How Indoor Plants and Biophilic Design Can Support Mental Health

Biophilic design, which has been gaining steam in recent years, is an interior design and architectural approach that’s all about elements pulled straight from nature. Think: natural materials like stone and wood, color palettes inspired by outdoor environments, and windows that let in plenty of sunlight. Some studies have found that biophilic design can have a positive impact on those experiencing depression and can improve health outcomes.

A huge part of biophilic design is the integration of houseplants throughout spaces, and research often suggests that houseplants have their own special magic when it comes to mental health. A 2022 study found that growing and caring for houseplants in urban China bettered mental wellbeing and mindfulness. Another study cited that indoor plants were associated with relaxed physiological responses and improved cognition among participants.

I began weaving more houseplants into my home, and more specifically, my office where I spend a lot of my daytime hours. Here’s what happened:

• Connection to the outdoors. I have a desk job that I love, but on those lovely sunny days, I can’t help but long to be outside. I find that my houseplants bring the outdoors in, providing an instant link to nature.
• Decreased anxiety. I deal with a lot of anxiety, and there really is something therapeutic about being around plants. While more research is needed, studies generally point to a relationship between houseplants and reduced feelings of anxiety.
• Increased creativity. Although color helps boost creative juices, I’m more of a neutral palette gal. But I have found that those pops of green throughout my office make me feel more creative and alive.
• Less winter blues. Every winter, I deal with Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD). Having all that greenery in my home makes me feel less bummed about all the snow outside.

I can attest that the findings from the studies done so far ring true, at least in my case: houseplants have a positive impact on my mental health. My winter depression lifts a little, my anxiety goes down as soon as I’m around them, and I feel more enlightened by them, particularly when I’m working in my office.

Now, there’s a growing body of research that points to a connection between caring for plants and mental health benefits. One randomized study found that young adults who transplanted an indoor plant felt more comfortable and soothed afterward, and showed signs of a calmer stress response, including lower diastolic blood pressure. But as I said, I’m not much of a green thumb. I’ll totally admit that while I do some simple, minimal care for these plants, my amazing husband is the one that does the bulk of the plant caretaking. But I’m learning! And I’ll say that I do feel some therapeutic vibes every time I give them a drink of water.

1. Start Small

   It’s easy to get gung-ho about houseplants. Going to a greenhouse or garden center can feel euphoric to say the least, with all those aromas of plants and dirt around you. And you’ll likely want to take them all home. But don’t overwhelm yourself as you begin to care for these plants. Start with a couple and go from there.

2. Embrace “Unkillable” Houseplants

   I’m a big fan of “unkillable” houseplants, as they call them, since for the most part, you can skimp on their care or outright forget about them and they still manage to stay alive. While caring for houseplants can benefit mental health, you may have a string of hard days that leave you with no motivation to care for your plants. That’s why it’s smart to go with hardy Snake Plants and Spider Plants, especially when you’re first starting out.

3. Put Them in Spaces Where You Spend a Lot of Time

   The majority of my plants are in my office, where I spend my weekdays. This is where I experience the majority of those good mental health feels from my plants, and can get my creativity going. Think about where you spend most of your time at home and showcase your plants in those spaces.

4. Don’t Count Out “Faux” Plants

   OK, so those mental health boosts come from the fact that plants are living things. It’s nice to be surrounded by living things and it feels good to care for them. But let’s be realistic. If you’re having a depressive episode, in the middle of an OCD spike, or have been dealing with a string of panic attacks, your plants might be the last thing on your mind. So, do what I do and turn to a mix of real and faux plants. If I had nothing but real plants in my home, I’d have to spend my entire Sunday watering them (between real and faux, I probably have at least 50 plants). Faux plants give you grace as you ride out those mental health storms, and you can still enjoy those bursts of green and nods to nature.

This article reflects personal experiences and general information. It is not intended as medical advice or a substitute for professional care.