If you’ve ever walked past house plants in a hardware store or any other store and thought to yourself, “But I don’t have a green thumb,” this is for you. You don’t have to be a plant person or have any special knowledge of plants to incorporate them into your space. If you’ve never had a plant before, this is for you. It’s never too late to get started with house plants. Even if you already have some plant babies in your spaces, this is for you. Believe it or not, adding just one plant to your home can have a huge impact on your space and on how you feel. There’s some real science behind the role plants play in our homes. Here are four reasons to green up your space with an indoor plant or three.

1. Cleaner Air

The magic of photosynthesis and transpiration, plants can actually clean the air in your home, mediation space or office. Some plants are better at purifying the air than others, but they all take in carbon dioxide and release oxygen. Certain plants can eliminate a long list of toxins from formaldehyde to carbon monoxide. You may be surprised to learn that most homes have many of these chemicals due to the presence of paint, furniture, fragrances, carpeting and cleaning solutions. Aloe Vera, Boston ferns and English ivy are just three powerful air purifiers.

2. Relieve Stress

Stress is part of living. Whether you’re experiencing positive or negative stressors, your body’s response is pretty much the same. Too much cortisol and other hormones that the body releases when stressed can exacerbate existing health conditions and create new health concerns. Too much stress can also weaken your immune system. Plants can help reduce your stress, fatigue and blood pressure. If you find that you enjoy the scent of a plant, it’s definitely going to do good things for your stress and anxiety. Peppermint, lavender and jasmine are great at relieving stress.

3. Better Sleep

Insomnia much? If you’re interested in getting more restful and rejuvenating sleep, you may want to consider adding a jasmine, lavender or gardenia to your bedroom. Not only do these plants with their intoxicating aromas help you relax and reduce your stress, they are great at improving your quality of sleep. By lowering your blood pressure, heart rate and anxiety, you will be more likely to ease into sleep and sleep better with the right plant in your sleeping area. Don’t be surprised if you start waking up in a great mood or becoming less dependent on that morning cup of coffee.

4. Beauty

They’re nice to look at. A well placed plant can add a lot to the decor of any space. It can be small or large, in a hanging basket, a corner or sitting on a bookshelf. Plants help you bring the outdoors indoors and can even help your space appear a little larger. Get a beautiful, quirky, unique, ceramic or odd shaped pot to house your plant and add a little ambiance and character to your space. Every plant has their claim to beauty, so answer what speaks to you.

Now that you know why and how plants deserve a place in your space, it’s time to choose at least one. Don’t worry about killing it or being a bad plant parent. One of the best things about indoor plants is that they don’t typically need a lot of fuss. Low maintenance is the way to go if you’re a new plant owner. Here are some great beginner plants that are hard to disappoint:

• Aloe vera

• Snake Plant

• Pothos

• Philodendron

• Rubber tree

This list is a great starting point, so whether you want to add something green to your meditation space, bedroom or anywhere else, there are plenty of benefits to reap.