00:00We spoke to Joe Bagley, the houseplant doctor, who explains his research into what he calls
00:05vitamin G, the well-being boost we get from greenery, and how plants can make a real difference
00:10to our mood through the darker months.
00:13The vitamin G, it was coined by the Plants and Flowers Foundation in Holland. Basically,
00:18it's vitamin greenery. There's been so many studies over the years that the innate desire
00:24for humans is to colour green. It brings calmness and also the tactility of leaves, of stems,
00:31trunks of trees. And of course, as the winter progresses and this weekend we're not going
00:36to get as much light in the evenings, people spend a lot more time indoors. And one fun
00:42fact I found, which I've remembered, is the fact that 65% of people don't go out and do
00:48recreational activities after the nights draw in. It's incredible because of how dark it
00:53is, or work, they get home at five and it's already dark. So bringing nature in is pretty
00:59much the only way that you're going to get that innate desire to be around greenery.
01:03Most people don't even realise they need it, but actually having the plants is very beneficial.
01:10Joe explores the emotional and psychological side of caring for plants, and how tending
01:14to greenery can genuinely help reduce stress and support well-being during winter.
01:18Half the people that the Plants and Flowers Foundation Holland spoke to, half of them said
01:24it reduces stress. It helps with work production, whether it's in an office or if you work from
01:30home. Having two or three plants in the vision of your desk, whether it's on the desk, windowsill,
01:36and further in the room, that benefits plants. But also over winter, around about one-fifth
01:41the people say actually helps the symptoms of SAD, the sickness, disease and depression,
01:45etc. So plants, it's like the secret powers that they can benefit humans.
01:54And Joe also reveals the one small change he hopes people will make this winter to feel
01:58healthier and happier at home.
02:02I think for me, it'd be going out to garden centres, florists, and meeting people. Humans are
02:08innately very much a people's kind of species. They're very much community-based. So make
02:15friends with the local florist garden centres, even if it's a cashier, and you create a relationship
02:21with them. And then you can buy plants, you can learn stuff, because with florists especially,
02:25they'll give you three or four tips.
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