Plants in the office sustainably improve the room climate and filter unhealthy pollutants from the air. In addition, they consume carbon dioxide and supply fresh oxygen in return, so that there is enough air to breathe. In addition, green plants reduce long-term stress and have been shown to increase employee productivity. When choosing the right plant varieties, the site conditions and the intensity of care must be taken into account. The easier to care for and adaptable the indoor plants are, the better they will thrive in the office.
indoor climate
room climate in the office
People spend a large proportion of their lives at work, which is often indoors. There, air conditioning and inadequate ventilation ensure a poor indoor climate, which has a long-term negative impact on health. The dry heating air in winter in particular weakens the immune system and leads to irritation of the respiratory tract. For this reason, a healthy working atmosphere is extremely important. Indoor plants can be used to sustainably improve the indoor air quality in the office. These are a quick and easy method that is relatively inexpensive. Very high plants are ideal for open-plan offices, which serve as a screen and create some privacy.
- Plants increase the humidity in offices
- consume carbon dioxide and produce oxygen
- Plants filter in pollutants from indoor air
- bind dust from the air on their leaves
- Green plants promote concentration and reduce stress
- prevent fatigue, skin irritation and headaches
- reduce the noise level in open-plan offices
- reduce temperature fluctuations
- Plants look decorative
Hints
When it comes to plants in offices, the problem quickly arises as to who takes care of them. Normally nobody is in the building at the weekend and during the company holidays. Therefore, easy-care indoor plants that have robust properties are to be preferred. If they get by with just a little water and minor nutrients, they can survive longer dry spells. In addition, the site conditions also play a decisive role, which must be observed. Extremely strong sun is just as little tolerated by most plants as too little light in shady locations. However, suitable plant varieties can also be found for these extreme conditions.
- Pay attention to easy-care and adaptable plant varieties
- choose the right plant for the respective location
- East or west windows with many hours of sunshine are ideal
- Avoid direct sun and strong midday heat on the south-facing window
- often not enough sunlight on the north window
- Don't forget to water the plants, especially on hot and dry days
- Organize cast replacements during holiday periods
office plants
Areca Palm
The areca palm is also known as the golden fruit palm and has the botanical name Dypsis lutescens. The plant comes from Madagascar and improves the quality of the indoor climate over a long period of time as it releases a lot of moisture into its surroundings. In addition, the palm tree cleans polluted room air and ensures fresh breathing air. The areca palm grows much faster than other palm varieties and is therefore well suited as a room divider in larger offices. In addition, the palm forms several and ringed trunks, so that even a few specimens form a small, tropical palm forest. If the incidence of light in the office is not uniform, then the plant should be rotated regularly and placed in the direction of the sun.
Dypsis lutescens, golden fruit palm
care & location
- prefers bright, but not full sun locations
- needs temperatures of at least 15° Celsius
- depends on high humidity
- Water generously with lime-free water from April to October
- give liquid fertilizer every 2 weeks
- Reduce watering units and do not fertilize during the winter period
- Spray regularly with lime-free water
- ideal plant substrate is special palm soil
- integrated breathing flakes prevent waterlogging and aerate the soil
bow hemp
The botanical name Sansevieria trifasciata is a desert plant native to Africa. Due to its origin, the bow hemp is very heat-loving and therefore adapts perfectly to indoor spaces. The color of the leaves is green with a tinge of grey, but there are now also brightly colored leaves with spots and stripes. The leaf edges are yellow. The growth habit is expressed in distinctive, strong and pointed leaf tongues. These elongated leaves appear to be sticking out of the ground and can grow up to a meter tall. The Sansevieria trifasciata is an adaptable and undemanding plant that also copes well with neglect.
Sansevieria trifasciata, Bow Hemp
care & location
- prefers bright locations, can also cope with partially shaded places
- grows slower in less light
- low water and nutrient requirements
- Leaves have succulent properties, store water
- Cactus soil is ideal as a plant substrate
- Growing season is May to October
- during this time fertilize plants once a month
- Use cactus fertilizer
- can remain in the same planter for several years
- produces a lot of oxygen at night
dragon tree
The dragon tree has the botanical name Dracaena and is an agave plant from the Canary Islands. But it also occurs in Madagascar and Asia. The color of the leaves is dark green, accented with a red border. The leaves grow narrow and sword-shaped along a slender trunk. The growth form is reminiscent of palm trees and has branched areas. As a houseplant, the Dracaena grows to a maximum height of 1 m. The more pronounced the leaf markings, the more light the respective dragon tree can tolerate. The plant is extremely hardy and easy to care for, but needs more care in the summer months.
Dracaena marginata, Marginated Dragon Tree
care & location
- prefers bright locations
- gets used to direct sun after getting used to it
- Also gets used to partially and fully shaded places
- Water sparingly, about 1-2 times a week
- keep slightly wetter in summer and drier in winter season
- apply liquid fertilizer every 2 weeks from April to October
- relatively undemanding when it comes to plant substrate
- good water permeability is important
- Loosen the soil with sand or clay granules
- needs temperature values between 19° and 25° Celsius
- does not tolerate temperatures below 10° Celsius
spider plant
The spider plant has the botanical name Chlorophytum comosum and is an agave plant native to South Africa. The color of the leaves is green in the wild form, as cultivated forms there are also white or yellow stripes. The herbaceous plant forms clumps and has narrow leaves that can grow up to 45 cm long. The Chlorophytum comosum comes into its own in a hanging basket, in which the overhanging tuft of leaves can spread indefinitely. It thrives on windowsills as well as on furniture around the windows. The plant is very frugal in terms of site conditions and care.
Chlorophytum comosum, spider plant
care & location
- tolerates both sunny and partially shaded and shady locations
- does not like extremely strong midday sun
- water abundantly during the main growing season
- stores water in the roots, therefore tolerates longer periods of drought
- water more sparingly in winter
- fertilize every 2-3 weeks, liquid fertilizer is ideal for potted plants
- needs normal room temperatures, also tolerates strong heat
- do not keep below 10 degrees
- Normal potting soil based on nutrient-rich compost is ideal
- repot when the root ball is heavily penetrated
Dieffenbachia
The Diefenbachia is an attractive ornamental foliage plant that forms thick stems that do not branch. The soft leaves have sheathed stems and are green in color adorned with yellow or white markings. The cultivated forms are now available in different colors and decorations. The plant can grow up to a meter high, the cultivated forms are even larger. It comes from the dense rainforests of South and Central America and can therefore also get by with little light. Due to the large leaf surfaces, the Diefenbachia ensures good air purification.
Dieffenbachia camilla, Dieffenbachie
care & location
- Does well in light to partially shaded locations
- Avoid direct midday sun
- Water regularly during the growing season
- tolerates neither extreme drought nor waterlogging
- apply liquid fertilizer from April to August, once a week
- Fertilize less often and water less in winter
- use normal potting soil as a plant substrate
- repot about every three to four years
- needs temperature values around 20° Celsius
- does not tolerate temperatures below 15° Celsius in the long term
cacti
Cacti bear the scientific name Cactaceae and originally occur in the desert areas of this earth. For this reason, the robust plants thrive best in intense and direct sunlight. An ideal location is therefore a south-facing office window where the sun shines all day. Because cacti grow very slowly, they don't need much space. In addition, the desert plants are extremely frugal and get along with nutrient-poor substrates. Even low air circulation and drying out are not a big problem for the plant, as it stores water for times of need. Popular species include the pillar cactus, rock cactus, and ball cactus.
Cereus
care & location
- prefer direct sun to partially shaded site conditions
- water regularly but sparingly in summer
- Allow bales to dry out completely between watering
- completely discontinue casting units from November
- use special cactus fertilizer monthly during the main growth period
- Cactus soil is suitable as a plant substrate
- Mix potting soil with sand
- needs normal room temperature
- Temperature values must not fall below 15° Celsius
Zamie, Zamioculcas
The Zamioculcas zamiifolia comes from East Africa and is therefore familiar with warm regions. In its country of origin, the plant is used to getting by with a small water supply. In addition, the Zamioculcas does not make great demands on the lighting conditions and even thrives in shady corners of the room. The Zamie forms strong rhizomes, from which the graceful feathered leaves grow. The robust houseplant is also forgiving of gross care mistakes and is therefore ideal for keeping in offices. However, the Zamie is susceptible to pests in dry heating air and should therefore be checked regularly. In addition, all parts of the plant are poisonous, so gloves and, if necessary, eye protection must be worn when caring for them.
Zamioculcas zamiifolia, Lucky Feather, Zamie
care & location
- thrives in almost all lighting conditions
- bright locations increase the growth rate
- darker places ensure intense green leaf colors
- However, it does not tolerate direct sunlight
- Temperatures should be at least 16° Celsius
- allowed to move outdoors in summer
- ideal plant substrate is palm soil
- alternatively potting soil based on compost possible
- Mix in clay granules for improved permeability
- water regularly, always keep slightly moist
- fertilize every month during the growing season
lucky chestnut
The lucky chestnut bears the botanical name Pachira aquatica and is not very demanding when it comes to care. Therefore, the robust houseplant is ideal for the office. Thanks to its eye-catching growth and large leaves, the lucky chestnut fits perfectly on window sills and as a room divider in open-plan offices. The plant forgives small care mistakes, but attaches importance to a suitable location and good plant substrate. The evergreen deciduous tree has a slightly thickened trunk that serves as a water reservoir so that dry periods are well tolerated. However, the Pachira aquatica needs high humidity, in return it is not susceptible to most diseases and pests.
Pachira aquatica, lucky chestnut
care & location
- needs bright and warm site conditions
- Temperature values should not fall below 12° Celsius
- allowed to move outdoors in summer
- Needs a sheltered spot, not in full sun
- permeable and loose plant substrate, low in nutrients
- few watering units, but water extensively
- Absolutely avoid waterlogging
- Spray with lime-free water as often as possible
- Fertilize every 2 weeks during the growing season
- Apply fertilizer at a reduced dose
orchids
Orchids belong to the Orchidaceae plant family and come mainly from tropical countries. Thanks to the robust and easy-care breeding hybrids, orchids are now also suitable as office plants. The perennial and herbaceous flowering plants make a beautiful decoration for the office window, as well as for the reception area and reception. In the tropics, the plants grow in the shade of trees, mostly as epiphytes, so that they can also cope with darker site conditions. There are now more than 1,000 genera worldwide with a variety of shapes and impressive flower colors.
orchid
care & location
- bright to partially shaded site conditions
- do not tolerate blazing sun
- do not place in the immediate vicinity of radiators
- Plant substrate with pieces of bark, organic and inorganic components
- Water twice a week in summer and once a week in winter
- The need for watering is signaled by a light pot
- always water thoroughly
- only use lime-free water
- fertilize every 2 weeks during the growing season and flowering period
- Special fertilizer for orchids is ideal
- needs humidity of more than 60 percent
- spray in between
- requires temperature values of 19-25° Celsius
A leaf
The single leaf bears the botanical name Spathiphyllum and convinces as a robust plant. It also thrives in offices that only get a few hours of sunshine per day. However, the plant does not tolerate air conditioning and the dry air that comes with it. The single leaf forgives short periods of drought, but prefers a slightly moist root ball. If the location is right, the plant is very easy to care for and forms decorative flowers almost all year round. There are many varieties to choose from, which differ in growth height and flowers.
Spathiphyllum, single leaf
care & location
- prefers partially shaded site conditions
- direct sunlight should be avoided
- needs high humidity
- ideally spray with lime-free water in between
- Water moderately twice a week
- Waterlogging is temporarily tolerated
- Use low-dose liquid fertilizer monthly
- produces decorative flowers even in winter
- Normal potting soil with clay granules is suitable as a plant substrate
- room temperatures are ideal
- Temperature values must not fall below 13° Celsius
hydroponics
When keeping office plants, there are always phases when nobody can take care of the plants. This includes weekends and holiday periods in particular, but general responsibility can also pose a problem. That is why hydroponics is a good idea, literally translated this term means culture with water. The system is easier to care for than conventional cultivation and represents a safe long-term storage for many plants. The soil is completely replaced by a special culture substrate, which consists mainly of a powerful expanded clay. This makes keeping houseplants much easier, as they don't have to be watered as often. In this way, longer vacation stays are also possible, during which nobody can take care of the office plants.
- Plant cultivation in water
- almost every plant variety is suitable for hydroponics
- significantly lower frequency of casting processes
- it just needs to be watered about every 2 weeks
- practical water level indicator
- shows the dosage and frequency of the irrigation water
- Earth is replaced by inorganic materials
- alternative growing media are basalt, expanded clay, gravel and mineral wool
- Plant replaces normal roots with water roots
- Nutrient solution provides moisture and nutrients