Why You Must Have Plants in Your Office Area?

Space is a powerful tool to foster engagement, inspire innovation, and drive productivity. But what exactly does an optimal space look like? A great way to bolster productivity and add some cheer to your office is by including some leafy friends around your workplace.

One of the first studies into the long-term effects of office plants was conducted in 2014 by researchers in Australia, the UK, and the Netherlands. It examined three office environments over several months and found greenery significantly increases workplace satisfaction in employees, heightens self-reported concentration levels, and improves perceived air quality.

Indoor plants, vertical gardens, and courtyards in the office have more benefits than just aesthetics.

1. Reduce Stress and Blood Pressure: A 2010 study by the new University of Technology, Sydney, found significant reductions in stress among workers when plants were introduced to their workspace. Results included a 37% fall in reported tension and anxiety; a 58% drop in depression or dejection; a 44% decrease in anger and hostility; and a 38% reduction in fatigue. Plants help with loneliness, anxiety and depression. Caring for, or just being in the company of another living thing gives us purpose and it can be very rewarding—especially when you see your plants growing, thriving and blooming.
2. Help to drive Productivity: According to a study conducted at Washington State University, the presents of plants in an office environment reduced workers blood pressure and increases task completion speeds by 12%. Workers also reported that they felt more attentive when plants were present. It’s all about psychological engagement in the work environment in order to boost happiness and production.
3. Improve Indoor Air Quality: This goes without saying but it’s good to be reminded that every plant around you is filtering the air of carbon dioxide. In air-conditioned offices, this reduction is about 10% but buildings without AC can benefit from a nearly 25% decrease in C02 throughout the office. The best part? The size of the plant doesn’t matter!
4. Add color and texture to the office: From a purely aesthetic perspective, the use of plants helps to integrate color, texture, and softness into the typical office. Plants are renowned for softening the harsh metallic sheen of filing cabinets, for example, while also infusing bright colors into sterile workplace environments.
5. Improved creative thought processes: Creative blocks are no joke. Whether you’re out of ideas or stuck on the same one for a little too long, office plants can provide inspiration. Bright colors and vibrant smells are key to making sure your leafy buddy has a positive impact on your creativity.
6. Happy Workplace: Working in a beautiful space that has been designed with inspiration by nature, known as biophilia, promotes a happy environment. When people are working in a space that gets them psychologically engaged they are happier, work more productively and you retain employees longer.
7. Reduce Noise: Plants actually absorb sound! This natural trait keeps distracting conversation and noises to a minimum. By placing large, potted plants in corners and edges of rooms, you’ll start hearing a big difference.