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Advantages of Indoor Gardening: Building a Happier and Healthier Home

Updated: 3 days ago



Health Benefits of Indoor Gardening

Did you know that dust, dust mites, pet debris, and even cleaning products can be sources of indoor air pollution? Indoor plants can then act as natural air purifiers by absorbing these harmful substances, simultaneously releasing oxygen. Some air-purifying plants include the peace lily, Mother-in-law’s tongue, and the Swiss cheese plant! They are capable of removing pollutants such as formaldehyde, benzene, and trichloroethylene (Noah Garden Centre, n.d.), which can be found in household items like paints and even cosmetic products (Centres for Disease Control and Prevention, 2018; Minnesota Department of Health, 2022; National Cancer Institute, n.d.). 


Humans are designed to thrive in natural environments; hence, the addition of indoor plants can stimulate our biophilia. Biophilia is characterised as our innate tendency to connect with nature and other life forms (National Parks, 2017). According to research conducted by Han et al. (2022), participants who were exposed to indoor flora were physiologically more relaxed and had improved mental health states; participants’ diastolic blood pressure and academic performance were seen to have benefitted. 


How Should I Get Started with Gardening?

Before getting any plant, knowing some basic gardening terminology is important. You can check out some of them here: https://www.gardenary.com/blog/a-beginner-s-guide-to-common-gardening-terms . Secondly, one can start with beginner-friendly plants such as a succulent or a snake plant (Homestead Brooklyn, 2017). Additionally, knowing what repotting, fertilising, and watering regimes can look like for your future indoor plants is essential to ensure that you get the appropriate plant for your home. If you have any pets, be mindful that some plants can be toxic to them; common plants, such as aloe, lilies, and tulips, can be harmful to cats and dogs (see American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals, n.d.).


Written by: Adalee Loh


07/2024



References

American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals. (n.d.). Poisonous plants. https://www.aspca.org/pet-care/animal-poison-control/toxic-and-non-toxic-plants  


Centres for Disease Control and Prevention. (2018, April 4). Facts about Benzene. https://emergency.cdc.gov/agent/benzene/basics/facts.asp# 


Han, K. T., Ruan, L. W., & Liao, L. S. (2022, June 17). Effects of indoor plants on human functions: A systematic review with meta-analyses. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, 19(12), 7454. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC9224521/ 


Homestead Brooklyn. (2017, February 20). Growing plants indoors: A beginner’s guide. https://homesteadbrooklyn.com/all/2017/1/21/growing-plants-indoors-a-beginners-guide 


Minnesota Department of Health. (2022, October 3). Formaldehyde in your home. https://www.health.state.mn.us/communities/environment/air/toxins/formaldehyde.htm 


National Cancer Institute. (2022, December 8). Trichloroethylene (TCE). https://www.cancer.gov/about-cancer/causes-prevention/risk/substances/trichloroethylene



Noah Garden Centre. (n.d.). Air purifying plants. https://www.noahgardencentre.com.sg/collections/air-purifying-plants 


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