PRESS RELEASE: One Plant is All You Need
14 June 2010
“Just one plant can make the difference,” claims Margaret Burchett, author of the latest research about how plants affect us especially in the work place. Working in offices in Sydney, Australia, Professor Burchett found that plants reduced negative feelings such as stress, anxiety, depression, anger, fatigue, confusion and overall negativity among participants with plants in their offices by as much as 60%.
In their study (¹), Burchett and her team of researchers installed plants in 55 University offices in two buildings. Delegates filled in a series of questionnaires before and after the two 12 week trial periods. Two of the tests used are surveys commonly used to measure psychological responses.
Study controls included:
• The occupants of all planted offices were similarly physically and mentally healthy
• Surveys were conducted before and after the study
• The planted offices used a ratio of one plant per desk
• People in the planted offices recorded less negative moods by up to 60%
• In the offices with no plants there were no significant changes in mood apart from an increase in stress levels of 20%
“These measurements are extremely useful for modern office environments bound by many health and safety rules,” commented Thomas Palfreyman, chairman of eFIG Ltd. “Knowing that we can make a difference with just one plant per person/12m² space, will be a big help to businesses wanting to provide a healthy, stress-free environment where their employees remain motivated and perform well.”
This study confirms that plants are more effective and stack up well against other motivators and well-being providers such as music as a morale booster (²), and other office ‘enrichments’ (³) like art.
From other tests carried out alongside this investigation, Burchett also concludes that all plants are active in removing toxins from the air including Carbon Dioxide. Another good reason for office planting!
(¹) Research: ‘Greening the Great Indoors for Human Health and Wellbeing’ by Margaret Burchett et al. University of Technology, Sydney (UTS
(²) Good Music Boosts Staff Morale 74% - survey by music works – see www.musicworksforyou.com
(³) Craig Knight, University of Exeter, The Psychology of Space: Determinants of Social Identity, Well-being & Productivity - www.prism-idenity.com
Image: Flower Council of Holland
