3 Unexpected Benefits of Living With Plants

Sep 17, 2024nate

Most urban gardeners already appreciate the obvious perks of growing their own food — it's fresher, more nutritious, tastier, and you control how it's grown. But did you know that living with plants offers even more benefits? Studies show that interacting with plants improves focus, reduces stress, and even enhances physical health. Let's dive in!

Improved Focus & Attention

Simply being around plants can significantly boost your ability to focus. Research has shown that green spaces reduce symptoms of ADD and ADHD in children (1). For adults, even having a view of plants can improve cognitive performance and help restore attention fatigue (2, 3, 4, 5). This is due to the soothing, restorative effect of plants, which helps us regain our mental sharpness and productivity.

Reduced Stress & Anxiety

Had a rough day? Spending time with plants might be just what you need! Research shows that plants can boost positive emotions and reduce anxiety:

Views of plants lower anxiety and stress levels (6, 7, 8)
Gardening is even more powerful — studies show that 30 minutes of gardening reduces stress more than reading (11)

Enhanced Physical Health

If boosting your focus and reducing stress weren't enough, plants can also enhance your physical health:

Hospital patients recovering around plants need fewer painkillers and are released sooner (12)
Classroom and workplace studies show a 21-34% reduction in health symptoms when plants are present (13, 14)
Seniors who live near green spaces even tend to live longer (15, 16) — maybe it's time to gift Grandma a Hydroponic Kit for the holidays!

Humans have been growing plants indoors for over 2,000 years, with evidence dating back to Egyptian history and the ruins of Pompeii (17). Many believe we have an innate need to connect with nature (18).

Here at Urban Leaf, we focus on reconnecting people with their food sources and encouraging mindful food choices. If there’s anything we can do to make this easier for you, let us know!

References

A. Faber-Taylor, F.E. Kuo, W.C. Sullivan. Coping with ADD: The surprising connection to green play settings. Environ. Behav., 33 (2001), pp. 54–77
R. Kaplan, S. Kaplan. The Experience of Nature: A Psychological Perspective. Cambridge University Press (1989)
T. Hartig, M. Mang, G.W. Evans. Restorative effects of natural environment experiences. Environ. Behav., 23 (1991), pp. 3–26
T. Hartig et al. Tracking restoration in natural and urban field settings. J. Environ. Psychol., 23 (2003), pp. 109–123
N.M. Wells. At home with nature: Effects of "greenness" on children’s cognitive functioning. Environ. Behav., 32 (2000), pp. 775–795
R.S. Ulrich et al. Stress recovery during exposure to natural and urban environments. J. Environ. Psychol., 11 (1991), pp. 201–230
C.-Y. Chang, P.-K. Chen. Human responses to window views and indoor plants in the workplace. HortScience, 40 (2005), pp. 1354–1359
S.-H. Park, R.H. Mattson. Effects of flowering plants in hospital rooms on surgical recovery. HortTechnology, 18 (2008), pp. 563–568
K. Dijkstra et al. Stress-reducing effects of indoor plants. Preventive Medicine (2008)
E. Kim, R.H. Mattson. Stress recovery from viewing red-flowering geraniums. Journal of Therapeutic Horticulture, 13 (2002), pp. 4–12
Van Den Berg, A.E., & Custers, M.H.G. Gardening promotes neuroendocrine and affective restoration. Journal of Health Psychology (2011)
S.-H. Park, R.H. Mattson. Therapeutic influences of plants in hospital rooms. HortScience, 44 (2009)
Fjeld, T. The effect of interior planting on health among workers and school children. HortTechnology (2000)
Fjeld et al. The effect of indoor foliage plants on health among office workers. Indoor and Built Environment (1998)
Tanaka et al. Health levels influenced by urban residential conditions in a megacity. Urban Studies, 33 (1996)
Takano et al. Urban residential environments and senior citizens' longevity. Journal of Epidemiology and Community Health (2002)
G.H. Manaker. Interior Plantscapes: Installation, Maintenance, and Management (3rd ed.)
S.R. Kellert. Building for Life: Designing and Understanding the Human-Nature Connection. Island Press (2005)