Choosing The Best Plants For Your Desk | Improving Your Office Space
Office space is always evolving. Whether you’re working from home, at a coworking space, or out of a traditional office, we can all benefit from getting back to grassroots. Literally.
Plants are one of the most popular ways to personalize your desk. Well trends like fidget spinners come and go, plants have lasting power. And that’s no surprise. Not only are they pleasing to the eye and nose, but plants have also proven productivity and wellness benefits.
According to research by England’s Royal College of Agriculture having plants in a room increases attentiveness by 70%. They’re also proven to increase creative ideas and problem-solving.
In this article, we’re taking a look at what to look for when choosing the best office plant for your desk. As well as some suggestions, based on your needs.
Basic Considerations For an Office Desk Plant
The requirements for an office plant are a little different than what you might keep in your home. They’re going to need to be a little hardier, and your choices might be limited by your desk’s location.
Lighting
For starters, it’s best to choose desk lamps that do well in office lighting. If you have window access and plenty of sunshine, you have more options than a desk lit by fluorescent tubes.
Water
Next, you’re better off choosing vegetation that can go a few days without water. Most plants are fine going without water over the weekend. But when you go off on vacation, is there anyone you trust to remember to water your plants?
Size
The third thing to keep in mind is the size of the plant. Is your new desk plant going to take over your desk? The fiddle leaf fig is a cool little plant when you get it. But eventually, it turns into a full-size tree. It’s still a great office plant, but it’s not suited for your desk.
Ease of Care
If you’re looking for a desk plant that’s easy to care for, look no further than the Snake Plant. For those of us born without a green thumb, these plants are perfect for the desk. They thrive in medium and low-light environments and require infrequent watering.
However, make sure you look up the variety of snake plant you’re getting. Varieties like Futura Superba and Futura Robusta are smaller and great for desks. But some varieties can reach up to 40 inches. That’s a lot of desk real estate.
Appearance
When you’re deciding on an office plant, appearance matters. If potential clients or partners will see your desk, having the right look can help. A decluttered space with a plant that fits the look of the office leaves a good impression.
As well, a nice looking plant can boost your mood. For the most part, choosing a plant for the sake appearance comes down to personal taste.
One recommendation we might suggest is an air plant. They come in a variety of looks, and since they don’t need soil they can be hung in all sorts of unique ways. Air plants are fairly easy to care for, usually just needing the roots to be submerged for 2-3 hours per week.
Health
Some plants are even found to help reduce sick days, especially in poorly ventilated or shared office spaces. Almost all plants function as air purifiers to some degree. However, some perform this task better than others.
These purifying plants can help improve your short-term and long-term health. Indoor air can have as much as 120% more pollutants than outdoors. Plants are an effective, natural solution to cleaning your immediate area.
English ivy is one good solution for reducing pollutants in your office, especially if there is poor circulation. Its size is based on its environment. In a smaller pot, it fits easily on your desk and requires little care once it reaches maturity. If your office space has dry air, it has the added benefit of adding moisture to the air.
Wellness
In recent years, office spaces have been making an effort to increase their measure of workplace wellness. Adding plants to your workspace can provide stress relief and increase your perceived quality of life.
If the goal of your desk vegetation is to increase wellness, consider herbal plants. In addition to the soothing nature of plants, the scents of herbs have therapeutic qualities. A few examples include:
- Rosemary staves off headaches and medical fatigue. It’s also believed to stimulate memory.
- The smell of lavender is calming, helping to relieve stress.
- Peppermint is energizing, it’s good for concentration and ideation.
Choose A Plant You Like
At the end of the day, choosing a plant for your office desk comes down to your preference. Most of us spend at least 40 hours a week in the office, so it’s worth finding the little things that improve the experience. Choose a plant that will help take the grind out of your day.
The Professional Centre is a coworking office space in the heart of Toronto’s Financial District. Our shared spaces, private offices, and meeting rooms are all carefully designed to create a more comfortable, engaging workspace. All our locations have large windows and natural light, for a healthy, modern atmosphere.
