While you may already know that indoor plants have a variety of health benefits and are a great way to add a little bit of personality to an indoor environment, you may be surprised to learn that there are many health benefits of succulents, the decorative low maintenance plant that stores water in their leaves.
From a home office to hospital rooms, the presence of plants can impact mental health and even diminish sickness rates with proper care.
Due to their numerous health benefits and unique qualities, succulents are a great addition according to a number of studies.
What Are the Health Benefits of Succulents?
The University of Michigan study shows that these low-maintenance plants have been linked to improved brain capabilities like increased memory retention.
That may be why these low maintenance plants are a popular choice for decorating an office space.
These hardy plants have been linked to an increased attention span, so placing them on an office desk or in a study environment is a good idea.
A study done by the Agricultural University of Norway found a 60 percent decrease in sickness rates in offices with plants.
The University of Kansas claims that there are lots of health benefits of succulent plants, including mental health. It seems that all of the experts agree that there are plenty of health benefits of succulents and these decorative plants are a great addition to any space.
They also make a great alternative to flowers for sick friends and family. The Kansas State University study showed that hospital patients with plants in their rooms required less pain medication and were overall less anxious than patients without these beneficial plants in their rooms.
Can Succulents Lower Blood Pressure?
Yes! A popular choice among hospital patients that suffer from high blood pressure is the Stonecrops variety of these small plants. This is a favorite among the many varieties of succulents because it has been found to help lower blood pressure.
What Type of Succulents Offer Health Benefits?
Aloe
Aloe is one of the plant groups of succulents thought to contain therapeutic properties and is a popular variety of drought-resistant plants. Aloe vera is well known for its thick leaves containing nutrients that help with a variety of ailments.
These plants come in a variety of shapes and growers use these plants in a variety of ways. These great plants are a great source of Vitamin C, Vitamin A and Vitamin E when taken in juice form. They are also a great thing to have on hand when you need a remedy for a bad sunburn.
Prickly Pear Cactus
The prickly pear cactus is known for its flat fleshy leaves covered in spikes and bright flowers. It has been thought to aid in treating diabetes, high cholesterol, obesity, and digestive issues. The prickly pear cactus is also a great source of vitamins b and c.
This plant has been said to reduce heart rate and swelling. These amazing benefits of succulents can help caretakers of these beautiful plants take less pain medication.
Panda Plants
Panda Plants are great for cleaning the air, even when you have a lot of space to cover. The general rule to follow when adding a new plant for air purification purposes is to have at least one large plant per 50 square feet.
The bigger and leafier plants will be able to remove more VOC substances (volatile organic compounds) from your home.
Sea Beans
Sea Beans are said to have antioxidant, anti-microbial, and anti-proliferative properties. They may even help ward off flu-like symptoms and are an excellent source of protein.
Snake Plants
Snake plants have been proven to be effective against allergens like dust and dander. There are quite a few varieties on the succulent market that claim to improve harsh conditions in arid regions. If you live in an area with more humidity you can still enjoy the health benefits of succulents like the Snake plant, they just won’t need as much water. The snake plant is also a popular choice for Feng Shui because it is believed to bring peace and wealth to your home. If you don’t have much space for plants that are known to bring good luck such as areca palms, the snake plant is a great alternative to the Areca Palm because it takes up less room but is said to be lucky.
Jade Plants
Jade Plants are commonly used for warts and have been used in traditional Chinese medicine as a diabetes remedy. Their beauty helps to create a calm environment which can lead to more production and less fatigue.
Christmas Cactus
Christmas Cactus removes CO2 and releases oxygen at night which can improve sleep quality. This is a great plant to add to your bedroom or give as a gift to someone who could use some of the amazing health benefits of succulents.
Do Succulents Improve Air Quality?
Yes, this kind of plant is a great way to breathe fresh air into your home. It is widely known that a helpful byproduct of the process of photosynthesis is that plants have the ability to absorb carbon dioxide while producing fresh oxygen. This is an easy way to get an extra boost of oxygen in your home.
Succulents are an ideal plant choice because they require little care and recent studies have shown that these plants can improve air quality by removing toxins from the air, even those that can be found in cigarette smoke like nicotine.
Do Succulents Improve Humidity?
Plants release water which can improve humidity in your home. This can help limit ailments caused by dry air such as a sore throat, dry skin, dry cough, and even itchy skin.
Although they release moisture in the air, an important thing to keep in mind when dealing with different arrangements is that too much moisture is not good for these little plants. They only need a little water and should be planted in a pot with good drainage.
If you find your succulent houseplants are retaining excess moisture you may want to add drainage holes to the pot. When choosing a pot keep the drainage in mind and don’t worry about the current trend of succulent potters as they are usually not ideal.
While these plants can grow in any container, even something as simple as mason jars, using the proper pot can prevent common diseases in succulents such as root rot.
Are Succulents Easy to Care for?
Succulents are drought-resistant plants that go dormant in Winter. They usually don’t require a lot of care and can be watered as little as once per month when they go dormant in the colder months. In some cases, especially in the Winter, these plants only need to be watered every couple of months.
Even during the warm months, succulents require little care, only needing to be watered about once every other week.
Most succulents do best in direct sunlight so before you fill a bunch of grocery bags full of this addictive plant, be sure you have a nice bright location for them to live.
More Gardening Posts
Get inspired by these 15 Garden Upcycles for Plant Lovers and learn how to make your own planter from upcycled tin cans.
Get some of the mental benefits of succulents without having to care for another plant by decorating your space with fake plants. This easy DIY faux cactus decor will brighten up any space and it doesn’t require any watering!
If you want to see more gardening posts like this one, sign up for the free newsletter and follow along on social media so you never miss another post again!
Do you have a favorite succulent? I would love to hear about it, leave me a comment!
As an avid gardener, dedicated homemaker, and culinary enthusiast, I bring a wealth of knowledge and passion to every aspect of homemaking, recipes, travel, and gardening. My journey is deeply rooted in a love for nature, food, and exploration, which I share through my engaging content.
With years of experience cultivating a vibrant garden and crafting delicious recipes, I specialize in creating farm-to-table homestyle dishes that highlight the freshest ingredients. My culinary creations are inspired by my extensive travels, allowing me to infuse a variety of flavors from my travels into my kitchen.
Through my blog, I aim to inspire others with practical gardening tips, mouth-watering recipes, and unique travel experiences. Whether you're looking for garden-to-plate cooking ideas, copycat recipes, or advice on homemaking, I provide a trusted source of information and inspiration.
Join me as I blend the joys of gardening, cooking, and travel into a harmonious lifestyle, offering readers a well-rounded perspective on how to bring these passions into their own homes.