Office spaces are generally seen as monotonous, pragmatic and sterile. So that this does not remain the case, many employees in offices use indoor plants to achieve a friendlier character. However, not all plants are suitable as office plants. Here you can find out what is important when it comes to indoor plants in the office and which plants are an absolute no-go.

What characterizes an office space?

Of course, not all office spaces can be lumped together. Because just like every plant, every office space is also individual to a certain extent. However, some basic aspects can be identified that at least characterize the multitude of typical office uses:

  • Comparatively poor natural lighting due to the lack of glare at the computer workstation
  • Due to floor-to-ceiling glazing, curtain walls, etc., there is often no place to stand directly at the window - this means even worse natural lighting for plants
  • usually extremely dry room climate due to lack of evaporation opportunities, ventilation system, possibly air conditioning, etc.
  • with sedentary activities relatively high room temperature over 20 degrees Celsius (occupational safety)

Importance for office plants

It is precisely this special room climate in a typical office that places very special demands on office plants:

1st light

Plants that require full sun are likely to be only moderately successful as office plants. Due to the reduced exposure to real sunlight, plants for half-shade or even shady locations are particularly suitable.

2. Moisture

Plants native to the rainforest will hardly describe the typical room climate in the office as ideal. They and all other plants that need high humidity are therefore initially unsuitable for creating a friendlier atmosphere in offices. Instead, plants with a lower need for water in the room air should be preferred. Incidentally, even water-intensive plants are only suitable as office plants if the "responsible" employee is provided with a reliable supply even in the event of illness or vacation.

Tip: If you still want to take moisture-loving plants with you to the workplace, you can provide the necessary humidity with evaporators, e.g. However, it should also be ensured here that one person is able to top up the water required for evaporation at any time.

3. Temperature

Office plants should be able to cope with the evenly warm temperatures in the office. On the other hand, plants for cool locations, or even plants that require a seasonal cold period, are not suitable. If you still take such a plant to the workplace, it may have to be temporarily relocated to another, cooler location.

4. Air

Some plants are said to have an air-purifying effect, which is also beneficial for the mostly stale office air. Other plants, on the other hand, impress in a different way with an intense, sometimes unpleasant smell. Even if there are no proven positive effects on the indoor air, a plant is certainly suitable for staying at this location. On the other hand, plants should be avoided as far as possible to further deteriorate the already not ideally designed room air.

Attention: Even plant scents that are initially perceived as pleasant can become a nuisance over the course of the working day and even cause nausea. It is therefore better to pay attention to relatively odorless plant species and, above all, to avoid turgid, strong notes.

Concrete examples of plants

After the theoretical considerations on suitable office plants, we now want to shed some light on the darkness and look at concrete examples of how the greening of the dreary work environment can be skilfully managed:

birch fig

The birch fig stands in its pot like a small tree and impresses both visually and with its properties. It is better known under the names Ficus or Benjamin:

  • hardly any demands on earth and light
  • can degrade benzene, detergents and paint fumes in the air
  • don't like change of location
  • often loss of leaves when moving

bow hemp

Characteristic, slender shoots without branches make up the bow hemp. Peculiar and yet reserved, he enriches many a workplace:

  • high cleaning effect with benzene and solvents
  • high ability to compensate for fluctuations in air humidity
  • low needs for fertilizer, water and light

Dieffenbachia

Mostly unknown by name, but almost everyone knows the Dieffenbachia with its flat leaves and its distinctive white-green markings:

  • high air purification capacity due to high leaf mass
  • fast growing
  • undemanding
  • low moisture requirement

dragon tree

The narrow, overhanging fronds of the dragon tree are a feature of almost every household. It is also very popular in offices:

  • very high absorption capacity for formaldehyde, benzene and trichlorethylene
  • very easy to care for
  • sturdy and durable
  • low demands on nutrients and water

ivy

Rather unknown as a houseplant, ivy can also impress with its skills in the office:

  • is considered a houseplant with the highest air-purifying effect
  • acts to regulate humidity
  • good degradation capacities for benzene and trichlorethylene
  • very insensitive

Attention: Ivy needs a rather cool location, such as stairwells or foyers, and is very susceptible to pests at high temperatures!

ivy

Large-format, distinctively spotted leaves characterize the ivy. It is considered a typical office plant, which is no coincidence:

  • low light requirement
  • low demands on water and nutrients
  • high cleaning effect on solvent vapors and benzene

A leaf

The single leaf, also known as leaf flag, brings shine to the dreary office with its striking blossom:

  • moisture-regulating properties
  • relatively low demands on light and water
  • available in several colors
  • reducing effect on trichlorethylene in the room air

spider plant

As the classic among indoor plants, the spider plant should not be missing in the office:

  • highest known degradability for formaldehyde
  • very undemanding
  • easy-care
  • striking leaf markings in green and white

Kentia Palme

Widely known and widely used, the Kentia palm convinces with numerous advantages

  • very expansive due to spreading branches
  • is considered an air purifier
  • above-average oxygen production
  • grows tall, therefore particularly suitable for floor locations

The no go

Where there are particularly suitable plants, completely unsuitable plants are of course not far away. These green plants are an absolute no-go in the office:

Valerian, sword fern, hibiscus and tillandsia
  • Asphalt Clover: smells like the name suggests
  • Valerian: the scent is reminiscent of cat urine
  • Ferns: love moist environments
  • Greisenhaupt: prefers full sun
  • Hibiscus: needs a lot of sun
  • Orchids: need high humidity
  • Yucca: needs a lot of sunlight
  • Stink Immortelle: smells strongly of goat when touched
  • Tillandsia: needs a lot of humidity in the room air

Of course, there can always be situations in individual cases where exactly such a no-go can be suitable. A moisture-loving plant can work in conjunction with an existing indoor fountain, while plants for sunny locations with skylights or atriums can be the right choice. Therefore, when choosing the right office plants, always pay attention to the peculiarities of your own office and choose your plant accordingly. Because the universal office plant that works perfectly everywhere definitely does not exist.

Category:

Indoor plants