RESEARCH

Interaction with Nature Indoor: Psychological Impacts of Houseplants Care Behaviour on Mental Well-Being and Mindfulness in Chinese Adults

Participants who were active houseplant caretakers had significantly higher mental well-being scores (Action group: M = 22.89, SD = 3.24) compared to non-caregivers in the Precontemplation group (M = 21.11, SD = 3.09; p < 0.01) . More time spent caring for plants, more years of experience, and a higher number of houseplants were all positively linked to better mindfulness and well-being, with correlation values as high as r = 0.34 for nature relatedness and r = 0.28 for mental well-being.

Program Types: Therapeutic

Population Groups: Older Adults/Seniors

Setting or Context: Homes/Private Residences

Health and Wellness Outcomes: Improved Mental Health, Enhanced Emotional Well-being, Improved Stress Management

Allied Profession Intersections: Recreational Therapy

Type of Activity: Indoor Plant Care

Evidence Type: Quantitative Research

Measurement and Evaluation: Metrics for Mental Health, Standardized Assessment Tools

Access: Free

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Summary

This study looked at whether taking care of houseplants at home can help improve mental well-being and mindfulness among adults living in Chinese cities. Researchers surveyed 421 participants across 19 urban areas, asking about their plant care habits, connection to nature, mood, and ability to stay present and aware (mindfulness). People were grouped based on how actively they took care of houseplants—from those who never considered it to those who regularly did. The goal was to see whether growing and caring for indoor plants made people feel mentally better and more mindful.

The study found that those who actively cared for houseplants reported better mental well-being and higher mindfulness scores than those who didn’t. People who spent more time with plants, owned more of them, or had been gardening for more years experienced the most benefits. In particular, preparing to care for plants or already doing so was linked to feeling more positive and being more aware of one’s thoughts and surroundings. This suggests that even small, consistent interactions with houseplants can boost emotional and mental health in urban settings.

Link

Ma, J. (2022). Interaction with nature indoor: Psychological impacts of houseplants care behavior on mental well-being and mindfulness in Chinese adults. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, 19(23), 15810.

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