Why Plants are a Must for your Office

It’s amazing what a difference adding plants to an office space can make.  We’ve had plants in various shapes and forms in our showroom for a few years now and you really can see how they ‘complete’ the space.  You don’t realise it when they aren’t there but once you’ve introduced plants there’s no turning back!

 

As well as being visually pleasing there are an abundance of benefits that plants have on an office space – be it your own personal home office or a large corporate building.

 

With a little help from our friends at Urban Garden here are some tips and reasons to get adding that greenery:

 

• Lush healthy plants create an instant effect softening walls and workspaces.

 

• Plants help improve acoustics. Reducing background noise by absorbing and deflecting sound.

 

• They are portable and multi-purpose. They are a great way to create a soft barrier, separating large areas or to hide ugly areas of the office.

 

• A healthy plant will deliver all the benefits of a clean air machine. Removing chemical toxins and carbon dioxide from the air and producing oxygen in its place.

 

• Plants protect staff against ‘sick building syndrome’. Plants act like mini air conditioners, sucking up carbon dioxide and releasing fresh oxygen. NASA studies have shown that they also filter out volatile organic compounds such as formaldehyde, benzene and trichloroethylene.

 

• Plants release water vapour into the air. This counteracts the drying effects of heating and air conditioning and brings the humidity level closer to the ideal 30 – 60 percent range that prevents colds.

 

• Research shows plants make people feel happier and less stressed. Employees who feel relaxed and mentally agile are more productive.

 

• Plants make visitors feel more comfortable and welcome. Many retailers believe they increase retail spend as relaxed shoppers are more likely to browse and buy.

 

• Inexpensive and low-maintenance. For the cost of a flat white you can have a great looking plant in a decorative planter fully maintained by a professional plant hire company.

 

Related: Sensory Experience in the Workplace

 

Choosing the right plants

 

If you have certain areas or ‘tasks’ you’d like your plants to perform in there are definitely specific varieties that can cater to these requirements.

 

• For sound reduction, a leafy plant that has lots of leaves is ideal. They reflect, deflect and absorb noise. If you’ve ever noticed the heavy planting along a motorway, this is to aid in absorbing and deflecting road noise from surrounding houses. While they are not a total solution they definitely help. Plant walls are a great way to create a screen as well as absorb sound. Specific plants: Ficus plants, Dracaena or Plant walls

 

• Snake plants prove to be very popular for tambour planters as new varieties don’t get too tall – allowing views across the office to remain in some capacity. They tolerate low light, look good and are compact in size so fit into tight spaces.

 

• Philodendron have lush green leaves and look very tropical. They are mostly climbers so grow up a frame or totem and are used on plant walls, free standing plants and table tops.

 

• Kentia palms are a great indoor plant especially if you want ‘tropical’ in the middle of winter. With long graceful, arching palm fronds it is ideal for a casual, relaxed space in the office.  Can be thirsty in hot locations.

 

• Peace lilies are great as they tolerate low light but look great with their spadix type flower. Another great plant for acoustic absorption. They are a good barometer for water plants as they will be the first to wilt but will quickly bounce back.

 

For all your office plant requirements and for a full rundown on all the benefits of plants indoors please contact the guys at Urban Garden, they are the experts we use and trust!