With impending AP Exams starting in less than a month, Enloe students and staff alike are driven into heightened states of stress and anxiety. Cram-studying can be overwhelming, let alone the looming result as to whether or not you will pass the exam and be saved from taking the course in college. 

In response to stress, the human body activates a “fight-or-flight” response. This is the body’s hormonal and physiological response to threatening environmental or psychological situations. In simpler terms, this is how people react to stressful or concerning situations.

Yet, science has found a way to limit levels of stress, such as the ones you may be experiencing now. And the answer is simple. Exposure to plants can quickly improve one’s mood. Studies have indicated that houseplants and indoor gardens have the ability to improve a person’s mental health, and ultimately reduce your stress. One study showed that spending twenty minutes in a room with plants can bring about feelings of peace. Meanwhile, researchers at the University of Shanghai found that spending just five to ten minutes in a room with plants can increase satisfaction in comparison to a room with no plants. 

The science behind it is simple. Being in the presence of plants releases serotonin in your brain, which brings about happiness and feelings of calmness. Serotonin is one of the neurotransmitters that is responsible for your mood. A lack of serotonin can lead to feelings of sadness, social withdrawal, and low self-esteem. 

To increase serotonin in your brain and reduce stress this AP Exam season, here are some of the houseplants I recommend, along with an overview of their essential care needs:

Snake Plant

A relatively common houseplant, snake plants are one of the best plants for mental health, and generally easy to care for. In regards to care, they do not need to be watered often. Water a snake plant whenever its soil appears dry, generally at a frequency of every one to two weeks. Furthermore, snake plants will grow in a variety of lights, but grow best in bright, indirect sunlight. In addition to their reputation as an easy plant, snake plants are notorious for their air purification abilities. 

ZZ Plant

ZZ plants, or Zamioculcas zamiifolia, are great for those that are not as acquainted with houseplants, or do not have the greenest of thumbs. They can be watered sparingly, as they store water in their leaves. In regards to lighting, ZZ Plants thrive best in bright light, but will grow in a variety of natural and artificial lights, including low-light areas. The ZZ plant’s hardiness allows for tension-free gardening. Additionally, ZZ plants are known for being air purifiers, shaping a calm and healthy environment. Their only downside is that they can be harmful to pets if consumed.

Jade Plant

Simple yet classic, Jade plants are easy and undemanding. They prefer to grow in spots that receive bright, indirect sunlight. Water jade plants sparingly, as they are drought tolerant and only need water when their soil is fully dry. Yet most importantly, Jade plants are known to reduce anxiety and stress. As an added bonus, Jade plants are succulents, and therefore, easy to propagate.

There are many local houseplant shops in and around Downtown Raleigh. Copperline Plant Company and Urban Pothos are both within 10 minutes of Enloe. These are great places to start or expand your indoor garden. 

While stress is prevalent among many high school students, especially at this time of year, there is a correlation between the presence of houseplants and good mental health. Indoor plants have the ability to improve a person’s mood, and instill feelings of happiness and ease. 

Especially in light of AP Exams, it is easy for students to forget the importance of taking care of their mental health. Yet, looking after yourself is important, especially at a time when to-do lists coupled with studying can be overwhelming. While easier said than done, surrounding yourself with houseplants and other sources of joy are a step in the right direction. 

Citations:

• “10 Best Indoor Plants For Home And Office To Reduce Stress And Anxiety.” PlantX, 20 Nov. 2021, https://plantx.com/blogs/vegan-blogs/best-indoor-plants-for-home-and-office-to-reduce-stress-and-anxiety. 
• Slaymaker, Matt. “13 Best Indoor Plants for Mental Health.” Lively Root, 4 Feb. 2025, https://www.livelyroot.com/blogs/plant-care/best-indoor-plants-for-mental-health?srsltid=AfmBOoqgQ1mQfrkboG89K0z4qWPdsT2SITFPYkxF1g6L8_ePGsI1fQLQ. 
• Jones, Alexandra. “How to Grow and Care for Snake Plant.” The Spruce, 11 Mar. 2025, https://www.thespruce.com/snake-plant-care-overview-1902772. 
• “ZZ Plant.” Costa Farms, https://costafarms.com/products/zz-plant?srsltid=AfmBOorfFW96q7UgIKEuA_NWfIuRga9HIi9xKJJjTXDL7AwU8wA5fLrb. Accessed 18 Apr. 2025.
• Slaymaker, Matt. “Jade Plant: Meaning, Symbolism, and Benefits.” Lively Root, 10 Feb. 2025, https://www.livelyroot.com/blogs/plant-care/jade-plant-meaning-symbolism-and-benefits#:~:text=Jade%20Plant%20Benefits&text=Helps%20lower%20stress%20and%20anxiety,decor%2C%20including%20outdoor%20recreational%20areas. 
• Lee, Min-Sun et al. “Interaction with indoor plants may reduce psychological and physiological stress by suppressing autonomic nervous system activity in young adults: a randomized crossover study.” Journal of physiological anthropology vol. 34,1 21. 28 Apr. 2015, https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC4419447/