13 Houseplants That May Boost Mental Health
Over the last few decades, scientists have discovered that we have subconscious connections to the natural world. The hypothesis, known as biophilia, sparked a ton of research into the connections plants have to our mental health and emotional well-being.
It’s not surprising since we’ve been obsessed with houseplants throughout history. There were the Hanging Gardens of Babylon, the roses in Rome’s courtyards, and the soothing Zen gardens of Japan’s Muromachi period. Houseplants have always been at the center of our lives since recorded history.
On top of their possible therapeutic and aesthetic benefits, they’re fun to grow. Being around houseplants may reduce stress significantly and improve mental health by calming our body’s fight-or-flight signals. In our stressful daily lives full of long commutes, anxieties, and social obligations, this is a great thing.
We naturally form bonds with our houseplants that can help us through stressful experiences and bring joy to our daily lives. Some plants may even be better than others at improving our mood, from being easy to grow to having uplifting colors. Below are 13 houseplants that may improve our mental health.
Jasmine
What can be more soothing than jasmine? There are over 200 species, each with their unique floral scents and striking foliage. If you’ve ever walked under flowering jasmine vines, it’s hard to forget the intensely fragrant scent that envelops you.
Some studies have made connections to jasmine essential oil’s positive effects on our nervous system. In many countries, the essential oils are common in aromatherapy. Jasmine is also a popular ingredient in soothing teas and balms. Civilizations from ancient Egypt to Spain have made cosmetics out of their essential oils.
Jasmine plants are easy to grow as houseplants. Place them near a sunny window, away from direct sunlight. Grow them in well-draining soil, rich in organic matter and water when the top two inches of soil dries. Prune your plants often to help air circulation and you should get magnificent indoor blooms.
Snake Plant
Snake plants are popular succulents that thrive indoors. They’re one of nature’s best air filters and are easy to grow and maintain. Also known as “mother-in-law’s tongue”, they’re perfect for offices and businesses because they don’t require much attention. They’re also fitting houseplants if you have a busy lifestyle or are constantly on the go.
There are many varieties to choose from, each with its own color patterns and sizes. Many gardeners love compact varieties, such as ‘Black Gold’ and ‘Bird’s Nest’. They’re small, easy to care for, and will grow on any desk or bookshelf.
Spider Plant
Contrary to their name, spider plants look nothing like the fascinating and sometimes creepy arachnids they’re named after. They’re actually related to asparagus and have long arching, wavy green foliage that can fill your indoor space with color.
These wonderful houseplants originated in tropical regions of Africa and spread around the world. You’ll find several cultivars in nurseries near you, such as Chlorophytum comosum ‘Variegatum’ and Chlorophytum comosum ‘Vittatum’.
Growing spider plants is easy, especially for beginner gardeners. They’re perfectly suited for hanging gardens and grow great on desks or bookcases. As long as your indoor temperatures don’t get too low and you stick to a consistent watering schedule, your plants will thrive.
Rosemary
Rosemary is native to the Mediterranean region, where it became one of the most popular herbs used in food. From Italian to Tunisian cuisine, you’ll find it in iconic dishes praised for their health-improving qualities and taste.
This fragrant shrub contains essential oils that are used in medicines, soaps, and fragrances. They’re also important in many aromatherapy treatments. As a houseplant, you can harvest its leaves for cooking or dry branches and burn them as incense. Or simply enjoy it as a houseplant and let its calming aroma fill your home or office for a mental health boost.
Growing rosemary indoors is easy. Choose well-draining soil and a pot with plenty of drainage holes. Place your plant near a window with bright light. Repot your plant once every one or two years before it becomes root-bound.
English Ivy
English ivy is a great houseplant for boosting your mood and mental health. Even if you have little direct light in your home or office, you can still get this vibrant vine to thrive.
In the wild, English ivy can grow to over 80 feet or longer. It covers building facades and forest floors, producing a carpet-like covering of dark green to gray-green foliage. Outdoors in North America, it’s a prevalent invasive species.
Caring for English ivy is easy, as long as you keep it under control. The plant is as invasive as it is soothing. Give it bright, indirect light and consistent watering. Because it’s so vigorous, repot it once a year with extra organic material and prune it above its leaf nodes during the spring and summer.
Peace Lily
Peace lily is a special tropical plant that you can grow easily in your home. From its dark green foliage and striking white flowers to its no-fuss nature, this special plant will brighten up your day.
One of the best qualities of a peace lily is its ability to purify the air. It can pull several common toxins from the air, including formaldehyde and trichloroethylene. It also looks amazing, with its white flowers known as spathes and its glossy and dark green leaves.
If you’re a beginning gardener, you’ll find growing a peace lily incredibly straightforward. Plant it in a well-drained potting mix that’s rich in organic material. Water after the soil dries and keep it in a warm space with plenty of light.
Chinese Money Plant
Chinese money plant is quite the mood uplifter. It has small coin-shaped leaves that look adorable. Plus, its small stature makes it fit on bookshelves, desks, or near your bed.
It grows easily in many indoor environments. Plant it in well-drained soil and water it periodically once the soil dries. It’ll grow slowly, so you won’t have to repot it often.
This plant is a great gift, especially for newbie gardeners with limited space. Between its beauty and low maintenance, it’s hard to find a better houseplant to cheer you up.
Moth Orchid
Sometimes, having a challenge can make us feel happier, especially when it’s a living thing we’re caring for. Moth orchids, or phalaenopsis orchids, satisfy our deep-down desire to help a living thing flourish, no matter how fussy it is.
There are more than 60 species of these popular houseplants offering motivational boosts to mental health. They have brightly colored and long-lasting flowers that make indoor spaces look like tropical gardens. Some studies suggest that these colorful flowers can even lower blood pressure and heart rate.
As long as you follow standard care guides, moth orchids are not too tricky. Try growing them at home and have fun with the learning process. If you don’t get it right the first time, repeat with other plants. When you nail growing your first orchid, you’ll feel on top of the world!
Broadleaf Lady Palm
Broadleaf lady palm is a non-fussy houseplant that fills any space with dark green foliage. From hallways to bedrooms, it provides a soothing shade, enclosing your living or work space in green.
Throughout history, the palm was used in palaces in China and Japan. It has a regal stature without outgrowing your indoor space. It grows slowly and outlives most other houseplants as long as you take care of it.
Plant in a well-draining pot with plenty of drainage holes. Keep the soil moist and give it enough bright light throughout the day. Use an organic potting mix like this one, amended with coconut coir and perlite for the best results.
Aloe Vera
Aloe vera plants are purifying additions to a home garden. They’ll grow just about anywhere as long as they get enough sunlight. They add a touch of tropical aesthetics to any indoor space and even help purify the air.
These plants produce a soothing sap that’s been used in skin lotions and burn gels commercially for decades. At home, you can simply peel off a succulent branch and apply the sap to a sunburn. You can also remove the bitter yellow latex and use the gel as an ingredient in homemade health drinks.
On top of their health properties, aloe vera plants are super easy to grow. They make a wonderful gift for novice gardeners. Simply plant them in well-drained soil near bright sunlight and enjoy.
Boston Fern
Boston ferns are big, bushy ferns capable of turning your indoor spaces into a green paradise. They’ll complement other houseplants by providing a beautiful green backdrop to boost mental health and home aesthetics. They also make wonderful centerpieces on dining tables and desks.
These tropical plants are native to South and Central America. It’s an evergreen and grows full rosettes of dark green foliage from the top. These plants take a little extra care and patience but will be well worth it.
To get them to thrive, plant your ferns in well-draining soil. Fertilize them with a liquid fertilizer such as liquid kelp. Most importantly, keep them growing in an area that’s warm and without temperature swings.
Flamingo Flower
Flamingo flowers check all the boxes for being great houseplants. First, they look almost unrealistic. They have plastic-looking leaves and pink, red, orange, and white flowers with a waxy texture. Their leaves are big and heart-shaped.
These fun houseplants take a little more care and maintenance to thrive. They’re epiphytic, meaning they grow best on tree bark and well-draining orchid mixes. Once you handle their growing conditions, these flowers will quickly become one of your favorites.
Nasturtium
Nasturtium flowers are colorful, easy to grow, and edible. In fact, you can eat all parts of the plant! Their leaves and flowers have a spicy, almost garlicky taste. You can add them to salads, pizzas, or soups.
Their leaves resemble lily pads and can fill an indoor and outdoor space with green. They flower frequently and come in multiple colors such as red, yellow, and maroon. They grow as vines and will form an indoor trellis or wall covering if you let them.
These flowers are easy to grow from seed. They need plenty of light, so you’ll need to plant them near a big bright south-facing window. Use well-draining soil and containers with plenty of drainage holes. Once you get the growing conditions right, you’ll feel great growing these colorful edibles in your home!
