There’s something about having flowers and plants in your home that adds to that ‘spring has sprung’ feeling. If you’re anything like me however, keeping houseplants alive is not a forté. Well I have the solution! As well as being super stylish succulents are notoriously difficult to kill making them a great, easy care accent to your home. Succulents survive dry indoor environments thanks to special adaptations – fleshy leaves, thick stems or enlarged roots that allow the plants to hoard water. But apart from being very hardy and nice to look at, placing a few succulents around your abode can actually have some surprising health benefits.

Helping you breathe

During the process of photosynthesis, plants release oxygen, however, at night most plants respire like humans, releasing carbon dioxide. Succulents however, keep producing oxygen all through the night. Keep these plants in the bedroom for an extra boost of refreshed air during your sleep that ultimately leads to better quality zzzz’s.

Purifying the air

Succulents are excellent at cleansing the air and removing toxins. NASA’s research found that they are able to remove 87 percent of volatile organic compounds (VOC). VOC’s are extremely hazardous and can cause eye, nose and throat irritation, frequent headaches, nausea, and can also damage the liver, kidneys and central nervous system. Succulents are extra helpful in library and study environments because VOC substances like benzene and formaldehyde are found in rugs, cigarette smoke, grocery bags, books and ink.

Helping prevent illness

About 10 percent of the moisture in the atmosphere is water released by plants. The same applies to your home, the more plants you have, especially in groupings, the better you can improve the humidity in your home that can prevent dry skin, colds, sore throats and dry coughs.

Helping you focus

A number of studies of both students and workers have found that concentration, attentiveness and brain capabilities improve when studying or working with plants in the room. Small plants like succulents are especially beneficial at work, as they don’t take up a lot of space on your desk.

Aiding in quicker recovery

Succulents can contribute to reducing flu-like symptoms, headaches, fever and coughs. According to researchers at Kansas State University, hospital patients with plants in their rooms required less pain medication, had lower blood pressure and heart rate, and experienced less fatigue and anxiety.

If these reasons aren’t enough to have you heading to the garden centre then forget the health benefits, succulents are cute, come in all shapes and sizes (not just your standard cacti), and having a few around is a great way to revamp any décor!

 

Written by Ché Miller

About the author Ché has always had a passion for hospitality having completed a conjoint Bachelors Degree in International Business and Hospitality Management. She has spent the last 15 years working in the hospitality industry. This passion led her to working in a premier health retreat in Australia in her twenties. There she found the knowledge she gained there inspired her to start living a healthier life. Now Ché loves to combine her two favourite things, hospitality and wellbeing. She scours the island for the best nourishing restaurants, products and services. Ché has been living in Mallorca since early 2017, having moved from her home in New Zealand. She absolutely loves the energy of the island and everything it has to offer. Ché’s other interests include ashtanga yoga, boxing, reading, writing, and really good coffee.