Plants in the office are a fantastic addition to any business. They come with a wide range of benefits, they’re very affordable, and they look excellent. However, the majority of workplaces aren’t putting their plants in the right spot. This can lead to plants dying, higher costs for maintaining the plants, and failure to take advantage of those great benefits we mentioned.
At Niche Projects, we work with businesses all over Sydney to craft exceptional, tailor-made workspaces. We help a number of organisations select the right plants for your office, creating a tranquil and more relaxing environment for their people. During this process, we also advise on how to best place office plants… because this is incredibly important.
Below, we’ll take a closer look at where to put your office plants.
What are the benefits of office plants?
Plants come with so many benefits, both at home and in the office.
They look great!
We all know that plants look fantastic. They add a wonderful decorative touch to any workplace, adding colour and vibrancy to the space. This is especially true in a monochrome white or cream office… as many workspaces tend to be these days.
Better acoustics
Did you know that plants can actually reduce noise in your office? Types with large leaves and fronds are especially effective at muffling sound and reducing distraction at work. They can be an excellent option if you’re trying to deal with noise pollution in the office, and they are certainly more affordable than walls and partitions.
Improved happiness and mental health
There are countless studies that show how plants improve employee mental health and happiness levels. Workers are already more stressed than ever before, so it’s essential to take every step possible to create a more relaxing and welcoming workplace. Plants are a key component in doing just that.
Air quality
When you include a certain amount of plants in your office fit-out, you’ll start to see improved air quality. There are some plants that are more effective at this than others, but virtually all plants will help to remove any nasty airborne particles from your workplace. This can include carbon dioxide, but also chemicals emitted from plastics and papers, as well as electronics.
Where should you place your office plants?
We see organisations placing their plants without a plan in mind, or understanding of where the plants need to go. The bottom line is that each type of plant is different. Some need plenty of light, while others do much better in darker spots. Therefore, this must be a really important consideration when deciding where to place your office plants.
Your plants will require regular watering and maintenance to keep them healthy. Therefore, placing your plants in a way that makes this care easier will be a much more efficient way to handle it. Plants also need a certain amount of airflow, and shouldn’t be placed too close to busy thoroughfares. That will help them to avoid any accidental damage.
It’s always easier to allow the design experts to plan your office layout, and where to best place your plants. Our team is experienced in mapping out excellent workplaces, including effective plant placement. And we can do the same for your office.
How do you care for office plants?
All of your office plants will require regular care and attention. Different plants will need a different watering schedule, and it’s important to keep on top of this.
If you have a large office and workplace, it’s probably going to be your building management team that takes care of the office plants on a daily basis. In a small office, it’s easier to designate a small plant care team or have each employee look after the plants in their vicinity.
However, it is absolutely essential that whoever is taking care of your office plants, understands what each plant needs. That means the right amount of water and of course the right amount of light. If your plants are over-watered, not getting enough light (or too much), and are being damaged by passersby, they won’t be healthy.
And unhealthy plants mean you and your people won’t be reaping any of the benefits!
What are the best office plants
This is a tough question to answer because every office is a little different. Your people might prefer one type of plant over another and therefore, aesthetics are important. If your office doesn’t get a whole lot of natural sunlight, then it’s obviously better to go for plants that don’t need a whole lot of light to thrive.
Here are some of the most durable and suitable plants for the office:
- Mother In-law’s Tongue (Snake Plant/ Sanseviria)
- Spider plant (Chlorophytum comosum)
- Devil’s Ivy (Pothos/ Epiprenum aurenum)
- Zanzibar Gem (Zamioculcas Zamiifolia)
- Parlour Palm (Neanthe bella).
If you select one of these plants for your office, you can’t go wrong. However, it always pays to seek out expert advice. And there’s nothing better than having an expert Sydney office design and fit-out company in your corner. At Niche Projects, we’re here to help.
Are office plants expensive?
Some plants can be pricey, while others are very affordable. Pricing depends on the type of plant, as well as the size, as more mature plants often sell for more. If you decide to look for and purchase plants without help, do ensure you do adequate research first so that you fully understand how much you should be paying for your plants. Alternatively, let your Sydney office design experts handle it for you!
Cutting-edge Sydney office design
Looking for help with your office plants in Sydney? At Niche Projects, we’re the best in the business when it comes to building productive and efficient workplaces. Get in touch with us today to discuss your needs. We’d love to hear from you.