Ever since their introduction by the early Greeks and Romans, houseplants have been going in and out of vogue. Potted palms were popular among the Victorians. In the 70s, ferns and spider plants were the houseplants of choice. Modern style requires a lighter hand with the green things- succulents and sculptural stems rule the roost. However, it is a fact that houseplants need to transcend trends.  

Due to the numerous health benefits they offer, houseplants should be regarded as a necessity instead of an object of décor. I am sure that some people reading this article are asking themselves how houseplants promote good health. If you are among those asking themselves such a question or if you would like to know the health benefits of houseplants, then read on to find out more.

Human beings breathe in oxygen and breathe out carbon dioxide. Plants, on the other hand, absorb carbon dioxide and release oxygen during the process of photosynthesis. This means that houseplants can increase the oxygen levels in the house while reducing carbon dioxide levels as it is used by the plants indoors. 

However, keep in mind that many plants absorb oxygen and release oxygen when photosynthesis stops. The process of photosynthesis stops at night as it is light dependent. The good news is that plants such as succulents, orchids, and epiphytic bromeliads don’t absorb oxygen during the night and continue absorbing carbon dioxide and release oxygen. Such plants can be kept in the bedroom at night to increase the oxygen levels.

2. Fight illness     

 The roots of plants growing outdoors often tap the groundwater table for water which will later evaporate through the leaves of the plants in a process called transpiration. Many studies have shown that this water accounts for 10% of the moisture in the atmosphere. A similar process occurs when it comes to houseplants. 

The difference is that the roots of houseplants don’t tap the groundwater table for water. Therefore, houseplants can increase humidity indoors. This can be beneficial during summer as it makes the house cool. It can also benefit those who live in an arid climate. 

Studies carried out by the Agricultural University of Norway have shown that houseplants can reduce the incidences of colds, dry skin, dry coughs and sore throats. A certain research has concluded that higher absolute humidity can decrease survival and transmission of the flu virus.

3. Make the air clean  

NASA has been doing research on air quality in sealed environments for a long time. This research has found out that plants play an important role when it comes to indoor air quality as the roots and leaves of plants remove trace levels of toxic vapors from tightly sealed buildings.

Leaves alone can remove low levels of chemicals like formaldehyde and carbon dioxide.  Therefore, plants are important to space travelers as they provide nourishment to the body when eaten as food and improve the quality of indoor air as the plants absorb carbon dioxide and release oxygen needed by human beings.

According to NASA, the top 10 plants that can remove indoor pollutants are: 

Golden pothos (Scindapsus aures), Spider plant (Chlorophytum comosum). Peace lily (Spathiphyllum wallisii), Azalea (Rhododendron simsii), English ivy (Hedera helix), chrysanthemum (Chrysanthemum morifolium), gerbera daisy (Gerbera jamesonii), mother-in-law's tongue (Sansevieria trifasciata 'Laurentii'), bamboo palm (Chamaedorea seifrizii), and red-edge dracaena (Dracaena marginata) 

If you would like to find out more about these 10 plants that can remove indoor pollutants, then it may be a good idea to check: Houseplants that clean the air. NASA researchers recommend that one potted plant should occupy 100 square feet of indoor space.

4. They boost healing    

For many years now, people have been taking flowers or plants to hospitals when visiting a patient. Did you know that plants can help surgery patients recover? In fact, a certain study recommended them as an inexpensive, noninvasive and effective complementary medicine for surgical patients.

According to a study performed by Kansas State University, seeing plants during recovery from surgery improves the physiologic responses as shown by a lower rating of pain, lower systolic blood pressure, fatigue, and anxiety compared to those surgical patients who don’t view any plants. According to this succulent planting guidebook, aloe vera has numerous more benefits besides these. 

Texas A&M University has also noted that horticulture therapy can also be used to reduce recovery time. With horticulture therapy, patients are given a plant to take care of. Those patients who physically interact with plants experience a reduced recovery time after undergoing medical procedures.