Houseplants can do much more than just add a touch of greenery to your space — they offer a range of health benefits, many of which are supported by research from the National Institutes of Health (NIH) and insight from local horticulturists.
One of the most significant advantages of indoor plants is their ability to enhance air quality. Research from the NIH indicates that houseplants can remove more than just carbon dioxide through photosynthesis, they can also filter out volatile organic compounds (VOCs) like benzene, xylene and ammonia, contributing to a healthier indoor environment.
"We are totally dependent upon nature, particularly plants," president of The Plant Professionals, an interior plantscape design and maintenance firm, Kathy Valentine said. "They create the oxygen necessary for survival and do a lot to remove impurities from indoor air."
Beyond cleaner air, indoor plants are known to reduce stress and improve mental well-being. NIH research suggests that exposure to natural elements, even indoors, aids in stress recovery and supports positive emotions, behavior and overall health.
"How we feel is directly impacted by what’s around us," Valentine said. "Bringing nature indoors helps to increase happiness and reduce feelings of depression and anxiety."
Houseplants are also beneficial in workspaces. The NIH emphasizes that regular interaction with plants can lead to a more relaxed state and improved cognitive function. Indicating that having plants nearby can enhance focus and contribute to greater academic and professional success.
"Plants contribute a lot to my well-being," human biology graduate Ashley Wheeler said. "Doing a plant chore like watering my plants, pruning, or repotting one, helps to take my mind off of whatever is making me anxious and focus my attention on caring for the plants."
Daedre McGrath, an Academic Specialist with MSU’s Department of Horticulture, highlighted several benefits of houseplants, including improved job satisfaction, higher employee retention and better focus, as well as the simple joy of being around nature.
"People are naturally drawn to green things, we want to see nature and be surrounded by it," McGrath said.
For Wheeler, having indoor plants is extra important during the colder months when there nature is less vibrant nature outside.
"I think everyone should have at least one plant in their life," Wheeler said. "It's always nice to have something alive in your space, especially in Michigan where in the winter the greenery is dead."
For those new to caring for houseplants, horticulture experts recommend starting with drought-tolerant varieties that can thrive in low light and humidity conditions, like Pothos or Snake Plants. For more in-depth knowledge, Professor McGrath will be offering HRT 222, a course on houseplants, at MSU this spring.
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