The 7 Benefits of Having Plants in Your Office

Humans benefit from being in and around nature. Going out for a walk in the fresh air is often suggested for any number of reasons. Headaches? Go out. Sad? Take a stroll around the block. Unmotivated? See if you’re inspired by hiking or sitting at the park. There’s just something about trees, flowers, and other plants that call to us as a species. So, why don’t you have any in your office?
It can seem like putting plants around the office is a tedious bit of management not worth the time but that’s far from the truth. The benefits of plants in the workplace far outweigh the lost minutes it takes to water and care for them. You could even be losing money by not filling your business with the proper foliage. How? See for yourself:

1. Boost Productivity
As long as everyone can see a plant from where they’re sitting, you’re increasing their productivity. Just a small handful of houseplants can boost productivity by up to 15% and that’s incorporating only a few throughout the workplace. By adding even one plant every three to four feet, you’re improving your employees’ memory retention and helping them earn higher scores on tests. It’s all about psychological engagement in the work environment in order to boost happiness and production.

2. Decrease Sickness and Absences
Studies have shown that workspaces that integrate plants and elements of nature into their office design increase scores of wellbeing by 15% and heighten productivity by 6% compares to spaces without these additions. There has also been evidence that office plants can decrease symptoms of poor health, like fatigue, nose and eye irritation, dry skin, and problems concentrating, by 25%. If you feel better when you’re at work, you’re more likely to finish the day out or go in at all.

3. Filter the Air
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. Lower Stress
Employee happiness really comes down to one thing: how stressed are they at work? Every job has its stresses but if it’s too demanding or there’s nothing in place to mitigate feeling overwhelming, people will burn out eventually. Job satisfaction hinges on keeping stress levels manageable. A study by the University of Technology in Sydney found just how vital plants are in the workplace for reducing stress and other issues back in 2010:

• 37% drop in anxiety and tension
• 58% decrease in depression/dejection
• 44% reduction in anger/hostility
• 38% fall in fatigue


5. 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.

6. Enhance the Workplace
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.

7. Heighten Creativity
It’s been found that offices sporting natural elements have their creativity boosted by about 15% than those without. As nature relaxes people and allows them to concentrate better, it shifts our brains into a different type of processing mode.

Article text from Space Refinery