The 5 Benefits Of Green Spaces in the Workplace

What happens when you bring more nature into the office? Turns out, a lot.

According to a landmark study from the University of Exeter, simply adding plants to a previously bare office can boost productivity by 15%. That means a small design tweak (like placing a few potted plants around desks or break areas) can make a real impact on how your team feels and performs.

In this guide, we’ll walk you through five practical ways greenery improves the workplace, from mental wellness to energy savings. Whether you're managing a small startup or a corporate office, these benefits can work for you. Let’s get started!

Quick Summary: 5 Key Benefits of Green Spaces at Work

• Greenery helps lower stress and anxiety, and it creates a calmer, more focused work environment.
• Plants boost concentration, spark new ideas, and help employees get more done.
• Indoor plants filter the air and contribute to fewer headaches, less fatigue, and better overall wellness.
• A well-designed green office shows you care, which helps attract and keep great talent.
• Strategic greenery can cut energy costs and support long-term environmental goals.

5 Benefits of Having Plants and Greenery in the Workplace

Bringing nature indoors is a strategic upgrade to your workplace environment. Countless studies show that plants and natural elements can transform how employees feel, think, and perform.

From boosting mental clarity to enhancing your brand's appeal, here’s how greenery pays off in five key areas.

Reduced Stress & Better Mental Health

Modern office life often comes with tight deadlines, constant multitasking, and high pressure. This stressful atmosphere can lead to burnout and decreased well-being. Fortunately, plants offer a simple, natural way to ease tension and promote calm.

A study published in Frontiers in Psychology found that spending just 20 to 30 minutes in a green setting can lower cortisol - the body’s primary stress hormone - by 21%. This phenomenon, sometimes called the “nature pill,” shows how even brief exposure to greenery can refresh the mind and body.

While it’s not always feasible to create a forest inside the office, small touches still make a difference. Take the Amazon Spheres in Seattle as an example: these lush indoor gardens feature plant-lined quiet pods where employees can step away from their desks, relax, and recharge in a peaceful setting.

Even a few well-placed plants can help employees feel calmer, more centered, and better able to focus throughout the day.

Higher Productivity & Creativity

The connection between plants and performance isn’t just about mood - it translates directly into getting more work done.

Let’s go back to the 15% productivity boost from the University of Exeter. That increase didn’t come from major changes in workflow or new software - it came from simply adding greenery to an otherwise bare office. When employees feel more comfortable, focused, and inspired by their environment, they naturally get more done.

Harvard’s COGfx study backs this up with even more striking results: people working in green-certified offices experienced up to a 131% improvement in cognitive function. That includes enhanced memory, faster decision-making, and increased attention span - all key drivers of workplace success.

Creative teams especially benefit from greener surroundings. Plants stimulate the senses and help break up visual monotony, making it easier to come up with fresh ideas and solutions. Whether it's brainstorming, problem-solving, or deep work, a little greenery goes a long way.

To put it in perspective, take a look at a comparison between a “lean” office and a “green” office:

Clearly, small design choices can have big ripple effects.

Improved Air Quality & Physical Health

Indoor air quality is often overlooked, but it has a big impact on how healthy and productive employees feel. According to the EPA, indoor air can be two to five times more polluted than outdoor air.

Plants help filter toxins and improve air quality naturally. NASA’s Clean Air Study famously identified several common indoor plants - like snake plants and pothos - that absorb harmful pollutants, such as formaldehyde and carbon monoxide. Later studies, including one in Time magazine, note that while houseplants alone can’t solve all air quality issues, they still contribute positively, especially in smaller or less-ventilated spaces.

Here are five hardy, low-maintenance air-purifying plants perfect for busy offices:

• Snake Plant (Sansevieria) - Known for its resilience and ability to filter out toxins, it thrives in low light and requires minimal watering.
• Pothos (Epipremnum aureum) - A fast-growing vine that’s easy to care for and effective at removing indoor pollutants.
• Spider Plant (Chlorophytum comosum) - A vigorous grower that cleans the air and adds a fresh, lively touch to any office.
• Peace Lily (Spathiphyllum) - Beautiful and fragrant, it helps reduce mold spores and other airborne toxins.
• ZZ Plant (Zamioculcas zamiifolia) - Exceptionally drought-tolerant and tough, perfect for less attentive care while improving air quality.

Stronger Employer Brand & Talent Retention

A well-designed green office can not only improve how a space looks, but also enhance how a company is perceived. Plants and greenery communicate care, intention, and modern values. They show employees, clients, and job candidates that the workplace is invested in both well-being and sustainability.

This investment pays off. A U.S. Green Building Council survey found that 93% of workers in LEED-certified buildings reported higher job satisfaction. A visually appealing, health-conscious office environment helps people feel more supported, which can improve morale and boost day-to-day motivation.

It’s also a smart strategy for hiring and retention. Younger generations (especially millennials and Gen Z) prioritize workplaces that align with their values.

Sustainability, mental health, and work-life balance all rank high. By bringing nature indoors, companies can reflect those priorities and appeal to mission-driven talent.

Energy Savings & Sustainability Wins

Green spaces aren’t just good for people - they’re good for the planet and your bottom line, too.

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) reports that green roofs can reduce a building’s cooling needs by as much as 70%. That’s because plants absorb sunlight, provide insulation, and help regulate temperature naturally. A great example is New York City’s Javits Center, where a 6.75-acre green roof helped cut energy use by about 25%.

But you don’t need a rooftop garden to make an impact. Inside the office, strategically placing plants near windows or sunlit areas can reduce heat, minimize glare on screens, and stabilize indoor temperatures. This lowers reliance on air conditioning in summer and heating in winter - saving both energy and money.

Check out this handy energy savings snapshot:

How to Add Office Greenery - A Simple Step-by-Step Guide

You don’t need to redesign your entire office to enjoy the benefits of green space. Start small and build from there. Here are some easy steps you can follow:

1. Begin with desk plants.
   Small plants like succulents or peace lilies are great to begin with. They brighten up desks, lift moods, and give team members something living to care for.
   
   
2. Add larger planters to shared spaces.
   Place tall plants or long planters in lounges, lobbies, or corners. They will help shape the space, soften hard edges, and make things feel less sterile.
   
   
3. Bring plants into the meeting rooms.
   A few well-placed plants in boardrooms or breakout spaces can help everyone feel a little more at ease. They also absorb sound and reduce tension - especially helpful during long meetings.
   
   
4. Try a living wall or vertical garden.
   If you’re ready to level up, living walls make a big visual impact and don’t take up floor space. They’re ideal for receptions or open-plan offices and come with air-quality and noise-reduction perks.
   
   
5. Explore outdoor spaces like terraces or rooftops.
   If you’ve got access to an outdoor area, turn it into a garden or green break spot. These areas give employees a natural retreat and can even help with energy savings.

What’s the Payoff? A Clear Look at Green Investments

Wondering about the return on investment? Good news: creating a healthier, more inspiring office doesn’t just feel good - it also pays off.

Here’s a quick cost-benefit snapshot of common green upgrades and how they stack up in terms of cost and return:

Estimates based on studies linking greenery to productivity gains, reduced absenteeism, and energy savings.

FAQs

How many plants should an office have?

There’s no strict rule, but a good guideline is 1 medium-sized plant per 100 square feet. For desks, even one small plant per person can make a noticeable difference in mood and productivity.

What if the office doesn’t get much natural light?

Many plants thrive in low-light conditions. Snake plants, ZZ plants, pothos, and peace lilies are all excellent low-light options. You can also use grow lights to support plant health in dim spaces.

How much maintenance is required?

Minimal, if you choose hardy plants. Most low-maintenance indoor plants only need watering once a week or less. You can also hire a plant care service or rotate responsibilities among team members.

Can plants cause allergy issues indoors?

Most common indoor plants don’t produce airborne allergens. In fact, many help purify the air. Avoid flowering plants with heavy pollen, and opt for foliage-based greenery for the safest results..

Is greenery worth the cost for smaller offices?

Absolutely. Starting with just a few desk plants or a couple of large planters can have a positive effect. The upfront investment is modest, and studies show clear links between greenery and productivity, creativity, and well-being.

Ready to Elevate Your Greenery Office Décor?

From lowering stress to saving on energy bills, the benefits of green spaces at work are real and wide-reaching. Even a small investment in plants can improve your workplace atmosphere, boost employee satisfaction, and support a more sustainable future.

Thinking about bringing the benefits of greenery into your office? Our modern fiberglass planters can perfectly complement your green office look while doing much more than just enhancing aesthetics.

Explore our collection of planters for the office and start building your greener space today.

Sources:

1. https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S095965262301689X?
2. https://www.cambridge.org/core/journals/journal-of-benefit-cost-analysis/article/abs/045EAB1CCB8D7E72902C9C2D260820DF
3. https://publications.ibpsa.org/proceedings/bs/2021/papers/bs2021_30848.pdf