Have you ever thought about why people feel more calm and relaxed whenever there are around plants? Well, research and studies state that having some form of interaction with indoor or outdoor plants can be beneficial for one’s mental and physical health. Many people tend to forget that there is more to plants other than accessorizing and brightening up space and like any other organism, plants also require some TLC and attention to flourish.

Although we may not realize it, plants mirror our own lives, for example, when a new leaf unfolds that could be symbolic of a new chapter in your life unfolding, so therefore it is important to take care of your plants the same way you would take of yourself.

Here are 3 benefits of indoor plants:

1. Improves Air Quality
Since the pandemic started, people have been spending more time indoors where the pollution can be slightly higher than the outdoors. Having indoor plants can assist in purifying the air around you. Indoor plants produce oxygen and purify the air by removing toxins and pollutants.

2. Improves Your Mental Health

A study was carried out to examine the physiological and psychological benefits of indoor plants in modern people and the results of the study suggested that active interaction with indoor plants can reduce physiological and psychological stress compared with mental work. This is made possible through the body’s promotion of comfortable, soothing, and natural feelings. Plants make you feel more calm, relaxed, and less anxious.

3. Improves Concentration and Memory

A study conducted by Exeter University in the U.K. found that indoor plants can improve concentration, productivity, and staff well-being by 47% and that plants can boost memory by up to 20%. Because of the higher levels of Carbon Dioxide indoors, it becomes more difficult to concentrate and stay focused, so the oxygen generated by indoor plants helps clear your mind and concentrate better.

If you are interested in becoming a plant parent here are a few stores that you can shop from:

JFF Rooftop Farm
JFF Rooftop Farm is a plant shop that is located at 70 Juta Street Precinct Johannesburg. They offer a curated selection of high-quality products helping you bring the green to the interior and this place is also perfect if you want to sip on a beverage on a rooftop with friends because they also offer some tea. For those not based in Johannesburg, they also have an online store.

Schäffler’s Garden Nursery
Schäffler’s Garden Nursery is located at 28 Johannesburg Rd, Lyndhurst, Johannesburg. It is a family-run business that has been running for over 20 years. This garden nursery offers a range of indoor and outdoor plants. If you’re more interested in indigenous and unusual, rare plants then this is the place for you.

Plantify
Plantify is a plant nursery that is run by a small team of plant enthusiasts based in Gardens, Cape Town. They offer on-trend, care-friendly indoor plants in gorgeous matching pots, plant sourcing services as well as indoor greening consultancy and they also have an online store available.