As the younger generation moves into entrepreneurial positions, the working environment is changing. The previously drab, air-conditioned offices with small grey cubicles are replaced with open and collaborative work environments, bright colours, comfortable break rooms – and every corner has a trendy indoor plant. Every office can benefit from more indoor plants, not just the trendsetters.
The idea behind the indoor plant trend
Turns out, there’s more to this than following a trend. Bringing plants into your decor has a powerful impact on everyone; your office-based teams, your clients, and your business as a whole. Here are the fast facts:1. Indoor plants cause stress levels to plummet
Thanks to our prehistoric ancestors, the colour green, alongside leafiness, makes us feel safe. It’s built into our DNA.
Bringing real plants into our functional spaces helps to activate this ancient mechanism that soothes us. It’s not a conscious thing – if you were to put words to how it feels – it’s like walking into a room and instantly feeling comfortable there. The benefits business owners can enjoy? Calm and de-stressed people that are more productive.
How to do it? Acquire a good combination of hanging and potted plants. Go for a variety of plants so that you have different shades of green.
2. Indoor plants help people to breathe easy
Confined spaces, like offices, often result in stagnant air building up. So, you share a lot of carbon dioxide with coworkers – sounds a little unpleasant, doesn’t it? If you need the office windows closed for the sake of the air-conditioning, even more so.
Plants are game-changers here. They convert carbon dioxide into breathable air, which naturally improves everyone’s health. We also know how important oxygen is for optimal brain function. There are interesting studies on the plant varieties that reveal the most effective indoor plant varieties for removing pollutants and converting carbon dioxide into oxygen. Fresh air can alleviate brain fog and improve concentration levels, so if you want to improve productivity, add a few air-cleaning plants.
3. Natural elements, like indoor plants, can improve the way your business is perceived
When you walk into a shop and the decor makes a lasting impression, in a positive way, you feel inclined to visit the shop again. Entering any space that looks cared for makes you feel comfortable and at ease. It also suggests that this business owner will provide a positive experience for his clients.
Isn’t that the feeling you want your clients to have when they enter your business?
The best plants for the indoor workspace
- Devil’s Ivy/pothos (Epipremnum aureum)
This fresh burst of bright green leaves removes xylene, benzene, formaldehyde and trichloroethylene from the air. Surprised to hear those are in the air you breathe? Sadly, they’re actually commonly present in our air.
- Peace Lily (Spathiphyllum)
The peace lily removes benzene, carbon monoxide, formaldehyde, trichloroethylene, and xylene from the air. They’re easy to care for and reward you with beautiful white lilies. They’re happy with weekly water and a slow-release fertiliser in spring.
- Philodendron
These heart-shaped leaves pull formaldehyde out of the air. They’re super robust, thriving in air-conditioned rooms. Keep them out of direct sunlight.
- Areca palms (Chrysalidocarpus lutescens)
These tropical beauties remove benzene, carbon monoxide, formaldehyde, trichloroethylene, and xylene from the air. They’re eye-catching, especially in the right pot.
- Snake Plant/Mother-in-Law’s Tongue (Sansevieria trifasciata)
Spiky but gorgeous! This part-succulent removes formaldehyde, trichloroethylene, benzene and xylene from the air. It’s so trendy, you can’t resist it. You may see these in the parking areas of shopping malls. This is because they can withstand everything, from frigid air-conditioned environments to scorching full sun. Just don’t overwater them.
These are a few examples. For more examples of trendy plants that filter the air and survive indoor conditions, send us a mail – we have so many suggestions! We offer office plant rentals and maintenance.
Our service: We source the perfect plants based on your space and your needs. We bring them in, place them, and we maintain them. It is understood that not everyone has green fingers – keeping indoor plants alive sometimes feels like a mystery only the professionals understand. We are those professionals! Contact us to learn more about this service.
