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.
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.
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.
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