House Plant Benefits

Master Gardener Vicki Gee Treft writes about what she learned from a "HOUSEPLANTS" course presented by Katie Dunker from the Colorado State University Extension.  
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This post provides an impressive list of the benefits we can gain from house plants.  Future posts will provide growing tips and how to deal with pests and diseases.

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A Dracaena is an easy-care plant but beware it is toxic for  cats and dogs.   

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​It was only after WWII that houseplants became mainstream in everyday homes. As people began to spend longer hours at the office, they wanted the comforts of home. Houseplants were developed to tolerate low light levels and some neglect.
 
Currently, houseplants are seeing surge in popularity. There are several reasons for this:

• It’s a way to care for and nurture something without a large investment (think buying a house, having
  children)
• Plants require less attention than pets
• Any home can have plants, even small apartments or tiny homes
• Plants help with “self-care” and love
• Plants still give you the freedom to travel or not come home at night

Now we have research to support their benefits: 1) improved all around environmental quality, 2) psychologically links us to nature, 3) improve air quality, e.g., remove carbon dioxide, benzene, particulates, & up to 90% formaldehyde, 4) stimulates physiological and psychological relaxation response, 5) increase humidity in dry indoor conditions, from 20% to 30%, 6) supply beneficial bacteria & increase microbial diversity indoors, 7) stabilize & reduce CO2 levels, 8) each 1-percent addition of plants in a room reduces formaldehyde 6-7 percent, 9) have fewer pollutants (like volatile organic compounds)
 
IMPROVE concentration: better at home and office, tasks were more accurate and of higher quality, offering stimulation to senses and mind
 
IMPROVE HAPPINESS: reduce stress & anxiety, more optimism, resulting in being optimistic, more relaxed and happier
 
IMPROVE compassion: increase empathy & concern, healthy relationships, wanting to help others,
 
IMPROVE children in classroom: improve concentration, reduce agitation & stress, help minimize distractions

IMPROVE seniors (in group settings) quality of life: reduce anxiety & stress, allow to care for something, remembering previous positive experiences
 
FEWER sick days, Norwegian study, reduce sick time by 14%, less physical symptoms of illness
 
INCREASE medical recovery: more quickly with less pain medication, a Dutch study of recovery from stressful situation noted quicker recovery due to parasympathetic nervous system kicked in.
 
SCRUB the air clean: of toxins (formaldehyde) by bacteria growing on plant roots, also remove ozone & benzene (found in cleaning products & glue)
 
KEEP dust down: particulates decreased by 20-percent, even if plants are located on the outer perimeter of a room
 
PEOPLE respond to nature, based on experiences and learned habits.