You might not think about it much, but breathing clean air is one of the most important aspects of staying healthy. While outdoor air is typically low in harmful gasses and particles, indoor air can be much dirtier—sometimes to the point where it adversely affects your quality of life. This is especially important when it comes to the workplace.
There are quite a few things around a typical office that can contaminate the air we breathe. For example, many plastics and fabrics contain benzene, a harmful volatile organic compound (VOC) known to cause serious health issues. Cleaning detergents and carpet can contain ammonia and formaldehyde, which are other harmful VOCs. You also need to be wary of dander, dust, dirt, mold, bacteria, carbon monoxide, and many other troublesome gasses and particles found in the air.
The good news is that cleaning the air is easy—and it leads to better employee health. The even-better news is that one of the best ways to clean the air at your office is simple: All you need are some beautiful, healthy plants.
Most people know that plants absorb CO2 from the air, a process that aids them in photosynthesis. But plants also filter and absorb other harmful gasses and particles which they turn into nutrients that help them grow. While all interior plants do this, some are better than others. Some of the best include:
- Boston Ferns
- Dracaena
- English Ivy
- Aloe Vera
- Wheatgrass
Plants do more than just clean the air: They also improve job satisfaction and morale, which is important to maintaining a fun, happy office environment. Studies have shown that being around plant life at the office can even boost employee productivity by as much as 15%.
Plants are one of the least expensive, most useful ways to improve your employees’ experience at the workplace. Unlike traditional air filters, they continue to work better over time as they grow, and are more cost effective in the long run. Most plants don’t require extensive care and can be located just about anywhere with adequate light and a normal room temperature. When you factor in the health benefits employees receive, you can start to see why interior office plants are a smart decision for many companies.
If you’re interested in adding beautiful plants to improve health and morale around your office, we’d love to help. Our team at Engledow works with businesses across Central Indiana to help them choose and maintain the right plants for their company—and we’d love to put our expertise to work for you. Contact us today to learn more.
