9 Indoor Plants for Health and Why They Are Beneficial for Your Home or Office

May 31, 2023

Tired of a dull and lifeless workspace? Picture your go-to spot for work, reading, and unwinding transforming into a lush green oasis. Indoor plants don't just amp up the visual appeal; they also bring incredible health benefits.

These green companions can not only add beauty to your space but may also contribute to your overall well-being. 

In this article, we'll introduce you to nine great indoor plants for health and explain why they are beneficial for your home or office.

Table of Contents

Do Indoor Plants Improve Your Health?

Yes! Indoor plants offer numerous benefits for your health and well-being, including

  • Acting as natural air purifiers
  • Improving air quality by filtering out toxins; and
  • Releasing oxygen

Additionally, plants have a positive impact on mood and can reduce stress levels. Their presence creates an enjoyable living environment, adding a touch of nature to counterbalance the sterility of indoor spaces.

Botanica Floral + Home sells a variety of plants, blooms, and botanicals that can be added to your home or office so you can reap the health benefits of their beauty.

Click here to shop our floral delivery Portland/Vancouver Metro area today!

How Indoor Plants Benefit Your Health

Indoor plants offer a plethora of health benefits, making them an excellent addition to any home or workplace:

  • Air purification: Indoor plants act as natural air purifiers, removing harmful toxins and pollutants from the environment. They absorb carbon dioxide and release oxygen through photosynthesis, resulting in cleaner and fresher air to breathe. Plants like spider plants, snake plants, and peace lilies are particularly effective in filtering out common indoor pollutants such as formaldehyde, benzene, and xylene.
  • Improved mood and reduced stress: The presence of indoor plants has a soothing effect on our mental well-being. Research suggests that being around plants can reduce stress levels and improve mood. The vibrant colors, textures, and natural beauty of plants create a calming and relaxing atmosphere, promoting a sense of tranquility and happiness.
  • Increased oxygen levels: Plants are nature's oxygen generators. By releasing oxygen during photosynthesis, they help increase oxygen levels in indoor spaces. This boost in oxygen supply can enhance brain function, improve attention, focus, and concentration, and leave you feeling more alert and energized.
  • Removal of volatile organic compounds (VOCs): Indoor environments often harbor volatile organic compounds (VOCs) emitted by common household items, such as paints, carpets, and cleaning products. Indoor plants have the remarkable ability to absorb these VOCs, including formaldehyde, toluene, and ammonia, thus improving indoor air quality and reducing the potential health risks associated with prolonged exposure to such compounds.
  • Promotion of humidity and microbiome diversity: Some indoor plants, such as ferns and areca palms, help increase humidity levels by releasing moisture into the air. This can be particularly beneficial in dry climates or during the winter months when indoor heating systems can lead to dry air. Additionally, the presence of plants contributes to a healthier microbiome diversity within indoor spaces. They create a more balanced and thriving ecosystem, which can positively impact our immune system and overall well-being.

Numerous studies, including the notable NASA Clean Air Study, have demonstrated that certain plants effectively remove toxic agents from the air, making indoor environments healthier and more conducive to human health. 

Other notable studies have shown that workplaces with greenery experience increased employee productivity, reduced absenteeism, and lower levels of complaints and sickness.

The 9 Best Indoor Plants for Health Benefits and Air Purification

#1: Spider Plant

Spider plants(Chlorophytum comosum) are excellent choices for offices with limited natural light. 

They also:

  • Have long, arching leaves with green and white stripes, adding a touch of elegance to your workspace.
  • Are relatively low-maintenance and can tolerate a range of lighting conditions, including low light. 
  • Prefer indirect sunlight but can thrive under fluorescent office lights.

Spider plants are non-toxic to both pets and humans, making them a safe choice for households or offices with furry friends. 

These plants are known for their air-purifying abilities, effectively removing toxins like formaldehyde, xylene, and carbon monoxide from the air. By improving indoor air quality, spider plants can create a healthier and more pleasant work environment.

Here’s how to best care for spider plants:

  1. Water them thoroughly, allowing the soil to dry out slightly between waterings.
  2. Use well-draining soil and keep at average room temperature. 
  3. Propagate the “spiderettes”, or offshoots, that are produced.

#2: Snake Plant

Snake plants (Sansevieria):

  • Are well-suited for offices with little to no natural light
  • Have upright, sword-like leaves that come in various shades of green
  • Are known for their resilience and ability to thrive in low-light conditions

In addition to their low-light tolerance, snake plants are highly efficient at purifying the air. To improve indoor air quality, they remove toxins such as:

  • Formaldehyde
  • Benzene
  • Trichloroethylene, and
  • Xylene

Snake plants are also renowned for their ability to convert carbon dioxide into oxygen, making them ideal companions for windowless offices.

Snake plants are considered mildly toxic if ingested by pets or humans, so it's essential to keep them out of reach. However, their toxicity level is relatively low, and severe reactions are rare. 

Snake plants are relatively low-maintenance. To best care for snake plants:

  1. Water them sparingly, allowing the soil to dry out between waterings. 
  2. They can withstand a wide range of temperatures, so they can be kept nearly anywhere.

#3: Ferns

With their lush foliage and air-purifying qualities, ferns bring a touch of nature's tranquility and health benefits into your living or working space. 

Ferns:

  • Prefer moist soil, so it's important to water them regularly, keeping the soil evenly moist but not waterlogged. 
  • Thrive in indirect light conditions, away from direct sunlight.
  • Prefer temperatures between 60°F and 75°F. 

When it comes to toxicity, ferns are generally non-toxic to pets and humans, making them a safe choice for households with furry friends. 

They are natural humidifiers, increasing the moisture levels in the air and creating a more comfortable indoor environment. Additionally, ferns help purify the air by removing toxins such as formaldehyde, xylene, and other volatile organic compounds (VOCs), promoting cleaner and fresher air quality. 

#4: Pothos

Pothos, also known as Devil's Ivy, is a versatile plant that thrives in a variety of conditions. 

Pothos plants:

  • Require moderate watering, allowing the soil to partially dry between waterings.
  • Can tolerate a wide range of lighting conditions, from low to bright indirect light, making them adaptable to different indoor environments. 

One important thing to note is that Pothos is toxic to pets and humans if ingested, so it's essential to keep it out of reach. 

However, despite its toxicity, Pothos offers several benefits, including:

  • Improved air quality
  • Increased oxygen production
  • Natural humidification
  • Reduced stress and anxiety  

It is an excellent air purifier, effectively removing toxins from the surrounding air. 

Additionally, Pothos has beautiful trailing vines, making it a visually appealing addition to your indoor space.

#5: Dracaena

Dracena plants are known for their variety and resilience. Dracaena plants:

  • Have different watering needs depending on the species, but most prefer moderate watering, allowing the soil to partially dry between waterings. 
  • Can tolerate a range of lighting conditions, from low to bright indirect light, but they thrive best in medium to bright indirect light.
  • Are excellent air purifiers, effectively removing toxins such as formaldehyde from the air. 

With their beautiful foliage and air-purifying properties, Dracaena plants create a refreshing and healthy atmosphere in your home or office.

#6: English Ivy

English Ivy thrives with moderate watering and prefers bright, indirect light conditions. It can tolerate temperatures between 50°F and 70°F. 

Along with its beautiful trailing vines, English Ivy is an excellent air purifier, helping to remove toxins from the air, like:

  • Benzene
  • Formaldehyde
  • Xylene; and 
  • Trichloroethylene

Please be cautious as English Ivy is toxic to pets and humans if ingested. 

#7: Peace Lily

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Peace Lilies are beautiful and easy-to-care-for plants that thrive with moderate watering. They prefer to be kept evenly moist, but not soggy or waterlogged. Peace Lilies can tolerate low to moderate light conditions, but they bloom best in bright indirect light.

It's important to note that while Peace Lilies add elegance to any space, they can be toxic if ingested by pets or humans, so caution should be exercised. However, the benefits they offer make them a popular choice. 

Peace Lilies are excellent air purifiers, removing POCs from the air. Additionally, they increase humidity levels, which can be beneficial in dry indoor environments. 

With their lush foliage and beautiful white blooms, Peace Lilies can bring a sense of calm and improve the air quality in your home or office.

#8: Rubber Plant

In addition to their attractive large leaves, Rubber Plants effectively remove toxins like formaldehyde from the air, making them valuable for improving indoor air quality.

Rubber Plants require moderate watering and prefer bright, indirect light conditions — they can tolerate temperatures between 60°F and 75°F. 

It's important to note that Rubber Plants can be toxic to pets and humans if ingested.

#9: Areca Palm

Areca palms, also known as Butterfly Palms, are beautiful tropical plants that require specific care to thrive:

  • They prefer moderate watering, keeping the soil evenly moist but not waterlogged. 
  • They thrive in bright indirect light but can tolerate lower light conditions. 

In addition to its aesthetic appeal, the Areca Palm is known for its exceptional air-purifying properties, effectively removing toxins from the air. 

The lush foliage of the Areca Palm also acts as a natural humidifier, increasing moisture levels in the surrounding air, which can be particularly beneficial in dry indoor environments.

Trust Botanica Floral + Home To Help You Choose the Best Indoor Plants for Good Health in Your Home or Workplace

Choosing the right indoor plants for your home or workplace can be a daunting task, especially if you're unsure about your green thumb abilities or the specific needs of different plant species — that’s where Botanica Floral + Home comes in.

 

With our expertise in floral and plant arrangements, we can guide you in selecting the best indoor plants for your space, ensuring both aesthetic appeal and health benefits.

We also offer indoor plant installations for your home and work place as well as weekly watering and maintenance services. 

Whether you're a seasoned plant enthusiast or a beginner with little experience, Botanica Floral + Home's knowledgeable team can provide personalized recommendations based on:

  • Personal preferences
  • Lighting conditions of your space 
  • Personal commitment to plant care
  • And more

We understand the unique characteristics of each plant species and can help you find the perfect match for your home or workplace.

Not only will Botanica Floral + Home assist you in selecting the ideal indoor plants, but we will also share valuable insights on plant care, including:

  •  Watering schedules
  • Light requirements
  • Any additional considerations necessary for the well-being of your chosen plants

With our support, you can create a thriving indoor garden that promotes both health and aesthetic appeal.

Check out Botanica Floral + Home to see if we can help you curate a green sanctuary within your living or working space.

Click here to shop our floral delivery Portland/Vancouver Metro area today!