Moving in with an Office Plant, the Hidden Benefits of Having a Plant at Work
Since the dawn of humanity, there has always been a strong connection between people and plants. One of the seven wonders of the Ancient world is the Hanging Gardens of Babylon, a monumental garden built to admire and worship God’s leafy creations. During the Greek and Roman times, plants became introduced to the home and working place, and in Victorian times they ruled along the kings and queens.
But why do plants fascinate us so much that we keep bringing them to our homes and offices?
The answer to this question is quite simple – plants make us feel better, more energized and positive. You will be surprised how many health and behavior benefits there are in owning a plant. Let us dive into the ocean of vegetation that surrounds us and broaden our leafy horizon.
Why do we need plants in the office
We mentioned that there are a lot of perks of having an indoor plant, but do you actually know what they are? Buckle up and prepare to be amazed.
1. Sweet, sweet oxygen
Ok, this is not a big surprise for anybody - plants reduce the level of carbon dioxide and increase the oxygen level in the air. Thanks to the magic of photosynthesis, we can breathe fresh air, which boosts our bodies with energy, helps us concentrate, removes headaches and body discomfort.
According to a study conducted by NASA, houseplants can clear up to eighty-seven percent of air toxins in twenty-four hours. That is amazing and makes plants essential to have in the workplace. Modern offices are heavily air-conditioned and most do not have a great ventilation system, which means that they are air-sealed. Plants renew the oxygen and keep a healthy humidity level in the office building.
2. No Stress
According to a study done by the Department of Plant and Environmental Sciences of the Norwegian University of Life Sciences and the Institute for Housing and Urban Research of the Uppsala University, the greater the number of plants placed within one meter of the work desk, the lower the level of perceived stress.
People tend to feel more at ease when they are surrounded by greenery and feel more calm and relaxed when there are plants in the office. It is common to get attached to a plant and feel the need to care for it - this reduces the negative effects of depression and anxiety.
3. No more noise pollution
Did you know that plants help reduce the levels of noise in the office? They can absorb the sound waves using their leaves and stems. The bigger the leaves - the better. Another way to reduce noise is to deflect the sound. For example, when a sound wave hits a leaf, the leaf starts to vibrate with the same frequency and, thus, the energy gets transformed from its original form to a different type of energy. That is a great reason to convert your current workspace into a miniature jungle.
4. Biophilia
Don’t worry this is not some strange disease or life-threatening condition. Biophilia means ‘love of life or living systems’. The term is used by Erich Fromm to describe the need for every human to be in contact with living things. That said, it is important to have plants in the office and feel closer to nature. The proximity of greenery helps with concentration, productivity, and positivity.
Which plants to leave behind when removing
Now you know why you feel a deep attachment to your leafy roommates. Nevertheless, there are some plants should be avoided. Think twice before you relocate, maybe it is best to give away your deadly flowers, or, hey, just give them as a present to a colleague you really don't like.
This is one of the most common house and office plants as it is easy to take care of and it thrives in low light conditions. The Dieffenbachia is also called “dumb cane” due to the symptoms one develops after accidentally eating it. The tongue swells and blocks airflow to the throat and it can be deadly in large amounts. We know it is a long shot, but, just to be safe, avoid having Dieffenbachia in the common rooms and cantinas.
- Philodendron and Pothos
Those two beautiful plants are close relatives and are equally deadly if ingested. They can cause swelling of the tongue and throat, vomiting, and diarrhea. These species are vining plants, so keep them away from the floor and eating areas.
You may think that it is a good idea to create a tropical paradise in the office, but be sure to avoid the Sago Palm. Every part of this plant is poisonous - even one small seed can send you to a hospital for days. Maybe decorate with some coconuts and pretty pictures instead, and leave the deadly greenery in the wild.
- ZZ plant
The ZZ plant is another example of a beautiful, low-maintenance plant that can trigger an allergic reaction or simply poison you. All parts of this common office plant are dangerous - if you must touch it, always use gloves and wash your hands afterward.
The perfect Christmas decoration, the iconic mistletoe can make you kiss goodbye your hopes for a great office party and send you straight to the hospital bed. The leaves and berries of some types of mistletoe are quite toxic and should not be digested, also avoid drinking the tea made from that plant.
Moving to a new place - the office plants you must have
To end on a high note and help you choose the best plants for your workplace, let’s see which the best office plants are and why it is important to have them around. A great moment to get one of these green helpers is when you move houses or organize office removals, start a new page in your life with a new leafy friend, you won’t regret it.
- Spider plant
This is a great plant to have on a shelf near your desk, it is easy to maintain and does not need a lot of sunlight. The Spider plant has great air cleaning and toxin reducing qualities. It improves the humidity levels in the room and decreases the level of dust in the air.
- Aloe Plant
It is not a surprise that the Aloe plant is at the top of the ‘must have’ plants. It has loads of benefits for decreasing the indoor air pollution and as a bonus, it is a natural first aid kit for cuts and burns.
- Cacti
It is easy to take care of, it comes in different shapes and sizes and will make you smile every time you look at it. Place a cactus on your desk to make you happy and to decrease your stress levels.
- Bamboo palm
Do you need to feel a close connection with nature, the Bamboo palm is for your workplace. There is an ancient Japanese belief that bamboo wards off evil spirits and entities, so bonus points for interdimensional protection while feeling one with Mother Earth.
- Rubber plant
The Rubber plant is a huge improvement for any office with his low-maintenance need and air-cleaning qualities, it is an excellent addition to the team. The plant can grow up to fifty meters and along with decreasing the indoor air pollution, it helps reduce the noise pollution as well.
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