All I wanted was a puppy… REALLY BADLY. I wanted a cute little fuzz friend to vent to and care for. But alas, no puppy for me. Instead, I came home from my parent’s house one day with a plant that my father propagated for me. Soon, that one plant turned into three plants, which quickly turned into eight and now – I have roughly 35 plant varieties in my 1 bedroom apartment, many of which I have multiples of!

So what happened? Yes, I did eventually get a dog, but the plants helped increase my well-being and give me a rewarding feeling of helping something grow. Plants make people happy. It’s a fact that I wished I realized sooner.

Benefits of Indoor Plants

Need some reasons to start your own indoor botanical garden? Here are 10 to get you started on your road to plant obsession.

1. Plants increase productivity – Having plants around reduces stress and increase concentration by up to 15%. Put them in your work space!
2. Plants increase vitality – Working with plants, even indoors, releases adrenaline, which increases energy and well-being!
3. Plants provides us with something to nurture – Humans want to care for things. We want to help nurture a little being into maturity and watch it grow, that’s why many find parenting so rewarding! Not everyone can have or want children though, so what do those people care for? Many have pets, but plants are a great option. Watching a plant start as a sprout and continue to thrive, produce flowers, and seeds is exciting and can fulfill that need to care for others.
4. Plants increase self-esteem – As plants grow, your self-esteem will too! This little green lifeform needs you and it definitely gives one’s confidence a boost when you see your plant thrive.
5. Plants purify the air – Photosynthesis removes toxins from the air. Humans have added more pollutants to the air, so being around plants can help us literally breathe easier. A NASA study has shown that plants can remove up to 87% of toxins!
6. Plants add Oxygen to the air – Not only do they remove toxins, but they also replenish our O₂ . We breathe out CO₂, the plants breathe that in and release O₂ for us to use! It’s a beautiful cycle!
7. Plants boost immunity and healing – Hospitals have increased the number of gardens and plants on their campuses because plants reduce anxiety that inhibit the healing process. Also, plants produce chemicals called “Phytoncide” that help to protect the plant from germs. Being around plants for even 30 minutes a day can improve our immune systems!
8. Plants are natural humidifiers – Plants need water to survive, but they also release a small amount of water as a byproduct of photosynthesis. They don’t lose a lot, but it’s enough for us to notice, especially during the winter when the air is dry and stale.
9. Plants improve our relationship with others – As you care for your plant and learn to recognize what it needs to be happy, you’ll notice that you start to learn more about people as well! Studies show that those who care for plants are more likely to be compassionate towards others.
10. Plants are colorful decoration – If you find that your home needs some new color and life, add plants! The greenery of nature is soothing and having green in the winter is so refreshing! Vibrant pots and hangers are great ways to add color and personality to a room.

Houseplants for Beginners

Now that you are convinced of the benefits of plants, click here to see a great list of houseplants for beginners! Remember – start out with easy-to-care for plants until you learn more about plant care. Nothing is worse than getting plants to make yourself feel happier, and then watching them slowly die.

Need more plants in your life, but don’t have the light or space for them to thrive? No worries – I’ve got plenty of plant prints, illustrations, and more to decorate with! No green thumb required! If you’re local and looking for ways to get more plants in your life, register for an upcoming plant themed workshop (like Terrarium Building, Staghorn Fern Mounting, Kokedama, and more!)