Indoor Plants For Health: The Excuse You Need To Buy More

Indoor plants have always been a nice touch in home decor, but over the past few years, it seems like people have been adding plants to their homes literally by the dozens.

I admired it from afar but was absolutely against spending a ton of money on something that would require me to take care of it all the time.

As my desire to create a space that contributed to my wellness and happiness grew, I started warming up to the idea of getting a few affordable plants to place around my apartment.

I wanted that welcoming feeling that greenery can bring ...and to really make my place feel like my own.

After scrolling past hundreds of adorable Instagram plant inspo pics, I officially gave in one day when I was on a maniac shopping spree at IKEA. There I was, surrounded by hundreds of cute plants, with all of my home decor dreams within reach.

So the purchase was almost inevitable.

I picked up a few small plants that day at IKEA, but I've learned since that plants can actually have health benefits, and aren't just nice finish touches on home decor.

If you want to pick out plants that double as cute and healthy, take a look at this list of useful plants!

Anyone desperately searching for an excuse to buy more plants can rejoice—there are actually tons of health benefits to indoor plants.

If I was going to argue it, I'd basically say that every plant can benefit you in some way. They all have something of value to provide.

And the best indoor plants for health sort of fall into a few major categories. First, let's look at some of those broad benefits of indoor plants and then read on for the list of 8 great plants to get on your next shopping trip!

What Are The Health Benefits Of Plants?

In general, taking care of plants gives you a sense of responsibility for something, makes you feel accomplished, and brighten up any space that they're placed in. But there is more of a science to it, too!

Indoor plants are good for:

• collecting dust and other allergens

• purifying the air of pollutants

• adding more oxygen—which is always good and could also help you sleep better!

• aromatherapy

• improving moods- bright blooms always make ya smile!

• cooking with or using to make natural products

I always say that the setup and decorations in your home can have a huge effect on your overall health.

When it comes to the benefits of indoor plants, there's actual science to back it up (like photosynthesis, for example). So plant decor is no exception when thinking about home wellness.

On this blog, we love everything that looks good and makes you better at the same time, so here are 8 indoor plants that are super trendy and can make you feel better.

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8 Indoor Plants That Are Good For Your Health

1) Aloe Vera

I've always loved Aloe plants- we had a few in my home growing up.

This plant helps to remove harmful pollutants in the air and gives back a lot of oxygen. Like other succulents, it's very easy to maintain and is a beautiful, unique-looking touch for any shelf!

There are even different varieties to check out.

The Aloe Vera plant is even cooler to have around because the water it stores in its leaves can be used as a gel with various healing properties.

It can be used to accelerate healing of sores and sun burns, is thought to help skin and prevent wrinkles, and people even use it to treat dental plaque. Plus, it's a good ingredient for haircare products.

It may even have benefits when consumed!

2) Mass Cane

photo via homedepot.com

A mass cane plant is a great option for having in the house because it's

• low maintenance

• can survive against most challenges presented by indoor lighting

• is slow growing

They look like a tree, without being the size of a tree, which makes for amazing indoor decoration if you ask me.

According to the NASA Clean Air Study, the mass cane plant is one of the best indoor plants for health because it's a good air purifier. It helps remove formaldehyde in the air.

This article gives more detailed information on caring for your mass cane.

3) Dumb Cane

At one time my most favorite plant that I owned, the Dumb Cane is just so leafy and aesthetic for almost any decor style.

I absolutely love the color of this plant and the way it brightens up the room.

While this plant is good for air purification, it does come with an important note. The Dumb Cane gets its name from its poisonous sap, which if consumed can leave vocal cords numb temporarily.

Due to this, it's not recommended for those with small children or pets who might chew on the leaves. So keep it out of reach!

4) Snake Plant

Snake plants are one of the best indoor plants because of their low maintenance and durability.

Plus, the tall, patterned leaves make a bold statement in any room.

These plants are great for air purification because they are one of the few plants that continue to produce oxygen even after the sun goes down.

They can help remove toxins in the air.

They make a great bedroom plant because having more clean oxygen is great for a restful sleep.

When darkness falls and you tuck into bed, the snake plant continues to work and clean the air around you, although you'll probably need a few to make a real effect. You're welcome—that's me telling you that you need to buy more snake plants.

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5) Gerbera Daisies

Brighten up your kitchen or office with a gerbera daisy!

They come in a variety of colors, so you can pick a color that you love and make your space feel even more like home. The colorful addition might make you smile more and improve your mood.

This plant is effective at removing trichloroethylene and benzene from the air, which are harmful pollutants that enter the home from doing laundry or printing with ink.

By the way, that's crazy, because these are basic, everyday things that happen in a home!

6) Spider Plant

Not so great of a name, but really great plant for a funky, yet classy, addition to any room. (I guess snake plant isn't a great name either.)

The double color on some varieties of snake plants is a nice way to brighten up and add texture to any room design! These are good plants for health are also good for air purification and are good for regulating air humidity.

Not sure if you picked up on the trend yet, but plants are great for improving the air quality in your home or stuffy apartment!

7) Ivy

I absolutely love the look of Ivy—gently cascading out of a hanging basket or down the side of a shelf. It's a really nice way to complete any boho look.

It gives me an old cozy library vibe.

Plus, Ivy is also thought to be good for health!

Typically an invasive species outdoors, Ivy grown indoors is more controlled.

The downside of indoor English Ivy specifically is that it is poisonous to house pets (and us, but we're less likely to give it a nibble).

Ivy is thought to also be good for purifying the air of pollutants, but most notably was proven to reduce mold in this study. That's super cool!

8) Lavender or Eucalyptus

If you're looking to add some color to your home, the light purple of lavender is fun and cheerful, yet calming.

Lavender has a great smell, as I'm sure you know. Adding a nice relaxing fragrance to your home might help with improving your mood and keeping you more relaxed.

I picked up this simple bundle at Trader Joe's for really cheap. It lasts basically as long as you want it to, and the scent usually lasts forever.

Eucalyptus is another bundle that can make your home more relaxing because of its amazing scent. You can buy it fresh and it'll dry nicely wherever you keep it. I love putting it in the shower!

Get Decorating With Healthy Indoor Plants

Don't all thank me at once!

If I'm wrong and this wasn't the excuse you needed to go buy more indoor plants, then I'll just use it as my own excuse. I'm feeling re-inspired and I'll at least need to go pick up a tiny one.

Before you head out, what are some of your favorite indoor plants to decorate with? Leave a comment and let me know!

If the plants in your house are in any way shape or form making you feel better about your space, I say that they're good for your health. But hey, if you needed another reason to go back to the plant store, I hope this article gave you the excuse you were looking for!

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