Health Benefits of Houseplants

These houseplants don’t just sit there looking pretty— they decrease stress, remove indoor pollutants and even make us nicer.

By: Danny Bonvissuto

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Photo By: All images courtesy of Costa Farms

Photo By: Image courtesy of Costa Farms

Anthurium

“Flowering houseplants like anthurium help decrease our stress levels, which is becoming increasingly valuable as our lives get crazier,” says Justin Hancock, digital specialist at Costa Farms. “While we’ve always felt this was true, we were excited to see the 'Journal of Environmental Psychology' prove it.”

ZZ Plant

The ZZ plant is easy to care for, which is just one less thing for our to-do list. “Research shows that having plants around can help us feel better and heal faster from injuries,” Hancock says.

Majesty Palm

“While plants make us happier in general, they can specifically improve our job satisfaction,” Hancock says. “Majesty palm is an ideal piece of décor for your desk—and it also makes a wonderful living privacy screen.”

Peace Lily

According to Hancock, NASA named peace lilies one of the most efficient natural filters. “Houseplants scrub indoor air pollutants, making our air fresher and safer,” he says. “This is especially important as our buildings get more energy efficient and we end up trapping those pollutants inside.”

Pothos

“I’ve always thought gardeners are some of the nicest people around and science is starting to back me up,” Hancock says. “A University of Texas study showed folks who spend time around plants like pothos are more likely to help others, be more caring and empathetic.”

Croton

According to Hancock, colorful houseplants like this croton amp up our creative juices.

Snake Plant

This is one snake you’ll actually want in your house. “A perfect plant for bedrooms, the snake plant is practically indestructible—tolerating low light and long bouts without water—and is especially good at adding oxygen at night,” Hancock says.

Red Aglaonema

Need some extra energy? Get a red aglaonema. “From appetites to energy level, the color red is stimulating,” Hancock says.

Lucky Bamboo

Can plants really make us smarter? The folks at Costa Farms think so. “Studies from the American Horticultural Therapy Association hint that having houseplants can help us concentrate better,” Hancock says. “Add some lucky bamboo to your home office!”

Dieffenbachia

“Most houseplants release moisture into the air as part of their breathing process,” Hancock says. “Big-leafed plants like the dieffenbachia are especially helpful in winter, when forced-air heaters transform indoor humidity to desert-like levels.”

Dracaena

“Dracaenas are particularly easy to grow and efficient air cleaners, especially for chemical compounds like xylene, which is released by floor coverings, photocopiers, paint and other household compounds,” Hancock says.

Orchid

Much easier to care for than most people think, orchids add a touch of exotic elegance to any area. “As an added benefit, they’re also great at filtering indoor air pollution,” Hancock says.

Bromeliad

“Colorful bromeliads look a bit like exotic living flower arrangements,” Hancock says. “They’re perfect for offices where their colorful blooms can help extend our attention spans and keep us focused on tasks.”

Health Benefits of Houseplants

Related To:

Shop This Look

Anthurium

ZZ Plant

Majesty Palm

Peace Lily

Pothos

Croton

Snake Plant

Red Aglaonema

Lucky Bamboo

Dieffenbachia

Dracaena

Orchid

Bromeliad

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