Plants in the Office: Why a Little Bit of Green Can Make a Big Difference

Think you can’t be bothered to have a plant in the office? Maybe it’s time to rethink that. Plants not only look good, but they can have some real actual impacts on your life in the office. Read on to find out more.

They’re good for your health

We know that eating plants is good for your health, but did you know that having them around you also makes a difference? Plants actually help filter the air around us by removing a variety of toxic and harmful chemicals from the environment. One groundbreaking NASA study found that plants can remove up to 87% of airborne toxins in a single day, freshening the air and make it easier for us to breathe. It’s also been shown that plants benefit your heart and brain, too. Not only that, but they also act as a natural humidifier, which is a massive benefit for cold and stuffy offices. So the next time you think the air is stale in your office, think about putting a plant on your desk — it will do you good.

They can improve your mood

Really? Well, yes.

Studies have revealed that being around plants increases the amount of serotonin and other anxiety-reducing chemicals in your body. When you’re able to breathe better in a more natural environment, you’ll notice that you may be more calm, less stressed, and generally in a better mood. There’s a reason why people talk about ‘clearing the air’ when a situation gets tough. And there’s more: being around plants during the day can actually help you sleep better at night, something we could all benefit from.

They can make you more productive

When you’re healthier, feeling less stressed, and getting more sleep, you tend to be a lot more productive at work. Working in an office with plants significantly boosts your creativity, problem-solving skills, concentration, and memory retention. Not to mention the better working relationships you’ll have with your coworkers as a result of your better mood. So plants = better mood = more productive + more friends at work. What could be bad?

They’re the wave of the future

First cubicles disappeared, then many offices started going paperless, and now we’re seeing the rise of the ‘green office’. Not just eco-friendly, but plant-friendly. The latest trend includes ‘managers and designers bringing a central idea of green design to the workplace: the belief that what’s good for the environment, is also good for people. In other words, more plants and natural light are coming our way. We can all breathe easier now.

And it’s not just coming from top-down. Millennials are by far the biggest consumers of houseplants around. Driven in part by their star turn on social media, millennials have tripled their houseplant purchases in the U.S., growing the American market by almost $2 billion. — So don’t be surprised if the more plant-friendly workspaces tend to attract new talent more quickly. They’re drawn to plants like bees to a flower 😉

So, which plants should you get?

Scared of the prospect of keeping a living thing alive in your office? Think you don’t have a green thumb? Well, there are plenty of options to choose from — from the delicate to the nearly impossible to destroy, so you may want to take a look at your options and see which plant might be the best match for you. At a loss for ideas? Check out some aloe vera or English ivy, which is always easy on the eyes. And when in doubt, just spring for a nice succulent.

No matter which plant you get, you’re bound to notice a difference in your mood at your workplace, whether you work in a quiet private office in London or a bustling Miami coworking space. You might even become one of those people who say good morning to their plant each day. Why not?