5 reasons why coworkers thrive with plants in the office

The number of employers that is now fully aware that a healthy working environment positively influences their employees, is steadily rising. But what does a healthy working environment entail? It is a space in which employees feel good, both physically and mentally. Plants are a vital piece of the puzzle to creating this kind of space. In this article, we will give 5 reasons why plants are so important in an office and why people will thrive as a result.

1. Healthy Air

One of plants’ most significant qualities is their natural ability to contribute to good air quality. Plants absorb CO2 from the air and produce oxygen in turn. There are plants that are also particularly effective at purifying the air of toxic substances, such as benzene, formaldehyde, trichloroethylene, xylene, toluene, and ammonia. These are substances that are present in nearly every workspace, originating from the building materials used in the property. Due to the improved insulation of modern office spaces, less fresh air can circulate in and through. Consequently, the concentration of toxic substances can increase. Plants can help filter these out and create healthier air with more oxygen. This, in turn, increases the productivity of the individuals present in the building and improves their well-being.

2. Improved Humidity Levels

Plants evapotranspire; a term that combines evaporation, the process of water evaporating from the soil in which the plant is growing, and transpiration, the evaporation of water from the pores (stomata) in the plant’s leaves. Thanks to these processes, the air receives moisture. This improves the living climate of offices suffering from dry air. Research by Wageningen Environmental Research in collaboration with Fytagoras Plant Science has shown that the relative humidity is between 5 and 17% higher in spaces with plants than in places without. This effect is particularly significant in winter when the air outside tends to be drier. Due to evapotranspiration, the thermal comfort of employees can increase. The temperature in the building becomes more stable. Thanks to the plants, employees suffer less from large fluctuations in indoor temperature.

3. Fewer Health Issues = Fewer Sick Days

Another important argument: in a workspace filled with (or at least including some) plants, people experience fewer health issues. Healthier air with better humidity levels decreases common problems like irritated eyes, headaches, dry throats, and fatigue. This positively affects sick leave. People working in green spaces tend to call in sick less often. Research by Wageningen Environmental Research in collaboration with Fytagoras Plant Science has even suggested a decrease in sick leave of 1.6 days per employee per year.

4. Solving Noise Issues

Have you ever noticed that it’s easier to understand the person you are talking to in a green area? That is because plants absorb ambient sound. Plants with large leaves offer the most acoustic qualities. Noise nuisance in the office can be a great source of irritation and lead to concentration issues and stress. This also impacts productivity. In large spaces where lots of people gather or work together, like meeting rooms or open-plan offices, can become increasingly comfortable with the addition of plants. The plants are best grouped together against the walls of the space for the best acoustic impact.

5. Greenery Creates a Pleasant Work Atmosphere and Satisfaction

An extraordinary benefit of plants in the workplace is the mental aspect. Put a bunch of plants together, and you’ll notice that people will like to gather near them. In short, green brings people together and stimulates social contacts. Employees also prefer to have meetings in green rooms. It creates a pleasant atmosphere, which makes people feel better, and helps creativity and inspiration start to flow! The World Health Organization published a report in the summer of 2021, emphasizing the importance of greenery for mental health.

Conclusion: Green Up Your Office

A healthy workplace has a large impact on the mental and physical wellbeing of employees. They tend to feel better in an environment with plants, which translates into less sick leave, higher productivity, and a more positive image of the organization. Applying more green in the office helps bring out the best in people. It’s very easy to introduce more greenery in the office. By putting down potted plants, but a living wall creates an even bigger wow-factor. A plant wall doesn’t only offer a high number of plants per square meter, it is also a real eye-catcher for the company. Investing in green in the office will pay itself back in happy and healthy employees.