The best houseplants for boosting productivity at home according to research

Houseplants aren't just good for a shelfie

Houseplants are a great way to add some life and greenery into your home. However, they don't just offer aesthetics value to your home. Research has revealed that house plants can improve productivity.

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A study from the University of Exeter revealed that including houseplants in a workplace can improve productivity by 15 per cent. Houseplants were found to reduce stress and aim memory retention.

Houseplants can offer a range of other wellbeing benefits, from aiding sleep to helping improve air quality. Online florists Serenata Flowers have revealed the best houseplants to boost wellbeing at home.

Best houseplants to boost wellbeing

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hanging house plants hanging from ceiling above desk in room with cream wall and wire photo board nailed to wall

(Image credit: Future PLC/Simon Whitmore)

Increase productivity

If you are wanting to boost your focus while working from home Serenata suggests opting for a Bamboo Palm or Golden Pothos.

The Bamboo Palm is known for its ability to reduce indoor pollution, helping promote easy breathing and clear-thinking. The Golden Pothos has similar toxin boosting powers. However, it can also absorb unpleasant smells, perfect if your kitchen fridge or smelly bin are distracting you.

hexagonal shelves nailed to white wall holding house plants

(Image credit: Future PLC/Polly Eltes)

Help you sleep

Aloe Vera and Jasmine are great picks for bedroom houseplants. Aloe Vera produces oxygen at night to help combat insomnia and improve sleep quality. While the scent of Jasmine can help reduce anxiety levels to help you drift off.

floor house plants in white bathroom next to wire chair

(Image credit: Future PLC/Rachael Smith)

Reduce anxiety

If you're looking to lower for stress levels scented Lavender or a Snake Plant can help do the trick. Lavender is known for its stress-busting properties. It slows the heart rate and lowers blood pressure.

A Snake Plant is also believed to help reduce anxiety. It gobbles carbon dioxide so is ideal for aiding respiratory problems or helping with headaches.

house plants on side tables in grey living room with large hanging lights and grey sofa with coloured cushions

(Image credit: Future PLC/David Parmiter)

Clean the air

Clearing harmful toxins out of the air will help you and your family to breathe easy. Both Peach Lilies and Rubber Plants are incredibly effective at purifying the air.

Rubber plants remove harmful toxins and will become more efficient at cleaning the air as they grow. Peace Lilies are also believed to improve air quality by as much as 60 per cent.

'Clearly, we should be bringing more plants into our home offices,' says Lucia Polla, marketing manager at Serenata Flowers. 'These days we tend to keep plants and flowers around as decoration or to take advantage of their lovely scent.'

Related: The new houseplant trend making a big impact in our homes this autumn

'But this research is a nice reminder of the wonderful ways in which plants can actually benefit our health and happiness.'

Rebecca Knight
Deputy Editor, Digital

Rebecca Knight has been the Deputy Editor on the Ideal Home Website since 2022. She graduated with a Masters degree in magazine journalism from City, University of London in 2018, before starting her journalism career as a staff writer on women's weekly magazines. She fell into the world of homes and interiors after joining the Ideal Home website team in 2019 as a Digital Writer. In 2020 she moved into position of Homes News Editor working across Homes & Gardens, LivingEtc, Real Homes, Gardeningetc and Ideal Home covering everything from the latest viral cleaning hack to the next big interior trend.