The benefits of office plants

Increase staff happiness and improve productivity by putting plants in the office.

Green leaves and colourful flowers have long been symbols of health and happiness. By bringing a bit of nature from outside in to the office you can substantially improve your working environment.

Benefits of office plants include:

1. All plants remove carbon dioxide from the air, leaving us more oxygen to breathe. They also suck up harmful emissions from modern office equipment such as computers, monitors and printers.

2. Plants produce oxygen, this helps the workforce stay more alert, work more efficiently and increases productivity.

3. Plants increase the moisture content in the air. Preventing tickly coughs and dry skin.

4. We are less stressed in a greener, more natural environment. Less stress means more happy workers and a happier working environment, so more work gets done.

Not all plants are suited to life in an office, so you need to choose your office plants wisely.

Light

High maintenance plants that need lots of direct sunlight are to be avoided in most offices. Low-light and shade loving varieties are your best option and will survive in most enclosed environments. Some plants will even do well near fluorescent lighting.

Watering

Some plants require little-to-no maintenance. In a busy office this could be the best option to choose. Find out the watering requirements of a plant before deciding on a variety. You could allocate the task of maintaining the plants to one member of staff, or have a rota system in place.

Size

Think carefully about the area you have for a plant and if needed measure the area prior to making a purchase. Consider how large the plant will grow. Lots of small plants scattered around the office are often more effective than large obstructive plants in the corridors or corners.

Variety

It’s also important to consider what the purpose of your plants will be. If you are installing office plants to add colour and brightness then choose flowering varieties. If you want to add more oxygen to your office then choose a leafy variety that will consume carbon dioxide.

If you want to add a touch of green to an office area then a Bay tree may be perfect. Not only will it give your office space an earthy feel it also adds a pleasant aroma for you to enjoy while you work.

Calatheas from the tropical rain forests of Brazil are the dinner jackets of office plants. They have highly coloured oval leaves with dark green and silver markings, giving a glamorous but formal impression.

Add a bit of friendly foliage to your working space for a happier and more productive workforce.