We all know the importance of maintaining a nutritious diet and a healthy exercise regime. But new research shows that there could be one more important ingredient needed to maximise your wellbeing – a houseplant.
According to a new study by Indoor Garden Design and the University of Exeter, houseplants in the office increase productivity by 38% and wellbeing by a staggering 47%.
This study builds on existing research proving how adding just a few houseplants to a room can dramatically improve air quality, and in turn, general health.
Plants have been proven to reduce dust in a room by a fifth, while also eliminating many toxins in our homes caused by televisions, computers, paints, and carpets.
But is winter really the best time to invest in a houseplant? Actually, winter might just be when you need one the most. A study by Dr. Tove Fjeld at the University of Agriculture in Norway showed that indoor plants can reduce fatigue, coughs, sore throats and other cold-related illnesses by more than 30%. Time to get that orchid now then!
Monique Kemperman from The Joy of Plants, a campaign run by the Flower Council, is encouraging people to bring houseplants into their lives.
‘Our goal is simple,’ she says. ‘We want to get everyone in the UK to add a houseplant to their home, office, hospital or school, which will make a significant impact to our everyday life and environment.’
Scarred from that time you managed to kill off your basil plant after just three days? Don’t fret - getting a houseplant doesn’t have to be difficult. Joy of Plants have launched a Houseplant of the Month campaign that highlights a new plant each month with easy tips on where to put it and how much water it needs- simple!