Green Guide for Workspaces: The Best Plants for Your Office
Humans have spent most of our history in total communion with nature. Today, immersed in cities made of brick and cement, we still retain in our DNA that love for the living and the green. This is what experts refer to as biophilia. Hence, many companies are opting to incorporate plants into their offices to satisfy this inherent need to reconnect with nature and feel connected to our origins. However, it's not as simple as placing any variety of plant; rather, it requires careful consideration and decision-making to select the most suitable ones for each case. Let's delve deeper into this.
Without universal solutions
One of the most important ethical developments in the field of incorporating plants into office spaces is integration. Because the choice of plants should not exclusively respond to questions of beauty or care. In reality, the most relevant aspect is that the species in question positively impacts the environment. In that sense, the recommendation is always to choose native plants from the area where the office is located, so that other forms of life such as insects or birds can benefit. The idea is that the added vegetation enriches not only the situation of the workers but also the environment.
Furthermore, there is another key reason to choose plants native to the region: this implies that these species have co-evolved with the environment over thousands of years and, therefore, their water requirements are in line with what nature provides. This results in water savings as they do not need to be artificially watered as often, at least when it comes to office plants located in areas exposed to rainfall. The same goes for lighting. A plant native to the Mediterranean, a very sunny area, will need artificial lighting if placed in a region with as few hours of natural light as Norway.
Versatile plants
Although the ideal is, as we have previously pointed out, to opt for native species in full harmony with the surrounding nature of the building, there is also the possibility of choosing very versatile non-native plants capable of surviving without much care in very different climatic environments. This is the case with the popular Pothos (Epipremnum Aureum). Although native to Southeast Asia and New Guinea, it can tolerate a wide variety of light and humidity conditions, which combined with its air-purifying property makes it one of the most popular and recommended non-customized alternatives.
The same goes for cacti and succulents, both native to both America and Africa, but their resilience allows them to thrive in many different environments with very little maintenance. Boston fern, Dracaena marginata, or Dracaena fragans are also excellent and versatile options. The former has a very intense green ideal for lively areas, and the latter two display a more elegant green perfect for relaxation areas. And if the idea is to place them in a dimly lit corner of the office, the Ribbon Plant, also known as "Mother-in-law's tongue," is a great option.
The Zamioculcas zamiifolia, popularly known as the ZZ plant, is also a fantastic alternative for spaces with very little light. Its robustness allows it to survive without any problems. And the parlor palm, one of the most exuberant you can place in the office, transmits a lot of joy thanks to its bright tone and the abundance of its leaves. Very similar, although this one requires indirect light, is the bamboo palm, which can grow quite tall. And if you're looking for a different visual touch without sacrificing easy care, the chosen one should be the Aglaonema or the lucky lady, capable of changing from green to red depending on the season. A beautiful natural calendar.
