Creating a positive and productive atmosphere in your workplace is the key to a successful work day. One surprisingly simple step toward this is adding the right decor. In this article we to explore the benefits of adding plants to your workspace.
Creating a positive and productive atmosphere in your workplace is the key to a successful day, and one surprisingly simple step is adding the right decor. Plants are simple, cost effective, and do much more than just create a more welcoming atmosphere. Boosting productivity, reducing stress, and improving air quality are just a few of the many benefits of indoor plants. Even artificial plants carry many of those same benefits. If you’re looking to improve or personalize your workspace, introducing some greenery might just do the trick. In this article we delve into the benefits of plants and which plants work best in offices!
Plants are extremely common in homes, offices, and other public spaces. But did you know that the history of indoor plants is surprisingly complex? Many of the indoor plants we have today, like the Ficus or aloe plants, were brought west from places like India and Africa. While indoor plants were originally a status symbol for the middle and upper class, in the Mid-19th Century, indoor plants became extremely popular and widespread among all walks of life. And it’s no wonder, since they have so many benefits!
Keeping plants around your office isn’t all about the refreshing look of foliage. Plants can actually benefit your health and overall well-being in a number of ways. They improve air quality by removing pollutants and releasing oxygen through the process of photosynthesis. Adding some greenery to your office may also reduce stress! Plants have been linked to reduced levels of cortisol, a stress hormone in the body. Both real and fake plants (and even pictures of plants) have been linked to reduced stress levels. There’s even research to suggest that having plants in your workspace can make you more productive.
Evidence suggests that office workers with more plants experience improved concentration and a higher level of workplace satisfaction. There are a number of reasons why this may be the case. For one thing, plants can help with noise reduction by absorbing or deflecting sound, contributing to a quieter workspace. They also help reconnect us with nature, offering a refreshing touch to typically concrete heavy urban spaces. Research suggests that implementing the principles of biophilic design, the practice of developing/creating buidings and indoor spaces that feel more connected to nature, can increase creativity and productivity, and even improve one’s mood.
Finally, indoor plants might even be good for the environment (and not just aesthetically!). Like we mentioned before, plants can improve air quality through photosynthesis. But did you know that they can also help with temperature regulation and energy efficiency? That’s right! Similar to how they can absorb and deflect noise, plants can absorb heat and provide shade. So when we talk about biophilic design and greening indoor spaces, it’s really about more than just our need to connect with nature! The principles of biophilic design can improve our spaces and cities in many ways. Keeping a couple of plants on or near your desk can be a wonderful reminder to care for nature. After all, when plants help us in so many ways, shouldn’t we return the favour?
From lighting and watering to sizing, there are lots of reasons why some plants work better indoors than others. Most new plant owners assume that they should start with low maintenance plants. Which is true in some cases, but you’ll be surprised! Our Director of Community and resident plant hobbyist says she has found that the plants that best matches your personality tends to be the one you can keep alive and help thrive. For example, she says she cannot deal with cacti and succulents because they don’t need her enough and she forgets about them. Instead, she leans toward the sensitive and dramatic plants.
So, to help you weed through all the information, we’ve made this quick and easy list. Don’t forget that artificial plants provide some of the same benefits mentioned above, without any of the maintenance needs! But for those of you looking for the real deal, here are some of our favourite suggestions for office-friendly foliage. These plants are in order from low maintenance to high maintenance.
Dracaena trifasciata, better known as the Snake Plant, is a popular option for offices and indoor public spaces. Recognizable by its long, flat leaves that grow directly upright, these plants originate in West Africa. These are a great option for your office, as they’re low maintenance, requiring infrequent watering and not much sunlight. This also makes them great for gardening beginners as they are very hard to kill!
Did you know that while all cacti are succulents, not all succulents are cacti? Almost all of them work well in offices though! While they’re often the smallest option, succulents and cacti offer by far the widest varieties of shapes and colours. No wonder they’re so popular. And because of their minute stature, they can easily be kept on a desk – so feel free to get started building a collection of them.
The name ficus is Latin for fig, so it shouldn’t surprise you to learn that many species of ficus produce figs. While these plants aren’t likely to sprout fruit in your office, this shrub is long-lived and does well indoors. The large and small variants give you lots of options for how you want to decorate your space. The right varieties can effectively fill empty corners or act as natural dividers in open office layouts.
Peace lilies are a great way to add a touch of elegance and beauty to your workspace. Their lush white blooms are perfect to encourage a calming and tranquil atmosphere in the office. They tolerate low lighting well, meaning they can thrive in any office space. And since they only need watering once a week on average, caring for one can fit into any schedule!
Technically speaking, a bonsai tree is any small tree grown inside a pot, including the Ficus we just mentioned. The term bonsai in Japanese literally translates to ‘planted in a container’, and refers to the art of growing and caring for small, potted trees. This means that the ‘bonsai tree’, a familiar little plant typically associated with Zen gardens, can be any of a number of different species. However, of the many options available only certain types of Bonsai can grow indoors; namely the tropical and subtropical variants. While it may be a more advanced option, tending to a bonsai can be both relaxing and satisfying. Smaller variants can be great for desks and cubicles, while large ones can occupy open office space. They all make for great conversation pieces!
Plants also offer a gentle reminder to prioritize self-care. They can even teach us a little bit about ourselves. Plants remind us to step back from our phones/laptops, take a break from work, and to practice self-care. “When I notice my plants are starting to droop or need a haircut, I realize that I also need a glass of water and a haircut!” says our Director of Community.
Whether you have a dedicated desk or a private office, plants can really brighten up your space. As we’ve seen, adding greenery to your workspace can boost productivity, reduce stress, improve air quality, and even contribute to a more sustainable environment. At Workhaus, we believe in creating inspiring and healthy workspaces for our community. If adding a plant to your office or desk brings you any of the benefits we’ve talked about here, then we encourage you to do so!
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