The Benefits of Having Plants in Your Home or Office - The Sill (2024)

Indoor plants don’t just look good—they can make us feel good, too. Studies have shown indoor plants can...

  • Boost moods, productivity, concentration, and creativity
  • Reduce stress and fatigue
  • Clean indoor air by absorbing toxins, increasing humidity, and producing oxygen
  • Add life to sterile spaces, offer privacy, and reduce noise levels
  • Be therapeutic to care for
Plants Make Us Happier

When you feel down, it’s amazing what a walk in the park can do. That’s because when we get in touch with nature, we improve our wellbeing. Studies show time spent outside in green spaces can reduce our mental fatigue, increase our relaxation, and even improve our cognition.

However, according to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, we spend a considerable amount of our time indoors instead—around 90%. That is where indoor plants can come to the rescue. Although they are not a substitute for the ‘great outdoors’, indoor plants can provide similar benefits. Studies have shown even brief exposure to nature, like touching real foliage, can elicit an unconscious calming effect.

And not only can the presence of indoor plants soothe and restore—but scientific field studies have shown that in workspaces where indoor plants have been added, work performance increased, staff wellbeing improved, and sick-leave absences were reduced. Talk about plants with benefits!

So what is it about plants and nature that makes us happier and healthier? One theory is that our connection to nature and living things is in our DNA. Although philosophers and scientists have studied humans’ innate connection with flora and fauna for centuries, biologist Edward O. Wilson brought it into the 20th century his book Biophilia (1984). Wilson wrote about the biophilia hypothesis, which suggests all humans possess an innate tendency to seek connection with other forms of life—whether that be other humans, nature, or animals—and that this connection is deeply rooted in our biology.

The biophilia hypothesis is becoming more and more relevant as urban environments continue to grow, and we find ourselves interacting with technology more than nature and each other. It is vital for us to prioritize reconnection with the natural world to live happier, healthier lives. Next time you’re tempted to scroll through your phone, try sitting outside in a park or checking in on your houseplants instead.

The Benefits of Having Plants in Your Home or Office - The Sill (2024)

FAQs

The Benefits of Having Plants in Your Home or Office - The Sill? ›

Indoor plants can improve indoor air quality in a few ways. Through photosynthesis, plants absorb carbon dioxide and release oxygen, while through transpiration and evapotranspiration, plants release moisture vapor and increase humidity.

Are plants in the office good or bad? ›

Do plants improve productivity and creativity? Yes, office plants have been known to improve productivity. Studies have been done that show that employees with access to indoor plants perform better and are more productive.

Does having plants in your house increase oxygen? ›

Adding plants to interior spaces can increase oxygen levels.At night, photosynthesis ceases, and plants typically respire like humans, absorbing oxygen and releasing carbon dioxide. A few plants –orchids, succulents and epiphytic bromeliads –do just the opposite, taking in carbon dioxide and releasing oxygen.

What are the disadvantages of indoor plants? ›

Indoor growing also requires more attention and maintenance. Since you have control over the environment, you need to closely monitor factors such as temperature, humidity, and lighting to ensure optimal conditions for your plants. This can be time-consuming and may require a steep learning curve for beginners.

Do house plants improve air quality? ›

This NASA study showed that plants did clean the air in a closed, limited environment or chamber. Other studies have confirmed2 that plants can remove harmful gases, such as formaldehyde, called volatile organic compounds, or VOCs, which have a long history of health impacts.

Are people with house plants healthier? ›

A Scandinavian study found that exposure to indoor plants improved feelings of well-being in participants compared to those who weren't exposed to plants. And we know that feelings of well-being can help improve your physical health too.

Do office plants attract bugs? ›

Indoor plants bring along many benefits, including improving air quality, reducing stress, and improving overall environmental wellness. However, indoor plants can attract and retain bugs.

Which plant gives oxygen 24 hours? ›

The peepal tree is a tree that gives oxygen for 24 hours. It is also known as the bo or bodhi tree and belongs to the same genus as neem trees. The peepal grows up to 15 m tall and has grey bark on its branches. It's native to India, Myanmar, and Sri Lanka but is now found throughout Southeast Asia.

Can you have too many plants in your house? ›

“As much as I believe there's no such thing as too many plants in the home, you never want your plants to overpower your space,” said Hilton Carter, author of “The Propagation Handbook” (CICO Books, 2024). But winnowing your green friends can be painful.

Are there health risks to indoor plants? ›

If people have a runny nose, stuffy nose, or watery eyes, and they think that happens when they get near a plant or water it, they should consider the possibility of a mold allergy.” It's also important to keep “toxic” houseplants a safe distance from children or animals who may be tempted to nibble on them.

What not to do with indoor plants? ›

From overwatering and underwatering to not giving your plant the right light conditions or pot to grow in, there are simple mistakes that many of us easily make. If you're keen to improve your green thumb, but are not having success with your houseplants, you may be making one of these ten common mistakes.

How many plants in a room to purify air? ›

According to Cummings, you'd need more than one plant per square foot of floor space to make any substantial difference. ”Hundreds or thousands of plants are required to clean a typical office or bedroom,” he says. “But even the low end of this estimate would interfere with the functionality of any room.”

Do plants improve mental health? ›

Plants can help boost our mood, Hall said. Hall said nature and being around house plants can help lower cortisol, the stress hormone. He has also published articles reviewing the benefits of plants, including enhanced memory retention, reduced effects of dementia and greater life satisfaction.

Why is it not good to have plants in your room? ›

Some people believe it may be harmful because plants may respire as humans do, emitting carbon dioxide at night as a reverse response to photosynthesis, but humans and pets produce more CO2 than plants do. Despite the scare stories, carbon dioxide is actually relatively harmless in small amounts.

What plants are best in the office? ›

Some of the best and most common are in the Araceae family, such as spathiphyllum (e.g., Peace Lily, Snake Lily). They are also sometimes referred to as aroids. Philodendrons – these make great indoor/office plants because there are so many different kinds. There are some who suggest there are more than 900 species.

Can plants survive in an office with no natural light? ›

Growing plants in a windowless room with only artifical lighting can be a bit of a challenge, but it is definitely possible. By choosing shade-tolerant plants such as the snake plant, Chinese evergreen, Pothos, Spider plant, and Boston Fern, you can create a beautiful and healthy indoor garden.

Are fake plants good for office? ›

They look great no matter where in a room you place them and they don't need any sunlight. All live plants need a certain amount of sunlight to survive, whereas an artificial plant can brighten up a room with no natural light. This makes it the perfect choice for dark offices, bathrooms, and basem*nt rooms.

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