Why It's Worth Adding Plants to Your Office

Most offices are far removed from the wild habitats humans are adapted to. Fraught with blue light sources and sterile materials, offices tend to drain our concentration and focus. The good news is, plants are known to counteract this. Research shows that plants can make you more efficient and productive in a working environment, so it’s worth adding a plant or two to your workspace to give yourself some extra headspace.

Most of us are aware that nature has a positive effect on us, but few of us know why that is. One theory is that plants, and nature more broadly, signify a healthy and flourishing environment. For our ancestors, this would have meant that there should be ample food sources in the area. Our bodies haven’t changed much since then, and we’re still flooded with feel-good chemicals when in the presence of nature. Psychologists suggest that a combination of lower stress levels, and reduced pressure on our cognitive capabilities, explain why we get a creativity and productivity boost when we're surrounded by plant life!

Plants for Cleaning the Air

As they photosynthesise, plants take in carbon dioxide and release oxygen through tiny pores on their green leaves. During this process, plants also remove toxins that linger around in your office or home. This keeps them out of your lungs and improves the air quality around you. Particularly plants with a lot of foliage, like the Snake Plant Zeylanica, are good at this since they have plenty of tiny pores.

Plants also improve the air quality in your office by acting as a natural humidifier through releasing water vapour. Doing so can help you maintain better levels of concentration and relieve headaches. This is especially true when it comes to plants from the tropics, like the Calathea Elgergrass, which are great humidity booster. During winters, these Calatheas are handy companions who can help with dry skin and dry airways.