How do flowers and plants benefit our well-being? Wageningen University and Research found the answers
Many people associate flowers and plants with positive feelings. But what is their actual impact on our well-being? We explored this question in a new study that we carried out in conjunction with Wageningen University and Research (WUR). Here you can read about the most important insights from the study.
Initial results: direct and indirect well-being effects
The initial results show a number of interesting insights. For example, researchers found evidence of various direct and indirect positive effects of flowers and plants on well-being:
- Plants can have a positive influence on the well-being of people. This is because plants can have a stress-reducing effect and also positively influence your mood;
- Green indoor plants activate the parasympathetic nervous system (a network of nerves responsible for calmness, relaxation and recovery). This means that indoor plants can have a relaxing and soothing effect on people;
- Green indoor plants improve air quality, which in turn can promote good cardiovascular health. Better air quality also results in fewer breathing problems;
- Green indoor plants that are highly air-purifying can promote improved productivity and better sleep quality;
- Most people are aware of the air-purifying and relaxing effects of indoor plants, but are less familiar with benefits like their ability to lower blood pressure.
Objective of research into well-being effects
Flowers and plants have been part of our daily lives for centuries. This can be a bouquet of tulips to brighten up the living room. a house plant as a gift for a friend who recently moved, or a beautiful bouquet to celebrate someone’s graduation. Many of us therefore associate flowers and plants with positive feelings such as joy, happiness and pleasure. But which well-being effects can we scientifically support in order to strengthen our communications? This is the question we wanted to answer with this study.
Research methodology and main questions
The study was carried out by graduate students of Wageningen University and Research under the supervision and guidance of WUR researchers. The graduate students were divided into two teams, each with a different focus. The first team focused specifically on house plants and flowers in a home environment. They studied the various claims that are made in relation to well-being effects and the extent to which these are scientifically validated. The second team studied the direct and indirect effects of green plants. Examples of direct well-being effects include reduced stress and a lower heart rate. Indirect well-being effects include improved (indoor) air quality, improved acoustics and improved indoor climate, which ultimately improve well-being.
The studies focused on the following questions:
- Which well-being effects of indoor flowers and plants can be proven scientifically?
- Which health claims or effects of flowers and plants require further research?
- How can the Flower Council of Holland and our partners in the horticultural sector use these proven effects in communications aimed at consumers?
- How do the well-being effects differ per age category and situation (such as at home or in the office) and how can we tailor our message accordingly?
Want to find out more?
Feel free to contact Constant Berkhout, Acting Research Manager, at cberkhout@bloemenbureauholland.nl.
