Houseplants Can Save Lives: 6 Proven Benefits for Health and Wellness
At Penelope’s Pondstead and Sanctuary, our work is rooted in one truth: nature heals. But that healing doesn’t require acres of pasture or a barn full of rescued animals. Sometimes, it begins with something much smaller—a houseplant on a windowsill.
From reducing airborne toxins to calming stress, the benefits of indoor plants are more than aesthetic. They’re scientifically proven, deeply healing, and sometimes even life-saving. Here’s how bringing greenery indoors can restore health, hope, and resilience—one leaf at a time.
1. Houseplants Purify Indoor Air and Remove Toxins
Indoor spaces can be more polluted than outdoor air, thanks to off-gassing from furniture, paint, and cleaning supplies. These pollutants—formaldehyde, benzene, trichloroethylene—are linked to cancer, asthma, and neurological issues.
According to NASA’s Clean Air Study, houseplants like peace lily, snake plant, and spider plant can remove up to 87% of air toxins in 24 hours [(Wolverton et al., 1989)].
Additional research confirms that soil microbes around plant roots also help break down these chemicals into safer compounds [(Sriprapat et al., 2014; Orwell et al., 2004)].
At PPANDS, we fill indoor spaces with greenery not just for beauty—but to create clean, breathable, healing air in recovery zones and shared living quarters.
2. Indoor Plants Increase Oxygen and Balance Humidity
Through photosynthesis, houseplants increase oxygen levels. Through transpiration, they also add moisture to the air. This helps maintain 40–60% indoor humidity—the range that best supports immune function and suppresses airborne viruses.
A Norwegian study showed that adding plants to office spaces reduced coughs, dry throat, and fatigue by over 30% [(Fjeld et al., 1998)]. Other studies show that viruses like influenza and SARS-CoV-2 survive longer in dry indoor air [(Noti et al., 2013; Moriyama et al., 2020)].
This is one reason we use houseplants in every indoor shelter at PPANDS—to create air that helps people breathe, recover, and stay well.
3. Houseplants Reduce Stress, Anxiety, and Depression
Mental health research consistently finds that interacting with plants lowers cortisol and improves mood. Horticultural therapy, where patients care for plants, is especially helpful for those with PTSD, anxiety, or depression.
A randomized study found that just 15 minutes of plant interaction significantly reduced sympathetic nervous activity [(Lee et al., 2015)]. Other research shows decreased agitation and improved cognition in seniors with dementia and trauma histories [(Detweiler et al., 2012)].
At PPANDS, we see this transformation every day—when a guest cares for a single mint plant and starts to rebuild routine, dignity, and purpose.
4. Plants Lower Blood Pressure and Protect the Heart
Being near greenery activates the parasympathetic nervous system, which helps lower heart rate, blood pressure, and overall stress.
In one clinical study, hospital patients exposed to plants had lower systolic blood pressure and needed less medication after surgery [(Park et al., 2008)]. Even passive exposure—just seeing plants through a window—improved recovery [(Ulrich, 1984)].
That’s why we design every room at PPANDS to include plant life: because healing isn’t just emotional—it’s physiological.
5. Edible and Medicinal Plants Build Emergency Resilience
Some houseplants are more than decor—they’re functional. Aloe vera treats burns and skin infections. Basil, oregano, and thyme have natural antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory properties. Growing microgreens or edible herbs indoors can provide nutrition during times of stress or food insecurity.
Urban agriculture research supports the use of edible houseplants as a way to build resilience in food deserts and disaster-prone areas [(Singh et al., 2021)].
This is central to our work at PPANDS—restoring sovereignty and self-reliance by teaching people to grow what they need, even in small spaces.
6. Houseplants Help Children, Elders, and Immunocompromised People
Those most vulnerable—children, seniors, and people with chronic illness—are especially affected by poor air quality and chronic stress. Greenery in care environments has been shown to improve sleep, reduce anxiety, and boost immune function [(Annerstedt & Währborg, 2011)].
Our mission at PPANDS is to protect the vulnerable—humans and animals alike. Adding plants to barns, bunkhouses, and common areas helps create spaces that nurture, regulate, and protect.
Air Purifying Indoor Plants: Safety, Ratings & Homestead Uses
This detailed indoor plant comparison table highlights the best air-purifying houseplants, including their safety for pets and humans, purification effectiveness, and additional uses for homesteaders.
| Plant Name | Purifies: | Purification Rating | Pet Safety | Human Safety | Alternative Uses |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Dracaena | Formaldehyde, Benzene, Trichloroethylene, Xylene, Toluene | Great | Not pet safe | Safe with caution | Variety of species with decorative foliage; suitable for offices. |
| Snake Plant | Formaldehyde, Benzene, Xylene, Toluene, Nitrogen Oxides | Great | Not pet safe | Safe with caution | Releases oxygen at night; suitable for bedrooms; low maintenance. |
| Peace Lily | Formaldehyde, Benzene, Trichloroethylene, Xylene, Ammonia | Great | Not pet safe | Safe with caution | Acts as a natural dehumidifier; produces elegant white flowers. |
| ZZ Plant | Formaldehyde, Xylene, Toluene | Good | Not pet safe | Safe with handling; wash hands after contact | Low maintenance; thrives in low light; used in feng shui for prosperity |
| Areca Palm | Formaldehyde, Xylene, Toluene | Good | Pet safe | Safe | Acts as a natural humidifier; adds tropical feel to interiors. |
| Spider Plant | Formaldehyde, Xylene, Toluene | Good | Pet safe | Safe | Easy to propagate; decorative hanging plant; helps reduce indoor humidity. |
| Boston Fern | Formaldehyde, Xylene | Good | Pet safe | Safe | Increases indoor humidity; suitable for bathrooms; decorative hanging plant. |
| English Ivy | Formaldehyde, Benzene, Xylene, Toluene | Good | Not pet safe | Safe with caution | Can reduce airborne mold; suitable for hanging baskets or as a climbing plant. |
| Golden Pothos | Formaldehyde, Benzene, Xylene, Toluene | Good | Not pet safe | Safe with caution | Easy to propagate; suitable for hanging baskets; thrives in low light. |
| Bamboo Palm | Formaldehyde, Benzene, Trichloroethylene, Xylene | Good | Pet safe | Safe | Adds tropical aesthetic; helps maintain indoor humidity. |
| Gerbera Daisy | Benzene, Trichloroethylene | OK | Pet safe | Safe | Brightens indoor spaces with colorful flowers; boosts mood. |
| Aloe Vera | Formaldehyde, Benzene | OK | Not pet safe | Safe for external use only | Gel used for treating burns and skin irritations; has antibacterial properties. |
| Philodendron | Formaldehyde | OK | Not pet safe | Safe with caution | Easy to care for; suitable for hanging baskets or as a climbing plant. |
| Weeping Fig | Formaldehyde, Xylene, Toluene | OK | Not pet safe | Safe with caution | Adds elegance to indoor spaces; can be shaped through pruning. |
| Chinese Evergreen | Formaldehyde, Benzene | OK | Not pet safe | Safe with caution | Tolerates low light; comes in various leaf patterns and colors. |
| Prayer Plant | Moderate CO2 and VOC absorption | OK | Pet safe | Safe | Folds leaves at night; decorative foliage with striking patterns. |
| Cast Iron Plant | Moderate VOC removal | OK | Pet safe | Safe | Extremely durable; tolerates neglect and low light. |
| Ponytail Palm | Minor formaldehyde removal | OK | Pet safe | Safe | Decorative; drought-tolerant; excellent for sunny windows. |
| Jade Plant | Limited, mostly CO2 reduction | OK | Not pet safe | Safe | Symbol of good luck and wealth; easy to propagate. |
Final Thoughts: Small Plants, Big Healing
Houseplants may seem simple. But for many people—and for many animals—they are a gateway to recovery. They clean the air, regulate the nervous system, and offer a daily rhythm of care that slowly builds resilience.
At Penelope’s Pondstead and Sanctuary, we believe that healing happens in relationship—with land, with animals, and with even the smallest forms of life. A houseplant is a quiet, consistent reminder: life grows here.
References
Wolverton, B.C., Johnson, A., & Bounds, K. (1989). Interior landscape plants for indoor air pollution abatement. NASA.
Sriprapat, W., et al. (2014). Uptake of VOCs by plants and associated microorganisms in phytoremediation. Ecotoxicology and Environmental Safety, 100, 129–136.
Orwell, R.L., et al. (2004). Removal of benzene by the indoor plant/substrate microcosm. Water, Air, and Soil Pollution, 157(1), 193–207.
Fjeld, T., et al. (1998). The effect of indoor foliage plants on health and discomfort symptoms among office workers. Indoor and Built Environment, 7(4), 204–209.
Noti, J.D., et al. (2013). High humidity leads to loss of infectious influenza virus from simulated coughs. PLOS ONE, 8(2), e57485.
Moriyama, M., et al. (2020). Seasonality of respiratory viral infections. Annual Review of Virology, 7, 83–101.
Lee, M.S., et al. (2015). Interaction with indoor plants may reduce psychological and physiological stress. J Physiol Anthropol, 34(1), 21.
Detweiler, M.B., et al. (2012). Horticultural therapy: A psychosocial intervention for veterans. HortTechnology, 22(4), 445–448.
Park, S.H., & Mattson, R.H. (2008). Therapeutic influences of plants in hospital rooms on surgical recovery. HortScience, 43(3), 581–582.
Ulrich, R.S. (1984). View through a window may influence recovery from surgery. Science, 224(4647), 420–421.
Singh, A., et al. (2021). Urban farming for food security and nutrition in a changing climate. Frontiers in Sustainable Food Systems, 5, 618155.
Annerstedt, M., & Währborg, P. (2011). Nature-assisted therapy: Systematic review of controlled and observational studies. Scandinavian Journal of Public Health, 39(4), 371–388.
