10 Best Indoor Plants for Health: Wellbeing and Why

10 Best Indoor Plants for Health: Wellbeing and Why

Houseplants are not only beautiful to look at, but they can also bring a wealth of benefits! 

According to NASA, they can aid your well-being by minimizing air pollution which can reduce stress, anxiety and help with depression. 

So which plants work best for your well-being and what should you choose? 

Let’s start by checking out why plants are good for your health. 

Why Are Plants Good For Your Health? 

Plants are natural air fresheners as they release oxygen but absorb carbon dioxide, which we breathe out. This symbiotic relationship can help to remove harmful toxins from the air, such as formaldehyde and benzene. 

Other research has shown how surrounding your home with houseplants can boost your mood and also help you be more creative!  

Plants can even help you stay alert and focused at work. Scientific studies have discovered that plants in the workplace reduce tension by 37% and can boost employees’ performance along with their wellbeing. 

How Do houseplants Support Health? 

Many studies have shown how interacting with indoor plants may reduce psychological and physiological stress. 

One particular study by the Journal of Physiological Anthropology describes how houseplants not only give us that glorious relaxing feeling of being surrounded by nature but also actively reduce autonomic nervous system activity. 

Reducing this activity means that hormones such as cortisol will increase resulting in higher stress levels.

The same study went on to say plants can also lower what’s known as ‘diastolic blood pressure’, this is the pressure on the walls of your arteries when your heart beats. 

Because plants are able to promote feelings of relaxation incorporating them into your life can result in a healthier blood pressure.

“The same study went on to say plants can also lower what’s known as ‘diastolic blood pressure’

1. Lavender 

Lavender oil is well known for its relaxing qualities. So it’s not surprising that a pretty lavender plant can also help to soothe and relax fractured nerves! 

Keeping lavender next to your bed in an elegant minimalist ceramic pot, can lower stress and help to promote a restful night’s sleep.

Its delicate fragrance and stylish botanical appearance will also add a style night to your surroundings! 

Lavender is also perfect to keep in your children’s room to help them feel more calm and relaxed before bed.

It prefers to sit out of direct sunlight and doesn’t like sitting in pools of water, so it will need minimal watering. 

2. Snake Plant 

The snake plant not only looks super stylish with its minimalist green foliage and its modern design, but it also makes our 10 top ten houseplants for health for a reason! 

According to Harvard University, it is one of the best plants for converting carbon dioxide into oxygen. It also helps to absorb toxins, as mentioned in the NASA research above, such as benzene and formaldehyde. 

The reason why they are such a super-charged plant for health is contained within their leaves. 

The thick spine-like leaves of the snake plant contains more photosynthesis cells which in turn convert into the more natural toxin-free fresh air! 

It does really well in direct or indirect sunlight, and it only needs a very small amount of water. 

“The reason why they are such a supercharged plant for health is contained within their leaves.”

Snake Plant

Lavendar

3. Tillandsia

The tillandsia is not only a super modern, minimalist way to bring a touch of greenery to your space but can also help remove some of the chemicals found in vinyl, solvents, and even painted surfaces.

Air plants are different from many other houseplants as they photosynthesize at night (turning carbon dioxide you breathe out, into oxygen). This can help to not only purify your surroundings but also replenish oxygen. 

As air plants are native to humid areas like rainforests, they can also successfully regulate the humidity in your home. Along with filtering airborne particles like dust. Air plants can also help you recover a little more quickly from colds and sniffles.

4. Peace Lily 

Peace Lilies are symbols of good health and are one of the most elegant house plants to decorate your space with greenery. 

The dark green leaves and beautiful white flowers are so elegant and gazing on them is enough to lift a low mood! 

The Peace Lily is also known to help filter out some of the airborne particles which are linked to respiratory conditions such as asthma or even headaches. 

The peace lily is happy in low-lit areas and doesn’t require much sunlight. It loves moist water, but just like many of the best houseplants for health, it prefers not to sit in a pool of water. 

5. Spider Plant 

Spider plants are one of the easiest plants to care for, so straight away that means more plant happiness! All the joy of bringing the outside in, without the maintenance. 

The spider plant is not only a classic green cascade but perfectly simple to engage with the plant world, which helps to lower stress and anxiety. 

Don’t have a lot of light? No worries, the snake plant thrives with low indirect light and prefers minimal watering.

Spider Plant

Peacelillies

Tillandsia

6. Aloe Vera 

Along with the snake plant, this super health-giving plant has spiny large leaves which means it produces more oxygen than many other plants. 

Along with its classic modern look, it’s not only a joy to look at, it has some super healing properties too. 

It’s fabulous for treating sunburn ( just squeeze a little from a leaf and apply to burnt areas).  It is also packed full of antioxidants which can benefit your digestive health. Its soothing skin properties mean it is useful to minimize skin complaints and also is good for oral and dental health. 

7. English Ivy 

This elegant trailing plant is perfect for purifying the air. According to research, it can help to remove up to 94 percent of airborne mold that can help to trigger allergies, such as asthma.

Although it loves humidity, it’s extremely forgiving and thrives well even under electric lighting, so it’s perfect to keep in your bedroom to provide a toxin-free area for sleeping.  

English Ivy love moist soil, and thrives best with direct and indirect sunlight.

“According to research, it can help to remove up to 94 percent of airborne mold”

Aloe vera

English Ivy

And Finally…

Here at BRAID & WOOD, we understand how a healthy lifestyle is important and hope that our pick of the best houseplants bring calm and serenity to your home and workplace! 

Don’t forget to browse our store for minimalist plant decor. 

Browse ceramic pots in shades of gorgeous neutral such as sand, salt, and gray. Get inspired with our simply stylish v hangers, plant shelves, and hangers in beautiful quality woods such as walnut and maple to make a style real statement!