Workplace design does matter – as humans, we think better and stay healthier when we connect with nature. Biophilia is vital to our health, wellbeing and performance.

An Australian study from UTS found indoor plants at work to raise productivity and performance, improve job satisfaction, lower stress, and reduce the amount of time taken off as sick leave. Far from being the latest fad or pseudoscience, office foliage helps boost the bottom line.

In modern workplace design, the top five elements desirable for a workspace, according to the survey respondents, are:

1. Natural light (44%)

2. Indoor plants (20%)

3. Quite working area (19%)

4. View of the sea (17%)

5. Bright colours (15%)

So, what are the benefits of indoor plants?

Plants reduce stress

The Japanese practice of Shinrin-yoku Forest therapy or forest bathing was developed in the 1980s to detoxify from stress. Spending time in a natural forest space has been shown to boost the immune system, lower stress hormones and blood pressure and improve mood. So it makes sense that when getting away for a long weekend or a vacation, most feel an urge to get into the countryside and away from the urban jungle.

While forests at work could prove a little cumbersome, indoor plants produce a similar calming effect. Adding any greenery to the workspace, canteen or boardroom or painting the walls green (sage green or seafoam is recommended) calms minds and fosters creative thinking, innovation and imagination.

Plants enhance mental wellbeing

The new prescription for better health and mental wellbeing includes spending 120 minutes a week in nature. This can be achieved by careful landscape design outside the office, but installing internal green spaces, roof gardens, or a view towards greenery all counts if this is not possible. In addition, encouraging staff to leave the building during work breaks or holding external walking meetings are ways to boost employee-nature interactions.

Plants fend off mental fatigue

Mental exhaustion is a productivity killer, which is why taking a mental mini break several times a day can restore energy, vitality and attention. For example, a 40-second micro-break spent looking out over a roof garden is shown to be far more refreshing than looking at a concrete view.

Patients have been shown to recover more quickly from illness and surgery if the view from the hospital bed includes greenery and nature.

Getting a desk close to a window with natural light and a green outlook is ideal but can’t be available to everyone. This is where planter boxes, desk pot plants, green walls and indoor trees can assist in bringing the office to life.

Just seeing a plant in your peripheral vision is enough to boost psychological engagement with your work. The long-term benefits of increasing productivity by up to 15% through greening the office space include increased job satisfaction, wellbeing and attention, and reduced Presenteeism.

For a cost-effective way to enhance thinking, mood and performance, it’s time to reconsider the value of the pot plant.