I read a fantastic article the other day in The Garden magazine by the Royal Horticultural Society. It was discussing house plants and how they can benefit your wellbeing. I don’t think a lot of people realise just how beneficial plants in your house can be. I find the research fascinating and I wanted to share the information from the article with you. Choosing the best indoor plants for health is really important so this will act as a bit of a guide for you.

What are the best indoor plants for health?

“Lush, verdant, ‘rounded’ house plants give the biggest boost to wellbeing, according to a recent survey. Palms remind us of happy holidays, while those with a softer, rounded canopy, such as Devil’s Ivy were considered ‘most beautiful’ by survey participants.”

“Conversely, researchers also found that having neglected plants in the home or workplace can have a worse effect on wellbeing than having no house plants at all, so poorly looked after plants should be removed.”

Aesthetics is important when choosing the best indoor plants for health

In the article Lead researcher Jenny Berger from the University of Reading says that their research showed that the appearance of the plant was very important when choosing the best indoor plants for health. “Plants that people find attractive and interesting are likely to give us the biggest well-being boost and green, lush plants will bring a healthy feeling to the home or office.”

“The study looked at people’s perceptions of well-being and the indoor environment, scoring plants on how beautiful, interesting, uplifting and relaxing they found them. Healthy plants with a dense canopy, including favourites such as weeping fig, zebra plant and Swiss cheese plant, gave the most positive effect.”

“This study adds weight to the important role house plants can play in improving mental health and well-being in the indoor environment,” says Tijana Blanusa, principal horticultural scientist at the RHS, which developed the study in partnership with the university. “Not everyone has a garden, but most of us can find space for a house plant. Choosing plants that are easy to care for will ensure they stay healthy and continue to provide these benefits to well-being.

The best indoor plants for health – 5 easy house plants

1. ZZ Plant (Zamioculcas zamiifolia)

“Evergreen with smooth shiny leaves on upright stems. It can grow in full shade, doesn’t require a lot of water, and is tolerant of neglect. Also known as Fern Arum.”

2. Mother-in-law’s tongue (Sansevieria trifasciata)

“Difficult to kill, so ideal for beginners. Leaves won’t flop or spread and tolerant to shade. It won’t need much watering in winter, it only needs a top up every month or so.”

3. Devil’s Ivy (Epipremnum aureum)

“Evergreen climber with glossy leaves and dense canopy. One of the best house plants for filtering the air. Needs moist compost and misting with water to keep leaves glossy.”

4. Spider plant (Chlorophytum comosum)

“Good for beginners as it can tolerate a range of conditions. Prefers indirect light and regular watering. It will reward you with fast growth and runners with tiny plantlets that can be potted up.”

5. Aloe vera

“Aloe are easy succulents that come in a variety of shapes and sizes. Most like full light and not too much water or humidity. Aloe vera has gel inside it’s leaves that can be used to cool and soothe skin.”

The best indoor plants for health – Conclusion

All of these plants listed above can be found very easily in garden centres and even supermarkets sometimes. I would recommend buying your plants from a garden centre however, as they are usually from better quality suppliers and have been cared for while sitting in the shop. A lot of supermarkets tend to buy their plants and then leave them on the shelves with no care and attention until they have been bought or have died.

So maybe this can be your self-care task for today. Pop out and get yourself a lovely bright green plant to start refreshing the air in your house and improving your wellbeing.

Resources: Royal Horticultural Society and The Garden Magazine

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