5 Benefits Of Having Plants In The Office

Sure, they’re pretty. But there are more benefits of having plants in the office than you think!

By Diane Small

Most of us love spending time outdoors. Especially when the sun is shining and the weather is fine! But unfortunately, the average office employee spends a whopping 35 hours per week working indoors. And even more time indoors at home!

So no wonder many of us are called to add plants to our indoor spaces. But did you know that beyond mere decoration, integrating plants into your workspace can provide host of benefits, too? In fact, plants, can be one of the most efficient and cost-effective improvements you can make at work.

So, why does your office needs plants? We asked the experts at Benholm, and were surprised at what we learned!

Why You Need Greenery In The Office

1. Enhanced Productivity

Plants are natural air purifiers, absorbing carbon dioxide and releasing oxygen through photosynthesis. The presence of plants ensures a steady supply of oxygen, keeping workers alert and productive. In fact, studies indicate that offices adorned with greenery can boost productivity by up to 12%, making it a simple yet effective method to enhance performance.

2. Reduced Sickness and Absenteeism

Beyond oxygen production, plants also act as natural detoxifiers. They actually absorb any toxins present in the air. Research suggests that indoor plants can reduce sick days by an average of 25%, alleviating symptoms like coughing, headaches, and skin irritations. Moreover, areas with abundant greenery have shown to lower physical symptoms of stress, such as blood pressure and pulse rates, leading to improved well-being and reduced absenteeism.

3. Noise Reduction

Another of the benefits of having plants in the office is reduced noise.

The leaf surfaces of plants serve as effective sound absorbers, contributing to a quieter and more serene office environment.

4. Instant Well-Being Boost

Plants have an innate ability to uplift moods and create a sense of well-being. Introducing greenery into your office space can provide an instant psychological lift, nurturing a positive and inviting atmosphere. This effect is further enhanced with scented plants, such as jasmine or lavender.

5. Better Humidity

Through transpiration, plants release water vapor into the atmosphere. This fights off the dryness induced by air conditioning and electronic devices. This natural process helps maintain optimal humidity levels, fostering a comfortable and healthy workspace.

The benefits of incorporating plants into your workspace extend far beyond aesthetics. From enhancing air quality and reducing sickness to boosting morale and productivity, office plants offer a simple yet powerful solution to elevate the overall well-being and foster a thriving work environment.

But which species are the best for bringing the benefits of plants to the office?

We’d say they should be easy to take care of, do well in low lighting situations, and provide good detoxing and air cleaning effects. Here are some plants below that tick at least one or more of those boxes.

The Best Plants To Put In Your Office

1. Snake Plants

Also called ‘Mother-in-Law’s Tongue (!!), this tall, thin plant is quite architectural looking. It features long, deep green leaves with yellow details.

Name: Snake plant (Dracaena)

Light: Sun, part shade
Water: Water deeply once or twice a month.
Benefits of having these plants in the office: They don’t grow too large and are easy to control. They also absorb toxins from the air.

2. English Ivy

We often associate English ivy with outdoors. It’s absolutely gorgeous climbing up old English buildings, and is easy to grow. It requires medium light and average watering when it’s indoors.

Name: English ivy (Hedera helix)

Light: Part to full shade
Water: Evenly moisten the soil, but do not make it soggy; water when the soil is dry to the touch.
Benefits of having these plants in the office: English ivy grows quickly and can grow in floor pots, up a stick, or in a hanging basket.

3. Cacti

Cacti and succulents are the perfect office plants, as they don’t need much care. They do need lots of sun, but not much water. Of course, cacti have spines, so keep them away from corners where people may brush up against them accidentally!

Name: There are many different varieties of cacti and succulents

Light: Full sun
Water: Water cacti every 10 days in the summer and decrease to once a month or so in winter.
Benefits of having these plants in the office: They are quite drought resistant.

4. Spider Plants

Spider plants are fast-growing, pretty plants that prefer warm, humid offices. They thrive in indirect light, but keep them away from air conditioning vents.

Name: Spider plant (Chlorophytum comosum)

Light: Partial sun, shade
Water: Water regularly to keep the plant moist.
Benefits of having these plants in the office: These are really easy to propagate. Just take the baby plantlets that shoot out, put them in a shallow bowl of water, and plant in soil once roots appear. These are also great air purifying plants.

5. Peace Lilies

Thanks to their glossy green leaves and pretty white flowers, peace lilies are an office favourite. They do need some attention, though. As soon as it looks a bit limp, it’s telling you it needs a drink of water. Note that this plant is toxic to pets, so they might not be best for the home office.

Name: Peace lily (Spathiphyllum spp.)

Light: Filtered light
Water: Keep this plant more underwatered than moist.
Benefits of having these plants in the office: The appearance of the rare white flower is a joy to behold!

6. Chinese Evergreen

Chinese evergreen plants (Aglaonema commutatum) love the low lights that most offices have. They’re super easy to grow, though the more colourful varieties may need more warmth and light. We love the ‘Red Zircon’ variety, featuring green leaves and pink blotches.

Name: Chinese evergreen (Aglaonema commutatum)

Light: Partial, full
Water: Let the top inch of the soil dry out between waterings.
Benefits of having these plants in the office: They do well with low lighting.

7. Umbrella Tree

This tropical plant does well indoors. It features delicately drooping leaves shaped like flower petals. These form an umbrella shape, hence the name. But note: the plant is toxic to people and pets, so again, like the peace lily, this might not be the best home office choice.

Name: Umbrella tree (Schefflera spp.)

Light: Bright indirect (not sunlight)
Water: Water the plant when the soil completely dries out.
Benefits of having these plants in the office: This is a low-maintenance plant.

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Chere Di Boscio

Chere has always loved writing, fashion and languages, and holds degrees in Psychology and Art, and postgraduate degree in Applied Linguistics and Education. Her long career in journalism spans several continents: she’s edited and written for prestigious fashion magazines in Toronto, Dubai, Paris, London and Buenos Aires, and also taught at the prestigious School for Oriental and African Studies (SOAS) in London for over a decade. Learn more about Chere’s extensive career on LinkedIn.

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