Bring the Outdoors In: The Best Plants For Your Workplace
Summer is finally here, and the great outdoors are calling.
But you still have a lot of work to do before you can check out for vacation. So why not bring the outdoors in?
That’s the idea behind biophilia, the hottest trend to hit workplaces since gourmet coffee machines. Biophilia is all about bringing natural elements like plants, wood, and stone into the workplace to help employees reconnect with nature.
Biophilia reduces stress and increases productivity, says Leigh Stringer, author of The Healthy Workplace: How to Improve the Well-Being of Your Employees And Boost Your Company’s Bottom Line (and a recent webinar guest.)
Need some inspiration? Here are 10 plants to consider adding to your workplace.
The Best Plants For Your Workplace
1. Ivy
Ivy thrives in low light and requires little water, making it ideal for the workplace. It’s also a great hanging plant, so you can keep it just about anywhere—on shelves, between dividers or suspended from fixtures.
2. Succulents
Succulents are hardy plants that require very little watering. They come in hundreds of varieties, from colorful cacti to aloe plants, making them fun to collect. Their small size makes them well-suited for restrooms or cafeterias.
3. Money Tree Plants
(Source: ProFlowers)
The money tree plant is rumored to bring good fortune and luck, making it a great addition to any office. Plus it’s easy to care for and lasts for years.
4. ZZ Plants
ZZ plants add texture to your work atmosphere, breaking up white walls with pops of vibrant green. Place them in a planter that best matches your office aesthetic.
5. African Violet
African violets add a bright pop of color while taking up very little space. They require a little more TLC, but they’re well worth the effort.
6. Spider Plants
With their long, spindly leaves, spider plants certainly make a statement. They work well in a hanging display and thrive in just about any environment. And they have a secret superpower: the ability to absorb toxins and purify the air.
7. Orchids
Orchids come in a variety of sizes and colors, from delicate pink or white to bold fuschia or purple. They’re incredibly easy to care for, and their blooms can last for up to three months at a time. Plus, they can even rebloom year after year with proper care.
8. Bamboo Plants
Sturdy, tall and elegant, bamboo is one of the best plants for your workplace. It also eliminates common toxins like carbon monoxide, xylene, and formaldehyde.
9. Chrysanthemums
In addition to being an air-purifying plant, chrysanthemums bring bright color and charm to any workspace.
10. Jasmine
If you’re looking for plants that add fragrance to the workplace, look no further than the jasmine plant. Jasmine has a delightful aroma that’s commonly used in perfumes. And it sits nicely on floor of any space.
How Biophilia Benefits Your Bottom Line
Most people will agree that adding plants to the workplace makes the office environment more enjoyable—but the benefits go beyond aesthetics.
Plants can improve air quality, which impacts employee productivity. Research shows spending just two hours in a closed-door conference room impairs our judgment, according to Kate Lister, president of Global Workplace Analytics.
Even small improvements in air quality can improve employee productivity by 10 percent or more, which can add hundreds of thousands of dollars to your bottom line.
It can also reduce headaches and reduce stress, which can lead to fewer missed days of work.
Want to see some numbers to justify other workplace wellness initiatives? Check out Global Workplace Analytics’ Wellbeing Calculator!
