Indoor Plants Don't Just Look Nice, Research Suggests
Indoor plants have become something of a trend in recent years. On the face of it, their appeal is mainly aesthetic. Whether it be green leaves or pretty plant pots - they have certainly captured the attention of many. But, as studies suggest, indoor plants go beyond just looking nice. Promising research suggests that they are both physically and psychologically beneficial too.
When I bought my first indoor plant, I quickly discovered that it meant more than just a pretty decoration. In fact, over the years I have found it quite satisfying to care for all of my bedroom shrubs. I have found the ritual of watering them, checking their soil, and generally keeping them happy quite soothing. The peace of mind I have gained from owning plants got me thinking: could there be scientific evidence to suggest that they're good for our mental health? I soon found that this is quite an active field of interest for researchers.
The first study I found came from the PMC (PubMed Central) archive of biochemical and life sciences literature at the NIH/NLM*. This experiment focused on how stress levels changed in humans when interacting with an indoor plant. 24 young male adults were split into 2 random groups. 1 group carried out a computer related task, another group carried out a plant related task. They then switched activities, before being psychologically evaluated.
The results were interesting. Data showed that people completing the computer task experienced an increase in their sympathetic nervous system activity, whereas people completing the plant-related task experienced a decrease. Your sympathetic nervous system responds to your stress levels and controls your body's 'fight or flight' response, amongst other things. In simple terms, people doing the computer task felt more stressed, and people doing the plant task felt less stressed. Thus a conclusion was drawn: interaction with indoor plants can reduce psychological stress compared with mental work. Indoor plants suppressed the sympathetic nervous system and promoted comfortable and soothed feelings. All of this suggests a correlation between indoor plants and reduced stress levels.
So the mental benefits are apparent. However, indoor plants can have physical advantages too. The same study noted that people doing the plant task had lower blood pressure after completing the activity. An article on the Royal Horticultural Society's website claimed that another study found indoor plants reduced fatigue and headaches by 20-25%. The same article also claimed that patients in hospital rooms with indoor plants reported decreased post-operative pain.
The effect of indoor plants on air quality has also been investigated. Indoor air pollution poses a serious health issue, with the RHS claiming that 4 million people globally die prematurely from it every year. Outdoor derived compounds such as nitrous oxide, carbon monoxide and carbon dioxide on top of indoor derived contaminants emitted from furnishings and detergents all contribute to high levels of indoor pollution. Certain indoor plants have been found to remove these chemicals and improve air quality, but to varying degrees. Good ventilation such as opening a window is also effective.
So there is legitimate evidence that indoor plants are linked with lower stress levels and improved health and well being. The reasons why are still fairly unclear, but what we can take from the research done so far is that indoor plants certainly do more than add greenery to your living space. It is exciting to think that while you look after the plants in your home, they may be looking after you in return. Hopefully, future research will discover more detail about why exactly plants link to these psychological and physiological benefits. Until then, collect some houseplants, care for them as best you can, and know that they are bringing you more than just an attractive addition to your home.
