5 Office Plants to Boost Wellbeing, Productivity and Happiness

Biophilic office design does wonders for employees – that’s a well-known fact in the world of work. But you don’t have to commit to water features and jungle-inspired terraces (at least not right away). You can start small, with a few humble desk plants. Here’s how – and why you should.

The infamous desk plant has roots dating back to 1939, after factory-like grids of desks were booted out for more natural, open-plan offices. Later on, ‘Bürolandschaft’ – the German word for ‘office landscape’, was an office space trend that focused on humanness and collaboration, and potted plants were a big part of the picture.

For many of us, it’s hard to imagine a workspace without greenery. If you’re lucky enough to work in a trendy flexible office, you’re probably surrounded by leafy gems and big windows that look onto green spaces. But there’s more to it than interior design. Research suggests that office plants help us work better.

The benefits of office plants – what the science says

Biophilic office design stems from the science of biophilia – our innate attraction to lifelike processes and natural elements, be it water, sunlight, plants or earthy tones. As we’ve explored in our blog, ‘Biophilic Office Design: The Science, Benefits and Examples’, by incorporating elements of biophilia into their workspaces, businesses can:

• Improve the physical health and immunity of their employees
• Enhance the mental health and happiness of their teams
• Boost productivity and their overall bottom-line
• Attract and retain top talent

In fact, a UK study that compared ‘lean offices’ and ‘green offices’ found that productivity increased by 15% when plants were introduced to a workspace. Not only were spartan offices detrimental to employees, but plant-filled offices boosted employee satisfaction, concentration levels and their perceptions of air quality.

Likewise, in a TED article titled, ‘Why every desk at your office should have a plant’, small business owner Mike Robinson explains how he decided to give every employee the chance to choose a plant for their desk – in an exercise that mirrored a “human-plant speed-date”.

Though his analysis is purely anecdotal and incomparable to any controlled science experiment, Robinson explained that as time went by, it started to bear fruit: “I did my own mathematics, and I reckoned that we might be doing about 30 percent more business per staff [member].”

And given that every employee was responsible for looking after their own desk plant, not a single plant died in the space of five whole years: “Our office is a more contented place, a relaxed place, and a place that I’m proud to be to be a part of, and a big part of that is the personal plant."

“I did my own mathematics, and I reckoned that we might be doing about 30 percent more business per staff [member].” - Mike Robinson, Why every desk at your office should have a plant

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5 office plants to boost wellbeing, productivity and happiness

So, whether you need to brighten up your office or your desk at home, here’s a list of easy-to-maintain plants that have the power to boost your wellbeing, productivity and happiness. 

The snake plant

Snake plants are essentially a collection of long, pointy leaves – which are sometimes surrounded by yellow borders. They’re also patterned with darker shades of green, which almost give them an animal-print quality.

Great for: Fresh air.

Love and care: Snake plants make great desk companions because they’re easy to maintain; they don’t need a lot of light. Plus, they’re said to have air-purifying qualities, and were even used in a study by NASA into how plants can combat ‘sick building syndrome’.

The emerald palm

Emerald palms are a luscious deep green. Their glossy finish and elegant curves are quick to attract attention. So, for those moments you decide to give your eyes a rest, they’re the perfect muse to gaze upon.

Great for: Screen breaks.

Love and care: Emerald palms are extremely resilient; they’ll feel at home in a range of light conditions, but they prefer to be away from direct sunlight. You’ll be safe to leave them unattended when you’re out of office, too, as they don’t need much water. In fact, they even store some in their strong stems as a backup.

The swiss cheese plant

Swiss cheese plants are a classic staple for both at-home-desks and private offices. Their huge, uniquely shaped leaves are instantly recognisable, and easy to ogle at for those personal brainstorms.

Great for: Creative inspiration.

Love and care: Too much water can be detrimental to swiss cheese plants, so it’s best to check how dry their soil is first. Swiss cheese plants are quick to grow and they thrive in medium light conditions. If you can, spritz their leaves with mist, as they love humid environments.

The aloe vera

Aloe vera is a type of succulent, famously found in tropical climates. With beautiful, sometimes spotted leaves, it’s no surprise that aloe vera plants are popular office companions.

Great for: Healing.

Love and care: Aloe vera is known for its healing properties – the gel hidden inside of their leaves is actually antibacterial, and it can also be used to treat sunburn. For happy aloe vera plants, place them in a sunny spot and water them generously but infrequently.

The cactus

The cactus is a classic desk addition, and perhaps the best starting point if you’re in charge of your own fauna. Though they’re not big and leafy, their rustic look has become a bit of a trend in recent years.

Great for: Aesthetics. 

Love and care: It’s fair to say that cacti are top of the list when it comes to ‘unkillable’ plants. You can pretty much leave them be for the most part; an occasional water when they’re looking particularly parched can go a long way.