A Guide to Workplace Wellness: Integrate Plants Into Your Work Space

Creating a zen working space that enables one to efficiently work can be a challenge. Plants offer many environmental and personal benefits, improving both air quality and mood.

In my previous Wellness article, The Health Benefits of Houseplants, I highlight the many ways in which houseplants improve personal health. Here are some ways in which plants can elevate your productivity and happiness at work.

Better Indoor Air Quality  

A study by NASA helps pinpoint which plants filter the air the best. LovetheGarden.com took this information and compiled it into an easy to process graphic. A frequent question that arises is “what is it that’s harmful in our air?” and “how are these things harmful?”

There are several common substances toxifying the air we breath. This is a pretty regular occurrence, and while our bodies are designed to adapt cleaner air is always healthier.

Here are some of the best plants for improved air quality.

Having plants at work keeps both air quality and the environment on the forefront of employee’s minds.

Less Stress and Improved Creative Thought Process

Image taken from Psychology of the Office Space by USC Dornsife

Whether or not you work in an office, workplace surroundings drastically impact workflow. The surroundings in which a person works dictates whether they will be constantly stressed or feel comfortable and creative.

A study by the Nursery and Garden Industry Australia presents some important research associated with integrating planting into work spaces. It highlights how certain emotions related to stress were drastically reduced by the presence of plants.

Anxiety – 37% reduction
Depression – 58% reduction
Hostility – 44% reduction
Fatigue – 38% reduction

The study also concluded that “just one plant per workspace can provide a very large lift to staff spirits, and so promote wellbeing and performance.”

Plants Are A Driving Force For Productivity

Many will agree that it takes a level of comfort to be highly productive. This endeavor requires balancing excessive comfort with effective time management.

An in depth study by Washington State University's Department of Horticulture and Landscape Architecture proves that plants push productivity by creating a more ideal domain for workers.  Over the course of the study workers completed timed computer based tasks in separate rooms that did or did not contain plants. When plants were present, workers were more productive and their reaction time was upped 12%. Additionally, they had lower blood pressure and were less stressed.

Dr Virginia Lohr, lead researcher for the study stated, “This study confirms that common plants can contribute to lower stress levels and higher levels of productivity.”

A Move Vibrant Workplace

Plants greatly increase the aesthetics of the area and have a unique way of creating a welcoming effect to workers and visitors alike. Plants are colourful, interesting to look at, and relaxing. Who doesn’t like a more inviting space to work in?

The days of monotone cubicle environments are long gone. Happiness and open work zones are proving to be a much more choice. Take a look at some of the most lush corporate workplaces from around the world.

Google office in Dublin, Ireland

DirecTV Office in Boise, Idaho (yes, those are real palm trees)

Facebook Office in Tel Aviv, Isreal

With a little inital planning your workplace can start to resemble those pictured above. What are your preferred varieties of indoor plants? Post your favorite in the comment section.