Do Office Plants Offer Health Benefits?

Office plants have long been a staple of workplaces, and for good reason: research has shown that having plants in the office can help promote good health. Not only are indoor plants aesthetically pleasing to look at, but studies have found that they can reduce stress levels and improve air quality by absorbing toxins and increasing humidity. Some studies suggest that having plants around in the workplace can even boost productivity and concentration. 

The science behind the power of plants.

Environmental Psychology is a field of science that has emerged to help us understand how our environment contributes to our mental and physical health. A professor from the agricultural university of Norway links the importance of having greenery in all indoor spaces to our evolutionary history.  

While humans have not changed physically throughout our history, our environment has become much more artificial and we spend less and less time in nature. Studies from environmental psychology have suggested that we create feelings of familiarity when surrounded by nature as opposed to when we are in an urbanised setting where people tend to report feelings of being lost or overwhelmed.  

When we are in unfamiliar environments, we use a considerable amount of mental energy in maintaining our comfort levels. These studies have suggested that over time, this can lead to mental fatigue, and considering that a large amount of our workforce is in enclosed buildings and we continue to spend more and more time indoors, it isn’t surprising that employees report feelings of mental strain. Scientists believe that the presence of plants can reduce the effects reported by employees due to their ability to absorb harmful toxins in the environment, but also because of their calming effect on our brains, our brains even respond positively to the colour of plants. Let’s explore the health benefits of plants in more detail. 

The health benefits of indoor plants

Improves indoor air quality 

Every part of a plant contributes to making the air cleaner.  

Indoor plants provide many benefits that can improve air quality and make it easier to breathe inside. Studies have shown that when plants are present in a room, they work to filter out the air by absorbing pollutants like formaldehyde and benzene while they photosynthesize and produce oxygen. Not only can this reduce pollution, but it can also help to keep the humidity at a comfortable level. Humans tend to work and think better at a comfortable temperature. Additionally, plants can reduce indoor dust levels, which can be beneficial for people who suffer from respiratory issues.  

From a practical standpoint, indoor plants are incredibly beneficial for air quality as they process toxins, they emit oxygen which reduces the amount of carbon dioxide in the air, which can contribute to feelings of fatigue and headaches.

Improves Mental Health

Plants can also help boost mood by providing a sense of comfort and relaxation. When we’re feeling anxious or overwhelmed, a green corner of our office can act like a haven—it reminds us that there is beauty in our lives. 

Research into environmental psychology has linked indoor plants with better mental health outcomes—such as reduced depression and lowered risk for certain illnesses like heart disease as well as improved overall physical health. Being surrounded by lush greenery is thought to encourage mindfulness and bring about feelings of serenity. 

When it comes to reducing fatigue and stress levels, research has shown that being exposed to plants helps people relax more quickly. Plants can soothe us with their calming presence; they act as a natural form of stress relief. Spending time around greenery in the office provides mental protection from the pressures of work life. 

Studies have shown that introducing plants into the office environment can reduce psychological and physiological stress.

Improves Skin. 

Indoor plants can have a plethora of benefits on the skin that often go unrecognized. Not only do they provide oxygen to the air, but they can also act as a natural humidifier and indoor air pollution abatement. By trapping pollutants and dust particles in their leaves, indoor plants help keep the indoor air cleaner and less irritating to our skin. This can help reduce skin irritation caused by dust or mild allergies, leading to healthier skin overall. As mentioned before. because of indoor plants ability to act as a humidifier, they can help keep the humidity levels up in a room which helps protect our skin from drying out.  

This is especially beneficial in winter when hot air from radiators or fireplaces tends to dry out the air quickly. With higher humidity levels due to indoor plants, we can reduce dryness on our skin and maintain healthy hydration levels throughout the year.  

Some indoor plants like aloe vera have proven antibacterial and antifungal properties which can help protect us against acne-causing bacteria and yeast infections respectively. The plant’s ability to reduce stress, which in turn leads to better overall health for our skin as well.  

Reduces Blood Pressure.

In recent years, the positive effects of having indoor plants in the home have become increasingly recognized with one particularly important benefit being their ability to reduce blood pressure. The presence of greenery has been found to lower systolic and diastolic blood pressure readings in both healthy individuals and those suffering from hypertension.  

As air quality within the office is often worse than outside due to the presence of pollutants such as volatile organic compounds (VOCs) and carbon dioxide, having an abundance of indoor plants to absorb these particles can greatly improve air quality within an office which is something that can help reduce blood pressure further.  

The benefits of working with plants in the room are further enhanced by the sense of calmness they bring into a room; simply looking at or touching them can result in a decrease in sympathetic nervous activity—or the body’s fight-or-flight response—which can also help to lower blood pressure levels. Tending to indoor plants regularly can positively impact mood and cognition, which in itself has been associated with improved cardiovascular health.  

The health benefits of caring for plants in the workplace.

We all know that plants can improve our mood and help purify the air, but did you know that they can also boost productivity in the workplace? A growing body of research suggests that office plants promote good health and well-being among employees just by a little effort in maintaining healthy indoor plants. When it comes to indoor plants, all plant species are equal – the more indoor greenery the better.  

Caring for plants is manual labour which is beneficial for mental health and provides a range of mood-improving effects. Working with our hands can help us to manage stress and improve our emotional well-being. When we engage in manual labour it can create a sense of accomplishment and purpose which increases confidence.  

Any kind of physical activity that involves working with our hands can provide endorphins and serotonin which are mood enhancers and can significantly reduce stress.  

Having to care for plants in the workplace can also foster relationships as it can be a team-building exercise, which contributes to a stronger bond between colleagues. This can also be a short distraction from work and refocus before attempting a task.  

Caring for plants is an example of a mindfulness activity, which allows us to be more aware of our emotions, and aids in relaxing and reducing anxiety levels. We need to pause to tend to plants, which can give us a much-needed break from the day-to-day work requirements.  

Using tools to care for plants can even contribute to problem-solving skills which can be applied in the workplace. The completion of a manual task, like watering plants, can give us a sense of control over our environment, helping us to feel more capable and elevating our mood as a result.  

How an indoor plant improves productivity.

Having plants in the office can be a tremendous benefit for employees. Not only are they aesthetically pleasing, but studies show that having green spaces can noticeably improve mental health, reducing our feelings of stress and emotional exhaustion.  

Adding a few plants is often an easy and cost-effective way to reduce air pollution in the office, as we mentioned before, plants can filter out dust and produce oxygen that serves both mental and physical well-being.  

indoor plants can act as natural sound absorbers, helping to block out unwanted noise from surrounding conversations and telephones that might otherwise be distracting.  

In addition to creating a visual focal point that boosts morale, studies have found that having green spaces in the workplace can improve cognitive function and help employees focus. Specifically, research has shown that even looking at plants can help people concentrate for longer periods of time. Additionally, having plants around can help reduce stress levels which are known to increase fatigue and decrease concentration.  

Plants ability to reduce stress levels and encourage better concentration, meaning that employees will be able to stay on task for longer periods of time without feeling overwhelmed.  

Indoor plants can also provide an enhanced sense of well-being, which can have an impact on motivation in the workplace.  

The presence of plants has been known to reduce feelings of fatigue and anxiety, allowing employees to channel their energy into productive tasks without becoming too emotionally drained. Plants can provide a calming atmosphere where creativity can flourish and ideas are more easily exchanged between colleagues.  

Plants may also act as a tool for problem solving; studies have suggested that workers may be more likely to think outside the box when surrounded by greenery.  

As such, introducing plants in the office could lead to innovative solutions being found faster as workers are better able to think clearly and creatively due to their improved environment. Furthermore, it has been suggested that plants provide a natural form of color therapy – something which is known to increase relaxation levels – leading people feeling more refreshed throughout the day and ultimately improving their productivity overall. 

Indoor plants not only provide a beautiful backdrop for the office but also offer numerous health benefits. Indoor plants have been proven to have a multitude of health benefits. Studies show that having plants indoors can reduce stress and fatigue, improve concentration and productivity, boost mood and creativity, purify the air, and even reduce health risks.    

If you’re looking for a way to boost your mood and productivity at work, incorporating some natural elements into an indoor space is a great solution. And there are plenty of options to choose from, whether you’re looking for something low-maintenance or want to add potted plants with a pop of color. Our team can help you select the right plants for your office and provide tips on how to care for them so they thrive.