6 Ways Office Plants Improve Wellbeing and Workplace Productivity

We all know the benefits of plants for creating a beautiful, natural environment in our homes and gardens – but have you ever wondered about your office?

There have been many studies on the positive impacts of plants in the office. Not only do they create an elegant environment, improve the physical health and mental wellbeing of everyone using the space – but this also means reduced sickness, absenteeism and employee turnover.

Given that sickness-related absenteeism costs US employers over $225 billion annually… it’s no surprise people are sitting-up and paying attention. So, how exactly do office plants help?

Biophilic design: a workplace revolution

At a fundamental level, indoor plants give us the opportunity to connect with nature. Whether subconsciously or through active gardening, this universal human desire to get closer to nature also has a name. It’s known as “biophilia”.

This is where “Biophilic Design” comes from; the practice of putting nature front and center of architectural and interior schemes.

Some workplaces have really taken this approach to heart. For instance, Second Home (a coworking space based in Lisbon, Portugal) worked with SelgasCano architects to create an office space home to over 2,000 plants and trees!

Given interacting with nature increases innovation and reduces stress, it’s a bright and bold strategy for a creative coworking company – who also employ a team of local gardeners to maintain their indoor haven.

While you might not envision going to these lengths, the good news is even small touches of greenery and natural materials have tangible impacts on employee’s mental health and performance.

Here are just some of the benefits for wellbeing and cognition in the workplace:

1. Reducing mental fatigue

As humans, our thinking improves and we stay healthier when we connect with nature. Given the average working American spends 80-90% of their time indoors, biophilic workplace design is an essential tool in reducing mental fatigue and employee burnout.

Mental exhaustion spells disaster for productivity, but nature-based minibreaks can help restore energy and concentration. A mental “micro-break” (even just 40 seconds long) spent gazing over a living wall, roof garden or single plant is far more restorative than blankly staring at concrete walls or cubicle dividers.

2. Lowering stress levels

You may have heard about therapies such as “forest bathing” for reducing stress hormones, lowering blood pressure and improving mood. First developed in Japan (where the practice is known as Shinrin-Yoku), workplace greenery harnesses similar effects.

In fact, hospital studies show patients recover quicker from surgery and illness (reporting less stress and pain) if their view includes greenery and nature. Whilst all employees would ideally have access to large windows, natural light and green outlooks – these “luxuries” aren’t always possible. Things like pot plants, green walls and planter boxes really help though, bringing feelings of natural calm and tranquility to office spaces.

3. Improving physical health

One of the most comprehensive workplace studies took place in Norway in 1996. In this pioneering research, it was shown that even peripheral views of planters and floor plants reduced neuropsychological symptoms (such as fatigue and headache) by 23%. Things like coughs, sore throats, stuffy noses, itchy eyes and dry skin reduced by a similar amount.

Researchers believed these results were due to both improved air quality and the “psychological value” of a more aesthetically pleasing environment. Indeed, plants work as natural air purifiers, increasing humidity (important in air-conditioned offices) as well as reducing levels of carbon dioxide and airborne pollutants.

4. Empowering creativity

The UK’s prestigious Chelsea Flower Show recently conducted a questionnaire, showing the benefits of office planting schemes are improved if workers participate in design decisions.

Encouraging staff involvement in planting schemes enhanced feelings of wellbeing and creativity by over 45%, and workplace productivity by 38%. With significant knock-on impacts for business profitability, it confronts beliefs that plants are “non-essential” aspects of corporate spending.

5. Lessening depression and anxiety

The Sydney University of Technology discovered that workplace plants (even in small numbers) decreased feelings of depression by over 50%.

With linked feelings of stress and anxiety further reduced by 37%, it’s a massive improvement to employee mood and wellbeing. Given one in four American adults suffer from a diagnosable mental disorder, it’s a significant benefit to businesses of any size.

6. Improving acoustics

It’s an issue not often considered, but open-plan offices can be incredibly noisy environments. The lack of privacy and consistent noise-levels significantly increases stress.

Plants are great for absorbing excess noise, however. They also help with “zoning” to create quieter, more private parts of the office if deeper concentration or 1-1 chats are needed…

However you decide to incorporate natural design into your workplace, its clear office plants are essential for improving employee wellbeing and productivity.

At Kelly Mac Plants, we design, install and maintain biophilic designs for workplaces across New Jersey, New York City and Eastern Pennsylvania. Discover more about our approach and get in touch to discover how we can help your business grow.

The Power of Plants: Creating a Thriving Post-Pandemic Workplace

In the past few years, working practices have transformed. Around a quarter of the American workforce now work from home, with a further 20% of employees splitting their time between remote and office-based work.

With flexible, hybrid working now the norm, employers are increasingly focused on making offices better places to be in person. To enable an entire team to work productively and positively in the same location, it needs to be a space that people truly want to work in.

One of the most effective ways to do this is through “biophilic design”, which is all about creating closer connections to nature. Not only are biophilic workplaces beautiful spaces to be, but they improve our physical and mental health, as well as overall wellbeing.

So, what exactly is biophilic design and why is it such a powerful tool for the modern office?

What is biophilic design?

Biophilic design seeks to reconnect people and buildings with the natural environment. “Biophilia” means a love of nature – and this concept is translated into all design decisions. Done right, it enhances feelings of harmony and the links between man-made architecture and nature.

In an age where it’s not uncommon to spend around 90% of our time indoors, this approach fulfills our innate need to connect with nature.

Just think, people frequently pay more for homes with a beautiful view, big windows, stunning scenery or nearby water. Why? It’s that powerful inborn yearning for nature (whether acknowledged or not) that promotes feelings of tranquility and happiness.

With more time spent back in the office, these principles are just as powerful in the workplace…

How can biophilic design help your office space?

Biophilic workplace design is about more than the occasional desk plant or ornamental display dotted around the office. Its holistic approach focuses on natural light and colors, organic materials, access to nature and links between indoor and outdoor spaces. Nonetheless, even a few plants in an indoor space can have a massive impact on our physical and mental wellbeing.

Research shows that viewing natural plantings (whether through art, individual plants or living walls) reduces feelings of stress, fear and anger. This experience correspondingly promotes feelings of positivity, creativity and self-esteem. Indoor plantings communicate on a subconscious level that we’re in a place of abundance and refuge.

In addition to the emotional benefits, plants enhance air quality and positive perceptions of a workplace. With around 40% of sickness absence traced to poor indoor air quality, it’s a small change that can have a truly transformative impact.

Employers caring for their staff’s wellbeing not only see a happier, more collaborative workforce, but also increased productivity and creativity. It means less burnout and absenteeism, as well as staff feeling truly valued and genuinely happy to spend their time in the office. Harnessing the power of plants means you’ve not only created a stylish workplace, but also invested in the businesses’ bottom line.

In our post-pandemic era, investing in employee health and happiness in the workplace is a necessity. If you’re encouraging people back to your offices, explore our sustainable, personalized planting services today. With almost 30 years’ experience bringing mindful interior landscaping to workplaces, we can help you cultivate a deeper, more positive connection with nature and your staff.