The annual spring spruce-up isn’t just for the home. Businesses and those who run them can benefit from a little beautification as well, and plants are a fun way to add vibrancy to any office.
Of course we’re a bit biased at Leafscape, but we’ve got research to back up our almost fanatical fondness for flora. In 2013, scientists from the University of Exeter studied whether plants have any real, measurable effect on workplace productivity.
The study measured 350 subjects over 90 different experiments and assessed happiness, creativity and productivity in various work environments.
They found that plants can enhance concentration and productivity, improve overall staff well-being by 47 percent and increase creativity by 45 percent. Office plants have also been shown to decrease stress and increase the overall happiness of the workplace.
Not only that, but plants also improve indoor air quality. For example, an areca palm can replace an electric humidifier. Additionally, their stems, leaves and branches absorb noise, helping buffer clicking keyboards, raucous conversations and other office distractions.
At Leafscape, our specialty is indoor plantscapes. We’ll help you choose the best plants for your workplace or special event and even take care of them. Here are a few ideas we keep in mind when sprucing up a space:
Color
Since most tropical plants don’t have showy blooms, choose colorful and complementary containers to liven up an office when painting is cost-prohibitive.
Contrast
Add interest to a display by using several types of plants of varying shades, shapes, textures and heights in a planting. Toss in some moss and decorative rocks to add more variety to your plantscape. For example, snake plants and succulents can create a desert feel, while combining golden pothos, bromeliad, and dracaena will produce a more tropical effect.
Placement & Size
If you have an unsightly or awkward corner to fill, choose something with volume and/or height. Palms and bamboo are lush and grow tall. Putting one of these in a corner with a nice chair and simple side table creates a stately sitting area.