What Are the Benefits of Planting Flowers?

Planting flowers is a relatively easy activity, which can be enjoyed by novice gardeners and experts alike. According to the Home Depot, the ideal time to plant flowers is on an overcast day with imminent rain and during moderate temperatures. Spring is a popular flower-planting season; however, many perennials will also flourish if planted in early fall. The benefits of planting flowers include increased landscaping appeal and interest, enhanced emotional well being, exercise for the gardener and environmental benefits.

Planting flowers adds color and visual interest to any landscape. A splash of color among shrubbery or trees increases the appeal of outdoor spaces. Additionally, throughout the blooming season, planted flowers provide gardeners with flowers suitable for cutting and bringing indoors or giving as a gift, saving money that would otherwise be spent at a florist. With colors ranging from white to deep red, blue or purple, flowers beautify personal spaces, communities and highways. Several states including California and Texas plant wildflowers along the highways and roadways to encourage beautification. Planting flowers in shared spaces in a community makes environment more attractive and fosters a sense of pride and care in the community’s residents.

According to a study completed by Virginia Lohr and Caroline Pearson-Mims at Washington State University, plants such as trees or flowers have a positive impact on people and increase a person’s overall feeling of well being. The study’s participants displayed increased friendliness and happiness while viewing urban scenery that included trees. This study shows that plants impact human emotion and enhance positive feelings.

Gardeners can reap physical benefits from planting flowers. According to the American Association of Retired Persons, gardening is an effective workout that uses many different muscle groups while increasing flexibility. Digging and planting burns calories and uses muscles while reaching and bending stretches the body to increase elasticity in those muscles. The exercise also burns calories at a rate ranging from 57 to 135 calories for every 15 minutes spent performing the activity. The number of calories burned varies in accordance with the weight of the gardener.

Planting flowers has environmental benefits. According to Project Green, plants help to remove pollutants from the air. During the process of photosynthesis, the flower’s leaves absorb carbon dioxide and release oxygen. Additionally, planting flowers can help to hold soil in its proper place, reducing erosion and flooding.