Beautiful office plants and flowers can make any office just that little bit nicer to be in – and when it comes to the 9 to 5 slog anything that can brighten your day should be welcomed.
However, numerous studies have shown that what a well designed office plant display can do for a workplace goes way beyond simple aesthetics. Plant care have been providing companies in Bristol and
Cardiff with stunning floral arrangements, office plants and living walls since 1976, so they know a thing or two about the benefits of bringing green life in from the outside.
Purify the Air
“There are several plants that filter out VOCs [Volatile Organic Compounds] from the air,” explains Plant Care’s Giles Davis.
“Aloe plants, spider plants and Gerber daisies are just three examples that can clear the air of toxins such as benzene and formaldehyde.”
Use of these plants in your office will have a significant impact on your employees, with fewer staff sick days and reduced stress as a result of cleaner air. “Sick Building Syndrome” has become a greater problem in recent years since building owners have strived to make them more energy efficient. Although effectively sealing the windows and doors may save energy, it also reduces the exchange of fresh outdoor air with stale indoor air.
Boost Morale
The morale of your employees will be improved by the presence of office plants in a number of ways.
“Your employees wellbeing depends a lot on the conditions of their working environment, and office plants have a big part to play in this,” says Giles Davis.
“Not only does the presence of plant life make them feel happier and more relaxed, the cleaner air will also help them to feel healthier which again impacts positively on their morale.”
Improve Productivity
The consequence of a healthier and happier staff? A more productive staff.
Studies have shown that productivity can be boosted by a massive 12% from the use of office plants in your workplace, while the improved morale also has a knock-on effect to staff retention, retaining and attracting the best employees
Believe it or not, plants can also reduce office noise, and therefore distractions, another issue that can affect staff productivity.
The sound absorption of plants is well documented following studies that include the work of Dr. Helen Russell and David Uzzell from the University of Surrey.
Save You Money
If improved staff productivity will make you money, the environmental effect of office plants can even save you money as well.
With the right use of interior plants and flowers you can reduce operations and maintenance costs, as they act as natural air conditioners – completely free to run!
In fact, a study conducted by Washington State University found that moisture release from plant transpiration (the process by which they cool themselves down) creates the perfect humidity levels as recommended for human comfort – between 30% and 60%.
What’s more, it has been shown that when the relative humidity of a building is too low, materials such as wood can become damaged and crack, while if it is too high condensation can form on windows and exterior doors resulting in structural damage.
So if you thought office plants were simply an attractive feature that served no other purpose – think again.
John Rooney blogs about issues affecting businesses in the UK including low cost ways for improving staff morale and productivity.
