Bhg
  • Shop
  • News
  • Food
  • DIY
  • Garden
  • Renovating
  • Decorating
  • Health
  • TV
  • Hard to Find
Bhg
  • Shop
  • News
  • Food
  • DIY
  • Garden
  • Renovating
  • Decorating
  • Health
  • TV
  • Hard to Find
Subscribe
  1. Home
  2. Better Life

This is how many plants you need per room for the biggest health benefits

It's more than you think. - by Lauren Williamson
  • 03 Apr 2018
This is how many plants you need per room for the biggest health benefits
Prudence Earl on Unsplash

New research has revealed the definitive amount of plants to add to your home for optimal health and wellbeing.

The study – funded by Hort Innovation and undertaken by the University of Melbourne and RMIT University – reviewed 101 pieces of relevant research and found that placing even one plant in a small room increases air quality by 25 per cent. The addition of two plants results in 75 percent rise in air quality and a 45 percent boost in mental wellbeing, while five or more plants offers the maximum amount of these perks.

“The benefits of plants come under two categories," Lead researcher Dominique Hes explained. 

"There’s the wellbeing benefits around higher productivity, being more relaxed, getting a better night’s sleep and being able to deal with life better. That’s because the base brain evolved in nature so when we’re connected to nature it’s more relaxed and we’re able to do those higher functions – be creative, intuitive and so forth.

“The other category is air quality, the taking out of toxins, small particulates and dust out of the air.”

According to the World Health Organisation, the health impacts of indoor air pollution are wide ranging with strong evidence that it can lead to acute and chronic respiratory conditions, certain cancers and stroke. 

The research also found that when it comes to wellbeing benefits, the variety and arrangement of indoor plants can have a significant influence. 

That's the idea behind the Plant Life Balance app which, in collaboration with horticulturist and Founder of The Planthunter Georgina Reid, have created a new range of "looks" to help anyone style their space with greenery.

"The wellbeing aspect is improved when the space looks how you like it, it feels comfortable and that’s where the app comes in," Dominique says. "There are different looks – you can go the shabby chic, you can go the full rainforest or you can go the minimalist look – and so depending on what feels comfortable for you, that’s what will determine the number of plants and how well your wellbeing scores are."

Who else is inspired to get their green thumb on?!

This article originally appeared on Women's Health. 

Treat yourself to a subscription-Save up to 25%

Plus, your chance to win

Subscribe Now
Treat yourself to a subscription

Treat yourself to a subscription-Save up to 25%

Plus, your chance to win

Subscribe Now
Treat yourself to a subscription

Recommended to you

YOU’LL NEED A WEDGE TO HANG THAT DOOR
Watch 6:32

YOU’LL NEED A WEDGE TO HANG THAT DOOR

{headline}

{headline}

Filling your house with plants increases joy and life expectancy, study says

Filling your house with plants increases joy and life expectancy, study says

Adding this one thing to your work desk reduces your chance of illness

Adding this one thing to your work desk reduces your chance of illness

This is how many plants you should have per room

This is how many plants you should have per room

How to care for your indoor plants in winter

How to care for your indoor plants in winter

{headline}

{headline}

10 of the best large indoor pots to elevate your plant game

10 of the best large indoor pots to elevate your plant game

Best 10 indoor plants at Bunnings

Best 10 indoor plants at Bunnings

The new way to treat your plants that has experts divided

The new way to treat your plants that has experts divided

{headline}

{headline}

Aldi has announced a huge plant sale with everything under $20

Aldi has announced a huge plant sale with everything under $20

Where to buy plants online: 9 stores that deliver plants to your door

Where to buy plants online: 9 stores that deliver plants to your door

3 of the best ways to get rid of gnats in indoor plants

3 of the best ways to get rid of gnats in indoor plants

7 of the best plants that will survive on your office desk

7 of the best plants that will survive on your office desk

The music you play at home can affect how your plants grow

The music you play at home can affect how your plants grow

5 reasons why your terrarium is dying

5 reasons why your terrarium is dying

This pot will tell you when your plant needs sun or water

This pot will tell you when your plant needs sun or water

Bhg
  • About Us
  • Subscribe Today
  • Contact Us
  • Terms and Conditions
  • Privacy Policy
Bhg Magazine Subscribe
  • About Us
  • Subscribe Today
  • Contact Us
  • Terms and Conditions
  • Privacy Policy

Brands

  • All Recipes
  • BHG Shop
  • Girlfriend
  • Home Beautiful
  • New Idea
  • New Idea Food
  • Practical Parenting

Our Network

  • marie claire
  • Beauty Crew
  • Who
  • Women's Weekly Food
  • Bounty Parents
  • That’s Life
  • Perth Now
  • The West Australian
  • 7Plus
  • 7mate
  • 7NEWS
  • 7Sport
  • Sunrise
  • Starts at 60
  • Hard to Find
© 2022 Are Media PTY LTD
All products are independently selected, tested or recommended by our team of experts.If you buy something, we may earn an affiliate commission.
Get more from Better Homes and Gardens

Magazine Subscription Offer

Treat yourself to a subscription-Save up to 25%

Shop This Offer
Treat yourself to a subscription