Office Plants Boost Productivity

Don't strip your office down to desks and computer monitors just yet. A new study from the University of Exeter in the UK suggests that common decorative plants in the workplace could actually increase worker productivity. The findings directly contradict the traditional idea that sparse, clean workplaces are the best drivesr of employee productivity and overall happiness.

The research shows that workers in an office landscaped with plants not only perceived the indoor air quality as higher but also report increased workplace satisfaction and higher levels of concentration. Studying worker productivity levels over subsequent months at two large commercial offices, the researchers found that the presence of plants led to more work engagement by employees, including improved physical, cognitive, and emotional involvement in their work causing large increases in worker productivity and satisfaction. Productivity could increase by as much as 15% with the simple addition of greenery.

"The 'lean' philosophy has been influential across a wide range of organizational domains. Our research questions this widespread conviction that less is more. Sometimes less is just less," says Alex Haslam, co-author of the study. 

Thinking about plants for your facility? Take a look at Natural Plants vs. Silk Botanicals to find the best choice for your office.