The Present Tree discusses the health benefits houseplants offer millennials,?and how the emerging indoor gardening trend will progress is 2018.
2017 was the year that millennials bought more houseplants than any other age demographic, with more than 14 million posts on Instagram hash tagged plants. As fewer millennials are buying homes, the exposure to nature is often limited in tiny rented flats. The emerging houseplant trend followed numerous studies, suggesting young consumers are becoming more environmentally aware and food conscious than any other generation, with trendy terms like natural, organic and sustainable growing in popularity.
Yet mocked as plant hoarders to fill a so-called ?void in their hearts? or desire to nurture something, could it be that millennials are actually catching onto the great health benefits that indoor gardening offers?
You don?t need to be an Environmental Scientist to know that the benefits of indoor plants go far beyond the aesthetic, and the year 2018 will witness more 20- and 30- somethings grow plants indoors for reasons aside from d?cor.
Boosts Brain Power, Creativity and Productivity
In an age where smartphones are ?destroying a generation?, are millennials using plants to increase their productivity at work?
Researchers at the University of Exeter found that creativity increases 45% in spaces with plants, and many studies have shown that working in a green environment can have a dramatic effect on mental capacity.
Just like being outdoors, having plants at home improves concentration, memory and productivity. Being ?under the influence? of plants can even show an increase in memory retention of up to 20%.
Lifts Mood
Do houseplants make your customers happier? Small living spaces have prompted a desire to express creativity and add life into millennial?s flats; and research has shown that those who spend time in a room with plants rate themselves as more confident and energised compared to those without. Adding plants to your home environment is proven to make you feel more happy and relaxed.
Improves Air Quality and Cold-Related Illnesses
There is a variety of different toxic chemicals lurking in homes, and research by NASA has revealed that houseplants significantly decrease air toxins by 87% in a period of 24 hours.
For young city dwellers, the removal of these nasty chemicals including carbon monoxide and cigarette smoke, leads to raised humidity levels, removing allergens and decreasing mild health conditions, such as sore throats and colds.
In the long-term, the presence of plants at home will lower risks of respiratory disorders as well as chronic headaches, eye irritation and dry skin.
Reduces Stress Levels and Improves Comfort
Juggling a busy work-social life can be difficult, and young people in the UK have some of the worst stress levels in the world. Researchers have proven that adopting a plant at home or in the office place reduces perceived stress levels; and a study in 2008 revealed hospital patients with indoor plants in their rooms reported lower stress levels compared to those without.
Millennials want to spend money on things that make them happy, and simply being connected to nature indoors is proven to bring a significant increase in heath, happiness and comfort.
Trends for 2018?
As interests evolve and millennials grow older, will the houseplant trend continue to rise in 2018?
High student loans, declining rates of home ownership and economic instability to afford children, have introduced the simple yet effective idea of indoor houseplants that give young people a sense of ownership and responsibility.
Indoor greenery is a home-staple for many more reasons than just d?cor, and millennials have tapped into a trend that not only satisfies the aesthetic, but brings great health and mental benefits to those who nurture it.
