter and more open. From vintage-looking mirrors to modern displays, you will surely find an entryway mirror that suits your home's aesthetic and your personal style.

Sometimes, though, an entryway mirror isn't the best idea. Find out when you should hang one and when you shouldn't.

Read more
What a hardwood contractor says your wood flooring says about you
According to a hardwood contractor, the species, stain, and cut of your wood floors can say a lot about you
bleached light wood flooring in an entryway

The home is a canvas for your personality, and your interiors should reflect your personal aesthetics. A professional hardwood contractor on TikTok, @lumberjackwoodsupply, says your wood flooring may reveal more about you than you might have thought. Here is what the species, color, and style of your wood flooring say about you (though, of course, some of these are a bit tongue-in-cheek).

https://www.tiktok.com/@lumberjackwoodsupply/video/7296136450888846623
What your wood flooring species says about you
Pine
If you have lighter, slim, natural pine floors, this TikToker says you likely fall into one of two categories. “You definitely have an appreciation for old things,” says @lumberjackwoodsupply. Alternatively, “you most likely own an old house that had these floors underneath.”
Walnut flooring
Walnut flooring is classy, elegant, and often sold at a steeper price. The hardwood contractor says homeowners with walnut flooring “have taste.”
Red oak
“There’s a good chance you didn’t choose to install this. It was just already in your house,” says this TikToker. But if you did choose to install red oak flooring, “you are either on a budget or you like to go against the status quo.”
Brazilian Cherry
“You probably live in an upscale but slightly outdated suburban home,” says the hardwood contractor. “There’s a good chance you hate the red.”
Maple
If you favor the sleek light wood tones of maple flooring to curate an airy and uplifting aesthetic, “You either live on the beach, or you want to look like you live on the beach,” says this TikToker.
Hickory
Hickory flooring is well-known for its boldness. It’s a unique wood with a quirky grain and various hues. If you have hickory flooring, “you like unique things,” says the hardwood contractor. “You want to be different.”

Read more
What color light helps you sleep? Here’s why you should invest in some red lights for your bedroom
How to choose the right color lighting for the best night's sleep
Red light in bedroom

Color psychology tells us many things about how we're influenced by what we see. Culture aside, most colors trigger similar psychological reactions in people. Some colors agitate or excite while others calm and pacify, putting you in a relaxed mindset. So, what color helps you sleep?

You can use light colors in several ways, from helping you design a room or aesthetic to altering the ambiance in the space, depending on your mood. For example, even if you don't choose a specific light color, certain bulbs like incandescents or fluorescents have their own warm or cold light. These dramatically change the way a room feels.

Read more