Indoor Plants That Increase Productivity

A study from Harvard indicated the following about green environmental quality:

Participants were 172-299% (depending on how enhanced the green environment was) more proficient at information usage than those in a normal building environment
Compared to conventional building, crisis response scores were 97% higher in green environments and 131% higher in enhanced green environments
Strategy scores were improved at 183/288% when compared to participants in traditional environments.

The study also showed that participants slept better and became sick less often than “normal” participants. These scores show just how much the cognitive ability of your employees can improve with the aid of indoor plants and other green environmental changes.

How to Choose the Right Indoor Plants for Your Office

When selecting plants for your office, you need to consider three things: light, humidity, and temperature. While you’ll be able to control how much you water and fertilize the plants, you’ll need to make sure that they have the other elements they need for survival.

While some offices may have large windows and plenty of light, others will have minimal amounts. For low-light buildings, you need to pick shade-loving plants or find alternative ways to provide the light they need. The same goes for humidity and temperature. Many office spaces have dry air and fluctuating heat. Bear that in mind when choosing your indoor plants.

You should also consider the space you have and how you can display your plants in an aesthetically pleasing way. Arrange them as naturally as possible so that they blend in while simultaneously offering beauty.

Hanging Plants for Office Space

If you don’t have a lot of floor or desk space, utilize your ceiling space with hanging plants. Avoid putting the plants where people walk or in places that will block important views or be in the way. Instead, hang them in corners or over desks.

These three plants are great hanging plants for around the office:

Silver Philodendron (Scindapsus Pictus)

Philodendron is one of the easiest plants to grow indoors, and this variegated variety will add interest to your surroundings.

String of Pearls (Senecio Rowleyanus)

The String of Pearls succulent grows quickly both indoors and outdoors. The unique shape of its leaves will stand out in the room.

Pitcher Plant (Nepenthes)

If you have a sunny window, consider getting a pitcher plant (or monkey cup plant). Not only does this plant have stunning colors, but it will also help rid your office of flies and other unwanted pests. This plant will require additional care.

Low Light Plants for Office Space

Most office buildings are dimly lit, and unfortunately, some have very few windows (or none at all). Fortunately, there are some plants that can survive (or even thrive) in darker places with relative ease. Most of these originate in canopied rainforests and are used to dark, warm areas.

Here are three plants that do well in low-light spaces:

African Violet

Not only will the African Violet thrive in a low-light environment, but it also has flowers! You can find several varieties to make things interesting. They also do well in self-water pots, making maintenance a breeze.

Snake Plants

Even if forgotten for a time, your snake plant will bounce back. These sturdy plants will also work hard to remove toxins from the air (though you will need several of them to be effective).

ZZ Plant (Zamioculcas zamiifolia)

These gorgeous plants are not as toxic as they are rumored. While you shouldn’t eat it, they are perfectly safe to have around the office and thrive with minimum effort.

Flowering Plants for Office Space

Decorating your office with flowering plants is a good way to add color in an otherwise drab environment. Choosing easy-care plants the flower at different times of the year will keep things visually interesting and give your work-force a morale boost every time they see them.

In addition to the African violet (mentioned above), here are three other flowering office plants:

Lady Slipper Orchid (Cypripedioideae)

While most orchids can be tricky to deal with, this variety can adapt quite easily to an office environment. You can also find different colors to add variety.

Christmas cactus (Schlumbergera)

While you will need to adjust its treatment slightly in the fall in order to get it to bloom, a Christmas cactus can add beautiful bright colors for your workers to enjoy throughout the holiday season.

Bromeliads (Bromeliaceae)

These large, beautiful plants add a lot of color to your space and remind you of the tropics. They are very hardy and are a relatively easy-care plant.

Great Desk Plants for Office Space

Having a plant on a desk can be a good resting place for the eyes. Staring at a screen or paperwork all day can add strain and a little bit of nature can offer relief. Plant desks also seem much more accessible in that you can smell them, touch them, and care for them in a seemingly personal way.

Here are three plants that are great for your desk:

Red Aglaonema

The foliage on this plant blends red and green in a wonderful palette. You can pick your favorite easy-care variety to enjoy.

Peace Lily

The Peace Lily can tolerate no natural light and will produce large, fragrant flowers.

Pilea

If you have a little natural light, you can get away with having a pilea. They are very easy to care for and can easily be propagated to create more plants for the office.

Terrarium Plants for Office Space

There are many stylish and unique terrariums that can add to the ambience of your office (even without the plant inside). If you want a chic or modern look, pick out a few terrariums and place them around your office. Not only will you benefit from the plant, but your space will have added class.

Here are three plants that do very well in terrariums:

Fittonia

Also known as the nerve plant, fittonia has dark and white variegated leaves. While it can be quite finicky about its environment (and likes indirect light), this humidity-loving plant does quite well in a terrarium.

Spiderwort

Spiderwort hosts beautiful blue flowers and does quite well in a terrarium. In fact, David Latimer has kept a spiderwort in a jar since 1972.

Aluminum Plant

The aluminum plant likes warm temperatures and low-medium light (perfect office environment). Its green and white leaves capture your imagination and attention.

Air Plants for Office Space

Air plants don’t need to be planted in soil and can be affixed to almost any surface. There are many varieties available and most are relatively easy to keep alive. They can be hung, put in a terrarium, or placed on any surface in your business.

Here are three fabulous air plants for your office:

Tillandsia Stricta

With soft pink and purple flowers, these make for a sweet plant that will add bits of brightness to your day.

Tillandsia Xerographica

Tendrils of this airplant are reminiscent of large, green pasta.

Pink Quill (Tillandsia cyanea)

This air plant has a large bloom that makes the rest of the plant seemingly disappear. The bright pink and purple will brighten your work environment.

Large Plants for Office Space

If you have a lot of space, large indoor plants can bring the forest indoors. They can make a statement and really influence the moral of your office. Look for large plants that are easy to care for and don’t require too much sun.

Here are three large plants that work well in an office environment:

Kentia Palm (Howea Forsteriana)

While these are palm trees, they can withstand shade and, once established, can even survive not being watered on occasion. They can become quite large and tall.

Dracaena fragrans

These plants have wonderful stalky trunks that are an interesting focal point to your home. They are also very easy to care for.

Rubber Tree

These large-leafed plants can grow tall and wide and really fill a space. There are variegated varieties of Rubber Trees that are interesting to the eyes. It will need a good deal of natural light.

Unique Plants for Office Space

If you really want to stand out, find uniquely shaped plants that capture attention. There are many plants that are good conversation starters, take great pictures, and really add to the decor of your home. While most of these will require more care, it may be worth the extra time to boost your mood and creativity.

Here are three unique plants that will make your office space pop:

Bonsai Trees

There are many varieties of bonsai trees available and they can be set in beautiful containers that create a zen-like mood.

Monstera Deliciosa

This plant is known as the “Swiss cheese plant” due to the large holes within the leaves. They can grow fairly big.

Hindu Hoya Rope Plant

If you have southern facing (northern facing if you live in the southern hemisphere) windows that offer a lot of light, this easy-care plant is both intriguing and beautiful.