Businesses have long realized that the physical environment directly affects an employee's ability and desire to work. Now, businesses are realizing that interior plants are a natural and vital part of a productive workplace environment. The majority of Fortune 500 companies have landscaped their office interiors -- boosting morale, building employee contentment and promoting increased productivity.
Plants also clean the air and combat "Sick Building Syndrome". The problem is large and growing.Contemporary buildings are sealed tightly to increase energy efficiency. Inside those sealed environments, man-made particles pollute the air from paints, plastics, insulation, plywood, carpets, synthetic fibers and detergents emitting up to 300 harmful pollutants.
Plants can help alleviate these pollutants. NASA-funded studies proved that plants commonly used in interior plantscaping cleanse the air of many harmful pollutants such as formaldehyde, benzene and trichloroethylene. Golden pothos, philodendron, corn plants, bamboo palms, Spathiphyllum (peace lilly), dracena "Janet Craig", Marginata and warnecki are particularly effective in cleansing the air of these pollutants.
Plants also help keep humidity within a healthy range. When the air is too dry, people are susceptible to colds and flu. When the humidity is too high, they can develop other ailments. Plants help regulate humidity. Studies have shown that when plants are added to an office environment, the relative humidity stabilizes within the recommended "healthy" range of 30 to 60%. |
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