Caring for plants helps make our living spaces healthier places to be, both indoors and out.
Hannah Shifflette, ©2026, Clemson Extension
Gardening and caring for plants is much more than a hobby. While there are many well-known health benefits of having plants in and around your home, including the physical activity involved in gardening and consuming produce harvested from the garden, there are many other ways tending to plants can support our overall well-being. These benefits can include improving our emotional health, giving us a sense of purpose, and contributing to a healthier home environment.
Plants Support Emotional Well-Being
Research has found that those who care for plants may experience benefits such as reduced feelings of stress and anxiety. This may be partly due to the social connections that often come with gardening, which can be another source of support during life’s challenges. Certain plants also provide aromatherapy benefits. Lavender, jasmine, and eucalyptus are all associated with feelings of calmness and relaxation. Caring for plants is also a wonderful way to activate your senses and practice mindfulness. Feeling the soil with your hands, enjoying the fragrance of a fresh herb plant, or feeling the warm sun on your skin can help you feel grounded and calm.
Plants Can Give Us Purpose
Caring for something alive, such as a plant, can give us a sense of confidence and purpose. Making this care a regular part of your routine can also result in a sense of accomplishment when a plant blooms or produces fruit as a result of your consistent care. This relationship can even help release bonding hormones through the physical act of caring for plants, such as watering, pruning, or harvesting. For many people, caring for plants can bring a sense of structure and purpose to everyday life.
Plants Contribute to a Healthier Home Environment
Having plants in your living space can also make your home a healthier place to live! Tending to plants outdoors can encourage deeper breathing, which in turn may lead to clearer lungs, improved digestion, a stronger immune response, and increased blood oxygen levels. Time spent in the sunlight may also help lower blood pressure and improve vitamin D levels. Indoor plants can help improve air quality by filtering out impurities and replacing them with clean oxygen. Improved concentration and memory are also benefits of having plants indoors, especially in areas where studying, meetings, or work take place.
Clemson Extension Resources to Help You Get Started
Growing Health
During this program, participants learn the basics of home gardening and how gardening can improve your health. They explore how to grow seasonal produce at home, no matter how much space they have available. Participants also learn about the health benefits of seasonal produce and how to prepare nutritious recipes using the produce they grow. Find a Growing Health session near you on Eventbrite.
The Home and Garden Information Center
The Home and Garden Information Center (HGIC) offers research-based articles on plants, gardening, health, nutrition, and much more. Through this resource, South Carolina residents can find information on growing and caring for plants in their area, while also learning how to support their health and well-being. Agents are also available by phone to answer questions at 1-888-656-9988 (SC residents only, 8:00 am – 4:30 pm, M – F). Related Factsheets include:
- Exciting Houseplant Selections for Beginners
- Planning a Garden
- Busy World, Quiet Mind: Prioritizing Mental Well-being in a Fast-Paced World
- How the Natural Environment Shapes Health
The health benefits of plants extend far beyond exercise and nutrition. Caring for plants can support our emotional well-being, provide a sense of purpose and accomplishment, and help make our living spaces healthier places to be, both indoors and out!
References
- Colorado Springs Direct Primary Care. (2024, April 22). Green therapy: How indoor plants enhance your health and well-being. https://www.cosdpc.com/post/green-therapy-how-indoor-plants-enhance-your-health-and-well-being
- Huffman, E. (2025, August 5). Growing healthier together: The benefits of gardening for body and mind. Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health. https://hsph.harvard.edu/mahalingaiah-lab/news/growing-healthier-together-the-benefits-of-gardening-for-body-and-mind/
- Wimmer, L. (2022, July 12). Dig into the benefits of gardening. Mayo Clinic Health System. https://www.mayoclinichealthsystem.org/hometown-health/speaking-of-health/dig-into-the-benefits-of-gardening
