Literature regarding the economic, environmental, and health and well-being benefits of plants and greenscapes:
- Economic, Environmental, and Health/Well-Being Benefits Associated with Green Industry Products and Services: A Review (Journal of Environmental Horticulture 29(2):96-103.)
- An Update of the Literature Supporting the Well-Being Benefits of Plants: A Review of the Emotional and Mental Health Benefits of Plants (Journal of Environmental Horticulture 37(1):30–38.)
- An Update of the Literature Supporting the Well-Being Benefits of Plants: Part 2 Physiological Health Benefits (Journal of Environmental Horticulture 37(2):63-73.)
- An Update of the Literature Supporting the Well-Being Benefits of Plants: Part 3 Social Benefits (Journal of Environmental Horticulture 37(4):136–142.)
- An Update of the Literature Supporting the Well-Being Benefits of Plants: Part 4 Available Resources and Usage of Plant Benefits Information (Journal of Environmental Horticulture 38(2):68–72. June 2020)
- An Update of the Literature Supporting the Economic Benefits of Plants: Part 1 Methods of Valuing Benefits (Journal of Environmental Horticulture 40(4):143–148. December 2022)
- An Update of the Literature Supporting the Economic Benefits of Plants: Part 2 Increased Property Values (Journal of Environmental Horticulture 41(1):14–26. March 2023)
- An Update of the Literature Supporting the Economic Benefits of Plants: Part 3 – The Downside of Increased Housing Prices (Journal of Environmental Horticulture 43(1):1–10. March 2025)
These articles can be gleaned for benefits-related information to include in marketing materials and social media posts.
Other popular websites summarizing the benefits of plants, nature, and greenscapes:
- Center for Health and Nature – The mission of the Center for Health & Nature, a collaboration between Houston Methodist, Texan by Nature, and the Texas A&M Health Science Center, is to drive research to study the impact of nature on health with evidence-based programs that complement the full continuum of health care: prevention, treatment, and recovery.
- National Initiative for Consumer Horticulture – The Mission of the National Initiative for Consumer Horticulture is to grow a healthy world through the art, science and business of plants, gardens and landscapes.
- Green Plants for Green Buildings – Their purpose is to communicate the aesthetic, wellbeing, and economic benefits of nature in the built environment.
- Children and Nature Network – The C&NN library is one of the best I have seen. You can search by topic and each citation contains a 2-3 paragraph summary. And it’s all about the impacts of nature, outdoor learning, and green spaces on kids!
- Plant Benefit Factsheets produced by The Green City – These factsheets are 4-color and are excellent ready-to-use marketing materials.
- All-America Selections / National Garden Bureau – Their Facebook page is full of 4-color postings about the benefits of plants.
- Green Cities: Good Health – Click on a research theme for Fast Facts that are perfect for social media sharing.
- Nature Sacred – Another great resource on the power of nature to human health.
- America in Bloom – This website talks about the benefits of local beautification efforts to Main Street businesses and the entire community.
- Trees.com – Excellent study on the mental health benefits of plants during the pandemic.
- Human Dimension of Urban Forestry & Urban Greening – This site focuses urban forestry and has an exhaustive list of the benefits of urban forests to humans.
- Landscape Performance Series – An online set of resources to help designers, agencies, and advocates evaluate performance, show value and make the case for sustainable landscape solutions.
- ASLA Health Benefits of Nature – Click on a health topic and you can find specific research studies addressing how nature influences that particular health issue.
- Biophilic Cities – Their short videos in the Films section are perfect for sharing the benefits of being in nature.
- Terrapin Bright Green – One of the best resources for biophilic design information. One of my favorites is the Economics of Biophilia report.
- American Horticultural Therapy Association – Publishes the AHTA Journal of Therapeutic Horticulture
- Therapeutic Landscapes Network – a knowledge base and gathering space about healing gardens, restorative landscapes, and other green spaces that promote health and well-being.