Apart from adorning your living room, patio, or office space, indoor plants can be instrumental in supporting human health too. According to researchers, the biggest benefit of having indoor plants is their impact on our wellbeing and improvement in productivity.

Pexels/Pixabay. The biggest benefit of having indoor plants is their impact on our wellbeing

For a long time now, scientists and researchers have wondered whether growing houseplants really makes your workspace, home, or school a better place to be. With the year 2021 seeing an exponential growth of the gardening trend, with some 16 million new indoor and outdoor gardeners, it’s high time we took a look at how fresh greenery can impact your health and wellbeing.

Improving Air Quality

A NASA study has proven the ability of indoor plants to improve the air quality of a closed space. Not only are these plants responsible for the release of oxygen in the dwelling, they are also very effective in removing harmful toxins from the air.

This includes the removal of VOCs or volatile organic compounds such as trichloroethylene, formaldehyde, and benzene. These compounds are found in household items such as plastics, carpets, and paint and according to NASA’s research findings, houseplants can effectively reduce up to 87% of these harmful toxins in a single day.

Pexels/Designecologist. Plants not only release oxygen but are also effective in removing harmful toxins from the air

Reducing Stress

A Japanese study conducted in the year 2010 researched the effects of ‘forest bathing’ or Shinrin-yoku. The research findings proved that spending time outdoors and in nature can have a relaxing effect on your mind and body, reducing stress, fatigue, and blood pressure.

If you’re too lazy to venture outside and into the wilderness, you can always bring the greenery inside your home via houseplants. According to a study in the Journal of Physiological Anthropology, actions such as smelling, touching, and pruning houseplants can bring about the same positive physical and psychological effects as spending hours in the wilderness.

Pexels/Vlada. If you’re too lazy to venture outside, you can always bring the greenery inside via houseplants

Boosting Creativity and Productivity

Whether you’re at home or at the workplace, what if there was a simple hack to get more out of every single day? Many of us might not be aware of this but having indoor plants can greatly improve cognitive function.

According to a study by Texas A&M, houseplants in your working space can boost your concentration, problem-solving abilities, creativity, and productivity. Another study by the University of Michigan concluded that having indoor plants or being around greenery, in general, can boost your memory by an impressive 20%!