RESEARCH

An Update of the Literature Supporting the Well-Being Benefits of Plants: A Review of the Emotional and Mental Health Benefits of Plants

This paper demonstrates that exposure to plants significantly improves emotional and mental health by reducing stress, enhancing memory and focus, alleviating depression, and increasing happiness. The findings suggest that incorporating greenery into daily environments can lead to measurable improvements in well-being, productivity, and quality of life for individuals across various demographics.

Program Types: Social

Population Groups: Older Adults/Seniors, Children/Youth, Dementia/Traumatic & Acquired Brain Injuries, Mental Health Challenges/Trauma, Military/Veterans, Rehabilitation, Burnout/Workplace Stress, Chronic/Acute Health Conditions

Setting or Context: Schools/Educational Settings, Hospitals/Clinics, Community Gardens, Workplace Environments, Urban vs. Rural Settings, Natural Areas/Parks/Forest

Health and Wellness Outcomes: Improved Mental Health, Enhanced Emotional Well-being, Improved Physical Health, Increased Self-Efficacy, Improved Quality of Life

Allied Profession Intersections: Recreational Therapy, Physical Therapy, Behavioral Therapy, Landscape Design, Education, Forest/Ecotherapy

Type of Activity: Indoor Plant Care, Outdoor Gardening, Forest/Natural Area Immersion

Evidence Type: Peer-Reviewed Studies

Measurement and Evaluation: Metrics for Mental Health, Metrics for Physical Health, Patient-Reported Outcomes

Access: Free

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Summary

This paper reviews the emotional and mental health benefits of plants, emphasizing how exposure to greenery—whether in natural landscapes, gardens, or indoor spaces—positively impacts well-being. It highlights findings from numerous studies showing that plants can reduce stress and anxiety, improve focus and memory, alleviate depression, boost creativity, and enhance overall happiness and life satisfaction. For example, spending time in green spaces or even viewing plants can lower cortisol levels (a stress hormone), improve mood, and increase productivity. Additionally, plants are shown to aid in cognitive recovery for people with conditions like PTSD or dementia and support better attention in children and adults.

The authors argue that these benefits should be strategically promoted by industries like horticulture to emphasize plants as essential for improving quality of life rather than mere luxuries. By integrating plants into everyday environments—such as workplaces, schools, hospitals, and urban areas—people can experience enhanced mental health and well-being. The paper concludes that understanding and leveraging these benefits can help maintain the relevance of green industry products while fostering healthier communities.

Link

Hall, C., & Knuth, M. (2019). An update of the literature supporting the well-being benefits of plants: A review of the emotional and mental health benefits of plants. Journal of Environmental Horticulture, 37(1), 30-38.

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