5 Science-Backed Benefits of Office Plants
We can't get enough of plants in our home and know that they help with mental wellbeing, but when it comes to the office, we often forget to add plants to help us in this space too.
But as well as being beautiful, plants can actually help improve your productivity and creativity! Much better than a long brainstorming meeting. You just need to surround yourself with plants at work.
At The Green East, we have seen first-hand how plants can transform a sterile office into a little oasis of calm.
1. Plants for a calming environment
Offices can be noisy. Especially if you're sat in the middle of a large open-plan space, the constant chatter and phone calls can be overwhelming. On top of the noise, the overhead strip lighting can be harsh and oppressive, and the rows and rows of desks and computers look monotonous.
Plants also provide a visual focal point of nature, a concept known as biophilia, which is scientifically proven to lower stress hormones and blood pressure. By introducing soft, natural shapes and colours, you instantly create a more relaxed, neurodiversity-friendly environment where staff feel less stressed and more at ease.
2. Boost productivity
A ground breaking study from the University of Exeter found that employees in "green" offices (spaces with just a few well-placed plants) were 15% more productive than their counterparts in plant-free environments. The researchers suggest that plants make people more engaged, both physically and mentally.
3. Increase creativity
Research has shown that having plants in the workspace can also encourage collaboration and creativity.
"Whether it’s a creative thinking session in a sunlit atrium or a team meeting in a garden-inspired conference room, biophilic design can help fuel creativity among staff, resulting in workers generating and sharing innovative and creative ideas." British Safety Council
One research paper concluded that biophilia was great for stimulating new ideas because it kept teams mentally refreshed. Plants could be the key to keeping your creative teams engaged and invigorated!
3. Reduce sick days
Plants can do such a great job of keeping us calm that they can actually reduce the number of sick days we take too. A study published in the Journal of Environmental Psychology found that the presence of plants in offices could reduce the incidence of minor illnesses by as much as 60%.
A Harvard study showed that "when we work in green-certified offices, we get a 26% boost in cognition, and 30% fewer sickness related absences. What's more, respondents also reported a 6% rise in their sleep quality."
By having a few plants dotted around, you're not just making the air feel more comfortable; you're also creating a healthier environment for you and your co-workers.
4. Reduce stress and anxiety
A University of Technology Sydney study discovered that introducing plants into the workspace can significantly reduce stress levels. Participants reported a 37% decrease in tension and anxiety and a 58% drop in depression, proving the benefits of office plants. Lohr et al. (1996) found that people reacted faster to computer tasks and showed lower blood pressure when indoor plants were present.
5. Acoustic improvement and noise reduction
Office acoustics can be a major challenge, particularly in modern open-plan environments where the "chatter effect" hampers concentration. This is where strategic placement of plant dividers and green walls offers a natural, science-backed solution.
The soft, complex surfaces of plant foliage and soil act as excellent sound buffers, absorbing and scattering sound waves rather than reflecting them back, which is a key mechanism identified in acoustic research by experts like Goodrich (1982) who studied how visual and sound barriers aid perceived privacy. 
Plant partitions and built-in planters are especially useful as they serve as natural screens, effectively segmenting large spaces and reducing noise reverberation time, the 'buzz' that makes it hard to focus. Porous, irregular surfaces, like those found on leaves and branches, are effective at absorbing high-frequency noises (like tapping and speech), significantly cutting down on the overall ambient sound and promoting a calmer working atmosphere.
We like the office furniture solutions from New Design Group like Grow and Venue Mobile Planter which is a moveable planter on castors. Such a great way to quickly create privacy and wheel some green close to wherever you're working.
The secret to a happier, healthier, and more productive office isn’t a fancy new gadget or another motivational poster. It's a touch of green. Plants don't just look good, they actively work to improve our well-being and productivity, and science is there to prove it.
"In short, research has shown that incorporating elements such as nature, natural lighting and aspects of greenery – such as small gardens, indoor plants, indoor plant walls and colour schemes with biophilic-inspired design features – has a range of positive impacts on employee wellbeing, from improved physical health and mental wellbeing to increased creativity, productivity, and overall job satisfaction." British Safety Council
We're here to help businesses bring a bit of nature into their space. We can help if you want to complement your brand, create a better atmosphere for your staff and customers, and tap into that brilliant boost in wellbeing that plants can bring.
That’s where our plant leasing service comes in. It’s a great, cost effective way to get all the benefits of office plants without the faff of buying and looking after them yourself.
Whether you’re looking to make your reception area a bit more inviting, or give your retail space a fresh look, we can sort you out. Bring your space to life with the power of plants, and we’ll handle the rest. Our leasing plans include flexible lease terms, delivery, installation and maintenance packages.
Visit our Pinterest for inspiration of how you could design your office, or email us at plants@thegreeneast.co.uk if you are interested in greening up your office.