An update of the literature supporting the well-being benets of plants: A review of the emotional and mental health benects of plants Academic Article uri icon

abstract

  • 2019 Horticultural Research Institute. Consumers have historically shown an inclination to purchase plants that enhance their quality of life, meaning they will purchase items that positively influence their social, physical, psychological, cognitive, environmental, and spiritual well-being. Plants in native and improved landscapes (and interiorscapes) have been documented to influence each of six quality of life constructs. This paper summarizes publications regarding the emotional and mental health benefits associated with plants, addressing reduced anxiety and stress, attention deficit recovery, fractals and visual response, decreased depression, enhanced memory retention, greater happiness and life satisfaction, mitigation of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), increased creativity, enhanced productivity and attention, reduced effects of dementia, and improved self-esteem. This research should be strategically incorporated into both industry-wide and firm-specific marketing messages that highlight the quality of life value proposition in order to maintain the industrys sense of value and relevance to consumers of the future.

published proceedings

  • Journal of Environmental Horticulture

author list (cited authors)

  • Hall, C., & Knuth, M.

complete list of authors

  • Hall, C||Knuth, M

publication date

  • January 2019