Our house plants don't just look nice. They make us happier and healthier.

Why it matters: Many of our jobs keep us indoors — away from nature — and the pandemic magnified that problem. But it turns out being around nature is essential to health, Axios' Anna Braz writes.

Here are just some of the perks:

• Interacting with plants can increase life satisfaction, reduce anxiety and stress, spark creativity, boost productivity and even mitigate symptoms of PTSD and dementia, studies have shown.
• And certain plants are natural air purifiers for your house.

"When we have plants in our home or take a hike, we see decreases in anxiety and stress," says Melinda Knuth, a horticulture professor at N.C. State. "Just being around a plant can decrease the cortisol levels in our saliva."

• Humans get a subconscious positive jolt from the smell of flowers, the chirping of birds and the sound of rushing water.

What's happening: Plants sales soared during the pandemic as Americans coped with being stuck inside by bringing nature into their homes.

• Plant nurseries in the U.S. saw sales jump 10%-15% in 2020, according to a Garden Center survey. Many of these sellers were small, mom-and-pop shops that are now thriving due to our revived interest in plants.
• 89% of consumers owned at least two houseplants in 2021, according to a Floral Marketing Fund report.

Zoom in: Watering and tending to plants and then watching them bloom is great for our minds.

• A key sign of poor mental health is losing interest and pleasure in activities. Plants can curb that by bringing passion and routine into our lives, says Justin Puder, a psychologist in Florida.

The bottom line: Consider buying a plant from a local nursery to brighten up your home — or add to your collection if you're already an avid plant owner — and reap the benefits.

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If you're looking for a forgiving plant to start with, consider a cactus or a succulent.

• They'll retain water, and they're quite hard to kill — or damage in any significant way.
• "[T]hey will tolerate your terrible behavior for years and years, and then they will surprise you with flowers when they get growing again," NBC's Sophie Lee writes.