The Science and Strategies Behind Engage & Bloom

Harnessing nature for workplace wellness and engagement

This resource explores the science and strategies behind Planteria Group’s Engage & Bloom workplace experience programme. It will show how the programme provides employees, organisations and facilities managers with several key benefits from both a commercial and wellbeing standpoint.

Key theories and frameworks are identified, demonstrating the scientific and strategic theory that underpins the Engage & Bloom programme.

An Introduction to Engage & Bloom

Engage & Bloom is a science-backed employee experience
programme that is centred on the principles of biophilia and its scientifically
proven benefits in terms of productivity and wellbeing. Such benefits are
achieved through harnessing the power of nature to create inspirational spaces.

The Engage & Bloom programme teaches clients how to look
after their plants at home, as well as inspiring them in the world of planting
and nature through a range of engaging experiences, including workshops,
interactive QR codes, and educational pieces.

The Modern Workplace Challenge

The modern workplace presents numerous challenges to ensure employees are working at an optimal level that benefits both the individual and the wider organisation. Since 1950, research suggests that we have gradually become more disconnected from nature and the benefits it provides.

A 2023 study by the UK Government identified that people spend 80-90% of their time indoors. To make matters worse research suggests that on average an office worker spends 12 hours per day looking at a screen.

Offices commonly experience a disconnect from nature, due to urban environments and sterile interior settings, as well as the growing importance of technology that has often acted as a substitute for nature as a source of recreation and entertainment.

Increasing Importance of Well-being and Engagement for Productivity

Engage & Bloom is based on the concept of biophilia, which refers to a human being’s innate desire to connect with nature. This is further reinforced by numerous scientific findings, notably an experiment conducted by the Chelsea Flower Show.

This experiment invited participants to take part in a study that measured their creativity, happiness, and productivity across a variety of different workplace designs. The results found that allowing staff to make design decisions in a workspace enhanced with office plants can:

· Increase well-being by 47%

· Increase creativity by 45%

· Increase productivity by 38%

These findings highlight the significant benefits that simply being around plants can have on employees. However, the interactivity of the Engage & Bloom programme enables organisations and their employees to harness these benefits to an even more powerful extent.

The Innate Human Connection to Nature: Biophilia

Biophilia is described as ‘an innate love for the natural world, supposed to be felt universally by humankind.’ The biophilia hypothesis is based upon the belief that humans have an inbuilt tendency to seek connection with nature and other forms of life.

In fact, the word biophilia is a combination of two ancient Greek words: bio (meaning life) and philia (meaning love). The term was first used by German social psychologist Erich Fromm, who claimed that biophilia manifests as the ‘wish to further growth, whether in a person, plant, idea, or social group.’

The growing awareness and popularity of biophilic design is indicated in the below graph, which demonstrates how the word biophilia, along with related keywords, has seen a significant spike in how frequently it is mentioned in publications, particularly from 2008 onwards.

Engage & Bloom is a solution that combines both science and strategy through engaging workplace activities. As well as improving productivity and wellbeing, Engage & Bloom also promotes teamwork and fosters connections with nature and one another.

The Engage & Bloom programme applies Fromm’s concept of growth in terms of people, plants, and social groups by giving individuals the opportunity to enjoy a shared experience that connects them with plants and nature both on an individual and group level.

The Science of Wellness in the Workplace

Workplace wellbeing encompasses how employees feel at work and about work, with a focus on developing and displaying healthy behaviours.

More specifically, it can include some of the following elements:

A positive working environment
Job satisfaction and purposefulness
Good leadership and management
Pay and reward
Personal development
Physical and mental health

Impact of Stress, Poor Air Quality and Sterile Environments on Staff

Factors such as stress, poor air quality, and sterile environments can all have a negative impact on workplace wellbeing. Poor workplace mental health has been estimated to cost UK businesses an incredible £45bn each year. Furthermore, Lumien data reveals how wellbeing impacts employees 27% of the time, and as a result, companies are losing 17% productivity.

Annually, this equates to £5,318.45 per employee, representing a significant organisational cost that could be mitigated through the implementation of wellbeing-focused initiatives.

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Scientific Evidence Supporting Biophilia

Taking an evidence-based approach to workplace wellbeing allows employers to understand their employees wants and needs, along with areas of improvement.

According to the Mental Health Foundation, 45% of people reported that visiting green spaces helped them to cope. Likewise, Harvard research finds that spending 20 to 30 minutes in an outdoor setting where people feel they are interacting with nature can lower stress hormone levels.

Cognitive and Productivity Benefits of Greenery in Offices

The concept of biophilia is supported by various studies and frameworks, including Kaplan’s Attention Restoration Theory which found that exposure to nature reduces mental fatigue, as well as helping improve focus and our ability to concentrate.

Likewise, Ulrech’s 1981 Stress Reduction Theory claims that natural environments promote recovery from stress, while urban environments tend to hinder it.

The Psychological Basis of Nature Engagement

According to the National Library of Medicine, individuals have less mental distress, less anxiety and depression, greater wellbeing and healthier cortisol profiles when living in areas with more greenspace.

This is reinforced by NHS research, which found that people who spend at least two hours a week in nature experience better health and higher psychological wellbeing than those who do not visit nature at all during an average week.

Sensory Benefits of Plant Interaction

Sensory planting encourages an increasingly engaging and
meaningful experience with plants, stimulating senses, including smell, sound,
touch, and sight.

According to the RHS, selecting plants that are particularly
good for your senses can improve mood and general wellbeing.

Examples of plants with sensory benefits include:

· Fragrant flowers, such as lavender, jasmine, and rose

· Herbs, including mint, basil, and rosemary

· Plants with a particularly textural appearance include lamb’s ear, ferns, and ornamental grasses.

· Vibrantly coloured plants that satisfy the visual sense

· Edible plants such as strawberry plants

Employee Engagement: Why it Matters

In their 2023 State of the Global Workplace Report, analytics and advisory firm Gallup found that nearly 6 in 10 employees are feeling disengaged at work. Traits of disengaged employees can include demotivation, missed deadlines, disinterest in team activities, and avoidance in taking initiative.

Such behaviours have also been described by the term ‘quiet quitting,’ whereby a disengaged employee only fulfils the bare minimum of their duties.

The Impact of Disengagement

Employee disengagement can result in several issues, both for an individual’s wellbeing and the organisation. Decreased productivity is a key risk of disengaged employees, along with high absenteeism and turnover rates and the subsequent recruitment and training costs.

The 2023 State of the Global Workplace report found that disengaged employees are estimated to cost the global economy $8.8 trillion dollars, which represents 9% of global GDP. As well as the financial implications, employee disengagement also results in an adverse impact on team morale, which may cause an overall reduction in workplace productivity and innovation due to an unfavourable working environment.

The Role of Nature in Engagement

Biophilic design can be classified into six key principles illustrated below:

The last two principles provide a clear insight into how biophilic design can foster a sense of purpose and belonging. Place-based relationships refer to the link between culture and ecology. This is based upon a human’s sense of connection with familiar surroundings and feelings of protection or stewardship towards such places, known as Place Attachment Theory.

A study published in the Journal of Environmental Psychology investigated the connection between green buildings and place attachment. It found that biophilic design and opportunities for connection to nature were amongst the most important aspects for supporting Place Attachment Theory and can enhance individual wellbeing, quality of life, as well as increase pro-environmental behaviours and community resilience.

When coupled with the attachment to nature and health and wellbeing benefits that biophilic design provides, it is clear to see the powerful impact that spaces with a strong biophilic element can have on an individual’s sense of belonging within that space.

How Interactive Experiences with Plants Create Meaningful Connections

Direct contact with vegetation represents one of the most successful ways of promoting human connection in design. Dr. Stephen Kellert claims that human evolution and survival require the management of natural environments, particularly with regards to sensory elements. Moreover, DelSesto highlights the variety of often overlooked ways that we interact with plants in daily life.

From clothing to writing materials, plants are used to produce essential daily items. What’s more, the exchange of plants as a mark of celebration or condolence highlights their powerful role in landmark events in our lives.

DelSesto’s below spectrum categorises people-plant interactions into key groupings: physical exertion, tactile immersion, and peaceful abiding. Different aspects can align particularly strongly with some of the identified benefits of biophilia. For example, interactions classified under the ‘peaceful abiding’ grouping are likely to be closely aligned to the benefits of stress reduction, while those classed as ‘tactile immersion’ may be particularly effective at boosting engagement and concentration.

Strategies Behind Engage & Bloom: Tailored Solutions for Every Workplace

Engage & Bloom comprises three modular packages, allowing tailored solutions for every workplace. In addition to an informative biophilic webinar, employees can dial in live and speak to our ‘Plant Doctor’ who will advise on care and maintenance of specific plants.

Furthermore, there is the opportunity to identify and learn about plant species simply by scanning a plant’s QR code, which brings up the relevant page of the Plantopedia. Silver and gold packages also include interactive and engaging biophilic-based workshops, which can encompass activities such as wreath making, floristry, and orchid arrangement.

Flexible Solutions to Suit Workplace Needs

Engage & Bloom is focused on creating tailored solutions for every workplace. The flexibility of several key offerings within the programme allows employers to implement activities in accordance with their workplace’s needs and schedules.

Plant giveaways, biophilic webinars, and workshops can be scheduled at a convenient time and location for the business, whether it is on-site or at a separate location as part of an out-of-office event.

Engagement Through Experience

According to Michigan State University, there are many activities workplaces can implement to improve group cohesion and build trust.

Such activities often give employees the chance to interact with colleagues in a different way and reveal different aspects of their personalities that may not come out during normal work interactions.

Other advantages of team building include:

Boosting employee engagement
Encouraging communication
Mitigating conflict
Increasing collaboration

Engage & Bloom workshops provide an opportunity for employees to experience these benefits, whether working directly together or enjoying a shared experience alongside each other to produce wreaths, orchid displays, and floristry bouquets.

As noted by McKinsey & Company, being amongst nature helps with attention span, creativity, well-being, and happiness and should act as a foundational resource for both individual and team development.

How Interactive Learning Builds Deeper Connection

Referring to DelSesto’s spectrum of people-plant interactions, the different activities within the Engage & Bloom programme can be classified within this framework. Floristry bouquets, moss art, orchid and wreath making workshops are categorised under the ‘tactile immersion’ category due to employees’ physical interaction with plant materials.

Other aspects of the Engage & Bloom programme, such as plant giveaways, dial-in plant clinics, and identifying plant species using a QR code and Plantopedia are categorised under the ‘peaceful abiding’ category, due to their focus on sensory engagement with plant environments and representations of plant environments. Such interactive and informative activities can promote deeper connections within the workplace.

The social element of a shared workplace activity can help employees to feel connected to one another and the activity. According to Times Higher Education, feeling connected to what is being learnt and the people one is learning alongside is what underpins engagement. They go on to state that feeling socially connected enhances an individual’s sense of belonging, which is essential to maintain motivation and feelings of safety and comfort.

Employee Satisfaction Surveys

Employee satisfaction following increased interaction with biophilia can be measured in several ways. Heightened creativity may be evident in subsequent projects and brainstorming sessions, while reported increases in productivity can also be observed.

Organisations may find that outlined objectives are being reached increasingly quickly and projects are completed ahead of schedule. In terms of wellbeing, employers may observe a positive change in the overall mood and atmosphere within the workplace

Client Success Stories

Recently, we brought the Engage & Bloom program to a leading social media platform’s London office. Employees fully embraced the experience, from learning about plant care to taking home their own plant, the event left lasting impressions and fostered stronger connections with nature in the workplace.

The client shared the following feedback after the event: “I’m so happy that you shared some beautiful pictures with me today. The plants look amazing, and I was extremely happy to see the engagement with our members; they looked happy. Well done to the Planteria team!”.

Case Studies

Engage & Bloom activities have been successfully implemented in a diverse range of workplaces and industries.

Wreath making makes a particularly popular seasonal workshop that can be adapted to the season, whether it is over the festive period, autumn, or spring. As such, materials can also be adapted to suit the season, theme, and even the organisation’s brand colours, creating a truly personalised experience for each individual workplace.

Quantifiable Benefits for Staff Engagement and Wellness

Awareness and application of biophilia within the workplace, through biophilic design elements in the office and Engage & Bloom engagement activities can be quantifiably measured using numerous metrics.

The outlined body of scientific research strongly suggests that organisations would see a reduction in absenteeism and the number of cases of reported stress and wellbeing-related issues when biophilic design and activities are regularly implemented within the workplace.

Implementing Engage & Bloom

According to the KPMG 2024 CEO Outlook Report, the majority of UK CEOs expect companies to shift towards a full return to office work within the next three years. As such, it is important for facilities professionals to look at ways to create calming and inviting workplaces.

The implementation of biophilic design principles is a key way to achieve this and demonstrate the facilities manager’s commitment to wellbeing and engagement. Introducing new and innovative biophilic initiatives can help facilities managers to further strengthen their client relationships and demonstrate proactive awareness of scientific and strategically backed initiatives that benefit their clients.

Preparing for an Engage & Bloom Rollout

The Engage & Bloom team will contact you to book in your events on a date that is convenient to your team. They will talk through the options with you and help you choose the best event type to suit your team, goals and/or the time of year.

For example, the wreath building workshop is most popular in Quarter 4 – as staff get to take home their own handcrafted wreath ready to decorate their home for Christmas.The Engage & Bloom team will identify what sort of space they need to hold the workshop or activities.

We recommend sending out company-wide communications for the larger events or specific invitations to the workshops. Allow staff enough time to ensure they are in the office on the specific days. The anticipation of a fun and engaging event can be a engagement piece in itself – reminding them that the company is committed to their wellbeing and have them looking forward to the event.

Partnership with Planteria Group

Planteria Group is committed to delivering tailored solutions for each individual workplace. With three packages available, employers can choose the one that is best aligned to their budgetary and organisational needs, with each package consisting of several Engage & Bloom initiatives. Silver and Gold packages also let organisations choose between 2-4 yearly workshops, with the opportunity to pick from several different workshop options and tailor them to suit their organisation’s needs.

Conclusion

Engage & Bloom is rooted in a scientific foundation. It’s based upon the key principles identified in Kaplan’s Attention Restoration Theory regarding nature exposure reducing mental fatigue. It is also based on Ulrech’s 1981 Stress Reduction Theory and its belief that natural environments promote recovery from stress.

Engage & Bloom harnesses the power of nature in the form of interactive initiatives that improve cohesion, build trust, and encourage enhanced team relationships.

As highlighted, the implementation of an Engage & Bloom workplace experience programme provides several key benefits, both in terms of individual employee wellbeing, productivity, and creativity. Additionally, there are a multitude of wider organisational benefits, including reduced absenteeism, labour turnover, and heightened team morale.

Discover tailored solutions that provide organisational, individual, and team benefits. Let us help you transform your workplace today.

About Planteria Group

Planteria is the UK’s leading office plant company, operating as an independent, family-run business of experts for more than 40 years and maintaining over 90,000 plant displays nationwide. We are committed to creating best-in-class biophilic design and have worked on some of the UK’s most prestigious projects.

You’ll find our work in offices, showrooms, and public buildings across the UK. Our Services: Design, installation and maintenance of planting for workplaces. Interior and exterior biophilic design, living walls and moss walls. We also offer corporate floristry and seasonal decorations, including orchids, Christmas trees and more workplace experience services via our Engage & Bloom Programme.

Contact Information

ENGAGE & BLOOM TEAM

T: 0345 505 3333

E: engageandbloom@planteriagroup.com

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15 Things to Consider When Choosing Plants for Your New Office

It can be difficult to know where to begin when deciding which plants to choose for your office, so we’ve put together 15 essential factors to keep in mind.

Whether you’re moving into a new building or refurbishing your existing space, introducing greenery is a simple yet impactful way of enhancing your office. Plus, plants are scientifically proven to provide plenty of other important benefits.

For business owners they increase the value of your property and help attract talent. For your staff they increase wellbeing, creativity, and increase productivity by up to 15%.

1. Lighting Conditions

Lighting is one of the most important factors in determining which plants will thrive in your office. Before you decide which plants to go for, we like to establish the light you have available in your office, particularly the amount of natural light. You can then choose plants that are a good match for your lighting conditions.

For example, pothos, philodendron, rubber plants, and fiddle-leaf figs are all ideal for well-lit spaces, while in darker environments options will be more limited. However plants like the ZZ plants (Zamioculcas zamiifolia) and snake plant (Sansevieria) can thrive in low-light. There are also important considerations such as the colour of the light (very important for plant growth) and light schedules (some plants need periods of darkness).

2. Space Availability

Make the most of your office planting by considering all aspects of the space. While floorstanding plants can be an obvious starting point, consider other alternatives, including hanging planting and small desktop plants that add an uplifting feel to workstations.

You may also like to choose a trailing plant that will cascade down from shelves, creating an eye-catching feature. At Planteria, our team enjoys developing innovative and bespoke planting solutions. For the below project we added planters to the tops of lockers, transforming a practical office essential into a decorative feature.

A moss wall can create true wow factor in your office. As well as looking incredibly impressive, moss walls reduce noise levels- perfect for loud office environments. Similarly, a living wall is an impactful office planting solution that won’t take up any floorspace. Consider a professionally designed and installed living wall that reflects your company and brand, even potentially incorporating your logo. Installing a living wall in a customer-facing area also creates a memorable first impression for guests.

As well as plants, introducing fresh flowers into your office will have an undoubtedly uplifting effect on your employees. Assemble bouquets yourself or make it a team bonding activity. If you’d prefer to leave it to a professional, the Planteria floristry team can assemble and deliver regular bouquets to your office.

As well as creating an inviting and vibrant workspace for staff, they also help build a positive first impression for guests. For a simple yet striking option, choose an orchid. When combined with moss and flowers, they make an elegant addition to any office and are available in various sizes.

3. Sustainability

Sustainability is an important consideration with almost any purchase, and office plants are no different. Consider ways to make your office planting scheme more environmentally friendly. For example, Ecoponic is a pure mineral mixture of pumice and zeolite that acts as an alternative to soil. Ecoponic offers numerous benefits, including:

Permanent structural stability that keeps soil airy and enables root absorption
Optimal air pore volume, creating ideal conditions for growing
Circular, allowing it to be re-used and recycled infinitely
Peat-free, protecting vulnerable peatlands, wildlife and reducing emissions
Efficiency in water storage and absorption
Reduced likelihood of flies or pests due to a lack of organic material

As well as planting material, pots also provide an opportunity to make a more sustainable choice. Elho pots are made from 100% recycled plastic using wind energy. Plus, they’re recyclable. Likewise, Capi produces various sustainable planting solutions. Capi Waste Line products are made from recycled cork and marine debris.

Capi’s Nature range includes beige pots made from recycled sawdust, green designs made from recycled artificial grass and black options made from recycled textiles. When it comes to maintenance, Planteria also have a team of Walking Plant Technicians who visit client offices on foot to reduce emissions.

4. Creating a Story

Adding plants to your office space gives you an opportunity to be creative and incorporate meaningful links and references to your business. Our design team will create a planting scheme that matches your brand’s colours for a cohesive look and feel.

The below example shows how our Planteria design team took inspiration from Experian’s branding guidelines:

Shades of purple and pink were infused into the cabinet top planting, naturally blending the company’s branding with the greenery. Most of the pots were chosen in neutral colours, accented with hints of blue tones to link back into Experian’s branding.

You may also wish to draw inspiration from your logo or product/service offering when planning your planting scheme.

For example, when designing a scheme for a Legal & General whose logo featured an umbrella, we installed umbrella trees as a subtle yet clever nod to their brand.

Wanting to boost biodiversity?

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5. Maintenance Requirements

While it’s natural to think about how your plants initially look, it’s crucial to consider how much maintenance they will require on an ongoing basis. Keeping your plants healthy and safe from pests can be a big task.

Most businesses opt to appoint a plant maintenance contractor where specialist plant technicians will visit and tend to your plants. These services normally offer free replacements for plants that are unwell, dead or growing too tall.

If you’re short on time and prefer to take care of your plants in-house, it makes sense to consider low-maintenance options, including ZZ plants, aloe vera, or philodendrons, which are great choices for those with busy schedules.

6. Size of the Plant

Before you go ahead and purchase your plants, it’s important to consider their size. Not just at the time you’re buying them, but the size they may potentially grow to. Larger plants can help to fill empty and expansive spaces but may overwhelm smaller rooms.

Likewise, a very small plant in a large space can look disproportionate. If you have limited space, consider smaller plants or even desk-sized options such as succulents or air plants.

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7. Air Quality Benefits

One of the most advantages of office plants is their ability to improve air quality. Some plants, like the philodendron selloum, dracaena warneckei, ficus benjamina and aglaonema greyound are known for their air-purifying properties, helping to remove toxins.

If you are wanting to make a significant difference to the air quality, it will require a large number of plants. A living wall is a brilliant way of naturally increasing oxygen levels and air quality.

8. Employee Preference

Why not share the process of choosing your office plants with your employees? Ask their preferences and get them involved in the process. After all, they will be surrounded by the plants every day. Involving employees in the process can also make them feel more accountable for the plants when it comes to taking care of them.

Plus, it demonstrates your commitment to their wellbeing and creating an office space that they will enjoy working in.

9. Cost and Budget

Plants come in a variety of price ranges, depending on their size, rarity, and species. Be sure to set a budget before you begin choosing your plants so you can select your plants in alignment with your budget.

While more affordable plants like snake plants and spider plants are great budget-friendly options, if you’re working with a larger project, you may wish to opt for larger or more exotic plants that add a unique focal point to your space, especially when they’re positioned in a key area, such as centrally in the office or in the reception area.

10. Safety Considerations

If you regularly have young children or pets in your office, it’s important to choose plants that are non-toxic. Some common office plants, like the aloe vera plant, are safe, while others, such as dieffenbachia or poinsettias, can be toxic if ingested.

Always check if a plant is pet-friendly before introducing it to the office if you know animals are going to be around.

11. Aesthetic Appeal

Looks aren’t everything when it comes to plants, but they do play a very important part. Consider the colour, leaf shapes, and sizes and how they will fit in with your office décor. If you’d like to create a minimalistic and contemporary office space, opt for sleek, modern plants like snake plants or bonsais.

For a vibrant or tropical aesthetic, choose plants with large, bold foliage such as monstera or fiddle-leaf figs. If adding plants is part of an office-wide refurbishment, consider making a moodboard beforehand so you can get a clear idea of the aesthetic you’re aiming for and which plants have been used in similar spaces.

12. Growth Rate

The growth rate of a plant will impact how often you need to repot it or trim it. If you prefer a more contained plant, choose slow-growing options that require minimal maintenance. For example, blue star fern, calathea and philodendron.

Some plants, like the ficus benjamina grow quickly and may require more frequent attention. Knowing the growth rate helps prevent your plant from outgrowing its space too quickly and allows you to stay on top of whatever maintenance is needed.

13. Temperature Tolereance

Plants have varying tolerances to temperature, so it’s essential to match them to your office’s climate. Remember to check the temperature and humidity levels in your office before choosing plants.

Always got the heating on? opt for cacti and succulents that generally prefer warm, dry conditions. If your office is a cooler climate, choose ZZ plants, aspidistra and Phoenix date palms that can thrive, even in cooler, more humid environments.

14. Pots and Containers

It’s not just the plant you need to consider; pots and containers have an important part to play in enhancing the visual appeal of your plant while also promoting healthy growth. Choose pots with proper drainage to prevent root rot.

Additionally, consider how the container fits with the overall aesthetic of the office. Ceramic, concrete, and modern metallic pots can provide a sleek look, while wooden or woven baskets create a natural and laidback feel. Likewise, square and rectangular planters and pots have a modern and streamlined appearance, while round shapes give an organic feel.

15. Seasonal Changes

Finally, it’s worth considering the impact that the different seasons will have on the plants you choose. Some plants may require additional maintenance during certain times of the year. Seasonality is also a consideration in terms of how your plants look too, with potential changes in leaf colour, volume and flowers across the different seasons.

As well as considering planting inside your office, don’t forget about the exterior. Whether it’s at the front entrance or a terrace an exterior planting scheme allows you to enjoy greenery and seasonal blooms in your outdoor environment.

Conclusion

Picking the right plants for your office can depend on several features, in terms of both visual appearance and practical considerations. Keeping these 15 factors in mind allows you to choose a selection of plants that will suit your space and be suitably maintained, creating a healthier, more enjoyable workspace for all.

If you’re short on time or would prefer to leave it to a professional, consider contacting the friendly Planteria team. We can take care of everything from coming up with a design that suits your space to installation and ongoing maintenance.

Get in touch today to see how we can transform your office space.

Discover ways to enhance your office environment with our expert insights on biophilic design, wellbeing, sustainability and the world of plants.

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Office Space Saving Plant Ideas

Managing budgets for office plants

A Facilities Manager may understand the phrase ‘squeezing a quart into a pint pot’ better than anyone else, and its hard to find office plant space saving tips.

With office space, especially in City Centre locations at an all-time high, the careful planning and use of space is high on the agenda. For 2024 in the city centre of London rent is £77.50* per sq. ft with other areas also calculated by Oktra. Decisions about moving are not taken lightly and in times of growth, fitting more staff into your building can be like doing a 2000 piece jigsaw puzzle, painstaking and complicated!

Modern-day Facilities Managers should perhaps be called ‘Workplace Managers’ as they now hold a much more holistic role, working closely with other senior colleagues to deliver a service to stakeholders that meet business objectives. It is no longer just about providing a safe, clean, fit-for-purpose environment where everything works well; it is now about providing competitive advantage, creating a strong brand image, employee engagement and retention. It is about corporate responsibility, green infrastructure, well-being and optimal productivity.

Why should you consider adding plants to your office space?

It has long been recognised that corporate planting is a key feature for the modern workplace with many benefits. Whether that means roof terrace space, ‘Green Infrastructure’ to break up the concrete jungle of an inner-city location, or planting solutions for interiors to bring tranquillity and beauty inside. Corporate planting is no longer just a ‘nice to have’, it has become essential.

Including plants in your office space can be a great way to add some life and colour to your workspace. Desk plants, in particular, can be a great addition to your office desk. Research has shown that biophilic design relieves stress, negate ‘sick building syndrome’ improving sickness absence rates, improve air quality and plants of all shapes and sizes can help to restore concentration levels. The intricate patterns of leaves and office flowers do this by holding our attention, while making no demands on us, which allows our brains to rest and recuperate. In addition to improving your mood and productivity, desk plants can also help purify the air and add visual interest to your workspace. What is the answer then?

What are some office plant space saving ideas with limited floor space?

Creative and innovative plant solutions are available. It’s time to think outside the proverbial box. Living walls bring a room to life and look stunning inside or out. Whole walls can be planted in striking colours and patterns, echoing your design theme or corporate logo.

On a smaller scale, plants become art inside the office. Don’t hang static two dimensional pictures, instead hang living pictures, elegant frames full of lush green planting. Living pictures can be used anywhere to add the wow factor and transform a boring office wall.

We are all striving to be paper free, keeping the office uncluttered, but there will always be a need for storage in the office. Stationery supplies, documents and personal belongings must have a home. Sometimes cabinets can provide structure to an open plan office, sectioning off areas so teams can work in defined spaces. Cabinets can multi-task too. Cabinet top planting can be used effectively to soften clinical open plan offices, bringing lush colour and life in to an otherwise bland space with the added benefit that it stops the clutter of left-over snow-drifts of paper from the printer and abandoned coffee cups.

Creative office space saving plant ideas displays

If you’re a Facilities Manager, I expect you know the location of every fire extinguisher in your building. Do your staff know where these are too? How about a planted fire-extinguisher stand as the perfect multi-tasking furniture. It’s completely functional and it also makes an attractive office feature. One would argue that it makes the office safer as everyone will take note of the location of your firefighting equipment!

Looking for something completely different? Upside-down planters give a totally different perspective. Hanging from the ceiling, they take up no extra space but they do add a fun, fresh, modern look to your décor. Working well over desk space, or to accent your communal areas, perhaps over the breakfast bar or dining tables.

Now is the time to explore the myriad of possibilities and be open-minded about trying out some exciting new solutions in planting to improve your building. There’s so much choice it’s just a case of finding what works best for you.

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When we nurture that connection by adding plants to our own environment, we feel in balance, happier and calmer. We are on a mission to raise awareness of the importance of biophilia in the built environment. We offer a single service solution for facilities management and cleaning companies, which is why we are the preferred choice for these companies. If you’d like us to present to your team office space saving plant ideas or share case studies of work we have done as well as, discuss how we can support you and give you the competitive advantage to win tenders which include planting, contact us today.

Information source: Oktra- The Cost of Office Space in London 2024

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We LOVE The Urban Jungle Trend

Having just a solitary plant by the window is no longer the norm – offices across the nation are creating their own little patches of green and incorporating plants into their interior décor.

The benefits of a green office space are many, from mental wellbeing to lower levels of stress. Green Plants for Green Buildings say that a productive office includes biophilic design or bringing the outside in. The urban jungle trend can help you accomplish this goal – and it’s a trend that we love here at Planteria.

Why Do We Love the Urban Jungle Trend So Much?

By adding planters, plant stands, indoor plants, hanging plants and more to the office, you can create a ‘jungle’ in the building or workspace (and even at home!) that boosts people’s wellbeing and productivity.

And, at Planteria, we believe this interior trend is here to stay.

For a start, this is not a new concept, as people have been trying to create ‘jungle vibes’ in their home and place of work for a long time. If you look at the popularity of hashtags such as #urbanjungle, #junglestyle and #junglehome on Instagram, it’s clear this trend is not just a fad.

For example, there are almost 5 million posts just with the #urbanjungle tag!

Also, with a growing number of people living in cities (it’s estimated that, by 2050, there will be 2.4 billion more people in cities), bringing the jungle indoors is an increasingly attractive option.

It’s difficult for us to imagine life without greenery, so it’s no wonder that the urban jungle trend appeals so much to us. Plants can create a soothing atmosphere and are a brilliant addition to commercial spaces in general, including offices.

After all, an office full of bright colours and vivid greens will make people feel at ease (since it meets their biophilic needs) and reduces employees’ stress levels. We also believe an indoor jungle can improve air quality, boost people’s moods and create a happier workplace, which is why we love this trend so much.

How Easy Is It to Reproduce the Trend at Work?

The short answer is that it’s incredibly easy to bring the jungle indoors with a trusted office plant supplier.

You don’t have to go as far as Amazon, who really took the jungle look to the next level by building the Spheres. These giant biodomes in their Seattle headquarters allow staff to escape the office and work surrounded by nature:

If you’re considering rewilding your interior, there are two things you must take into account:

That, besides the aesthetic, the space has to maintain its functionality as well.
And that you need to pick the right plants for your office.

So, with this in mind, make sure that the layout of your workplace still makes sense. The visual appeal and impact of the plants are undeniable, but you also want your employees and visitors to be able to easily navigate the office without obstacles in the way, for instance.

The urban jungle look is all about more plants and more coverage, so don’t skip the walls either – living walls or potted plants on walls can add to the jungle effect and maximise your floor space at the same time.

Choosing the right plants for the office is also important because you want something that is easy to maintain. Plants require TLC to look their best and offices are usually busy places so, in order to keep up the jungle look, low effort plants and flowers should be top choice. You can however leave that to us at Planteria Group and we can help pick the best ones for your space, and look after them for you too!

What’s So Fun About the Urban Jungle Trend?

Plants are a source of inspiration and this trend can help people to reconnect with nature and unleash their creativity. What’s more, plants bring life into interiors as well – if you remove all plants from a space, it’s easy to see how empty and boring it can look.

The urban jungle trend also allows people to have fun taking care of something living and to contribute to the aesthetic of their own home workspace, which appeals to many home jungle fans who prefer plants to pets, they are both cheaper and easier to care for and don’t require walking!

How Can Planteria Help?

Our expert plant technicians create solutions tailored to your workspace. We always take the building design and restrictions into consideration, which includes humidity levels, lighting and heat; this allows us to create a bespoke design that matches your unique requirements.

Our knowledge of office plants is unrivalled and we make sure to match your corporate image and select the right plants for your environment as well.

We have a wide range of plants to choose from, so you’ll be spoilt for choice with Planteria. From Dracaena Lemon Limes and Anthuriums to Sansevieria and Aglaonema Stripes, we provide beautiful plants for any type of office and sector, including hotels, restaurants and offices of every shape and size!

We offer many options for corporate plants at Planteria, so get in touch today to learn more about them and how we can help create an urban jungle in your office.

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The Hottest Plant Trends Right Now – Green Plants Are Good For You

Where are you right now? Whilst some are working from the office, others are working from home. Where ever you are, you’ll likely agree that your environment is very important, perhaps now more than ever. That’s not surprising when you consider that your environment plays a big part in impacting your frame of mind.

The World Happiness Report 2020 concludes that globally, there is evidence suggesting that being exposed to green natural environments improves mental well-being, reducing stress, increasing positive emotions and cognitive restoration.

The report goes on to say that “The health benefits of green, natural environments may also have an indirect positive impact by encouraging certain behaviours, for example, physical health and longevity, and thereby happiness”. Given that most of us spend around 90% of our time indoors and with restrictions on socialising because of Covid19, and the winter coming, this is not likely to reduce, we seriously need to think about how to include some nature into our indoor environments both at home and in the office (which may be the same place!).

One of the easiest ways to add some greenery to your life is with houseplants. We take a look at our TOP FIVE plants, those that are most loved and coveted by our Corporate Clients. The great news in that these plants work just as well in the home as they do in the office!

Ficus Lyrata

This is a beautifully tall, majestic plant with large oval deep green leaves, also called a Fiddle Leaf Fig. Could it be the ‘INNEST’ plant of 2020? This is the plant featured in every interior design magazine.

Don’t be put off owning one of these as they only require a moderate amount of attention. Allow the top 2 inches of soil to dry out between water applications, and go easy, don’t let the plant to sit in water as they are susceptible to root rot if they stay to wet. Originating from the tropics, misting the leaves every couple of days will provide a good amount of humidity for this plant to thrive.

Monstera Deliciosa

Another stunner with an equally wonderful name! This plant originates from the rainforests of Southern Mexico and is most commonly known as a ‘Cheese Plant’ due to the holes in its distinctive green leaves. This is a favourite with our clients for providing real impact and is often used in a cluster of 3 mixed plants in a corner of a board room or reception.

Easy to care for, water every week or so allowing the top soil to dry out before watering, and mist regularly to create a humid environment.

Rhipsalis

This pretty, frondy plant, looks great hanging up or on a desk or coffee table. It has become a real favourite with our clients as the trend for accessory planting has grown. This trend is all about using planting as an integral part of the design scheme, using a large amount of planting arranged in racking or on shelving, featuring containers that pick out the accent shades of soft furnishings.

Also known as ‘Mistletoe Cactus’, Rhipsalis has fast-growing bright green tendrils. Originating from the rainforests of central and south America, this plant will add a tropical feel to your home, and as an added benefit, it’s a great air purifier.

Rhipsalis is easy going and needs a light touch on the watering. Don’t over-water and always check soil moisture levels first. The top 2 inches of soil should be dry before any additional water is applied, usually once every 1.5 weeks depending on light and room temperature levels.

Ficus Benjamina Tree

Ficus ‘Benjamina’ is one of over 800 species of Ficus, this evergreen plant is relatively easy to care for if positioned in the right location. Commonly nicknamed ‘Weeping Fig’ for its long drooping branches and clusters of small oval shaped leaves, this plant will add a jungle feel to any home.

Benjaminia needs a little more t.l.c, give her regular watering, again a good rule to follow is to check the top 2 inches of soil before watering, allow this to dry out between water applications, but do not allow your plant to sit in water as she is susceptible to root rot. Mist once a week with filtered water to replicate a humid environment and do not allow to dry out completely.

Calathea Medalion

Calathea ‘Medallion’ is another favourite of our clients. We often plant this with other mixed plants of a similar size to provide a real jungle feel in cabinet top planters or troughs. It is equally as lovely on its own, with its large, oval shaped leaves and distinctive green purple and pink variegation, this plant is a real showstopper. The common saying “to turn over a new leaf” is thought to originate from the Calathea, as their leaves close up at night and re-open in the morning.

Calathea is fairly easy to keep, make sure the soil is evenly moist and do not allow to completely dry out, water once a week after checking the moisture levels. The top 1 inch of soil should be dry before adding water, mist leaves once a week and never use leaf shine.

We hope we have inspired you to think about hiring some office plants, or even enjoying a bit of greenery by getting some plants for your home office!

Don’t forget to follow us on our socials, or sign up for our emails, for all the latest tips and news.

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Prepare for The New Normal With Illona Hands-Free Sanitiser

As the country’s workforce starts to make its way back to factories, shops and offices throughout the UK, we do so with one overriding question on our minds – what will the ‘new normal’ look like?

Just about every organisation across the country has been affected by the recent Covid-19 outbreak, and whilst it’s true that life around the office won’t return to normal overnight, there’s a lot we can do to make our working environment feel safer and more comfortable for those returning from furlough or from home-working back to the workplace.

Planning Our Workspaces for The New-Normal

So, let’s take a quick look at some of the things we should be thinking about when re-introducing our workforce back into the office.

Cleanliness is Key

Government guidelines advise that workplaces should be cleaned more frequently, paying attention to high-contact objects like door handles and keyboards. Employers should provide handwashing facilities or hand sanitisers at entry and exit points.

We’ve all become acutely aware of is the number things we touch every day, usually without even realising it. Just think about how many items you might touch during a normal day in the office before you even get to your desk. Maybe your commute starts on public transport? Then, there are the doors, maybe there’s a turnstile, an elevator button, or did you take the stairs and grab the rail? Did you nip into the coffee shop to pick up some breakfast? Did you pay cash, or tap the buttons on the debit card keypad?

If we then consider that a 2015 study carried out by The National Library of Medicine showed that on average, we touch our faces around 23 times per hour, it’s easy to see why the simple act of regularly sanitising our hands can make such a big difference.

“On average, each of the 26 observed students touched their face 23 times per hour. Of all face touches, 44% (1,024/2,346) involved contact with a mucous membrane, whereas 56% (1,322/2,346) of contacts involved nonmucosal areas.”

Yes, it sounds fairly unpleasant when it’s put in those terms, but it’s the reason why one of the most important messages throughout this pandemic has been for the public to frequently and thoroughly wash their hands.

So, to help reduce the risk of infection in our customer’s offices and workspaces (as well as our own), we’ve developed the Ilona Touch-free Hand Sanitiser Dispenser.

Employees Should Be Re-Introduced Gradually

This is something that replicates our overall approach to bringing the lockdown to an end; re-opening gradually. The same goes for our office spaces. It’s a good idea to start with a limited number of people, for example those who are unable to work from home.

If you have multiple teams working in the same area, you might want to consider arranging alternate days for them to be in the office. Split team working is also a good idea; this simply means that a percentage of the team works from the office while their counterparts work from home, then they switch.

Think About Your Home-Working Policy

One thing that recent months has taught many of us is that thanks to technology, we have the ability to be just as effective at home as we are in the office. If your team members are able to work from home, then putting a fixed rota in place will help to reduce any potential infection risks, whilst allowing your team to enjoy team work and social interaction again in doses.

Plan Your Workspace with Social Distancing in Mind

One thing’s for certain, we’ll need to change the way we interact with our colleagues at work. This means that people shouldn’t be seated too close together, if you have a hot-desking policy, a fixed desk policy would be more sensible, at least for the short term.

You’ll need to think about how people move around the office too. Using signs and barriers will help people pass each other without getting too close. If you have a lift, it’s a good idea to limit that to 1 or 2 people at a time, or just to those who need it. If you are re-configuring offices, be creative by adding plants which can be used to mark our separate areas, or incorporated into barriers and cabinet tops, to create a sense of well-being and calm as well as looking beautiful.

Improve the Wellbeing of Your Teams with Plants and PPE packs

Making sure employees feel comfortable about returning to the workplace goes beyond simply making sure their environment is safe. With lockdown taking its toll on many of us, getting back into the outside world can feel pretty daunting. The prospect of using public transport and heading back to the office will be a cause of anxiety for many – that’s where office plants can bring real benefits to your team’s wellbeing.

It’s currently mandatory that those of us who rely on public transport for our daily commute are required to wear some kind of face-covering while we travel.

Consider having a supply of PPE in the office for teams to use as they need. Planteria offer a ‘Sani-pac’ which contains everything you may need to help keep you safe including 3-ply masks, hand sanitiser for your personal work area, anti bacterial spray and wipes for your desks and keyboards, as well as disposable gloves, and tissues.

Make your office a welcoming, calm and relaxing place to return to, by adding some office plants. Plants are known to produce oxygen and remove carbon dioxide from the air, actually making the air in your workplace cleaner, and are shown to reduce anxiety and fatigue.

So, while it might not sound like much, investing in a few office plants can make all the difference to your team.

Get in touch with us, we are ready to help you create the best return for your team.

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6 Plants That Induce Office Relaxation

Creating a Relaxing Office Oasis

Recent reports have shed light on the growing concern of relax problems affecting a significant portion of the population. While the exact statistics may vary, it’s undeniable that relax-related issues can have far-reaching implications, impacting various aspects of life. The discussion on relaxing, mental health, and physical well-being is now more prominent than ever. We are here to provide relaxing plants that can be incorporated into the office.

Relaxing Plants For The Workplace

There are many things that you can do to improve your sleep. You could avoid taking caffeinated products and drinks before bedtime, engage in relaxing activities before bed, and set regular times to encourage good habits, but you could also consider adding some plant life to your bedroom. Improving your sleep quality can involve several lifestyle adjustments, such as reducing caffeine intake, practicing relaxation techniques, and adhering to a consistent sleep schedule. However, one often overlooked remedy is the introduction of indoor plants to your office, and as experts in indoor plants and corporate flowers, we’re here to help you create a more tranquil workspace.

Lavender: The Scent of Serenity

Lavender is renowned for its soothing fragrance, scientifically proven to reduce blood pressure and heart rate. If bedtime anxiety is a common challenge, fresh lavender by your desk might be the answer. Its calming scent and vibrant colour can set the mood for a peaceful night. Lavender plants thrive with warmth and sunlight, making them an excellent addition to your office’s windowsill. Biophilic design is important to us and the placement of pants in the office is key and needs to work for both plant and office.

(Sansevieria) Snake Plant: Breathing Easier

Air quality can significantly impact your sleep quality. Excessive moisture can elevate humidity levels and contribute to mould and dust mites, causing discomfort. Snake plants excel at oxygenating your office space, improving air quality by removing harmful chemicals like xylene, trichloroethylene, toluene, benzene, and formaldehyde.

Peace Lily: A Humidity Hero

Overly dry air can be as disruptive as excessive humidity. Peace lilies come to the rescue by increasing humidity levels by up to 5%, reducing issues like dry skin, static electricity, and vulnerability to colds. A peace lily will not require much watering or light, so you can keep it right next to your bed without worrying that it has enough resources.

Aloe Vera: A Relaxing Plant Oxygen Supplier

Aloe vera, famous for its soothing properties, produces oxygen during the night, enhancing the office environment. It’s low-maintenance and can be placed next to your desk, soaking in the daylight alongside your lavender.

Areca Palm: The Office Air Purifier

Known for its exceptional air-purifying capabilities, the areca palm removes toxins from the air and acts as a natural humidifier, maintaining optimal air quality while you work. This plant requires a lot of bright but indirect light. If the light is too harsh, the leaves will turn yellow. Keep your areca palm healthy by keeping the soil moist during the spring and summer, allowing it to dry out between watering in autumn and winter.

English Ivy: A Shield Against Dampness

For offices struggling with dampness, English ivy is a formidable ally. Its sprawling leaves efficiently collect airborne mould, protecting your respiratory health.

Are Relaxing Plants Harmful in the Office?

Contrary to concerns, most indoor plants are not harmful to keep in your office. In fact, they produce oxygen and help maintain healthy air quality. These relaxing plants, far from being harmful, are conducive to a calming and productive work environment. Discover the benefits of incorporating plants into your workplace. When it comes to stress relief and relaxation in the office, a touch of nature can make all the difference. Transform your workspace into an oasis of serenity with our expertly curated indoor office plant selection.

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Outside Spaces and How to Make the Most of Them

Outside spaces at the workplace can often be forgotten about, but we’re looking to change that. An outside space can be a place for relaxation, re-energising, and creativity. We strive to encourage more businesses to incorporate popular biophilic trends by blurring the lines between indoors and out – and we love to discuss the benefits of doing so.

Here, you can learn about some of the best ways to use your outdoors spaces, as well as how to bring a piece of the outdoors into your establishment with indoor office plants.

Flexible Meeting Spaces

If you’re working in close proximity to a park or garden, using this space to hold meetings could prove to be great for morale – especially during warm weather. Of course, we wouldn’t recommend hosting any meetings that will include information that is confidential to your clients, but taking a break from the office to discuss internal changes, processes or brainstorming will maintain efficiency with time, and may even help your workers to stay productive later into the working day.

Informal Lunch Area

Many offices have difficulty keeping their indoor air quality at healthy levels, so encouraging staff to take a break in the outdoors can improve health and concentration. Particle pollution is known to poorly affect physical and mental health, and indoor spaces are typically ten times worse for this pollution than outdoors. Taking a break from particle pollution can do wonders for the help and headspace of your staff, so if it’s a nice day – why not suggest a picnic? Ideally, if you do have some viable outdoor space at your office, providing table and chairs to create an alfresco area which can be used for eating, taking a coffee break or having an informal meeting is an excellent idea.

Breakout!

Help to boost health and wellbeing, by turning your outdoor space into a useable attractive area for a quick spell outside for formalised lunchtimes. When under duress a break outside can help staff to reset and return with a fresh can-do attitude, whether they’ve just struggled with an intense call with a client or business partner, or a busy morning with back-to-back activity. Plants and nature have plenty of restorative qualities. Your business could easily be enjoying these benefits with minimal cost. The added benefit of topping up vitamin D levels in the sunshine and taking in the view of green plants will also help to improve immune systems to work optimally and keep your workforce healthier and happier.

Bringing the Outdoors IN

In many cases, a green attractive outdoor space may not be within a lunchtime walking distance of the office. And you may not be lucky enough to have accessible outdoor space of your own. In this case, you may be looking to bring aspects of the outdoors into your workspace so that staff and guests can still reap some of the benefits of natural elements and plants.

Looking around your office, you may find some areas that can easily be converted into a green space. Think about you dining area, or communal areas such as locker tops, or break out rooms. Here are some popular methods that modern businesses use to bring biophilic benefits into their place of work:

Entrances

Often overlooked but integral to the first impressions of your business, the entrance can be a fabulous place to start adding some greenery. Not only important for your guests, a green entrance will suggest positivity to your workers as they enter and leave your establishment.

There are a number of methods for increasing your kerb-appeal, including window boxes and external green walls, but you might also choose to add an internal moss wall to your lobby area, large and unique planting options by the door, and table posies in waiting areas.

If you’re interested about installing a moss wall or green living wall for your business, we recommend reading our blogs on this topic:

Can I have a Living Wall?

It’s Alive! Buildings with Living Walls

Moss Walls: Q & A

Roof

Green roofing is a brilliant idea – looking out for your office window, a green roof nearby brings brilliant rural landscapes a little closer to city-orientated businesses. Our brains respond very positively to colour, and views to nature so the sight of a verdant green roof could prove to be quite inspiring, boosting productivity and creativity.

There may be a group near you that you can help to get involved with green initiatives. A BID (Business Improvement District) will typically group neighbouring businesses in an effort to improve their local working area together, and sometimes, this might include making their views greener by collaboratively installing green roofs.

Balcony and Terraces

Balconies and terraces can be a great place for workers to enjoy a brief respite in the fresh air, but you can bring nature even closer by installing some beautiful window boxes or planters to add to the relaxing vibe and make them visually beautiful.

Could your business be making more of outside spaces, or is it more feasible for you to create some green spaces inside your own office area? We love all things biophilic and can help you with any green design queries that you might have, so speak to one of our friendly team about your ideas soon.

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Biophilia & other Reasons to Have Plants in the Workplace

If you’ve been reading about the buzzword Biophilia but have yet to understand what the buzz is about, then we’ve made a helpful infographic for you, designed to show you the amazing relationships that can occur between workers and plants in the modern office.

Plants truly are amazing. If you’re looking to improve your office space with some smart greenery, why not enhance your office with our office plants for hire service. Impress your workers and guests with an outstanding boardroom, ensure that they remember you as an innovative and forward-thinking company by transforming your spaces into greener, healthier, places to enjoy working in.

And if you’re interested in reading more about the joys of biophilia and the many benefits of plants, we have plenty of blogs to keep you up-to-date on the latest hints, tips and news:

Biophilia – What is It and Why is it Important

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The Benefits of Biophilic Design in the Workplace

Anyone with a keen eye for design will have spotted the rise of the ‘Biophilia’ design trend. Plants; they are everywhere at the moment.

Planters of succulents, shelves of spider plants and ferns, indoor hanging plants in every room, even printed wallpaper with banana leaf or palm leaf patterns. However, there is much more to this trend than just aesthetics.

The Rise of Biophilia

The whole concept of Biophilia (The love of nature and living things) connects us to the wider world and our innate desire to protect and nurture that which feeds us and does us good, both physically and also emotionally.

One of the ‘founding fathers’ of the psychology behind biophilia was Edward O Wilson. He coined the term Biophilia and wrote the book of the same name, first published in 1984 and still widely available if you want a more in-depth read on the topic.

A synopsis of the subject and some of the research that has come out of it can be found here: Biophilia white paper. Another great source of information and brilliant blogs is the Human Spaces blog, and you can subscribe for free. In addition, a recent blog post of ours looked at The Three Pillars of Biophilic Design.

The Benefits of Biophilia

There are many benefits to having plant displays and other biophilic elements in your work or home interior. Biophilic elements refer to anything that evokes the sense of the beauty of the natural world, such as water features, fish tanks or plants.

You can also add natural analogues which are patterns and design styles that mimic nature – think honeycomb patterns, furnishings with curved edges even artificial planting or wood-effect flooring. It’s not so much about the what, it’s more about how the inclusion of biophilic elements make people feel.

Here are 5 benefits of Biophilic Design in the Workplace:

1. Live plants improve air-quality.

They do this by using carbon dioxide (bad for us) to produce oxygen (good for us). They also transpire through their leaves, making the air more humid, which is excellent for combating the problem of dry-air, a widely reported problem in air-conditioned offices.

Additionally, plants absorb VOCs (volatile organic compounds) such as chemicals that are widely used in domestic cleaning products, contained within some carpets and emitted from electronics. More about improving air-quality here.

2. Make you more creative and (as much as 15% more) productive.

A series of studies from Exeter University concluded that employees were 15% more productive when “lean” workplaces were filled with just a few houseplants, as employees who actively engage with their surroundings are more efficient and more creative workers.

3. Helps relieve stress and improve mental well-being.

Stress is a known cause of both mental health disorders and cardiovascular diseases. According to the World Health Organisation mental health and cardiovascular diseases are expected to the be the two prime contributing factors to illnesses worldwide by 2020.

Studies also show that our ability to directly access nature can alleviate feelings of stress. The millions of neural channels in our brain link to the human body’s nervous system. This system is comprised of two networks: the sympathetic and the parasympathetic systems. The sympathetic system stimulates the human body when cognitive function is needed. The parasympathetic system serves to relax the body and is used for internal processes such as digestion. When the body’s natural balance of sympathetic and parasympathetic is achieved, the body is in the ideal state of homeostasis.

But in chaotic and stressful environments, like a busy office, the body’s sympathetic system is highly engaged in a “fight-or-flight” mindset. Concurrently, the parasympathetic system is suppressed, disrupting our natural balance and resulting in energy drain and mental fatigue. This combination induces stress, frustration, irritability and distraction. In contrast, human interaction with nature provides an increase in sympathetic activity. This results in decreased stress and irritability and the increased ability to concentrate.

In Japan Shirin-Yoku (Forest Bathing), the practice of mindfully spending time in the forest, using all of your senses to appreciate nature, has been proven to combat stress, enhance mental wellness and bolster brain health.

4. Feel happier and healthier.

Not surprisingly, biophilic elements make us feel in a more positive frame of mind. Positive people have a positive impact on others, take better care of themselves and are healthier. Another point to consider here is that they are less likely to be off work sick, so if you are still on the fence about adding biophilic elements to your workspace, consider the impact it could have on reducing absenteeism in your office.

5. Attract and Retain the best talent.

Having a thoughtfully designed, attractive workspace, full of natural light and biophilic elements, shows who you are as an organisation. It also sends a powerful message about your social conscience and green-credibility and that you care about your colleagues. We spend a large amount of time at work, and whilst we are there, we want it to be a positive experience.

Want to add some biophilic elements to your workspace, retail space or venue? Contact us today.

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World FM Day 2018: Enabling Positive Experiences

It’s #WorldFMDay – Hurrah! We’re joining in the celebrations and recognition of Facilities Management (FM) people and projects that enable positive experiences. Some of our biggest clients are FM companies and BIFM members, so we know a thing or two about helping get things right for you and your clients.

In today’s world our cities are so built up and our environments often claustrophobic and bland so it’s more important than ever that we work together to create welcoming, feel-good spaces to enable businesses (and people) to thrive.

What could be more suitable than floristry and green planting to bring positive changes to the built environment? Planteria Group has 40 years of experience working with FM companies providing planting and floristry services to suit your budget. Even if you’re already working with another planting provider, we’re confident we can go above and beyond to meet your requirements. If you’re considering us, why not request a no-obligation free quote?

5 Positive Benefits of Planting for the Built Environment:

1) Soften the interior and/or exterior of your business, providing psychological benefits such as positive effects on reducing stress and promoting health and well-being. As humans we have an innate desire to be connected to nature, also known as biophilia, and it seems we have lost much of this ability to be in the natural world as our cities and work environments have become absorbed by the concrete jungle. By adding a variety of plants and flowers for businesses we suddenly bring back a part of the nature that we crave.

2) Increase productivity, creativity and happiness. It is proven that a vibrant, welcoming environment has positive effects on the speed at which we work and improves mood. Studies show that employees who are exposed to plants within the workplace, actively engage with their surroundings, are more productive and have a more positive outlook at work.

3) Make spaces more welcoming and inviting for employees, visitors and clients. Having a space that is pleasant to be in and beckons to visitors has a positive effect on businesses and improves perception of their image. Plants and flowers bring life to a space and boosts eco-credentials too.

4) Improve air quality and reduce allergens by cleansing the air. As shown in NASA’s Clean Air Study, plants provide a natural way of removing toxins from the air and also reduces the presence of aggravating allergens. NASA researchers suggest efficient air cleaning is accomplished with at least one plant per 100 square feet of home or office space.

5) Reduce sickness and absence at work. Combining all of the points above results in reduced illness and time away from work, increasing the overall effectiveness of businesses and staff wellbeing. One of the most common illnesses in today’s workplace is Sick Building Syndrome which is often linked to poor air quality and indoor air circulation which can easily be combated with a variety of planting solutions.

A recent Norwegian research study tested what happened when plants were placed into and then removed from offices. When plants were present headaches, coughs, sore throats, fatigue and dry skin all reduced. Several similar studies around the world have found similar results:

Absenteeism reduced by 30%+
Minor illnesses reduced by up to 30%
Dry skin reduced by up to 20%
Coughing reduced by up 37% due to improved air quality

Interested in how we can offer similar improvements for you?

Have a look at some of our Creative Planting Innovations & our Nationwide Orchid Delivery Service.

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Biophilic Design in The Workplace – What’s it all about?

As the design of the workplace evolves through various trends, from cellular office environments to open plan spaces and then the rise of agile working spaces, the rising trend of biophilic design has been hard to ignore.

What is Biophilic Design?

Biophilic design is essentially a design framework that intertwines the patterns of nature into the built environment, strengthening the human-nature connection. What makes this work is the effective incorporation of natural elements such as stone, wood, living green walls, water features, and plants into the interior environment.

Apart from the inclusion of natural materials, biophilic design also incorporates the use of natural lighting to help people maintain a natural circadian rhythm, access to fresh air through high quality HVAC systems and an overall design that encourages movement, such as stairs to keep people active and mobile.

Why is Biophilic Design so Effective?

When all the features of biophilic design are combined correctly, what is created is a workplace that optimises employee performance, health and wellbeing, helping organisations reach peak physical and mental performance. Through our innate desire to protect and nurture that which feeds us and sustains us physically and emotionally, we instinctively connect with natural features such as plants, fresh air and water.

Whilst this may seem a financial luxury given the pressures on most organisations, economic reasons are actually one of the key drivers for the growing biophilic trend. As organisations become more aware of the value of investing in employee health, wellbeing and performance, the value of creating a workplace which fosters and improves this is seen as a sound economic policy.

Why is Biophilic Design Relevant?

Biophilic design is changing the way we work and has been a key feature in workspaces from workplace design pioneers such as Google, Amazon, Apple and many others across the world. The focus in creating the best workplaces is also to do with attracting and retaining key talent and these companies realise that by investing in this area, they will be successful in attracting the top workforce and maximising creativity within that workforce.

With the World Health Organisation expecting stress related illness such as mental health disorders and cardiovascular disease to be the two largest contributors to disease by 2020, the onus is on creating spaces where worker wellbeing flourishes. Numerous studies have been shown to demonstrate that by incorporating elements of nature through biophilic design into the workspace, stress levels and ill health absenteeism can be reduced whilst productivity, creativity and wellbeing are improved.

How Do We Implement Biophilic Design in Our Workspace?

The best way to implement biophilic design is at the outset of a project. By involving all the key stakeholders in such a project, including employees, facilities managers, finance teams, office design consultants and biophilic experts like Planteria Group, the whole picture can be realised. Incorporating the spatial and human opportunities that exist enables the organisation to realise a plant display and design that increases performance, wellbeing, creativity and profit.

Planteria Group work closely with Zentura, specialists in office design and fit out, to design biophilia into the perfect space for you creating the ultimate working environment. You can find out more, take a look at their case studies or obtain a free consultancy session here.

The Science and Strategies Behind Engage & Bloom

Harnessing nature for workplace wellness and engagement

An Introduction to Engage & Bloom

The Modern Workplace Challenge

Increasing Importance of Well-being and Engagement for Productivity

The Innate Human Connection to Nature: Biophilia

The Science of Wellness in the Workplace

Impact of Stress, Poor Air Quality and Sterile Environments on Staff

DISCOVER WORKPLACE EXPERIENCE PROGRAMMES

Scientific Evidence Supporting Biophilia

Cognitive and Productivity Benefits of Greenery in Offices

The Psychological Basis of Nature Engagement

Sensory Benefits of Plant Interaction

Employee Engagement: Why it Matters

The Impact of Disengagement

The Role of Nature in Engagement

How Interactive Experiences with Plants Create Meaningful Connections

Strategies Behind Engage & Bloom: Tailored Solutions for Every Workplace

Flexible Solutions to Suit Workplace Needs

Engagement Through Experience

How Interactive Learning Builds Deeper Connection

Employee Satisfaction Surveys

Client Success Stories

Case Studies

Quantifiable Benefits for Staff Engagement and Wellness

Implementing Engage & Bloom

Preparing for an Engage & Bloom Rollout

Partnership with Planteria Group

Conclusion

About Planteria Group

Contact Information

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Green ROI For FM Companies

Benefits Of Greenery For Wellbeing

Sustainable Green Building: How Planteria Helps You Achieve Environmental Certifications

OUR SERVICES:

CLIENT SECTORS:

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15 Things to Consider When Choosing Plants for Your New Office

It can be difficult to know where to begin when deciding which plants to choose for your office, so we’ve put together 15 essential factors to keep in mind.

1. Lighting Conditions

2. Space Availability

3. Sustainability

4. Creating a Story

Wanting to boost biodiversity?

5. Maintenance Requirements

6. Size of the Plant

TRANSFORM YOUR OFFICE

7. Air Quality Benefits

8. Employee Preference

9. Cost and Budget

10. Safety Considerations

11. Aesthetic Appeal

12. Growth Rate

13. Temperature Tolereance

14. Pots and Containers

15. Seasonal Changes

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