Creating a productive environment: how plants boost employee morale and creativity

A common rule of interior design is that every space needs to have something living in it; be it a vase of flowers, a plant or a fish tank. The psychology behind this is that humans have an innate desire to be closer to nature, and living things make the space feel alive, vibrant and restful. It’s no different when it comes to commercial spaces; in fact, the benefits of incorporating plants into workspaces are significant and include enhancing employee well-being and productivity.

This innate desire to be close to nature is called biophilia. Incorporating plants and greenery into commercial spaces is called biophilic design which is based on the science of biophilia: human’s deep need to be around nature.

To understand more about the benefits of greenery at work, we spoke to GreenAir senior designer Donna Signorelli who shares the tangible impact plants have on people in the workplace. It is GreenAir’s mission to reconnect people to nature to nurture general well-being and enhance performance by bringing greenery to urban environments. 

The most obvious benefit of plants is they add colour, texture, and life to otherwise sterile environments, making the office feel more welcoming and comfortable. But plants can also offer improved psychological wellbeing, too.

“Plants in an office setting offer numerous psychological benefits. They create a calming atmosphere, reduce stress and anxiety, and improve overall mood. The presence of greenery can also enhance focus and concentration, leading to better work performance and job satisfaction.”

Greenery in the workplace can inspire new ideas and perspectives, helping employees think outside the box. Additionally, plants can create a more inviting and comfortable workspace, encouraging collaboration and open communication. 

Plants can also improve acoustics by reducing noise levels, and numerous studies highlight their benefits, with one showing employees are 15% more productive when their workspace includes just a few houseplants, shares Donna. 

“Additionally, a NASA study revealed that certain plants can remove up to 87% of indoor air pollutants within 24 hours. These findings underscore the positive impact of plants on both productivity and air quality in the office.”
Bringing nature into our urban environment can help combat mental fatigue and prevent employee burnout, while also lowering stress, boosting creativity, reducing blood pressure, and lifting spirits, says Donna. This is because plants act as natural air purifiers, effectively absorbing harmful toxins while releasing fresh, clean oxygen. 

“This creates a healthier environment, enhancing respiratory health and overall wellbeing. Improved air quality leads to fewer sick days, increased focus, and higher productivity among employees.”

Last year GreenAir installed plants in The Warehouse Group’s office space on the North Shore. Part of the driver for this was to improve their Green Star scorecard, which increases building performance through a number of design initiatives, including planting indoors. 

“They have since reported increased employee satisfaction and increased occupancy at the office. The inclusion of plants, especially around their lunchroom area and a full branding wall with greenery, has created a sense of community and connection to nature, improving overall workplace culture.”

All living things require maintenance, and the act of caring for plants can also be therapeutic, providing employees with a break from work-related tasks. 

“Studies have shown that simply being around plants can lower cortisol levels, the hormone associated with stress,” says Donna. “Plants can also help reduce stress levels by creating a serene and natural environment that promotes relaxation.”

In general, it's not the type of plant that has the greatest impact but the quality of the planting displays and the plants' overall health. Healthy, well-maintained plants in vibrant displays can significantly boost employee morale and creativity. 

“Additionally, plants with a greater cubic area tend to have a more substantial impact, as they provide more visual appeal and contribute more effectively to the overall environment.”

Last year GreenAir installed plants in The Warehouse Group’s office space on the North Shore. Part of the driver for this was to improve their Green Star scorecard, which increases building performance through a number of design initiatives, including planting indoors. 

“They have since reported increased employee satisfaction and increased occupancy at the office. The inclusion of plants, especially around their lunchroom area and a full branding wall with greenery, has created a sense of community and connection to nature, improving overall workplace culture.”

All living things require maintenance, and the act of caring for plants can also be therapeutic, providing employees with a break from work-related tasks. 

“Studies have shown that simply being around plants can lower cortisol levels, the hormone associated with stress,” says Donna. “Plants can also help reduce stress levels by creating a serene and natural environment that promotes relaxation.”

In general, it's not the type of plant that has the greatest impact but the quality of the planting displays and the plants' overall health. Healthy, well-maintained plants in vibrant displays can significantly boost employee morale and creativity. 

“Additionally, plants with a greater cubic area tend to have a more substantial impact, as they provide more visual appeal and contribute more effectively to the overall environment.”

How to integrate plants into an office space 

There are many ways to integrate plants into the workspace, ranging from simple potted plants to in-built displays and vertical gardens. It’s a great idea to engage an indoor planting expert like GreenAir, who will help you understand what you want to achieve with your indoor planting, and can assist in navigating scale, budget, and maintenance. 

GreenAir designers can give examples of what works in different environments, and what will have the biggest impact in your workspace.

Even if you don’t have a lot of floor space, there is always a solution, says Donna. “To integrate plants into an office space without causing clutter or maintenance issues, consider using vertical gardens, wall-mounted and suspended planters, or small potted plants on desks and shelves.”

For maintenance, GreenAir takes care of service and maintenance by visiting sites regularly, ensuring all the plants are happy and thriving. They have also created an exclusive growing media they call “GA Ponics”. The ingredients can hold more moisture, allowing the plant to absorb water and nutrients when needed, which also reduces the need for watering frequently. 

“In addition, we use self-water grow pots to further support a healthy root system, allowing more plant varieties to thrive in the work environment.”

Learn more about workspaces that have integrated plants with GreenAir