My Rewards
Ocean noises to help you unwind, walks in the park for fresh air, a long hike to clear your head. There’s a reason humans flock to nature when they need to refresh and restore. Nature has magic.
Nature can help us find inspiration, calm, or just take that much-needed break. So, if you’ve been asking ‘how can I boost productivity, concentration and mood all day long?’ There’s no simpler answer then: bring the outside in.
Indoor plants are linked to improving attention span, concentration, and creativity levels. They also improve air quality, reduce stress and promote recovery. In studies measuring test scores and worker output, it has been found that environments with indoor plants show increased productivity (Nieuwenhuis et al., 2014) and fewer sick days (Elzeyadi, 2011).
The bottom line? Indoor plants lead to a more productive work atmosphere. So, whether you're on the market for low-maintenance office plants, the best desk plants for your study space, or plants to boost creativity as you paint. Stick with us. Read on for our recommendations on the best plants to work from home, based on current research.
Check out - Why you should add plants in your workspace?
Best plants for Productivity
Productivity. The outcome we are all hoping for when we begin our tasks for the day - but how can office plants help us with this?
All-natural forms are associated with increased productivity. Walking in a park, stopping by a river, or just an hour outside at lunch will do wonders for your ability to get that to-do list checked off. However, there are certain elements that produce the strongest bodily responses, and of course - we are here to recommend them!
Evolutionary psychologists have deduced that plants reminiscent of the Savannah (our ancestral home) tend to be the most effective at reducing the body's response to stress. High levels of stress can drastically lower productivity, hence why stress-reducing office plants are recommended for workspaces.
So, what plants are reminiscent of the Savannah? We hear you ask … Here are our top 2 favourites:
1. Strelitzia Regina.
Sometimes known as the ‘Bird of Paradise’. This is a tall, striking plant with deep green leaves. The Strelitzia Regina is a top-heavy plant, reminiscent of greenery found in the Savannah. Their large green leaves are also great for air circulation and purification, doubling up the benefits they add to your office space!
2. Pothos plant.
With its overhanging canopies, the Pothos is extremely evocative of the landscape of the Savannah. Pothos plants have powerful formaldehyde-removal qualities, helping to purify our air. Cleaner air has been linked to increased concentration and productivity - making this plant a double winner in the world of home office plants.
Plant X Top Tip: Fancy really levelling up your home office productivity levels? Load up on the office plants! Hanging plants, standing plants, desk plants - the whole lot!
Humans benefit from green environments packed with diverse and dense plant life. These conditions signal a healthy and fruitful environment for us, allowing us to work at our best. Any quick-growing jungly plants, like Monsteras, are great options here.
Plants that help us focus and relax
Increased focus does wonders for productivity levels. To achieve this we recommend office plants with fractal patterns. Sounds strange, we know! But let us break it down.
Fractal patterns are continuous patterns that could repeat infinitely. You’ve probably seen them in contemporary art paintings (the ones that make you feel dizzy!) However, when fractal patterns are found in nature they have a positive effect on our attention span.
Studies show that the human eye is particularly attuned to dealing with fractal patterns of a certain dimensional range (Wise and Taylor 2002). When fractal patterns are found in nature they induce a relaxed yet wakeful state (Hagerhall et al., 2015).
Importantly, in this ‘relaxed yet wakeful’ state, our minds get relief from the overstimulating effects of laptops and blue screen tech, allowing us to focus on specific tasks. This gives us a focus and productivity boost in one (a win-win!)
Our top fractal patterned plant recommendations? Take a look at these three champions:
1. Orbifolias.
Large, leafy and calming. The repeated lines on the Orbifolias leaves aren’t only eye-catching, they’ll give your focus levels the boost you’ve been searching for.
2. The Spiral Cactus.
A classic cactus with a unique twist, the spiral cactus is the perfect desk plant for anyone needing a gentle boost while sitting on their laptop. Fun, effective and low-maintenance - what more could you want!
3. Echeverias.
Small and compact, and with perfectly satisfying continuous patterns. Echeverias are the best desk plants or windowsill partners for small office spaces.
Check out - 5 Restorative Plants for Focus and Tranquility
Plants to boost cognition and creativity
Up next, cognition and creativity. Two key areas for getting the most out of your working day. It’s not just the amount of work you do, but the quality of the work you produce too.
Following an eight-month study, Robert Ulrich found that adding office plants to a working environment resulted in a 15% increase in flexible solutions and new ideas from employees. So, whether you’re working on an exciting novel or screenplay, a hefty paper, or hoping to come up with innovative solutions at work - some greenery might be the answer.
When it comes to cognition and creativity, it's not so much the type of plant you add into your space, but rather the presence of plants as a whole. However, here’s some ideas to get inspiration flowing:
1. The Calathea Triostar:
With its elegant, deep purple leaves this plant is mother nature's own work of art. Guaranteed to impress any visitor, get your creative juices flowing and serve as some much needed inspiration when you hit a wall.
2. Rhapis excelsa:
A beautiful plant with unique, long and skinny leaves. The Rhapis is the perfect plant to remind creatives you don’t need to follow the crowd to make your mark. Individual, edgy and low maintenance - the perfect plant for newbies.
Plants that make you feel less claustrophobic
Last but not least - plants to make your workspace feel more comfortable. As all of us experienced home workers will know, working from home can quickly turn from a cosy treat to a constricting set of four walls in a matter of minutes. A great way to prevent this? Greenery of course.
Hanging plants that are trained to climb your walls with plant supports are excellent for opening up office spaces. Using plants to play with levels this way is an excellent tool to draw the eye up and reduce any feelings of being trapped or enclosed.
Our top recommendations:
1. Red Rhipsalis:
Perfect for hanging, the Red Rhipsalis is vibrant, unique and has a broad, open growth habit. Ideal for hanging up high or placing on a shelf to draw the eye line upwards. Ideal for opening up your working environment.
2. Philodendron squamiferum:
Another leafy plant with a broad, open growth habit. Perfect for climbing. The large, leafy, green plant is great for rewilding and opening up your office interior.
In a nutshell:
So there you have it, our top office plants and best desk plant recommendations to boost performance during your daily tasks.
So, whether it’s a humble desk plant to increase focus, a large climbing plant to open up your space, or a savannah-resembling plant to crank up those productivity levels, bringing the outside is always the answer. The perfect way to level up your hustle, make your office a space you enjoy and reap mother nature’s benefits all day long.
Enjoyed this? As well as being good for productivity, being immersed in nature helps support our immune systems! Shop our immune-boosting plant collections.
