The Grow Kindness project is a collaboration among the Office of Student Life, the College of Food, Agriculture and Environmental Sciences (CFAES), OSU Extension, Altman Plants, and Scotts Miracle-Gro aiming to teach that plants are healthy for you in your daily environment as well as the health benefits of kindness.
Members of the university community in Columbus could receive two succulent plants; one to keep for themselves and one to give away in kindness to someone else. In October 2023, the following locations were open for the plant give-away.
- Traditions at Scott
- University Square (15th and High)
- Wexner Medical Center (Herrick Transit hub)
The project expanded beyond the Columbus campus locations to also include six statewide campus locations as OSU Extension celebrated Urban October.
Evidence and research illustrates that having indoor plants can:
- Alleviate symptoms of depression
- Ease feelings of anxiety
- Enhance productivity and creativity levels
- Improve the indoor quality of air
- Uplift and improve mood
- Connection to the outdoors and nature
Kindness Benefits
Kindness Increases:
- Oxytocin
- Energy
- Happiness
- Lifespan
- Pleasure
- Serotonin
- Well-being
- Empathy
- Compassion
Kindness Decreases:
- Pain
- Stress
- Anxiety
- Depression
- Blood Pressure