I’ve spent years growing and looking after a variety of houseplants. And doing so has allowed me to see how positive an impact they can have on peoples mental health.
Beyond the fact they simply look good certain plants can give us benefits in other ways. Things like improving our mood, making us calmer and helping with stress.
So if you’re looking for some houseplants that can support your mental health and maybe destress your life then the following options are all great. Take a look through this list and you’re bound to find a plant that can help in some way.
1. Lavender
Lavender is well known for its scent which has been shown to help with anxiety and make you feel more relaxed. Putting a lavender plant in your home can bring down your stress levels and make the whole atmosphere more calm.
2. Jasmine
Jasmines sweet aroma isn’t just pleasant but it’s also been linked to better sleep and improving anxiety. So having a jasmine plant in your bedroom can help with getting a more restful nights sleep.
3. Snake Plant
Also often known as mother in laws tongue, snake plants are easy to care for and good at purifying the air in our homes. Cleaner air will help with cognitive function and generally feeling better.
4. Peace Lily
Peace lilies can increase the humidity in your home and this can help to make respiratory problems less likely to occur. Having a healthier home will make your mood and energy levels better.
5. Aloe Vera
Aloe Vera has medicinal properties and can soothe skin irritations. But on top of that it is simply a lovely plant to care for and look after. Caring for a plant like Aloe Vera can give you a sense of purpose and responsibility.
6. Spider Plant
Spider plants are excellent at removing toxins from the air and so make your home fresher. They’re also very easy to propagate which is a great way to get new plants.
7. Rosemary
Aside from using it in cooking rosemary’s scent has been found to improve peoples memory and concentration. So keeping a rosemary plant on your desk could help to boost your brain when you’re studying or working.
8. English Ivy
English ivy is great at getting rid of airborne mold, which can make the air quality better and reduce potential allergens. Having a healthier home is only going to make everything more comfortable and improve your clarity.
9. Chrysanthemum
Chrysanthemums are beautiful flowers that brighten any home but also improve our mood. They can help to keep us relaxed and make us less worried and anxious.
10. Pothos
Pothos is a tough plant that can grow and do well in lots of conditions, which makes it a great choice for beginners. Its lovely green leaves can make the home more calm and relaxed reducing your anxiety.
11. Rubber Plant
Rubber plants have big and glossy leaves that lol fantastic in most places in our homes. It makes the air quality better too and helps with our mood.
12. Gerbera Daisy
Gerbera daisies are gorgeous to look at but also purify the air too. Their bright flowers and blooms can lift your mood.
13. Lemon Balm
Lemon balm has a pleasant scent that reduces stress and improves mood. It makes for a great addition to any herb garden you’re growing indoors.
14. ZZ Plant
ZZ plants are easy to care for and don’t need much upkeep. They grow well without much light and are so tough they can remind you of how to adapt and be resilient in the face of challenges, all things which can help with your mental health.
15. Boston Fern
Boston ferns are another plant that purify the air. They can also help to increase the humidity levels and with your respiratory health.
16. Bamboo Palm
Bamboo palms are great at filtering pollutants from the air in your home. They are a very graceful plant too and can make your home feel more tranquil.
17. Orchid
Orchids are very popular and one of the most elegant plants. They bloom for long periods of time and so you get to enjoy their beauty for years. Looking after one can give you a sense of joy and accomplishment.
18. Sage
Sage is traditionally known and used for cleansing. Growing it indoors can give your home a feeling or clarity and purification.
19. Mint
Mints strong scent can help with focus. It also fantastic when added to read and other dishes. So helps with mental health and makes food and drinks tastier.
20. Fiddle Leaf Fig
Fiddle leaf fig has large leaves that make a real statement in any of your homes rooms. Caring for this plant can give you a sense of routine and responsibility.
21. Gardenia
Gardenias have beautiful scented white flowers which can relax and calm you. They can improve your mood and make your home feel more peaceful.
22. Chinese Evergreen
Chinese evergreen plants are great for beginners as they’re tough and don’t need much in the way of looking after. Their large leaves look good in any spot of your home and as they can filter the air they help with having a cleaner house.
23. Calathea
Often called the “prayer plant” because its leaves move up and down throughout the day. It may sound silly but watching those leaves moving in a rhythm can be almost meditative and bring you closer to nature even indoors.
24. Philodendron
Philodendrons leaves feel warm and inviting in any room. It’s an easy to care for plant and grows quickly. Because of this it makes for a great companion to help reduce stress as you care for it and watch it thrive.
25. Monstera
Monstera has very identifiable split leaves and is a plant that gets everyone’s attention. Taking care of it can help focus the mind and improve anxiety.
26. Golden Barrel Cactus
If you struggle to keep plants alive then a cactus might be perfect for you. The Golden Barrel Cactus is incredibly easy to look after doesn’t need much in the way of maintenance. In fact it quite likes neglect! It adds some personality and calm to your home.
27. Dracaena
Dracaena plants come in lots of different shapes and sizes making them a good choice for any home. They’re also another great one for purifying the air which makes for a healthier home.
28. Oxalis
Oxalis has amazing purple triangular leaves that open and close with the light. It’s very dynamic and interesting and makes for a great stress reliever.
29. Bird’s Nest Fern
Bird’s Nest Fern’s wavy, green leaves give a real tropical feel to your home. It does well in low light and high humidity so makes a good choice for bathrooms and let’s you start and end your day with some calm.
Creating the Perfect Mental Health Plant Haven
Now you know which houseplants can help with your mental health these few tips will let you make the most of them:
- Choose the right spot: Put your plants where you spend most of your time like your desk, bedroom or living room.
- Keep it manageable: Begin with one or two if you’re new to houseplants. You don’t need too many right away. Even one or two plants can make a difference.
- Learn their needs: Each plant has its own preferences for things like light, water and care. Getting a good understanding of those will make sure you look after them well and they will continue to help you.
- Make it personal: Surround yourself with plants you actually enjoy. It might be as simple as how they look, their scent, how they growth etc. your connection with them matters.
Final Thoughts
Houseplants are not just decoration. They can bring genuine benefits for your mental health.
It doesn’t matter what you’re looking for them to do: reduce the stress in your life, improving your air quality or just enjoy caring for something, plants have an amazing way of making our lives that little bit more peaceful.
