1.  How Indoor Plants Benefit School Children

 

The latest research on the benefits of plants in schools has just been made available from the University of Technology Sydney.

 

The trials found that classroom plants consistently led to improved performance in spelling, mathematics and science, ie, across the curriculum, for possibly a variety of interlinked reasons. And from our discussions with staff at the three schools, there seemed to be unanimous agreement among teachers and students that plants in the classrooms improved their appearance and ‘ambience’.

 

This was a preliminary study, the first of its kind in aiming to compare performance of school students in classrooms with and without plants. Further studies are needed to provide formal confirmation of the results.

 

However, taken with the findings of other international research on the benefits of indoor plants, it seems reasonable that a recommendation could be made to education authorities for indoor plants to be a standard installation of school classrooms.

 

Bar Chart showing results of Plants in Class Room School study.

 

This paper can be found in the NIPA Resources Menu or click here.

 

Figure 1. School A: Comparison of changes in mid-term and end of term mathematic scores in classes with and without plants. (Means and SE; n = 69–72.)

2.  Increase Productivity

You can enhance productivity by 12% while reducing the mounting problem of workplace stress. Additionally, with plants you can reduce busy office noise, lessening the frequency of workplace distractions.

3.  You Can Increase Employee Retention

Studies from Oxford University indicate that plants have positive effects on employee perceptions and dispositions, which may lead to increased employee retention.

4.  Cleaner Air - Healthier Environment with lower concentrations of VOCs

Plant-filled rooms contain 50% to 60% fewer airborne moulds and bacteria than rooms without plants. By cleaning workplace air with plants, you can significantly reduce sick leave expenses.
 

5.  Indoor plants help to improve the quality of life indoors in many different ways:

• They reduce the harmful substances in the indoor air, for example volatile organic compounds (VOC's); they support the stabilization of the relative humidity and also support the oxygen/carbon dioxide exchange (O2/CO2).

• They are environmentally friendly.

• They offer aesthetic stimulants to people in the rooms.

• They do not cause acoustic problems.

• They do not interfere with ventilation systems that are already installed.

• They can be used as room dividers in open plan offices.

• They reduce blinding effects and the tiring of the eyes in that they reflect yellow/green spectrum, which the human eye response to as being pleasant and relaxing.

• The introduction of plants requires no change to the structure of the building.

6.  Improved Corporate Image

While indoor plants cost less than most alternative corporate decorating choices, they offer a guarantee of positively enhancing perception and your corporate image.

Until recently, we lacked the research necessary to clearly demonstrate the economics between plants, employees and bottom line corporate America. However, we now have access to data that is shifting the way businesses think about plants in the workplace.

7.  Interior plants can reduce stress and cut down on distractions due to office noise.
In a study conducted by Dr. Virginia Lohr of Washington State University, emotional states, pulses and blood pressure readings were measured as participants reacted to randomized computer symbols.  Plants present and plants not present were the only variables that study participants experienced.

The study findings indicated that participants in the presence of plants were less stressed and reacted 12% more quickly to computer symbols than those in the absence of plants.

Studies from Oxford University have also shown that plants absorb noise in busy office environments.  By cutting down on the audible elements of a busy office, plants can reduce employee distractions.  This may result in increased productivity.

Less stress and cleaner air reduce employee down time.

 

8.  Interior plants cut down on sick leave expenses
Common but dangerous micro-organisms and toxins can become concentrated in sealed, energy-efficient office environments.  In fact, research published by Bio-Safe Incorporated confirms that energy-efficient office structures are often 10 times more polluted than the air outside.

Lacking an appropriate exchange of fresh outdoor air for stale indoor air, sealed office environments can lead to a marked increase in employee illnesses from poor indoor air quality.  However, research has shown that plant-filled rooms contain 50% to 60% fewer airborne moulds and bacteria than rooms without plants.  By absorbing office pollutants into their leaves and emitting clean oxygen, interior plants can cut down on sick leave expenses considerably.
 

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9.  Interior plants can boost comfort levels and reduce O&M costs.
According to a study out of Washington State University, plants release moisture in an office environment, creating a humidity level matching the recommended human comfort range of 30% to 60%. A comfortable office environment is more conducive to productivity.

In addition, when office air humidity falls below the recommended range, materials such as wood can become cracked. When office air humidity exceeds the recommended range, condensation on windows and exterior walls can cause structural damage. By keeping office air humidity levels within proper comfort range, interior plants can help avoid costly repairs.

10.  Interior plants attract and retain selective employees
Data from surveys conducted by Unifi Network of Westport, Conn. Indicates that in order to attract and retain top employees, workplaces must include aspects of what inspires those employees during their off time. Recent Gallop polls indicate that two-thirds of the American work force cite gardening as their favourite off-time hobby. It logically follows, then, that plants should be included in the workplace.  Studies indicate that plants in the workplace may increase employee retention.

11.  Interior plants contribute to a positive image
Studies out of England’s Oxford Brookes University conclude that employees perceive buildings with interior plants as more expensive-looking, more welcoming and more relaxed. Employees with positive perceptions of their workplace are less likely to seek employment elsewhere.

Positive perceptions increased at companies that added green space to their office interiors.

 

12.  Aiding in the learning process

 

13.  Adding colour

 

14.  Closing Thoughts

By outsourcing interior landscaping services, key staff and management are able to focus more completely on tasks specific to company goals.  Through outsourcing, the visual and bottom-line advantages of your property can be raised significantly.

The benefits of plants in the workplace far out-weigh the costs associated with maintaining them. No longer just a pretty face, plants are now hard at work in offices through-out Australia.

 

15.  Cost Justification  Read more...

 

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