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Introducing indoor plants to the workplace can offer a number of benefits. Plants not only make the place look nicer, they can also help to improve air quality, regulate air temperature, and improve workplace morale by increasing productivity, reducing stress and reducing sickness.
Boosting workplace morale
Numerous studies have shown that having plants in the workplace helps to increase productivity. One study by Dr Virginia Lohr at Washington State University found that students working in computer labs containing plants were 12% more efficient than students doing the same tasks in plant-free labs. Similar research at Texas A&M University found that workers in plant-filled offices came up with more ideas, more original solutions and more innovative thinking.
Meanwhile, research from Oxford University suggested that having indoor plants in the workplace had a positive effect on employees’ dispositions and perceptions. Employees with a more positive outlook tend to be happier in their jobs, they tend to be more productive, and are more willing to stay in their job – helping to boost employee retention within companies.
Another benefit of having plants in the workplace is reduced stress levels. In another study, Dr Lohr recorded the pulse and blood pressure readings and the emotional states of participants when shown a random series of symbols. Participants in plant-filled rooms were found to be less stressed and to react more quickly to each symbol than participants in plant-less rooms.
By reducing workplace sickness, indoor plants can further boost office morale. A study in Norway showed that introducing plants to a workplace decreased absenteeism from 15% to 5%. Result? With fewer employees off sick, other workers don’t have to pick up the slack, which can lead to a happier, less stressed working environment.
Improving workers’ quality of life
As well as boosting workplace morale, having indoor plants can have numerous other benefits. For one, the air quality within the office can be improved dramatically. Research has shown that air in offices can be up to ten times more polluted than the air outside. With little fresh air being brought in from outside, sealed offices just pump the same air around day-in, day-out.
Added to that is the carbon dioxide, carbon monoxide and volatile organic compounds (VOCs) produced by plastics, synthetics, furnishings and solvents. However, rooms with plants have 50% to 60% fewer airborne moulds and bacteria than rooms without plants. Plants help to take the pollutants out of the air, and release healthier air back into the environment.
Plants have also been found to help regulate temperature, while producing just the right levels of humidity. That means no more dry itchy eyes or respiratory discomfort that is often caused by air conditioning systems in offices. It can also help companies reduce costs on heating and cooling.
Research by The Foliage For Clean Air Council and National Academy of Science showed that choosing and placing plants correctly can lower building heating and cooling costs by as much as 20%.
How to choose the right indoor plants
Choosing the right plants for an office environment isn’t always easy. Neither is maintaining them, or choosing the best spots to place them. By choosing indoor plant hire in Sydney with Gaddy’s, companies can benefit from the advice of the experts. Those experts can advise on which plants would offer the best results, where to place each plant for the most benefit, and also help to maintain them to keep each plant looking and performing at its best.
