Indoor plants aren’t merely an ornamental enhancement. In fact, a large body of research finds indoor plants may improve your overall health and well-being, The New York Times reports.

Plants absorb carbon dioxide and release oxygen, and a NASA study also suggests houseplants and their root systems absorb indoor pollutants like benzene, trichloroethylene, and formaldehyde.

Although plants can produce allergens that irritate individuals with allergies, several small studies have found health benefits associated with indoor plants for people who are allergy free.

A 1998 Norwegian study reported workers had fewer complaints of fatigue, cough, dry throat, and itching when they had plants in the office. Similar experiments in England and the Netherlands indicated employees in buildings with plants were more productive, had better concentration, and greater work satisfaction than those in bare offices.

Hospital studies have also shown surgical patients placed in rooms with plants reported less pain, anxiety, stress, and fatigue than patients without plants. They also had lower systolic blood pressure, were more satisfied about their rooms, and felt more positively toward hospital workers.