Discover the Surprising Benefits of Incorporating Plants into Your Home Decor
When it comes to home decor, most of us think of furniture, paint, and accents.
But have you ever considered the benefits of incorporating plants into your home decor?
As it turns out, adding plants to your home can have a significant impact on your overall well-being and happiness.
I know what you might be thinking – “I don’t have a green thumb, I can’t keep plants alive.” But trust me, incorporating plants into your home decor doesn’t have to be difficult.
In fact, there are many low-maintenance plants that are perfect for beginners.
And even if you don’t have a green thumb, the benefits of incorporating plants into your home decor are worth the effort.
In this article, I’ll share the many benefits of incorporating plants into your home decor, including improved air quality, reduced stress, and increased happiness.
I’ll also share some tips on how to choose the right plants for your home and how to care for them.
So, whether you’re a plant pro or a total beginner, keep reading to discover the many benefits of incorporating plants into your home decor.
3 Surprising Benefits of Incorporating Plants
Improved Air Quality
One of the most significant benefits of incorporating plants into your home decor is improved air quality.
According to NASA, certain plants can remove harmful toxins from the air, such as formaldehyde, benzene, and trichloroethylene.
These toxins can be found in common household items like cleaning products, furniture, and paint.
One study, conducted by the University of Technology in Sydney, Australia, found that certain plants can remove up to 89% of volatile organic compounds (VOCs) from the air in just 24 hours.
VOCs can cause a variety of health problems, including headaches, dizziness, and respiratory issues.
Here are a few plants that are known for their air-purifying abilities:
- Spider Plant (Chlorophytum comosum): This plant is known for its ability to remove formaldehyde, xylene, and toluene from the air.
- Snake Plant (Sansevieria trifasciata) is well-known for its ability to remove formaldehyde, xylene, and toluene from the air.
- Boston Fern (Nephrolepis exaltata): Known for removing formaldehyde from the air.
- Peace Lily (Spathiphyllum): This plant is known for its ability to remove formaldehyde, benzene, and trichloroethylene from the air.
Reduced Stress
Another benefit of incorporating plants into your home decor is reduced stress.
Studies have shown that simply viewing plants can lower cortisol levels (the stress hormone) in the body.
In fact, one study found that patients in hospital rooms with plants had lower blood pressure, heart rate, and stress levels than those in rooms without plants.
But it’s not just viewing plants that can reduce stress.
Studies have also shown that interacting with plants, such as watering or pruning them, can have a therapeutic effect.
In fact, a study by Texas A&M University found that gardening can reduce stress by up to 30%.
Here are a few plants that are known for their stress-reducing abilities:
- Lavender (Lavandula): Known for its calming scent, which can aid in stress and anxiety reduction.
- Aloe (Aloe vera): Known for its healing properties, which can aid in stress and anxiety reduction.
- Jasmine (Jasminum): Known for its calming scent, which can aid in the reduction of stress and anxiety.
Increased Happiness
Incorporating plants into your home decor can also lead to increased happiness.
Studies have shown that simply having plants in your home can improve your mood and overall well-being.
In fact, a study by the University of Exeter found that people who have plants in their home report feeling more content and satisfied with their lives.
But why do plants have such a positive impact on our mood and well-being?
One theory is that plants remind us of nature, which has been shown to have a calming effect on the mind and body.
Another theory is that plants release oxygen and humidity, which can improve air quality and promote feelings of well-being.
Here are a few plants that are known for their mood-boosting abilities:
- Gerbera Daisy (Gerbera jamesonii): This flower is known for its bright and cheerful blooms, which can boost mood and overall well-being.
- Sunflowers (Helianthus annuus) are well-known for their bright and cheerful blooms, which can boost mood and overall well-being.
- Orchid (Orchidaceae): Known for its stunning and exotic blooms, which can boost mood and overall well-being.
Choosing the Right Plants for Your Home
Now that you know the many benefits of incorporating plants into your home decor, you might be wondering how to choose the right plants for your home.
The first thing to consider is the light conditions in your home.
Different plants have different light requirements, so it’s important to choose plants that will thrive in the light conditions of your home.
Here’s a quick guide to light conditions in your home:
Low light
This type of light is typically found in rooms with little or no natural light, such as basements or rooms with only one small window.
Medium light
This type of light is typically found in rooms with a few windows, but not a lot of direct sunlight.
Bright light
This type of light is typically found in rooms with lots of natural light or rooms with large windows.
Once you’ve determined the light conditions in your home, you can choose plants that will thrive in those conditions.
Low Maintenance Plants for Beginners
If you’re new to the world of plants, it can be overwhelming to know where to start.
That’s why I’ve put together a list of low maintenance plants that are perfect for beginners.
These plants are easy to care for and will thrive in a variety of light conditions.
- Snake Plant (Sansevieria trifasciata): One of the toughest and most resilient plants on the planet. Snake plants can live in many different kinds of light and don’t need much water.
- Spider Plant (Chlorophytum comosum): This plant is well-known for its ability to purify the air and its low maintenance requirements. Spider plants can survive in a variety of light conditions and require very little water.
- Pothos (Epipremnum aureum): Known for being one of the easiest plants to care for. Pothos can survive in a variety of light conditions and require very little water.
- Succulents (various species) are well-known for their low maintenance and ease of care. Succulents can survive in a variety of light conditions and require very little water.
How to Care for Your Plants
Now that you’ve chosen the perfect plants for your home, it’s important to know how to care for them.
Here are a few tips to keep your plants healthy and thriving:
Watering
Most plants need to be watered once a week.
However, some plants, such as succulents, need to be watered less frequently.
It’s important to check the soil moisture before watering to make sure the plant needs it.
You can do this by sticking your finger in the soil and checking for dryness.
Light
Make sure your plants are getting the right amount of light for their specific needs.
For example, succulents need bright, direct sunlight, while ferns prefer more shade.
Temperature
Make sure your plants are in an area of your home that has the right temperature for their specific needs.
For example, succulents need warmer temperatures, while ferns prefer cooler temperatures.
Fertilizing
Most plants need to be fertilized once a month.
However, some plants, such as succulents, do not need to be fertilized at all.
Pruning
Most plants need to be pruned once a month to remove dead or yellowing leaves.
However, some plants, such as succulents, do not need to be pruned at all.
Conclusion
Incorporating plants into your home decor can have a significant impact on your overall well-being and happiness.
From improved air quality to reduced stress and increased happiness, the benefits of plants are undeniable.
And with so many low maintenance plants available, it’s easy for even beginners to incorporate plants into their home decor.
So why not give it a try and see for yourself the many benefits of incorporating plants into your home decor.
As we’ve seen, incorporating plants into your home decor is an easy and effective way to improve your health and happiness.
So, don’t hesitate to add some plants to your home and enjoy the benefits.