Powerful Plants

Improve Productivity, Morale

By Erica Rascón on Apr 13, 2016 in News

Plants do more than beautify your office space. They are a tested, effective, low-cost—and now, low maintenance—way to make your office space a better place to work. The presence of greenery results in increased productivity, improved morale, more amicable interpersonal relations, higher air quality, and decreased stress and anxiety.

If those seem like haughty claims, consider the research:

The Journal of Experimental Psychology reveals that the presence of greenery in an office space boosts productivity by 15 percent.

Plant life is proven to enhance concentration, which not only supports productivity but also fosters creative problem solving and faster learning.

When employees are burdened by stress, fuses run short and interpersonal conflicts may escalate. Studies by the Horticulture Research Institute suggests that indoor plants demonstrably reduce stress, thus improve mood and morale in the workplace. In the long term, emotional stress is a contributing factor to the top six leading causes of fatal illness. By reducing stress, businesses can improve employee health and cut costs on absenteeism and health care.

It is common knowledge that plants can reduce the presence of carbon dioxide outside. It’s equally as important to note that some plants can combat volatile organic compounds (VOCs) that are commonly found indoors. VOCs are found in paints, adhesives, flooring, furniture, and other office products. Cleaner air contributes to employee health, as well as a reduction in minor setbacks such as headaches and fatigue.

Plants have proven their value. So why aren’t more offices packed wall to ceiling with greenery?

Terra Basche of Santa Barbara-based Terra Malia Designs recalls common misconceptions about indoor plants. “People think potted indoor plants should be placed in the corner and out of the way. Plants are cared for, but otherwise no one interacts with them. Terra Malia Designs is trying to break that mold and merge plants with art and utility,” says Basche. “Everyone should interact with plants in the workplace, like growing and harvesting lettuce from a tower garden to make a fresh salad for lunch or growing tomatoes that can be picked for a caprese salad minutes before a lunch meeting.”

There is also the misconception that plants are boring. You can make office plants trendy, changing them out to keep the office environment feeling fresh and exciting.

“Fiddle leaf figs are hot now. It’s a ficus that prefers medium to high light. It has really large, kind of shiny leaves. Great texture. Nice personality. They’re the sort of plants that like their spot and if you move them, they get upset,” laughs Basche.

More Myths About Plants

• Plants require ample sunlight. False. While many plants will thrive in sunlight, there are also shade-loving and shade-tolerant varieties that will look stunning in your office. “For low light areas, there are several palms, especially bamboo and kentia palms, which look great and don’t need as much light. There is also Sansevieria, Dracaenas, and Pothos which are smaller,” suggests Basche.
• Plants needs lots of water. False. Many succulents, ferns, and even herbs like rosemary can survive—and even thrive—with lower quantities of water. You certainly won’t need an indoor hose to keep plants alive and well.
• Nobody has the time or will to take care of plants. False. Odds are, there is someone in your office who would love to play in the dirt once a week.  Gardening is therapeutic, and those who garden know it! But if you cannot find a volunteer, search your area for a corporate greenery specialist like Terra Malia Designs. This independently-owned company will design and install plant arrangements—and then come back each week and take care of the plants for you. Everything from watering, pest control, cleaning and removing dead leaves is included in their services.