What indoor plants and flowers can help relieve depression?

Studies have shown that for people suffering from depression, keeping some plants at home can have a self-healing and psychological recovery effect, simply because the care process lets patients feel the tenacious vitality of the plants, as well as a sense of achievement from the daily care routine. Below, the editor recommends three easy-to-care-for plants that are beneficial to mental health.

Cactus

The reason for choosing the cactus is that it needs relatively little water and light, making it very suitable for people who forget to care for plants because of emotional problems. At the same time, it comes in various shapes, some like columns, some like spheres, giving an impression of unyielding toughness. Care method: First, in spring, summer and autumn it can be placed by a window with direct sunlight; in winter, when light is insufficient, you can use a grow light to supplement lighting. Second, for soil, choose well-draining sandy soil, which can prevent salt buildup from causing root rot. Finally, do not water too frequently; generally, you only need to water after touching the soil and finding it completely dry. Relatively speaking, water more often in summer and less often in winter.

Lavender

Lavender's fragrance has long been credited with relieving anxiety and stress. Its flowers are mostly purple spike-like inflorescences, and its leaves are silvery gray. Plant a few more pots in a garden or on a balcony, and when they bloom in summer, a glance across them is like patches of purple ocean, making people think of idyllic Provence. For care, as long as it gets plenty of sunlight, everything else is very simple. It likes sun, so it needs at least 6 hours of direct sunlight per day. As for water, lavender is drought-tolerant, so water sparingly but deeply and keep the soil slightly dry. It is recommended to water once a week in spring and autumn, and once a month in winter.

Golden-edged Monstera

It is a foliage plant with very large and very wide leaves, shaped somewhat like a turtle shell, edged with golden stripes. Especially under the afternoon sun, the golden edges look even more striking, giving a noble and mysterious feeling. For daily care, it is very simple; it is very cold-tolerant and shade-tolerant, and can grow well with just a little light.

Overall, keeping plants for people with depression is helpful, but it cannot replace professional psychological counseling or medication. If depressive symptoms persist or worsen, be sure to seek help from a professional doctor.