11 Benefits of Having Houseplants in Your Home

Yes, it is true.  There are many different benefits of having houseplants in your home. 

Houseplants do take time to keep them watered, given the right light, and general upkeep but it is worth it when you see all the benefits of having them in your home.

Benefits of Houseplants in home

Having houseplants can improve your everyday life in so many different ways.  It can help us to heal faster and boost our environment.  You do not need to have an overabundance of houseplants but just a couple can help.

1. Breathing easier

When a person breathes, they pull in oxygen and release carbon dioxide.  In photosynthesis, a plant will absorb carbon dioxide and release oxygen.  Plants will help to increase the oxygen levels in your home.

2. Moisture

The best plant for this benefit is the spider plant.  In homes, the air conditioners and furnaces can sap the humidity in the air, especially during the winter.  During the photosynthetic process, a plant releases moisture vapor.  This in turn will increase the humidity of the air in the room.  A plant will release about 97% of the water that they take in.  Place several plants in a room together to help increase the humidity of the room.  When you use plants in a room, it can help to decrease the incidences of colds, dry coughs, sore throats, and dry skin

3. Allergy relief

It has been found that rooms with plants in them will have less dust as the leaves and other parts of the plant act as natural filters to catch airborne particles and other allergens.  Use common low-light plants like the Peace Lily or Chinese Evergreen.  

4. Purify the air

There are many things in your home that can give off pollutants like carpets, cleaners, and more.  The pollutants they give off are called volatile organic compounds (VOC’s).  These can build up in the air and irritate your skin and eyes, make it hard for you to breathe, and worsen your asthma.  Houseplants like English ivy, dragon tree, and asparagus fern can soak these pollutants up and make the air better for you to breathe.  Plants can also get rid of pollutants like benzene and formaldehyde.  How well a plant will purify the air depends on the number of toxins in the air, the size of the plant, and the size of the space where the plant will be.  To help them perform at their best make sure that you keep their leaves free of dust and clean.  They should go outdoors occasionally to receive sunlight.  This is so they can recharge.

  How Often to Water Fiddle Leaf Fig? [COMPLETE GUIDE]
plants in house

5. Digestion

Some may not consider these herbs as houseplants but people are growing them in their home.  You can grow them in containers or hanging baskets.  You can use mint to help with gas and bloating.  There is also Basil that can help to calm your stomach too.

6. Relaxes you

This Lavender house plant is one that many like to have in their home.  It is good to help you calm down and help to reduce your anxiety level.

7. First aid

The gel from the aloe Vera plant is a popular home remedy for minor burns and sunburns.  It can also help to soothe skin conditions like psoriasis.  If you are constipated, you can drink the juice from this plant.

8. Relieves stress

Adding a snake plant or philodendron to your home may help reduce the stress.  Being around these plants can help with this issue.

9. Boosts your immune system

Plants are great at giving your immune system a boost, especially during the flu season.  They can help you to relax so you get more sleep.  Plants have airborne chemicals like phytoncides.  These can help reduce stress and when you are not stressed, your immune system gets a natural boost.

10. Learning

According to research, children that spend time around houseplants learn better/  House plants can help them to concentrate and focus.  It makes it easier for them to retain and absorb information so you should make sure that there are plants around the area where they do their homework.  One type of houseplant that helps with this are ornamental plants.  

  Cucumbers - Planting, Growing, & Harvesting Guide

11. Therapeutic

Houseplants need care such as watering, fertilizing, pruning, etc.  Many find it relaxing and therapeutic to have houseplants because it gives them something to do, help them relax, and feeling like they are accomplishing things when they are working with house plants.

How Many Plants Should you Have

How many plants you need depends on your goals and what you want to accomplish.  If you want to reduce fatigue and stress and improve your health you should put a large planter on an eight-inch diameter plate or larger for every 129 square feet.  

Flowers and Their Healthy Benefits

  • Chamomile:  This plat can help treat insomnia, reduces menstrual cramps, reduces stress, improves facial skin, and more.
  • Lady Ferns:  Eyesight, heart, improves appetite, benefits the teeth and bones
  • Marigold:  Boosts immune system, repels mosquitoes, provides relief from joint pain

Create a House Plant Sanctuary

One way to get all the benefits that house plants offer is to make your plant sanctuary.  This can be your refuge from the outside world.  It does not matter if you live in a large house or an apartment, if you have certain plants you will start to notice and improvement in your overall happiness and health.  Choose plants such as snake plants or succulents to help you get a good night’s sleep.  Other plants you can choose include ivy, the spider plant, and the Swill Cheese Plant.  Make yourself a small area where you can put your plants.  Working with them will give you a sense of purpose and make you feel happy.

Keep reading: Mushroom & Fungi Growing in Houseplant’s Soil 

Conclusion

Yes, there are many benefits of having house plants, not only in your home but in the learning environment and workplace.  At work, if you have a house plant with broad leaves they can help increase levels of positivity and humidity.  Some say that seeing the greenery can help you feel more calm and relaxed.

Also read: