7 Benefits of Having Plants in Your Home

There are so many great reasons to have plants in your home, including some major benefits that you might not even be aware of. It’s true: while plants are great for aesthetics, they’re also great for body, mind, soul, and the environment—not too shabby for something you can buy for 10 bucks at your local home improvement store. So whether you just moved in or you’re looking to do some sprucing up of your current space, here are seven big benefits of having plants that you may not know about

They clean your air

They boost your mood

They reduce stress and anxiety

They help you focus

They can help keep you from getting sick

They can keep you company

They offer allergy relief

Do the Benefits of Having Plants Apply to Fake Plants?

A lot of the benefits of having plants are tied to the biology of plants themselves, such as the way they release oxygen and H20 into the air. That being said, any plants are better than no plants at all, and while there’s no definitive research available on the subject, you’re likely to enjoy plenty of mental health benefits from having any sort of greenery around, regardless of whether it’s real or fake. Take, for example, the study out of Stockholm that found that just looking at pictures of the forest was successful in improving people’s moods.

How to Choose Plants for Your Home

We’ve talked before about how to go about choosing indoor plants, but here’s a quick overview for anyone who is ready to enjoy all of the benefits of having plants in their home.

Evaluate your conditions. Any home is suitable for plants, but the specific conditions that your home offer will help decide which types of plants in particular will thrive there. Take account of what windows bring in good sun and for how long each day, since some plants require longer access to sunlight than others. No reliable sun? No problem. There are plenty of plants that do just fine in low-light, you’ll just want to know in advance so that you choose the right ones.
Think of your pets. If you have furry creatures at home, it’s crucial that you choose plants that won’t put them at risk. Many plants are toxic to dogs or cats (or both), and it’s much easier and safer to avoid having them in your home at all than to just hope that curious paws stay away.
Consider your skill level. Happy plants make us happy, but sad, dying plants might have an opposite effect. Save yourself the disappointment by sticking to the types of plants that are within your skill level. There are plenty of easy plants for beginners or those with a less-than-established green thumb, including snake plants, aloe vera, cast iron plants, and pilea. The more effort and practice you put into caring for your plants, the better you’ll get at it and the more difficult types of plants you can try your hand at (we’re looking at you, orchids and fiddle leaf fig trees).
Let there be flowers. Flowers have many of the same benefits as green plants, and they require a lot less commitment than their potted peers. If it fits with your budget, try to pick up some fresh flowers once a week or so and place them somewhere prominent in your home. This is especially beneficial during the winter months, when it’s easy to forget how much natural beauty can exist in the world.

There are so many great benefits of having plants in your home, and pretty much no drawbacks. Regardless of the size of your space, make room for a plant (or twelve) and see what sorts of benefits it brings to body, mind, and spirit. Plants are especially beneficial in areas where you tend to feel stressed, so be sure to bring them into your workspace if you’re working from home. Even a little plants should serve to boost your mood, your productivity, and your enjoyment of your home.