We all want our homes to be our sanctuary. What better way to cultivate wellness than by growing your very own green oasis? It turns out that filling your home with a variety of plants can help keep you healthy and happy. Plants not only purify the air but also lower stress levels and blood pressure. Some specific varieties are well known for their calm-inducing properties. By bringing the outdoors indoors, we remind ourselves of the slower pace which exists in nature, naturally.
7 Stress-Reducing Plants
Aloe Vera
Aloe Vera is far more than a remedy for sunburns. It is a natural air purifier that eliminates irritants known to impact the respiratory system and trigger a feeling of unease. Aloe thus reduces anxiety by giving you the freshest of air to breathe.
Sun | Indirect
Water | Every 2–3 weeks
Care | Easy
Chamomile
We’re all familiar with chamomile tea as a bedtime beverage, but have you ever considered growing your own? The gentle floral smell of chamomile is a calming mood booster which helps relieve stress and ensures a good night’s rest. You can even make infusions of fresh flowers or dry them for a cup of relaxing and stomach-soothing tea.
Sun | Full
Water | Once a week
Care | Easy
Snake Plants
Far less scary than their name implies, snake plants are actually a great stress relieving plant. They improve the air quality of any room by removing harmful toxins. Snake plants are also known to ease eye irritations, headaches and breathing problems. They even grow vertically, so you can save a bit of floor space!
Sun | Indirect to low
Water | Every 2 to 4 weeks
Care | Easy
Lavender
Another well-known favourite of aromatherapists, lavender is synonymous with tranquility. However, we seldom think of bringing it into our home in plant form. Lavender’s hue and calming scent are incredibly calming, to the point of inducing sleep.
If you have a sunshine-filled bathroom, making it your potted lavender’s home is a great choice—the steam from a hot shower will flood the room with lavender.
Sun | Full
Water | Every 2 weeks
Care | Medium to Easy
Basil
Fresh herbs are a great addition to any dish, but basil offers benefits far beyond taste. This plant pumps oxygen into the air for 20 hours of every day, which can reduce blood pressure, stress levels and act as a mood booster.
Sun | Full
Water | Every few days
Care | Easy
Fern
The fern is a bit like a humidifier—it puts moisture back into the air and improves the quality of it. Breathing easier leads to lower stress levels. Ferns can brighten any room; however, they do like humid environments, so keep that in mind when trying to find the perfect home for your new plant.
Sun | Indirect
Water | Once a week
Care | Medium
English Ivy
English Ivy is far more than just pretty. With vines spilling out of hanging baskets, it purifies the air thus reducing headaches and promoting a good night’s rest. It also divests homes of more than 90% of its mould.
Sun | Full to partial
Water | Twice a week
Care | Easy
Choosing the perfect anti-stress plant is easy. Whilst some carry greater mood-boosting properties than others, all plants have the capacity to help us grow. Taking the time to water, prune and repot plants requires us to step away from electronic devices and other responsibilities—an opportunity to leave worries behind for an instant. Care for it, and it will care for you.
