Interior Plants

Plants in our homes, offices, hospitals, shopping malls and other interior settings go beyond just their aesthetic appeal and are actually physically and mentally beneficial to people. The belief that plants and natural settings can positively stimulate the psychological well-being in humans has been around for thousands of years.

During the middle ages elaborate plantings were created as a way to produce soothing environments for the ill. For centuries sensorial gardens for meditation have been an integral part of eastern culture. It is obvious that the immediate environment in which we live and work is linked to our state of mind, mood and stability. In recent years considerable academic research as to the positive effects of plants on people has been carried out.

Studies suggest office workers in a green environment are sick less often, have higher spirits and are less fatigued than workers in a plant-free or sterile environment. In addition, heath care facilities report patients exposed to plants and natural settings are less stressed and feel less anxious, contributing to a faster recovery and a more pleasant care experience. Experts theorize the reason plants have so many positive effects on people is because for the past two million years we have evolved with and have settled around clusters of vegetation. Therefore, plants may still signify on a subconscious level food, water, shelter and protection; thus increasing survival.

Interior foliage has also been proven to purify polluted air, which can be up to three times worse than outside air. Research by NASA concludes that common houseplants can effectively reduce the amount of contaminants found in the indoor air supply. Furthermore, plants have the ability to influence humidity thus hampering dust particles and lessening minor respiratory discomforts normally associated with overly dry conditions.

It is clear that plants add value far exceeding their visual appeal. In a world where most of our time is spent indoors and faced with overcrowded conditions, plants give us a much-needed break from our artificial surroundings and remind us of the kind of environment we evolved from. Todays innovations in modern plant care make it easy for anybody to keep healthy container plants. A green environment starts in our own home!