Plants in the office have become a hot trend lately. It wasn’t a brand new idea. In fact, for so long, people have been putting indoor plants for the office desk to spruce the space up a bit. But, lately, these plants in the office are starting to take up more space.

The Benefits of Having Plants in the Office

Incorporating plants into an office’s interior setup can easily enhance the aesthetic value of the space without a lot of effort. But, more than the instant visual upgrade, these plants offer a lot of benefits in terms of health, sanitation, and energy conservation.

Plants are essential in eliminating toxins and pollutants, improving indoor air quality. They can also prevent the development of office molds, as the plants can absorb the mold spores present in the air. Overall, people inside the office will feel more relaxed and notice an improvement in their breathing. Stress levels will also decline, as the plants affect people’s well-being. 

Energy consumption is also reduced with the presence of plants in the office. Plants can provide cooling inside the office when the months are hotter, cutting down on extra use of energy for air conditioning. 

Taking Care of Office Plants

While plants are generally beneficial in the office, these are still living things that have needs and require proper care. Neglecting these needs and failing to understand how each plant type thrives can make a mess out of your office space. In retrospect, you may want to think of how to get rid of the damp smell that your plants are causing.

Here are some quick tips on how to take care of plants in your office.

Identify your plant and its proper care system.

Different plants have different needs. Typically, indoor plants have almost the same needs. However, there are instances where they could differ. A philodendron can do well without water for a long time but it needs to be watered more often if it is exposed to high light or warmer temperatures. Succulents like cactus, which is also an office desk favorite, can go for longer without water because their stems are designed to hold water inside. Know how much water is recommended for your plants. Ensure also that your plants have proper drainage systems so that the roots don’t rot.

Make sure to know the level of care each plant requires so that it can thrive for a long time. 

Understand your plant’s watering needs. 

Water is essential to the survival of any living thing. But, again, since plants each have a distinct need when it comes to caring, you must first know what it is that your plant demands especially when it comes to moisture.

In general, it is recommended to use lukewarm water when watering your office plants. This helps in their growth, as warm roots are necessary to a plant’s development. Lukewarm water also creates a humid temperature that allows for plants to thrive. 

It is also important to take note of your watering schedule. Avoid overwatering your plants. Check the top inch of your plant’s soil. If it is still moist, you can skip watering it and do it another time. 

If your plant is starting to give off a musty smell, you may be watering it more than required. You can get rid of the damp smell by repotting your plants but make sure that there is enough drainage so that excess water can be filtered properly.

Explore your lighting options. 

Apart from water, light is also another vital necessity of plants. Given the circumstances in an office, it can be quite tricky to provide ample lighting for your plant’s growth. 

To make up for lost sunlight, consider investing in artificial sunlight lamps. You have several options when it comes to artificial lights. Pick something that would provide the most benefit to your office plants. 

Rethink pots.

If you think pots are just mere containers for your plants, that’s where you get things wrong. Pots are influential to a plant’s health and growth. One thing about pots that must be considered is their size. A plant must be placed in a pot that corresponds to its growth needs which is why you should find the right size for your plants. Too big of a pot can cause the plant’s roots to rot, while a pot that is too small can make the soil dry too fast which can lead to the plant’s stunted development. 

What the pot is made of can also affect the plant’s health. Terracotta and clay pots are very absorbent, which would mean that you need to water your plants more often. Plastic pots, on the other hand, are able to hold more moisture so there is less need to water more often. 

To prevent leakage on office floors, you can put saucers or pot plates to catch excess water. You can also consider double potting. 

Trim if you can

Part of office plant maintenance is pruning them every now and then. Remove the dead leaves from your plant. This lets the healthy parts of the plant to fully receive all the nutrients. 

If a plant is growing rapidly, take this in the case of pothos plants, you can trim off at least 25% of the leaves. 

Consider pet-friendly alternatives

If your office space welcomes pets, you should review your plant options. Since pets can get pretty playful, it can be hard to keep them from chewing off parts of your plants. In this case, opt for pet-friendly selections like spider plants, peperomias, orchids, and palm-family plants. 

Office plants offer inexpensive means to brighten up space while still providing benefits to the people’s welfare. Taking care of these living things ensures that your space continues to become a haven of relaxation.

These simple tips can provide insight on how to take care of plants inside the office. Make it an even hotter trend to provide enough attention to your plants and commit to making sure that they get the best treatment they deserve.