Some indoor plants combat a wide range of indoor air pollutants including formaldehyde, benzene, ammonia and xylene, thus improving the overall health and wellbeing of your office and staff. Not only do plants clean up the air, but research also shows that by adding plants to your office you improve moral and overall performance.
8 Of The Best Indoor Plants For Offices
#1. Garden Mum
A NASA study found that Garden Mum was one of the best plants for purifying indoor air. It is capable of removing benzene, ammonia, formaldehyde and xylene.
#2. Peace Lily
Peace Lily plants are smaller than many plants on this list but can still remove pollutants like ammonia, benzene, trichloroethylene and formaldehyde.
The Peace Lily flowers throughout much of the summer, during which time they add pollen and floral scents to the air. This may or may not be favorable to your office environment. Peace Lilly’s are pretty easy to maintain. They prefer a shady location with moist soil, just beware you don’t overwater them.
#3. Spider Plants
Spider plants are commonly found indoors as they can filter out the indoor air pollutants xylene and formaldehyde. They are among the easiest indoor plants to care for, making them the perfect choice for beginners or people that don’t have a lot of time to maintain plants. Spider plants should be kept near a window where they have access to bright but indirect sunlight.
#4. Dracaena Plants
If you have pets stay away from this plant, as they are toxic to cats and dogs. On the other hand, if your office is pet-free, this is a great plant because it can remove the indoor air pollutants benzene, formaldehyde, xylene and trichloroethylene. Plus, there are over 40 species of Dracaena plants, which gives you a lot of options.
#5. Boston Fern
The Boston fern requires a cool location with high humidity levels and indirect sunlight. If your office can provide all of that, the Boston fern pays you back by removing indoor air pollutants formaldehyde and xylene.
#6. Weeping Fig
Native to Southeast Asia, this plant can grow anywhere from 2 to 10 feet tall. The weeping fig can filter out formaldehyde, benzene and trichloroethylene. This hardy and low maintenance plant prefers to be in bright but indirect sunlight. Let the soil dry out some in between watering. You can actually transport this plant outside when temperatures are warm enough.
#7. Snake Plant
If you have a habit of killing indoor plants this is your go-to option! The Snake Plant is nearly impossible to kill and yet it can remove indoor pollutants benzene, formaldehyde, trichloroethylene and xylene. This plant prefers drier soil conditions and some sunlight; it requires watering from time to time.
#8. Aloe Vera Plant
Aloe Vera plants actively remove formaldehyde from the air. The medicinally packed plant’s leaves are filled with a clear liquid that contains enzymes, amino acids, vitamins and other natural ingredients proven to help heal wounds while providing anti-inflammatory and antibacterial properties.
6 Benefits Of Adding Plants To Your Office
Adding pretty plants to your office obviously adds aesthetics, but plants are so much more than just beautiful. There are so many other, and often unexpected, benefits to adding plants to your office. For instance, plants don’t only make your office look better but they can also make you look better! One study in particular found that office plants reduce dry skin by as much as 20%. Other benefits of adding plants to your office include:
#1. Reduce Stress
According to a 2010 study, office plants reduce stress in so many different ways, including:
-Reduces tension and anxiety by 37%
-Reduces depression by 58%
-Reduces anger and hostility by 44%
-Reduces fatigue by 38%
The results of the study showed that by simply adding one plant per workspace you substantially improve employee moral and wellbeing, while promoting greater performance in the workplace. Buildings and office environments that incorporate plants are more soothing and relaxing, and because plants make us feel more relaxed, they naturally reduce stress. In fact, exposure to plants in the office can even lower your blood pressure.
#2. Increase Productivity
Plants reduce carbon monoxide in the air, while increasing employee productivity. Numerous studies have found employees surrounded by plants make fewer mistakes and complete tasks faster. Those that work on the computer showed an increase in productivity by 10-15%.
#3. Reduces Indoor Air Pollution
Plants reduce all types of air pollution, both indoor and out. By providing just 1 plant per 3 employees you reduce:
-CO2 by as much as 50%
-Dust levels by as much as 20%
Plants also reduce manmade toxins emitted by furniture, plastics, carpets, paint, and so forth.
#4. Reduce Employee Sickness & Absence
Adding plants to your office can reduce the number of sick days employees take by as much as 50%, while reducing minor illnesses by as much as 30%.
#5. Improve Creativity
One study found that plants actually improve office creativity by as much as 15%.
#6. Reduce Humidity Levels & Regulate Temperatures
Plants help regulate temperatures and reduce humidity levels. Plants can actually reduce humidity levels by as much as 20%. By reducing dry air you also reduce certain side effects like tickly coughs.
TerraCast Planters
We have a wide variety of indoor and outdoor planters, from wall planters to big and small planters. We even offer the option to create personalized planters with your company logo or slogan. Shop our unbeatable selection of high quality planters: https://www.terracastproducts.com/our-shop/planters/