Plants Helping Anxiety- the research

Usually I share my own content here, but I received this blog post from one of our affiliate partners (we are a stockist for their fabulous plant care items and love them!) and it was so good that I had to share. The world can be anxiety-provoking, especially now. Hopefully this resonates with you. * credit to We The Wild

Mindful Greenery: Plant Psychology

Houseplants do more than just make our space feel and look better; they can impact our psychology and how we feel. Numerous scientific studies have explored the matter and yielded results that shed light on it. Indoor plants offer so many benefits, including improved psychological well-being and improved physical health.

What are the benefits?

• An improved overall mood

• Reduced stress levels

• Increased productivity when added to a workspace

• Improved attention span.

• Increased speed of reaction in a digital task.

• Reduced blood pressure.

• Reduced fatigue and headaches by 20-25% percent.

  
  

Houseplants make us feel good because we want to connect with nature and because we find the color green, prominent in most houseplants, calming. Adding just one plant can brighten up a dull space and boost your mood.

People spend up to 90% of their time indoors, making indoor plants potentially even more important than outdoor greenery for mental well-being. While outdoor greenery improves health through factors such as air quality, physical activity, and social cohesion, indoor plants seem to primarily boost mood and provide a sense of calm.

What plant do we choose?

A study was released that actually measured which plants provide these benefits. The participants had to identify their favorite and least favorite plants. Once they had done so, they used scales of opposing adjectives to measure the aspects of each plant’s appearance, whilst also rating how beneficial they believed each plant was for well-being and air quality.

The eight species included within the study were weeping figs, mother-in-law’s tongue, cacti, prayer plants, Birds Nest Ferns, Golden Pothos, dragon trees and palms. These plants are commonly found in homes and offices.

The ones that delivered the greatest sense of well-being were the Pothos, weeping fig and palms.

Air Quality and Indoor Pollutants

Indoor air can surprisingly be polluted. Chemicals from furniture, paints, cleaning products and other outdoor sources can actually contribute to the “Sick Building Syndrome” now. Whilst this isn’t heavily common, it’s amazing how adding one plant can bring relief.

Top Air-Purifying Indoor Plants

1. Spider Plant (Chlorophytum comosum)

• Removes: Benzene, formaldehyde, carbon monoxide

• Easy to grow, tolerates low light

2. Peace Lily (Spathiphyllum sp.)

• Removes: Benzene, formaldehyde, trichloroethylene

• Also helps reduce airborne mo

  ld spores.

• Prefers indirect light

3. Snake Plant / Mother-in-law’s Tongue (Sansevieria trifasciata)

• Removes: Benzene, formaldehyde, trichloroethylene

• Very low maintenance and tolerates neglect

4. Boston Fern (Nephrolepis exaltata ‘Bostoniensis’)

• Removes: Formaldehyde

• Likes humidity; ideal for bathrooms or kitchens

5. Rubber Plant (Ficus elastica)

• Removes: Formaldehyde

• Thrives in moderate light and humid conditions

The Takeaway

Indoor plants are and have always been more than just decoration; they’re accessible tools that help improve mental and physical health, support relaxation, boost focus, and even help clean indoor air. Research is still evolving, but the evidence is clear: adding greenery to your space, whether it is a school, office or home, can be an effective step towards a healthier environment.