Choosing houseplants tends to be more akin to shopping for a couch than adopting a pet―we see ferns and philodendrons as ornaments more than as companions. Yet a potted plant has much more in common with a dog than a lamp. Not only is it alive and in need of tending, but, as is becoming increasingly clear, the entire plant kingdom is more profoundly interactive than we’ve previously realized.
Working plants
Many of us spend a good part of our day outside the home at our places of work―make sure you’re in the company of houseplants there, too!
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They’ve got smarts
While still short of a consensus, a growing body of science is ascribing intelligence to plants. Some go so far as to call it consciousness. What appears to us to be motionless air and soil is actually boisterously alive with impulses, chemical signals, and vibrations being sent and received as plants communicate with fungi, insects, and one another.
They might be busy discerning which insect is nibbling their leaves so they can chemically summon the precise predator needed, giving their kin photosynthesizing space by adjusting their own leaf arrangement, or counting daylight hours so they know when to germinate. Suffice it to say, houseplants are not just sitting mutely, looking pretty, and passively serving as animal food.
Breathing partners
The members of the plant kingdom we’ve potted and brought home to live with us have a lot more to offer than mere décor. Certainly, houseplants improve our indoor air by exchanging carbon dioxide for oxygen. But they’re also capable of filtering pollutants like volatile organic compounds (VOCs) emitted by common building materials and furnishings (see sidebar). It takes more than a plant or two to reap these benefits, though, so be generous with that greenery!
Keep ‘em within view
Beyond helping us breathe easier, studies show the simple sight of plants in our vicinity is sufficient to boost our mood, productivity, and even hospital recovery. A single nearby plant may be enough to improve concentration in children. Given that we spend roughly 90 percent of our time indoors (and for us Canadians, outdoor vegetation may be dormant for a good stretch of the year), our foliar friends in pots become critical health allies.
And within reach
When we pluck plants out of their natural context―their native ecological web―they can no longer sustain themselves without our help (trimming dead leaves, watering regularly, adding soil nutrients, finding them the right spot in the window …).
Not only do these little interactions uphold our end of the domestic bargain, but small routine chores actually boost our own well-being. And plant care, specifically, has its benefits. For example, taking 15 minutes to repot an indoor plant is enough to measurably reduce stress and blood pressure―a perfect antidote to chronic screentime!
Microbe-sharing
It may seem, thus far, like a one-way relationship―plants giving and our indoor-bound selves receiving. What can we offer them in return? Since a potting mix is no substitute for the live soil matrix their roots would normally plumb, plants will appreciate an occasional feeding with a natural fertilizer.
Adding a microbially rich amendment like vermicompost tea at the soil level translates to a healthier leaf microbiome and, remarkably, this microbial diversity has been shown to migrate beyond the plant to surrounding surfaces like desks and walls where we, in turn, might benefit.
Tune in
While reports of plants having dramatic reactions to music have circulated for decades, they tended not to have a scientific leg to stand on. But new research is confirming that, since vibrations are one of their sensory pathways, our vegetal friends may, in fact, appreciate a good beat. It varies by species, but if you want to help your houseplants thrive with a little musical therapy, try a gentle playlist in the 115 to 250 Hz range for about 3 hours a day.
A good read
For a fascinating dive into the science and philosophy of plant intelligence, read The Light Eaters (Harper, 2024) by Zoë Schlanger.
Housemates
The field of plant science has only scratched the surface of how complex and animated the lives of plants are behind their slow and quiet facade. Even the idea that individuals within a species might have distinct personalities is being seriously explored. It’s not such a stretch, then, to see our ivy and aloe veras as true housemates.
We can’t expect the same rapport as we have with animals but maybe, like having a cat asleep at our feet, we can simply be awake to the fact that we’re sharing the space with another living being. Intelligent life is all around us―even right there on our windowsill.
Chlorophyll cleanse
While it would take quite a jungle to provide full air filtration for an entire home, recent studies point to some common species with the best real-world cleansing potential:
- VOC (formaldehyde, toluene, etc) filtering: golden pothos, snake plant, areca palm
- Nighttime CO2 exchange: aloe vera
- Overall CO2 exchange: Boston ferns
Even within the confines of a pot, healthy soil is an integral part of plants’ ability to filter pollutants. Here are a few ways to tend the soil:
- Add nutrients periodically.
- Ensure good drainage.
- Avoid overwatering which can lead to rot.
This article was originally published in the January 2025 issue of delicious living magazine.
