Why You Should Add Plants To Your Workspace

In case you missed the memo, we’re here to tell you: you’ve got to put your plants where you work. 

Whether they’re in a shared co-working space or studio, reception area, or at your personal desk, plants are scientifically proven to LOWER blood pressure and stress levels while INCREASING your attention span, creativity, productivity and quality of air. 

In fact, after 20 years of study, Dr. Billy C. Wolverton of the Environmental Research Lab at the John C. Stennis Space Center suggests that everyone should have a plant within their “personal breathing zone” at work, the 6-8 feet of space you spend most of your working day inside. Breathe in that fresh air!

Wolverton says that plants act as the lungs and kidneys of commercial buildings by purifying the air, cutting down on 'sick building syndrome' and overall making your workplace a more pleasant place to be.

Wally Pro Pockets in @yellowbrickhome's desk space.

Not only are the health benefits off the charts, the possibilities for personalization are endless. When you pick a plant (or a few) to be your desk buddies, you’ve got SO many options of planters, not to mention the plants themselves! We’ve got some ideas for you:

• Put a long, trailing plant high up on your cubicle wall, and let the vines rain down on your own personal office jungle
• Make a train of smaller, multi-colored succulents on the edge of your desk (especially if you’re next to a window)
• Put a large, leafy palm behind your computer and let the fronds spill over the top 
• Keep air plants in glass containers or poking out of wall planters
• Fill. every. empty. space. with. PLANTS!

Did we mention that Wally Eco planters aren’t just for walls? They can sit on flat surfaces, too!

White Wally Eco planters in downtown LA by @heavypetal.co.

Not enough space on your desk, or need to convince your boss to make a plant wall in the office? Here are some handy talking points: 

• Plants are proven to lower temps and increase humidity to the ideal range
• Placed well, a plant wall can lower heating/cooling costs by 20%
• Plants promote employee satisfaction and retention
• Plants reduce sick leave by reducing airborne contaminants
• Plant walls absorb sound, reducing noise levels (and distractions) in the office
• Last but not least, your employees will love you for it 😉

Wally Pro Pockets in Ontario co-working space, The Atrium.

Ready to get your plant on? Here are 10 of our go-to plants that can survive interior office conditions (yes, even fluorescent light): 

Pothos - our #1 indoor plant babe, these trailing plants come in several kinds (Marble Queen and Golden are our faves) and are EXTREMELY successful inside, no matter your light levels. 

Brazil Philodendron - Hardy, vine-making plants with a deep green color and an attractive streak of yellow down its leaves. This plant tolerates low light but prefers medium light. 

Spider Plant - Low-light faves that will produce baby plants when they are thriving. Pot these, and you've got yourself all-new spider plants!

Dracaena - Dracaena come in several varieties and range from shrub-like plants to mini trees, so there's a good amount of choice here. 

Parlor/Bamboo Palms - If you're looking for something a little taller, these low-maintenance palms will do well in medium to low light. 

Snake Plant - Snake plants (Sansevieria) tolerate some of the lowest light conditions and are drought-resistant, too. They're some of the hardiest plants around!

Succulents - Best when next to a window due to their high light requirements, succulents' many shapes, sizes and colors speak for themselves when it comes to cute desk companions. These don't need much watering to thrive!

Ficus - A bigger option would be ficus plants such as the Fiddle Leaf Fig or Rubber Plants, which develop large, wavy leaves. These plants need more light than others on this list.

ZZ Plant - An ornamental, flowering plant with glossy green leaves, this low-maintenance plant is a gorgeous addition to any desk. 

Aglaonema - Also known as Chinese Evergreen, these bushy plants have patterned leaves that can come in colorful varieties, and are sturdy plants that tolerate just about every indoor condition.