Imagine you’re sitting at your desk. What do you see? Maybe a coffee cup, a keyboard, a water bottle, a mouse and a screen. But do you also see a plant?

It’s common knowledge that plants are good for us at work. What’s less well known is why that is, and what they actually do for us day to day.

Experience from over 1,000 office projects

That’s exactly what Joel works on every day. As co-founder of Oxygen at Work, he has been involved in more than 1,000 greening projects in Switzerland and Germany. The goal is always the same: better air and greater wellbeing for employees. And time and again, Joel has seen how much an office changes once plants move in.

The following five reasons show exactly what changes:

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Reason 1: plants reduce stress

The first reason is also the one Joel sees most often in his projects: plants reduce stress. Looking at greenery has been shown to lower stress hormones such as cortisol, calm the pulse and blood pressure, and lift the mood.

Behind this is what’s known as biophilia, our innate connection to nature. For thousands of years, humans lived in nature, and our brains still perceive green surroundings as safe and calming. An office without any greenery, by contrast, is a rather artificial environment for our nervous system. In everyday office life, stress rarely comes from a single big event, but from many small pressures. That’s exactly where plants help. A quick glance at a plant works like a micro-break, giving your mind and body a moment to recover. Those who allow themselves such moments regularly stay more balanced and resilient throughout the day.

That’s why at Oxygen at Work we don’t just create green offices, but healthy ecosystems where people can truly breathe.

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Reason 2: plants boost creativity and productivity

The second reason for plants in the office is that they boost employees’ creativity and productivity. This is no coincidence, it was examined in a study by the University of Exeter. One test group worked in a room with office plants, while a second group worked in a room without plants. The result: employees in the green offices were up to 15% more productive. So plants also pay off from a business perspective.

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Reason 3: plants improve the indoor climate

The third reason is especially relevant for heated offices in winter: a better indoor climate. During the heating season, humidity in offices often drops below 30%. Plants naturally release moisture into the air through their leaves. This can help with dry eyes, irritated mucous membranes and that typical dry office feeling. That’s why our greening concepts don’t just focus on the type and number of plants: we water and care for them all year round so they can have their full effect on the indoor climate.

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Reason 4: plants improve acoustics

The fourth reason is the effect on acoustics, which is often underestimated, especially in open-plan offices. Phone calls, clattering keyboards and background noise quickly become a real distraction in open offices, and an additional source of stress. Plants, especially large-leaved species and dense green walls, absorb and scatter sound waves. This reduces reverberation and makes the room noticeably quieter. At Oxygen at Work, we therefore also take room acoustics into account and place plants specifically where noise is most disruptive.

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Reason 5: plants strengthen atmosphere and employer branding

The fifth reason to bring plants into the office is atmosphere and employer branding. An office with plants feels more welcoming, modern and human. Not only employees notice this, but also job applicants, clients and business partners, at first glance. Plants turn an office into a place where people genuinely want to work.

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What else should you know about plants and stress?

Because stress is one of the biggest issues in office life, Joel has three interesting facts about it.

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Fact 1: Even brief glances at greenery make a difference. A study by the University of Melbourne showed that a micro-break of around 40 seconds looking at greenery measurably improved concentration afterwards. So you don’t need a walk in the woods. A plant within sight of your desk is a good start.

Fact 2: Greenery helps the mind recover. Attention Restoration Theory suggests that focused work tires our directed attention. Nature, on the other hand, captures our attention effortlessly, giving the brain a chance to recharge.

Fact 3: Where you place plants makes the difference. Plants have their calming effect above all where employees actually see them during the working day: at their desks, in meeting rooms and in break rooms. A single plant in the reception area isn’t enough.

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Green office, relaxed team!

These are five solid reasons why plants definitely deserve a place in your office. Employees can concentrate better and are more productive, balanced and positive. So plants are worth it in every office.

Would you like to know how the right greening concept can enhance your office? Then contact us here.

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All five reasons are also available on video, presented by Joel himself:

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