Indoor Plants – more than a home decor

“Oh, what were the days in my childhood, green and green all around our house, lots of trees, lots of fresh air, you cannot even imagine staying in this concrete jungle!” Mr. Moitra was regretting his grandson. Yes, this is the scenario for most of us who live an urban life, and day by day the greenery is vanishing from our life. But no, half loaf is better than no loaf! We can put some green spaces in our daily lives and can bring nature into our homes, classrooms, and workspaces. Indoor plants are nowadays enjoying a surge in popularity.

Indoor Plants: more than a home decor

House plants not only make our home interiors beautiful and create a connection with nature, but they may also promote improvement in your health and your well-being.

Is indoor plant really helpful to improve our health?

Yes, research showed that plants at our home or workplace can help us feel more relaxed, at ease, and natural.

Inhale purified, better-quality air with your green pets.

• Indoor plants are capable of removing air pollutants from your indoor air.

1. Carcinogenic chemicals like formaldehyde can be removed by Philodendrons, spider plants, and golden pothos.
2. Benzene is effectively removed by flowering plants such as gerbera daisies and chrysanthemums.
3. If you place a spider plant in your chamber, it can also be capable of removing 99% of the carbon monoxide, and nitrogen oxides from the air.
4. If you are suffering from a dust allergy, indoor plants like Chinese evergreens, Peace lilies, or Violet plants with textured leaves in your room corner may help to you get relief from allergic tendencies to some extent. They can thus act as natural filters to catch allergens and other airborne particles.

If you have any pets as some plants are toxic to pets. So before choosing any indoor plant take a consultation with your veterinarian or go through the ASPCA toxic plant list.

• Indoor objects like carpets, paint, cleaners, printer toners, inks, etc, can cause irritation to our eyes and skin. They even worsen the problem of asthma because of the volatile organic compounds (VOCs) generated by them. Indoor plants like English ivy, asparagus fern, and dragon trees can soak up these VOCs.
• During dry seasons indoor plants such as spider plants can add moisture to our room air and make it more comfortable. However, it can be problematic in humid climates. The damp plant soil may promote the growth of unhealthy microorganisms.

The National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) and the Associated Landscape Contractors of America (ALCA) also reported the advantages of indoor plants in the removal of indoor air pollutants.

Few other effective indoor plants in the removal of air pollutants are:

• Bamboo palm (Chamaedorea seifrizii)
• Janet Craig (Dracaena fragrans “Janet Craig”)
• Marginata (Dracaena marginata)
• Mass cane/corn plant (Dracaena fragrans “Massangeana”)
• Mother-in-law’s tongue (Sansevieria trifasciata laurentii)
• Pot mum (Chrysanthemum morifolium)

Improve your mental and emotional health with your home greenery

Indoor plants can help you to get recovered from any mental fatigue. Nurturing plants was proven to lessen depression, schizophrenia, and other psychiatric conditions.

• Spent more time with your green pets as they can help you to reduce your anxiety and depression. A bacterium in plant soil called Mycobacterium vaccae triggers the release of serotonin, which lifts your mood and reduces anxiety. It may further help you to recover from any trauma or any person with dementia.
• Lavender – the fragrant purple plant is very effective for centuries in lowering stress and anxiety.

• A gift of potted foliage or a bouquet of flowers from near and dear ones in the hospital can be more than anything. People who had injury or surgery got better faster recovery if they had plants in their room or even a view of nature from their window.
• The greenery (peace lily or orchid) around you can help you to tolerate pain better and lower your need for medications.
• Are you losing your concentration in your study or work?Research suggests visible greenery (golden pothos or a bamboo palm) is restorative and increases the ability to concentrate on your tasks. It also boosts your memory, including among kids.

• You can also lift your mood by adding some indoor plants like a lipstick plant. A fresh bouquet in your workspace can make you feel better, and lessen your worry about your jobs.

Improved your physical health:

Indoor plants can improve your feelings of well-being which automatically can help you to improve physical health too.

• You can grow basils, mint, and other herbs in your kitchen garden which can not only soothe your sight but also calm your stomach by reducing digestive problems. Additionally it can lowers your blood pressure.
• The gel from Aloe Vera is a popular home remedy to treat sunburns and other minor burns. It is also effective if you are suffering from psoriasis and other skin diseases.
• Juice of Aloe Vera is also very good to reduce the problem of constipation.
• If you place a few pots of Gerbera daisies in your bedroom, it keeps giving off oxygen even after sunset. Thus helps you to sleep more soundly.
• A heart-leaf philodendron or a snake plant in your living room may help you relax. If you spent little time with your leafy immobile pets by nurturing them, your blood pressure, heart rate, and stress hormones cortisol will be under control.

In addition, if you need to know more about yoga and meditations to manage your stressful life, you can click here.

Therefore, brighten up your surrounding and boost your positive emotions by enhancing your green space. Spending as much time as possible with your foliage friends can improve your mood, lessen your stress, increase your cognitive skills and endorse your overall well-being along with your loved ones.