The COVID-19 pandemic has taken its toll on people’s mental health. People may experience stress from the uncertainty of the virus, outdoor restrictions, and lack of social interactions.
Many strategies can help people cope with stress, and one of them is growing houseplants. It is one of the trends that emerged in the middle of the pandemic. For instance, Google searches for succulents increased ten times since 2010.
There are many practical reasons why people are becoming more fond of houseplants now than in the past few years.
Benefits of Houseplants
Improve Mental Well-being
Houseplants are great for the improvement of mental health. Regular interaction with plants can improve one’s mood. Also, one study found that after 30 minutes of outdoor gardening, the stress levels of participants decreased.
And many studies found that nature experience can positively affect one’s cognitive functions and memory and attention.
Improve Air Quality at Home
Plants are natural air purifiers. They improve indoor air quality. Thus, homeowners will be able to breathe easily. And this leads to many benefits. Good air quality can help people sleep better, feel happier, and reduce allergens around them.
It can also lower utility bills. Plants will balance the humidity in the home.
Give a Rewarding Feeling
Growing houseplants can be very rewarding. A person who buys houseplants commits to taking care of them by watering them regularly and interacting with them. And when plants bloom and thrive, that person can feel euphoria and a sense of accomplishment.
These feelings can make the person more motivated to care for their plants. This motivation can also pour over other tasks. If someone feels happy, they’re more likely to do well in doing other tasks.
Boost Productivity
On Instagram, people who post photos of their workspaces will often have a potted plant or two on their desks or right next to them. Houseplants not only make a workspace look aesthetically pleasing but also help people work efficiently.
Staying productive during a pandemic can be difficult. But as mentioned earlier, plants can improve attention. They can aid employees in focusing on their tasks, even when at home. Also, having plants in the workplace can increase employee productivity by 15%. This finding may be transferable to a home office since it’s become the workplace for many during the pandemic.
Gateway to Sustainable Living
Taking care of houseplants is a great way to start sustainable living. And the more that houseplant owners become more dedicated to taking care of their plants, the more conscious they will become about living sustainably.
For instance, plant parents might be more encouraged to use natural fertilizers like their own food waste to be more eco-friendly. And one sustainable decision can lead to another. After some time, a plant owner might choose to also grow a food garden to have their own food source, decrease their plastic use, and even use solar panels at home to further reduce their carbon footprint.
Popular Houseplants
Many houseplants are popular among novice plant parents because they are low maintenance and can handle some neglect, which is common among beginners. Some of these popular plants include spider plants, pothos plants, citronella plant, aloe, and snake plants, among others.
Meanwhile, some plants are popular because of their appearance. Some examples are Monstera plants, Swiss Cheese plants, and Chinese Money plants. These aesthetic plants help owners get that picturesque space worth showcasing on social media.
The popularity of houseplants is something to be thankful for. They benefit homeowners in many ways. But this is especially important when the threat of climate change is considered. If more people take part in planting, they not only improve their own well-being. In the grand scheme of things, they also contribute to helping the world address climate change.
