With a mini watering can, Arjun Vijayan begins his day every Monday by giving his Bromeliads a quick shower chaperoned by delicate diggings. Complacently poised and growing at their own agrarian pace, Arjun’s leafy friends are his constant companions, keeping his daily productivity in check. For Arjun, who claims to be the ‘Bug Hunter’ in his self-stylized moniker, the world of coding can slap with its customary doses of stress. To escape from the unending pit of duress, his pantheon of lush green buddies naturally essays the role of ‘green samaritans’, ensuring that an atoll of calmness and rejuvenation is maintained at all times.
The basic essence of installing plants inside workspace premises is to yield positive outcomes. Scientists and experts acknowledge the benign effects of greener working environments and how such spaces reduce stress and disengagement among employees. As a matter of fact, scientific studies suggest that plants in office spaces are excellent allies that bolster employee well-being, recruitment and retention.
An interesting study was conducted by a team of researchers in Japan. Compiled in ‘Potential of a Small Indoor Plant on the Desk for Reducing Office Workers’ Stress’, the study was administered to investigate the presence of small indoor plants on employees in real office settings. 63 employees in an electric company were part of a 3-minute psychological and physiological test where the participants were asked to relax when experiencing stress and/or fatigue. It was split into two phases which included a phase without plants (control) and a phase with them (intervention) where they could engage with the plants. The results deduced that there was a steady decrease in fatigue and stress after the intervention phase thus concluding that plants are conducive to keeping the physical, mental and social health of employees in check.
Exploring the captivating qualities of indoor plants reveals a myriad of fascinating insights. Let’s embark on an exploration of the profound impact that integrating greenery into office spaces holds, underpinned by compelling data and statistics:
Part I: Understanding the types of plants
As a new recruit with an organization, you are always concerned about the sort of coworkers you’d have and the kind of dynamism you can expect. Similarly, the different kinds of plants too, play a pivotal role in defining the aura of working spaces. Many of these plants are quite different from the ones you spot in gardens, parks or trails. The ones inside office premises are mostly not that much in need of light and have the right amount of growth to not consume much of your space. These can be broadly categorized into:
Succulent Plants
Also known as the ‘fleshy’ ones, these plants grow up to be thick and short. Their fleshiness comes from their ability to store water in their stems, leaves and roots through water-storing tissues, which makes them last even in dry and arid surroundings. Their unique properties give them strong colors and shades, making them quite pleasing to look at.
Types of Succulent plants:
- Jade – Considered the ‘lucky plant’, ‘dollar plant’ or the ‘friendship tree’, many believe it possesses positive ‘Chi’ energy in its thick oval-shaped leaves that resemble the chubby arms of a baby. They normally grow up to 3–8 feet tall.
- Aloe Vera – Commonly spotted in indoor settings, its spiky leaves comprise colorless gels that are popular among skincare products.
- Snake plant – Its patterned upright leaves are very pleasing to the eyes. It brings a lot of positive qualities like filtering indoor air, removing toxic pollutants and improving mental health.
- Cactus – Another popular office plant, the cactus has an abundance of varieties, including the Thanksgiving Cactus, Golden Barrel Cactus, Ric Rac Cactus, Candelabra Cactus, Christmas Cactus, etc. Their thorny edges and water-storing capabilities make them the ultimate easy-care plants.
ZZ Plants
As cool as they sound, they are cooler to have around. Also known as Zamioculcas, these tropical perennial plants are native to Eastern Africa and have a natural glossy green foliage that adds a lot of zeal to indoor settings. They survive best in moderate temperatures and are known to thrive for weeks without food or water. A vital factor to weigh in is these plants are toxic in nature and are best kept at safe distances from pets and babies.
Types of ZZ Plants:
- Regular – The basic ZZ plant has upright and sturdy stems with medium-green leaves that make it very interesting to look at. If paired with a complementary flowerpot, it can be one of the best additions to any indoor working space.
- Zenzi – With its dark green leaves and stunted growth the dwarf ZZ shoots up to only a few inches. Its shadowy shades and dense clusters emit a bulkier presence.
- Raven – Growing up to 2.5–3ft, the Raven is known for its shimmering leaves that are of blackish, purplish or maroon shades.
Money Plant
Pothos, more commonly called the Money Plant or the Devil’s Ivy, are evergreen plants that have broad leaves and cascading stems. They usually grow up to 6–8 feet and perfect fits for hanging baskets. Like other indoor variations, they can survive for long periods in low/indirect lights and are very easy to grow.
Types of Money Plants:
- Golden Pothos – The most common variety of the Money Plant, it’s known for its beautiful yet subtle mix of golden green leaves. For people who are new to the flora world or have taken initial steps into biophilic designs, this is a great plant to start with.
- N’joy Pothos – Looks something straight out of a painting, the N’Joy Pothos leaves form ethereal combinations of colors including green leaves with creamy-white edges. Surely, you’re bound to N’joy its presence.
- Manjula Pothos – Also known as the ‘Happy Leaf’ Pothos, it’s quite similar to the N’joy in terms of appearance. The Manjula is a fascinating cultivar with its white, green and creamish variegation. Its heart-shaped leaves are beneficial in keeping a happy mood in the workplace.
Other types of plants:
Nerve Plants – These potted plants also go by the name of Fittonia and are intricately veined, which makes them look attractive. The egg-shaped obviate leaves bring a splendor of freshness. They can rise vertically up to 3–6 inches, whereas their horizontal spread ranges from 12–18 inches. White, pink, green and red are a few of the popular vein color choices that you will find worth the view.
Spider Plants – With long and slender leaves that resemble their namesake, spider plants’ cascading spread looks fantastic when kept atop columns. They grow moderately fast, so potting them on your workstations might rob you of space.
Bird’s Nest Fern – While the plant gets its name from the arrangement of their leaves, each plant is actually a cluster of ferns. Their elongated bright green fronds (large leaves) and rosette shape give them a distinctive appearance. Because of their origins in humid habitats like rainforests, they are the perfect choice for washrooms.
Air Plants – Amongst the most unique plants to exist, air plants literally do not grow on soil — you heard that right. Their epiphytic nature makes them grow on tree branches, thus giving them such peculiar traits. This makes them look like thin tentacles or small sea creatures with slender lance-like leaves.
Lucky Bamboo – Among commonly observed plants that are known to bring good luck and positivity are the Lucky Bamboos. They are often associated with Feng Shui. Each variety has an impressive growth speed and is usually a stack of bamboo stalks sprouting together. Each combination of stacks is believed to represent something positive. E.g., Six stacks represent good luck and wealth, eight represent growth, ten represent perfection and so on.
Now let’s read how these nature’s gifts help us ameliorate office environments.
Part II: How Office Plants Give You a Botanical Boost
Improvement in Air Quality
According to the NASA Clean Air Study, indoor plants have the potential to minimize airborne toxins like formaldehyde, benzene and trichloroethylene, which can inflict health problems like nausea, headaches and respiratory issues.
Enhancement in Productivity
Continuous productivity can only be achieved when stress levels are low, and you are in a contented mood to focus on the work at hand. The presence and aroma of plants around are said to bring higher levels of concentration, which will keep you proactive while working.
A Calming Experience
Studies have suggested how indoor plant interactions can lower psychological strains and nervousness. Being within an environment enriched with plants can be more relaxing. A calm mind is crucial for optimum performance at work, especially during consequential times.
Reduction in Absenteeism
As per reports published by the Building Engineering Services Association (BESA), ‘The average adult, when resting, inhales and exhales about 13kg of air per day. This compares with around 2kg of food and 3kg of fluids we consume, yet health advice on breathing is dwarfed by the volume of guidance on what we should eat and drink’. This intake includes lots of VOCs, which are Volatile Organic Compounds that make the body susceptible to adverse health effects. Installing foliage in the office property can cause the reduction of VOCs, making them stable support systems. A healthy environment ensures employees fall less sick, meaning more regularity in attendance.
Enhanced Creativity and Happiness
An interesting experiment was carried out by the University of Exeter where they divided offices into ‘green’ and ‘lean’ working spaces. Green offices, as the name suggests, had a natural aspect to them where offices were ornamented with various kinds of plants with verdant vibes. On the other hand, the latter meant offices stripped of any kind of green landscaping. The results showed that the employees of green working spaces exuded 15% more as they were happier and could be more creative.
Amplified Office Aesthetics
Having different types of plants at various locations in the office is always a healthy practice; not only do they make the premises look beautiful, but it’s always a pleasant welcome to visitors. For agencies, this initiative could transform their spaces into more than just offices. With the regular footfall of clients and industry leaders, a vibrant green landscape serves as both a serene welcome and a silent testament to their commitment to sustainability. This not only enriches the first impression but also acts as a cornerstone in building and sustaining alliances.
Quieter Surroundings
It’s a well-known fact that plants and trees possess the natural ability to absorb sounds. Although it’s more commonly observed in mountains and dense jungles due to the presence of huge trees, in offices, the small plants can do it at a minimal level. Plants with rough barks and thick fleshy leaves are quite worthy of trapping distant noises due to their dynamic surface area.
Now that you know, the types of plants and how they add to your benefit in various ways, let’s figure out how to select one or more for your workplace(s).
Part III: Potting a Plant: Things to Know
Selecting plants for your office space or workstation is an art in itself. Sharing below are tips that will guide you to find your picks:
Take baby steps
Your tiny office jungle adventure does not need to be quixotic at the outset. Dip your toes into a greener world with just one plant. Place it, nurture it, see it sprout magically and then introduce it to new members of its family. If you have size constraints, go for smaller plants that take up less space and have minimal maintenance.
Handpick Your Leafy Friends
When selecting plants for your office space, it’s not just about aesthetics; consider their care requirements too. Go for the easy-to-care ones; match their needs to your office light dance for a harmonious green vibe.
Delegate plant care
Unlike regular garden plants, indoor plants have very less and basic needs. You simply need to water them sporadically and be wary of the changing weather and seasons. If you’re mostly occupied with work, it’s wise to share the expense of this task with someone else to ensure your little leafy buddies receive just the right amount of hydration. You can provide short sticky notes on each pot with easy and clear instructions for the person who’ll be handling them.
To sun or not to sun
Indoor plants are usually not directly related to the sun but the dependency on the natural source of light varies from plant to plant. Place your plants according to their needs and follow the instructions that are necessary. Also, keep them away from vents as they release extreme heat that can be hazardous to plant life.
Spot the spotlight
While you give utmost care to your small verdant companions, make a note to place them in such a place that your coworkers can spot them every time they pass by. Not only will they bask in their green glory but might get inspired to start an indoor plantation of their own.
Dangle with delight
As they say, variety is the spice of life, find those varieties of plants that can be a pendant to your wall. A healthy combination of sedentary plants and those hanging up high will give your workspace a contemporary bucolic outlook emitting positive energy at all times.
Potting makeover
Keep a regular check on the pots that are holding your precious plants. Some plants undergo rapid growth stages that might need regular changing of the pot. Also, ensure that you use top-quality pots to avoid leakages or cracks while watering them.
Encourage even growth by spinning their pots to keep them reaching for the light in style.
In wrapping up, it’s transparent that integrating plants into office spaces is a definite boon for everybody working within the walls. From psychological well-being to beautifying the surroundings, each plant makes the place better in its own special way. Thus, there’s no better than how Arjun Vijayan simply put it “In my office, the real MVP is my plant”.
