I love nature; I love being surrounded by it, whether while going for walks, having dinner al fresco or by bringing nature closer to me; that is, bringing plants into my home and workspace. Much in the same way that we have the need to connect with other people, plants, which are also living organisms, have a way of bringing us comfort and happiness.

Although some choose to bring plants indoors simply because they love nature, in truth, there are actual health benefits to having plants indoors, both physical and mental. Whether you choose to have a houseplant in your kitchen, office space, or living room, even if merely to add some color to your space, here are the top five reasons to include some foliage in your home.

They Inspire Concentration and Focus

Surrounding your office space with some colorful leaves or flowers not only helps to inspire you, but also helps to revitalize your energy and the area in which you work. Studies have also shown that employees and students focus better in a room that contains plants, compared to those in rooms that don’t.

If you have a tendency to stare at a screen for hours on end, whether due to work, pleasure, or studies, it can help to look up at your surroundings every now and then to help relieve strained eyes.  Making said surroundings feel like a jungle or garden paradise makes it way easier to remember to do this. And hey, the better your eyes feel, the better you will be able to focus and concentrate on your work.

They Clean Your Air Naturally

Artificial air deodorizers seem to have managed to make their way out of industrial use and into our daily lives, where some people feel the need to artificially clean the air, everywhere.

Research, as conducted in the clean-air study conducted by NASA, has shown that houseplants can filter the air in your home in a natural and safe-to-breathe way. English Ivy, Peace lily, Chrysanthemum, and the Boston fern, in particular, are some of the best at absorbing formaldehyde, benzene, and trichloroethylene.  

If you suffer from allergies, particularly those from dust, indoor plants have also been known to eliminate the toxins that come from this allergen. Try golden pothos, also known as devil’s ivy, as it is considered one of the most effective air purifiers to help eliminate the buildup of dust in your home (plus, it’s extremely difficult to kill — lookin’ at you, plant novices).

They Help You Unwind

If your days are filled up with stressful moments, then surrounding yourself with some of mother nature’s friends may be the trick to help you relax. Select some plants with vibrant colors; every time you look at your new plant friend you will help release adrenaline, which in turn, will help increase your levels of energy and oxygen.

Much in the same way as exercise helps us to increase our levels of endorphins, so true is the same as having a colorful plant in your life; the endorphins will give you that natural high and help your body to relax.

They Heal Your Ailments

You’ve likely seen bottles of aloe vera during the hot months of summer, but never really given much thought to what aloe vera actually is. A fascinating gel that actually comes from the stems of its namesake plant, we typically use it to heal our sunburns and relieve the pain that is often associated with them.

Lavender, with its bright purple color and pleasant aroma, has been known to be used as a natural insect repellent. It also has anti-inflammatory properties and was used as an antiseptic in ancient times. Today, it offers relief to migraine sufferers, helps to treat anxiety, insomnia, and can even help with depression.

They Create Moisture in the Air

Cold winters require that we sometimes blast the heat in our homes, only then to suffer from the dryness that comes with doing so. Our skin gets itchy, our hair becomes a staticky mess, and we end up buying special and costly shampoos, creams and even humidifiers to no avail.

Plants naturally release moisture in the air; they have pores on the bottom of the leaves which transpire, or in other words, sweat out the much-needed moisture we crave. Try adding some plants in your home to help save you money and create a naturally moist environment.

Phase 2: Surround Yourself with Plants

Now that we have convinced you that you need to have some indoor plants in your life, you may be asking, “but what kind of plants?” Some of you may even be shaking your head likely afraid that you will kill any plant that you bring into your home. It’s okay, I hear you, but I promise you there are a variety of plants from which to choose that you will be covered on all possible expectations.

First, you will want to consider the environment for your little or big plant. Second, you will want to take into account your familiarity with plant life and what you think you can handle with regards to taking proper care of it.

For the Novice Plant Parent

These plants are for those who have always had the desire to have a plant or two inside their home or office, but every time they have tried, disaster ensued. Spider plants or golden pothos, also known as devil’s ivy, are the two best options for the newbie plant owner.

Spider plants can be conveniently placed in hanging baskets, away from animals and small children, are non-toxic and have a variety of species you can choose from. In some cases, they will produce white blossoms and only need to be watered two to three times a week.

Devil’s ivy can grow up to 8 feet long, so keep that in mind if you decide to go for this variety of plant. While it is toxic to animals, this plant will help to eliminate the air toxins which you breathe. Easy to maintain, simply give it some water whenever the soil is dry and trim the tendrils whenever you feel it is getting a little too big for your liking.

A Little Extra Care

These variety of plants are easy to keep alive but may require a little bit more patience and maintenance than the first two.

Dracaenas have a large variety of shapes, colors, and sizes to choose from, but they are toxic to animals and therefore should be kept out of the way of pets. To care for this plant, you will need to keep the soil damp, but make sure not to overwater it.  

Chrysanthemums or “mums” are great for helping to purify the air thanks to the bloom of their flowers that last about six weeks. You can choose to fertilize the plant in the spring again, or you can always choose to buy a new plant. Unfortunately, this plant is also toxic to pets so keep it out of reach from your animals and make sure to keep the soil moist.

Intermediate Care

Remember the peace lily we mentioned earlier as being one of the top plants to help purify your air? Well, this type of plant is also relatively easy to maintain. You do have to be careful with offering it the right amount of light in order for the flowers to bloom, as too little light will mean no flowers. Keep the soil slightly moist and keep it out of range of pets and children.

Anthurium plants give off flowers of bright colors for approximately eight weeks throughout the year. They are also known as the flamingo flower as their flowers are typically red, but they can also be found in variations of pink, white, and lavender. Make sure to also keep these away from children and pets and to keep the soil moist throughout the spring and summer, but water them less during the fall and winter.

Regular Maintenance and Care

Christmas cactus is a lovely variation of the cactus family, its flowers come in a variety of colors, from dark red to a reddish-orange, to white and even light purple. The blossoms on this variety will bloom in the mid to late part of December. After the blooming has finished you will need to pinch off sections to ensure that the plant will expand and create more blossoms for the next year. Keep the soil somewhat dry and allow for it to drain off any excess water.

Another colorful plant, the Chinese evergreen is a perennial plant (it lives for more than two years) and some variations have leaves that mix red and green together in pretty patterns. They are toxic to dogs, so keep that in mind if you have a furry friend that wouldn’t be able to leave it alone.

These plants should only be watered when the soil is almost completely dry, but they do prefer humidity and therefore require that you mist their leaves every now and then. They also should be repotted every few years.  

For Those with a Green Thumb

African violets can be a bit intimidating for even those who are familiar with regular plant care, but if you feel up for more of a challenge with rewards of pretty violet blossoms, then I urge you to give this beauty a try. When watering this plant make sure that the water is tepid and has been allowed to stand for 48 hours before you give it to your plant. Make sure to water at the base of the plant and not the foliage, as water can damage the foliage and the leaves will develop spots.

The intensity of light can also greatly affect the flowering on the African violet, so make sure to look at the foliage color before you decide on the light to provide for it. Dark green leaves require more intense light levels compared to a pale or medium green color which will need a lower level of light intensity. When the flower blooms are complete, make sure to pinch them off to encourage more flowers to blossom.

Bringing nature inside allows us to feel reconnected, eases our levels of stress, and purifies the air that we breathe. Whether you are new to the world of plants or are an expert, there is always something more to be learned and loved about houseplants. Although it can be intimidating at first, start off easy and always ask questions from the experts. Soon you will be wondering how you ever went so long without houseplants in your indoor space.