10 Reasons Why You Need Plants in Your Office

Ponytail palm and a peace lily

Most offices tend to lack any connection to nature—they are usually varying shades of beige and grey and don’t appear inviting. Simply adding plants to your office space can bring major benefits to your employees. The same is true if you’re working from a home office. Incorporating biophilic design is a sure way to enhance your work and overall health. Here are 10 reasons why you need plants in your office.

1. Plants are Pretty:

Incorporating plants is an easy and beautiful way to style your office space. There are so many different types of plants that all have a unique style and come in rich shades of green. Mix and match the types of plants in your office and have fun displaying them in different stylish pots with fun colors and interesting shapes. An office with vibrate greenery will also help convey a positive brand image to your visitors. Work with an interior landscape designer to help you maximize your workspace.

2. Improved 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.

3. Clean Air:

Houseplants not only absorb carbon dioxide, but also other gasses such as benzene (found in plastics, fabrics and cigarette smoke) and formaldehyde (found in dish detergent and carpet cleaners). Office plants eliminate these indoor pollutants through photosynthesis, in turn, improving air quality.

4. Humanize Your Space:

Dracena Lemon Lime Plant

Most office spaces lack the warmth of a human touch. They tend to be bare, have neutral walls and are visually cold. Your workspace should be a place where employees actually want to spend their time and should be set up to encourage behaviors that support your company’s mission. Adding character to your work place is simple with office plants and can make a big impact. Plantscape designers specialize in creative interior plant design.

5. Calms Anxiety:

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.

6. Adds Good Humidity:

Common office plants such as peace lilies, pothos, spier plants and rubber plants increase the level of humidity in the air. Offices tend to be dry, cold and uncomfortable, but by adding plants you can help to improve humidity levels. Houseplants lose 90% of their water through transpiration so you can think of plants as natural humidifiers—this is especially great in the winter months.

7. Comfort:

Giant Monstera

Natural greenery triggers comfort in your brain. Much like going for a walk outside clears your mind, brining houseplants into your work area creates a space that is soothing to be in and more comfortable overall. As humans, we have a natural tendency to affiliate with nature. Plants give us that comfort and fulfill the need to return to nature while we are in our offices.

8. 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.

9. Likeable:

When walking into an office filled with plants, people are often perceived as more likeable and nurturing. As we mentioned earlier, plants give off good vibes and this only helps when meeting new people, welcoming them into your office or working with a group of people in your space.

10. Increases Creativity:

Planterra’s horticultural technicians maintain office plants nationwide

Being out in nature is a known way to increase creativity. Adding office plants to your space will cause you to get different perspectives, help you feel more relaxed and better able to concentrate on your tasks.

Speak with a Planterra expert today.