Plants in the office are often still seen as a nice extra. But did you know that office plants pay for themselves within a year? Research shows that greenery in the workplace leads to less absenteeism, higher productivity, and more job satisfaction. In this blog, we’ll show you why investing in plants is a smart business choice.
Plants aren’t an expense, they’re an investment
Many companies view plants as decoration—a budget item that’s the first to go when cutting costs. Yet, that’s a misconception. The costs of office plants are relatively low, especially when weighed against the benefits. Consider that about 90% of total business costs consist of personnel costs. Any improvement in employee well-being and productivity therefore has a major impact on overall business performance.
What does the research say?
Wageningen Environmental Research and research firm Fytagoras have extensively studied what plants do for the work environment. The results are convincing:
- Absenteeism drops by an average of 20% — from 3.6 to 1.6 sick days per employee per year
- Productivity increases by 15%
- Stress complaints decrease by 12%
- The investment in office plants is earned back within one year
These are not marginal improvements. For an office with 50 employees, a decrease of 2 sick days per person quickly translates to savings of thousands of euros per year. Add the productivity gains to that, and the business case is clear. Read more about the positive effects of plants in the office.
Healthier air, healthier employees
Plants purify the air by absorbing harmful substances and releasing oxygen. Additionally, they increase humidity, which reduces complaints like dry eyes, headaches, and fatigue. In air-conditioned offices (where the air is often too dry), plants make a noticeable difference. Fewer complaints mean less short-term absenteeism and more focus throughout the workday.
More job satisfaction and lower turnover
The benefits go beyond physical health. Employees working in a green environment experience more job satisfaction and feel more valued by their employer. This translates into higher employee satisfaction and lower staff turnover. Given the high costs of recruiting and onboarding new employees, this is also a financial argument that counts.
Invest smart: rent or lease plants
Investing in office greenery doesn’t have to be a large one-time expense. By renting or leasing plants, you spread the costs and always have a well-maintained green office. The advantage? Professional plant maintenance is included, so you don’t have to worry about dead or neglected plants. Moreover, we work exclusively with sustainably grown plants, so your investment also contributes to a greener world.
Greenery plan for your office
Want to discover what plants can do for your organization? At Wildernis, we create a custom greenery plan that fits your space, wishes, and budget. We advise you on the best plants for your situation and take care of both placement and maintenance. This way, you benefit maximally from all the advantages without any hassle.
