Plants for our health in offices

Do you spend a lot of your time in the office or do you have a home office and no plants nearby? It is a great pity. According to studies in recent years, it has been clearly proven that indoor plants remove harmful substances from the air and thereby benefit your health. They clean the air and increase its humidity, they can relieve eye irritation and headache. When placed correctly, they dampen noise and, last but not least, have relaxing and aesthetic effects.

What are the main benefits of plants?

• some types, especially those recommended for office environments, clean the air
• they filter harmful substances from the environment (from furniture, walls, etc.)
• they have a positive effect on a person's psyche and health
• they positively influence your creativity and creativity
• they create a more pleasant environment for work and relaxation in one
• they reduce noise and create a sound barrier
• they increase air humidity
• they increase the body's defenses

Harm to the environment

We all have a piece of furniture at home, different types of floors, beautiful plasters and lots of artificial things that can conjure up a beautiful interior. But each of these things was made from various artificial and often toxic substances, which, although we can't see them, release into the air gradually, and for a very long time after they were made, substances that are harmful to our health (e.g. formaldehyde, which is found especially in furniture, carpets and in adhesives).

Substances such as formaldehyde, benzene, acetaldehyde, radon, phthalates, toluene, trichlorethylene, tetrachlorethylene, aldrin, lead, carbon monoxide, etc. can be classified as serious and highly dangerous substances. Cigarette smoke and smog from outside is also not good if you live in a densely populated area. Add to this the substances produced by humans (carbon dioxide) and electrical engineering itself. Such rooms must be ventilated more often. You may have noticed that in some rooms you feel heavy or unpleasant air, sometimes even an indirect smell that you cannot identify, and some of you may have headaches more often, you may have difficulty breathing, a feeling of fatigue, your eyes often burn or in short the room you don't feel well for a long time and you can't say exactly why.

Plants that clean your air

NASA has conducted research and studies in the previous decades for space travel and for better conditions on space satellites, in which they discovered the effectiveness of plants suitable for growing in domestic conditions. A number of plants, and especially indoor plants, that many of us have at home or in the office have a proven ability to clean the air and break down the aforementioned harmful substances that do not have a beneficial effect on humans. Let's take a look at the "air cleaner" plants that have this function and which we also recommend for planting in offices.

Photo: Sansevieria laurentii

Sansevieria

Sansevieria or mother-in-law's tongue is one of the most recommended plants for air purification. The plant has short roots, it is usually grown in lower containers, and since it is a succulent plant that can withstand drought, we can expose it to a longer period without our presence. We classify it as a very resistant plant and, moreover, it attracts almost no pests. A huge advantage will be appreciated by sleepers, as this plant is one of the few plants suitable for the bedroom, due to its ability to produce oxygen especially at night , unlike other plants.

Sansevieria absorbs trichlorethylene, benzene and xylene.

Photo: Ficus Lyarata bambino and Ficus pumila

Ficuses

Ficuses are more moisture-loving plants that create large bushes with small leaves in the case of Ficus Benjamin, but other ficus species such as Elastica robusta , Ficus Alli, Ficus cyathistipula or Ficus pumila are also recommended . Caring for them is also acceptably simple, and apart from their disadvantages of enduring cold drafts in winter, it is a beautiful and suitable plant for offices or homes.

Ficuses remove formaldehyde and absorb dust in rooms thanks to their electrostatics.

Photo: Chamaedorea elegans

Dracaena and other palms

Exotic "palm trees" like semi-shaded places and warmth. They are suitable for rest rooms, waiting rooms and social spaces. They don't like drafts and cold. They belong to popular plants and create a pleasant environment and peace. We can find many species under the name Dracaena, among the most commonly available we include, for example, Dracaena marginata, Dracaena magenta , Dracaena sanderiana , etc. Among the "palms" we also include plants called Chamaedorea elegans or Chamaedorea lutescens , which have the same effect on the breakdown of substances.

These plants absorb harmful substances formaldehyde, benzene, substances from smoking and carbon monoxide. They even have a beneficial effect on substances emitted from monitors and computers.

Photo: Spathiphyllum Alana

Lopatkovec

Plants that tolerate normal room temperature as well as poorly lit habitats. They humidify the air well thanks to their water reservoir and reach a respectable height in good conditions.

The scapula absorbs alcohol, benzene, acetone, and formaldehyde. In addition, it pleasantly freshens the air.

Photo: Chlorophytum (Green)

Vegetable

A plant we all know from our grandmothers. It is a fast-growing and very easy-to-propagate plant, suitable for hanging containers and suitable even for beginners. It requires a lot of light, a slightly moist environment and more frequent watering (also suitable for hydroponic cultivation). This plant is also recommended by doctors for households with allergies or lung diseases.

It breaks down carbon monoxide, acetone, benzene, formaldehyde and ammonia. At the same time, it releases substances that can eliminate up to 80% of microbes.

Photo: Zamioculcas zamiifolia

Zamioculcas

It is an unpretentious succulent that can be placed anywhere. It can tolerate even less light and its watering is very low, similar to sanseviera, so it can last longer without our presence and excessive care. On the contrary, it loves more drought, overwatering will lead to the death of the plant.

The plant contributes to the humidification of the air in the rooms and is ornamental with its shiny, beautifully green leaves.

Plants help us

There are many plants that help us with our psyche and our health. You can find more plants that you can buy for your home or for your table in our e-shop here . Other plants that thrive include plants from the genus Epipremnum , Scindapsus , Aspidistra Elatior , Alocasia , Syngonia , Aglaonemy , Philodendrons , Monstera and others.

Photo: Interiors at H&M, which we furnished with plants

Are you interested in furnishing interiors?

In 2022, we included interior fittings for companies and other services in our service portfolio. If you are interested in a professional consultation or a tailor-made offer, write to us at info@dejmipokojovku.cz .

Author: Martin Seidl