We all love houseplants. They add a much needed touch of greenery to our homes and brighten up interior decor. But, did you know they also have a number of health benefits that can provide a much needed boost to your health and wellbeing?

There’s no doubt that 2020’s been a tough year. With many of us spending so much time at home, it’s important to make sure our home environments are as healthy as possible and help to lift our mood.

Here are the top 6 health benefits of house plants:

1. Boost concentration levels and productivity

Having house plants in your home office can have a huge effect on your concentration and productivity. Research has shown that having house plants within an office space can increase productivity by up to 15%.

2. Improve air quality

One of the biggest benefits of house plants is their air cleaning and air purifying qualities.

Believe it or not, the air pollution within our homes can be worse than outdoor, inner city air. Once the pollutants get in, it’s really hard for them to get out again which means bacteria and viruses can stick around for a long time and can contribute to illnesses, especially during the winter.

A study by NASA showed that house plants can remove up to 87% of air toxins in up to 24 hours.

While opening a window can help to release pollutants, it’s not always practical in the winter! This is where having house plants can be hugely beneficial.

House plants absorb the carbon dioxide from the air in your home and turn it into and release it as oxygen. This makes the surrounding air much better for your health. More available oxygen helps your body to work more effectively, helping you to feel more alert.

In addition, house plants also:

• Reduce levels of certain pollutants (benzene and nitrogen dioxide)

• Reduce airbourne dust

• Lower air temperatures

By removing all of these toxins from your home and improving the humidity levels, it will make you feel less sluggish but it will also help to remove any harmful toxins from your home and help you to prevent or fight off illnesses.

3. Increase humidity

Plants are a great way to increase the humidity levels within your home. This is because plants lose 90% of the water they take in through transpiration and this process pulls the water from the plant’s roots through to the leaf tips.

Indoor humidity can have a positive effect on your health and is another factor involved with improving air quality. If indoor humidity levels are kept between 40-60%, adverse health effects such as dry and irritated eyes, flaky skin and can dry out the respiratory tract which can make you prone to colds and the flu.

Healthy levels of humidity would usually require humidification during the winter months in the UK but, adding plants to your home can have a similar effect.

4. Improve mental health

When you’ve been feeling low, a walk outside or in the park can really help to lift your spirits. It helps to reduce stress and mental fatigue as well as promoting relaxation.

You don’t have to live in the countryside to feel connected to nature, adding a touch of greenery to your home could be enough to help to improve your mood. They help by making you feel more connected to the outdoors, especially if you’re stuck at home all the time! They can help towards you feeling less boxed in or trapped in your home if you live in the city and are unable to access green spaces.

5. Alleviate stress and anxiety

As part of improving our mental health, house plants can also help to relieve stress and anxiety too. Research has shown that house plants can help to reduce tension because they help us to think of the outdoors and a slower pace, which can have a calming effect.

In addition, looking after your plants, repotting them and keeping up with general maintenance provides a way to take your mind off the stresses of the day and focus on the task at hand.

6. Boost immune system

Particularly during the winter months, it’s important to keep your immune system boosted and plants are perfect for helping with this.

Part of the boost to your immune system is linked to the mental benefits such as better sleep and anxiety relief which helps your immune system to work better and makes it easier for your body to fight off colds and viruses.

Feeling less stressed can help to give your immune system a natural boost and improve your overall health.

It’s clear that house plants can offer a huge range of health benefits but you might be looking for something low maintenance that won’t take up too much of your time and will stay alive once you’re back in the office!