A study conducted by Peter Costa at South Bank University (London, England), showed that plants absorbed background noise inside buildings, resulting in a more comfortable environment for the building’ occupants. Peace lilies, sweetheart plants, Madagascan dragon trees and weeping figs were all proven to have nose-reducing properties in the study.

The study also offered tips for maximizing the noise-reducing properties of interior plants, such as using bigger plants with more plants, using several arrangements rather than planting in a concentrated location, and placing plants near edges and corners in order to intercept sound reflected from walls more easily.

The calming and noise-reducing properties of interior plants may explain why so many of us are drawn toward the outdoors when we plan our vacations and getaways. Whether it’s hiking through the woods or skiing down a mountain, time spent in a natural setting can do wonders when we need to relax.

Hotel such as the Opryland in Nashville, Tenn. are capitalizing on plants’ soothing, quieting properties. The hotel features two huge, six-story, semi-tropical indoor gardens covering 3.5 acres, with footpaths and walkways that enable guests to wander past fountains, waterfalls and many varieties of foliage.

Rooms overlooking Opryland’s interior gardens are always the first to be reserved by repeat guests. These rooms command a price of at least $30 more than the rooms without garden views, which support the theory that plants may help boost hotel profits.