Healing Power of Plants

The Healing Power of Plants

They may help keep you healthy or speed recovery if you are already sick

Everyone knows that a pleasant environment can improve your mood, but research published by the People-Plant Council, an organization that studies the effects of plants on humans, goes a step further, suggesting that there are significant physical, mental, and even economic benefits to having plants in one's home or workplace. Several studies contend that plants can reduce stress, give people a sense of well-being, and even help make office workers more productive.

For instance, an investigatiomn by V.I. Lohr, a horticulturist at Washington State University, found that indoor plants raise room humidity. This good because medical studies have established that human colds occur more frequently at lower humidity levels. For both comfort and health reasons, humidity levels should be between 30 percent and 60 percent. At higher levels, molds, mildews, and moisture condensation are likely to occur.

Another atmospheric benefit was discovered in a study done in conjunction with the National Aeronautics and Space Administration. The research suggests that plants can scrub the air of certain toxins, thereby decreasing indoor air pollution.

One research project even showed that hospital patients who had flowers and plants in their rooms and windows that opened on parks or gardens often had faster recovery rates and better spirits than patients whose windows overlooked a parking lot or alley and who did not have plants.

Gardening. Picture by Elena.

Houseplants for Every Window.

How to match up a plant's light, temperature, and humidity needs to the location in your home or office that will best provide them.

North windows: Receive no direct sun – but, if unobstructed, they do receive good light. Plants grown in a shaded north window during the winter months would appreciate extra light. When choosing plants for a dark window, remember that plants with variegated leaves require more ligjht than ones with strictly green leaves. 

East and West windows: Both are excellent for growing houseplants. East windows tend to be cooler then west. If you can't grow plants in east or west windows, they should do fine in a south window – but add some shading during the day in the summer, especially for ferns.

South windows: South windows receive the most light. During the summer months they even can be too bright for many kinds of houseplants – you may need to shade them a bit. All plants, while preferring south windows, can also be grown in east or west exposures.