Plants are a simple and stylish way to decorate a space, but while office plants are busy looking great they’re also benefiting the overall wellbeing of those around them. Over the course of our lives Australian’s will spend 13 years, 2 months at work, which for many of us means over 13 years inside an office. Adding some plants in the office means we get to enjoy a bit of nature’s natural beauty as well as reap the many other benefits of spending time in nature….all while plugging away at our desks.
Many studies have shown evidence that the presence of office plants reduces stress levels and even improves efficiency in the workplace. Washington State University researchers found that study participants’ reported feeling more attentive, and their blood pressure lowered when plants were present in the room.
Plants Help to Reduce Stress and Anxiety
A number of studies over the years have shown that office plants are effective at reducing stress levels. One study published in the Journal of Physiological Anthropology showed that interaction with indoor plants can reduce physiological and psychological stress. Even the potting mix can help to reduce stress and anxiety. Soil contains microbes that work as natural antidepressants, boosting your mood by releasing cytokines, which then leads your brain to produce more serotonin. So, just being around soil can actually boost your mood.
Many studies have shown evidence that the presence of office plants reduces stress levels and even improves efficiency in the workplace. Washington State University researchers found that study participants’ reported feeling more attentive, and their blood pressure lowered when plants were present in the room.
Plants Reduce Noise
An office can be a noisy place, especially when it’s open plan. Trees, plants and shrubbery have for years been used to reduce noise pollution along freeways and busy roads. Plants can do the same for your office by changing room acoustics and reducing reverberation. Placed in areas with a lot of hard surfaces, like wooden floors, concrete and marble, plants will absorb sound and reduce distraction, this can be especially handy in meeting areas.
Plants Look Great
Plants have always been a decorators dream, both in the home and the workplace. There’s no denying that a little greenery really lifts a space and brings a somewhat calming feeling to any environment. This calming effect helps employees to be happier, healthier and more productive, all while creating a more aesthetically pleasing place to work. A greener workplace has the added benefit of being more appealing to those visiting your space, be it clients or potential new staff.
Office Plants Clean the Air
Indoor air contains up to 5 times more pollutants than the air outside. Exposure to these pollutants can cause headaches, itchy eyes or even more serious problems like asthma and eczema. Plants around the office will improve the air quality by removing these harmful contaminants from the air. Certain plant varieties like the Peace Lily can filter out toxic pollutants by absorbing them through their roots and leaves. It has been found that rooms with plants contain up to 60% less airborne bacteria than those without.
Plants act as a natural humidifier by releasing moisture from their leaves. Placing ferns around your office can help to regulate dry indoor air during winter. Indoor plants have also been shown to reduce the symptoms of “sick building syndrome”, a condition affecting office workers, causing headaches and respiratory problems, mostly attributed to unhealthy factors in the workplace, such as poor ventilation.
Living Walls – The Ideal Office Plant Solution
A ‘living wall’ is a vertical system of plants attached to an internal or external wall, although they can also be freestanding. Living walls incorporate vegetation, growing medium, irrigation and drainage into a single system. They are also known as ‘green walls’ or ‘vertical gardens’.
Living walls can remove up to 87% of toxins in the air in a 24 hour period and metabolise the toxins, releasing oxygen at a much faster rate than standard indoor plants. A living wall will also help to bring down your power bill by helping to control building temperature, cooling the building by providing insulation in the winter and reducing wall surface temperatures in the hotter months.
While the health benefits are clear, a living wall is also just a really beautiful way to display plants and bring some nature in to the office, especially if you’re low on space.
