Bringing the outdoors in

Whether you prefer a parlour palm, a jungle orchid or a bunch of roses, bringing some greenery into your home can do a lot more than enhance your living space. Creating an indoor garden can deliver a variety of mental and physical health benefits.

Boost your mood

As well as looking good, a vase of flowers or a houseplant can have psychological health benefits. Surrounding yourself with nature helps to reduce cortisol levels, relieving stress and boosting your mood.

As an example, a study by the University of Sheffield and the Royal Horticultural Society found that simply adding a few plants to a bare front garden could reduce stress levels by as much as eight weekly mindfulness sessions.

A beautiful bouquet of flowers or a particularly striking houseplant can also fuel creativity and make you more productive. Just looking after a plant can deliver a real sense of purpose, with each new leaf or flower a reward for your efforts.

Cleaner air

Plants and flowers also offer physical health benefits. Thanks to their ability to filter toxins such as formaldehyde, benzene and mould spores from the air, bringing a few plants indoors can make your home a healthier place to live.

This air-purifying ability can help to reduce a wide range of health issues including headaches, eye, nose and throat irritation, and fatigue. Even NASA has looked at the benefits of plants in its Clean Air Study, which states that plants such as peace lilies, dragon trees and chrysanthemums are among the most effective at getting rid of the toxins in the air around us.

Sweet dreams

Alongside cleaning the air, the scent of some plants and flowers can make it easier to get a good night’s sleep. Many will make a room smell fresher, which creates a better sleeping space. The likes of lavender, jasmine and valerian are also known to help you relax and nod off.

It’s also worth having one of NASA’s favourites, like the peace lily, in your bedroom. These can boost humidity by up to 5%, which can make it easier to breathe while you’re asleep.

Don’t forget to think about your pets’ health when selecting greenery for your home. Some plants such as aloe vera and sago palms can be toxic to cats and dogs, so check you’re not putting them at risk.

Boosting the benefits

Understanding what your houseplants and flowers need will ensure you get the most from them, both in terms of how they look but also their health benefits.

It’s worth spending time researching details such as the amount of sunlight they like and how often they need to be watered as this will help to keep them healthy too.

Placement is another key factor in making sure they can flourish. Keep vases of flowers away from pets to avoid them being knocked over and check that your houseplants won’t cause stains on your furniture if they drop pollen or leaves. It's also worth watering them carefully to avoid any spillages.

Whether you bring the outdoors in for the health benefits or simply to create a more beautiful living space, you can protect your green oasis with Co-op Home Insurance. Check out the full policy details and get a quote online.