Guide: Find the ideal plants for your office! Improve the indoor climate and acoustics and promote well-being with easy-care green plants.
Which plants are suitable for the office? This question often arises as soon as you think about design options for workplaces. Many offices already have green plants, but not everyone has a clear idea of which types are useful and what special care should be taken with them. In addition, the effect of plants on the indoor climate and employees plays a central role. Furthermore, their potential added value as sound insulation should not be underestimated. Below, you will learn why plants in the office have a positive effect on well-being and productivity, how plants can serve as sound insulation in the office, and which plants are suitable for the office to ensure an appealing work environment.
Plants are not just decoration. They influence the indoor climate and can significantly increase well-being in the workplace. People quickly feel uncomfortable in sterile rooms without greenery and personal touches. Offices in which plants are deliberately placed convey a feeling of freshness and liveliness. This has a positive effect on motivation, satisfaction and often also on health. Although how we perceive our surroundings varies from person to person, almost everyone can feel the effect of living greenery.
The principle behind it is simple: plants produce oxygen, filter certain pollutants out of the air and ideally increase humidity. This is particularly helpful in buildings with air conditioning or in meeting rooms where many people come together in a small space. After hours of working at computers and laptops, eyes and airways can quickly become irritated if the air is too dry. This problem can be alleviated somewhat by green plants. Of course, the right type of plant must be chosen to be as easy to care for as possible and to achieve the desired effects.
The psychological effect of plants should not be underestimated. Colours such as green have a calming effect, while the presence of natural life can reduce stress levels. Many studies show that people who regularly look at greenery are less stressed and can concentrate better. In an office with an appropriate planting concept, this can be at least partially recreated. Some companies even rely on some form of indoor garden or green entire walls to create islands of calm for their employees. Such concepts increase identification with the workplace, which in turn can have a positive effect on performance.
In open-plan offices, but also in smaller offices with several people, the noise level can quickly rise. Phone calls, conversations or typing on keyboards create a variety of everyday noises. Those who want to concentrate sometimes long for a little more peace and quiet. Plants can help here, because plants as sound insulation in the office are now a well-known effect. While they should not be considered as the only solution, they are a gentle way to at least minimise noise and create more pleasant acoustics.
The sound-absorbing effect of plants is based, among other things, on their structure. Leaves and stems can refract sound waves and partially absorb them. Of course, a ficus or a yucca cannot replace a professional soundproofing wall. But in combination with other elements such as carpets or sound absorbers on ceilings and walls, plants can help to reduce the reverberation in a room. In particular, large-leaved or bushy varieties have a noticeable effect here.
In meeting rooms or waiting areas, it is therefore worth combining several larger plants rather than just a simple houseplant. This creates visual variety and simultaneously reduces the noise level. If you choose long-lasting plants that are easy to care for, the effort required is kept within limits. The benefits, on the other hand, are reflected in a more pleasant atmosphere that supports concentrated work.
This is a question that concerns many employers. After all, workplaces require a certain robustness on the part of the plants in order to survive the conditions well. Not every species can cope with dry office air, changing light conditions and occasional watering stress. At the same time, many employees want plants that are visually appealing and easy to care for.
One classic plant that can be found in almost every office is the spider plant (Chlorophytum comosum). It is extremely undemanding and is ideal for indoor planting. Its decorative striped leaves provide a beautiful colour accent. It also filters pollutants out of the air to a small extent and helps to improve the indoor climate. Since it grows relatively quickly and forms offshoots, it can be easily propagated.
The Sansevieria, also known as the arrowhead plant, is also very popular. It is extremely robust, tolerates a wide range of light conditions and requires little water. Its upright growth also fits into small corners, for example on window sills or sideboards. Thanks to its fleshy leaves, it stores moisture and can withstand short periods without watering. In addition, it is visually striking and helps to improve the air quality.
The Zamioculcas zamiifolia (ZZ plant) is another example. Its dark, glossy foliage looks very elegant and it grows even in low light. This plant is a good choice for those who don't have time for constant watering. It should be watered regularly, but not too often, as it does not tolerate waterlogging well. As a solitary plant in a simple pot, it looks equally good in the entrance area or next to desks.
The spider plant (Epipremnum aureum) is also a welcome sight in the office. It can be trained to climb up a trellis or pole if required and is relatively robust. Its lush green leaves sometimes have yellow or light speckles that enhance their appearance. Spider plants are known to break down air pollutants and can be propagated quickly. With a little skill, you can take cuttings and replant them elsewhere. This is how bare office walls can be transformed into green oases over time.
If you like something a little bigger, you can opt for the golden fruit palm (Areca palm). It is known as a classic for interiors and has the added benefit of purifying the air. A dragon tree (Dracaena) is also easy to care for and offers different leaf shapes. Both types require a little more space, but thrive in a bright corner and visually brighten up the office environment. It is important not to overwater them and to avoid waterlogging.
Even the hardiest of plants needs a certain amount of attention. If you are actively responsible for watering and fertilising plants in the office, you should do this at regular intervals. Having a clear system in place will prevent you from watering the plants either too often or too infrequently. Ideally, you should appoint one person who has a little knowledge of plants or at least wants to find out more. There is no great science to it, but a few basic rules are advisable:
Avoid waterlogging at all costs: regularly check the plant pots and trays
Water less often in winter, as plants are in their dormant phase
Pay attention to light conditions: some office plants tolerate little sun, others need more light
Dust the leaves occasionally: this increases photosynthesis
Adhere to fertilisation intervals, but don't overdo it
Sometimes several smaller plants are better in the office than one large one. Smaller specimens are easier to move and require a little less maintenance. This way, even employees who don't have a ‘green thumb’ can easily ensure that the plants are well cared for. If you want to avoid plants drying out during a longer absence, you should look for self-watering pots or hydroponic systems (if possible). These store water for several days to weeks and make caring for plants much easier.
In addition to the question of ‘Which plants are suitable for the office?’, the choice of location also plays an important role. It doesn't help to place a light-loving plant in a dark corner of the room. Similarly, a sunny window sill with intense summer heat can be critical for some plants. Careful placement ensures that the plant can develop its full effect and does not wither away. Desks should not be completely overgrown. A compromise could be to place large plants in a quiet corner of the room and smaller plants on window sills or sideboards.
In corridors or meeting rooms, plants are particularly useful for creating atmosphere. Reception areas also benefit from a green design, as visitors immediately get a positive first impression. Wherever there are sources of noise and a presentable environment is desired, a combination of plants as sound insulation in the office and decorative elements can be particularly effective. Large-leaved species such as monstera or ficus are suitable for areas where there is plenty of space, while compact varieties such as the snake plant also look good in smaller niches.
Anyone concerned about healthy office design will quickly come across the term sustainability. With plants, you can actually bring a little piece of nature into the office that can be designed for the long term. Many varieties will accompany a team for years. If they are well cared for, they will grow continuously and will occasionally need new, larger pots. In return, they improve the indoor climate, promote creativity and support a pleasant working environment.
The aspect of indoor air quality is also becoming increasingly important. Air conditioners are practical tools for controlling temperature. However, they often dry out the air. Certain plants can counteract this and create higher humidity. If you also make sure to air rooms regularly and avoid chemical products such as aggressive cleaning agents, you can do a lot to improve the health of the microclimate at your workplace. The effects on the ability to concentrate and on well-being should not be underestimated.
What's more, sustainable office design with plants can be wonderfully combined with other ecological measures. Perhaps an office will think of collecting rainwater to water the plants. Or you could use biodegradable plant pots and peat-free substrates. This way, not only does the team benefit, but also the environment, which can be a positive image factor for companies in times of increasing environmental awareness.
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