The many benefits of workplace plants: Shilpa Mohan, Interior Designer

25 July 2018

Most of us spend approximately 25 per cent of our week at work and, generally speaking, that’s inside an office building, particularly in metropolitan cities like Melbourne. A lot of research has pointed out that spending long periods of time indoors can adversely affect our health in multiple ways, however indoor plants have been scientifically proven to improve our overall psychological, mental and physical health.

Below Shilpa Mohan, Interior Designer, shares a few benefits of having something green in your office:

1. Heightened Performance

Indoor plants in offices can reduce levels of stress and lethargy, often increasing productivity, creativity and performance in the office space. This could be due to ‘biophilia’ – the tendency for all humans to seek out nature, which in turn regulates our body clock and assists in balancing our biological functions.

Image Credit: Bodie and Fou

2. A sense of purpose

The simple act of taking a break from work and tending to a plant can produce significant differences in overall psychological wellbeing by providing a sense of purpose and something to care for. Witnessing a plant flourish under your care can also be quite rewarding!

Image Credit: Larritt-Evans, photography by Eve Wilson

3. Improved air quality

There are multiple benefits of greenery on our physical health. The air inside buildings can be high in carbon dioxide and can often irritate the eyes, nose and throat. Having certain indoor plants like Areca Palms, which are native to Australia, can naturally filter air while also acting as a natural humidifier.

Air filtration by indoor plants, along with a state of the art ventilation system will ensure the building’s air quality is high. The T&G Building has implemented these tactics among other strategies, helping make it an environmentally responsible commercial building in Melbourne’s CBD.

Image Credit: Design by DDC Architecture + Interior Design, Photography by Lucas Muro

4. Building design

One of the most responsible design elements that can be worked into a building to ensure the health of the tenants is to make sure the air quality is clean and that tenants are receiving enough natural air and sunlight. The T&G Building’s use of plants in its lobby and natural light filtering through the atrium is a perfect example of how to harness the benefits of nature. Even just a small pot plant on your desk can make all the difference, try something like Aloe Vera, to aid your overall wellbeing and office air quality!

Shilpa Mohan studied Pharmacy before following her true passion to become an interior designer. She is now the Senior Interior Designer at DDC Architecture + Interior Design where she combines her knowledge of science with her love for design to create more holistic spaces. @ddc.design @justshilps