It is proven that having plants in the office can boost productivity by up to 15%, improve mental wellbeing and promote creativity in the workplace. But how do you integrate plants into the workplace?
We have worked across offices in London to bring planting and greenery to the even the most constrained offices. Issues like space, difficult lighting and maintenance are often the barriers people are faced with when greening the workplace.
Here is a simple guide to planting options, office conditions to watch for and maintenance tips.
Consider the conditions of your space
Certain spacial and indoor climate factors can easily be overlooked when greening your office space but these can be detrimental to plant health, so make sure to consider the following:
- Natural lighting - if your space is lacking in natural light or equally, is mostly sun-facing, you need to consider the types of plants you bring into the office
- Air conditioning- an arid or highly-air conditioned environment can cause extreme degradation to plant health by dehydration, stress and physical damage
- Spatial limitations - plants need space to breathe and so placing them in confined spaces can cause them to suffer
- Dust and debris - if the workplace is dust-heavy, maintenance will need to be more regular and intricate
Plant options
There are a range of different options you can explore to green your workspace and fit the conditions of your office. Here are some that we've used across our office planting projects:
Potted plants:
Potted plants are a great way of adding interest to the office. As a simple yet flexible option, you can configure them in your space in whichever way you wish and are a great way of making the space feel different every few months.
Strategic greenery at Miro office
Living wall
Living walls offer a bold way to bring nature into the workplace. With extensive planting space to work with, they provide opportunities for creative design, combining a wide variety of species to create visually impactful green features.
Live pictures
If you're struggling to green outwards then green upwards. Making use of wall space is an easy way of bringing in plants and creating welcoming eye-level greenery. We've used Mobilane's LivePictures to brighten up workspaces. Featuring a self-watering irrigation system, the feature is low maintenance and easy to install, making it a perfect option for smaller, quieter spaces.
Mobilane LivePictures at the Simon Kucher workspace
Office planting maintenance tips
Our team have been maintaining green office spaces for years. Here are their top tips:
- Rotating plants - one thing you don't often consider is rotating plants. In offices where natural lighting is often restricted to one direction, it is important to turn potted plants around every few weeks to ensure even growth
- A more routine watering schedule - outdoor plants have the benefits of rainfall but indoor plants rely on manual watering. To ensure plants stay healthy and vibrant they must be watered systematically but be careful not to overwater
- Cleaning leaves - indoor plants can suffer from dust and debris. Clean the leaves with a damp cloth to ensure the plant can absorb efficient light for photosynthesis
- Trim yellow or brown leaves - remember to watch for any dying leaves
- Do not place plants by air vents - direct hot or cold air can cause stress in plants, causing them to degrade
For more information on the benefits of plants and how to arrange them to uplift your office. Check out our previous blog: How to use office plants to create a healthier workspace
