Creating Healthier Environments with Plants

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I met recently with an architect who designs healthcare facilities. He relayed how he absolutely detests the use of live plants in the properties he designs.

“I don’t like that I can’t control the life cycle of the plant and how it continually changes its look,” he said with disdain.

I believe this obviously sedentary and obese architect has become, like so many people in this country, far removed from nature and healthy living. In doing so, he’s forgotten the benefits of a healthy lifestyle and being in the company of greenery.

Here is a man who designs for a population that is predominately sick and unable to control their own lifestyle. These people are being influenced by an out-of-touch designer who doesn’t understand the healing power of nature.

I wonder when we lost our ability to appreciate the primal connection we all share with the natural world?

More companies today are reducing or eliminating plants in the workplace to save money. They fail to realize, however, that this cost-cutting measure is short-term thinking that will compromise their employees’ well-being.

Just as plants oxygenate the environment and soothe the soul, obesity cannot be altered with empty calories but requires thoughtful nutrition to overcome it.

A growing body of research demonstrates that access to a natural environment indoors — where we all spend the majority of our waking hours — may improve health and well-being.

As a design professional, I have seen first-hand the healing and calming benefits of plants in the workplace.

 

Human beings are hard-wired to appreciate nature

Despite our “plugged in” and sedentary lifestyle since the 1950’s, humans were hunters and gatherers for more 10,000 years; indeed, they lived as part of nature.

“A pleasing and positive workplace that is presented as a spiritually satisfying sanctuary with natural light and greenery is enormously beneficial for a person’s well-being,” says Dr. Gilda Carle, psychotherapist, author and professor. “Being able to access and enjoy surroundings that reduce stress and engage the senses is highly therapeutic for people.”

It isn’t necessary to fill every available space with a plant; just a few good-quality specimens located in select rooms, and where employees work or take their rest breaks, can be sufficient.

“The reasons why this has a beneficial effect are a subtle but complex mixture of the physiological (improved humidity, reduced noise etc.) and psychological,” says Kenneth Freeman, International Technical Director at Ambius. He has led many research initiatives on the benefits of plants in the workplace.

“Being around plants certainly seems to reduce stress and engender a feeling of well-being in most people, a benefit that is even more acute if correct lighting is in place. The fact that a workplace has been prepared to spend money on something that has no obvious function than to make the environment more attractive may also be a contributing factor, by sending a signal to staff that management cares about its employees and visitors.”

“There is now general agreement within the scientific community that plants improve the indoor environment, and are useful weapons in the fight against the modern phenomenon known as sick building syndrome (SBS),” says Freeman.

“No specific cause of SBS has been identified, but poor air quality, excessive background noise and inadequate temperature and light control are thought to be important factors. Because plants have a large surface area and exchange water and gases with their surroundings, they have a unique ability to tackle many environmental problems.”

In particular, plants can reduce levels of carbon dioxide, which can accumulate in buildings from the breathing of its occupants and the by-products of heating systems and electrical equipment. Plants also increase the relative humidity, which should be between 40% and 60% RH for maximum human comfort. Plants reduce levels of certain pollutant gases, such as formaldehyde, benzene and nitrogen dioxide as well as airborne dust levels. Plants also reduce air temperatures and background noise levels.

Commercial buildings in large urban markets are often very large and easy to get lost in. In many office towers and hospitals, there is a need to channel pedestrian traffic towards significant landmarks, such as exits, check-in desks, escalators and common passageways. Plants offer an attractive and practical solution, providing a living barrier that gently guides people to where you want them to go.

Choosing the right plants and containers for this purpose is very important. Spiky plants or those with sharp-edged leaves would clearly be inappropriate in an area designed for heavy pedestrian traffic flow. Containers need to be robust, take up the minimum of floor space and in some situations be linkable to form an impenetrable wall.

. . . . .

Here are my selections for the top five plants that heighten and satisfy our senses. They fuse a funky and trendy style with functional benefits in keeping our workplace environments happier and healthier.

1. Ficus Pandurata

Ficus Pandurata

Ficus Pandurata – The Ficus Pandurata or Fiddleleaf Fig grows best in a high to medium high light environment and is an interesting variation on the standard, well-known Ficus elastica rubber plant. The large leaves can add a striking accent to the home or office.

2. Polyscias Fabian

Polyscias Fabian

Polyscias Fabian – A native of Brazil, Polyscias or Geranium-leaf Aralia or Arilia Favian is an evergreen shrub or small tree with a compact habit. While it is widely used as for hedges in the tropics, in the United States we use it as a beautiful, eco-friendly border — as well as a captivating stand-alone “look-at-me” tree.

3. Dracaena Janet Craig Compacta

Dracaena Janet Craig Compacta

Dracaena Janet Craig Compacta – Dracaena is a genus of 40 species of subtropical, evergreen, woody plants grown for their statuesque form and ornamental foliage. They are sometimes mistakenly identified as palms, but they are actually more closely related to lilies. The name Dracaena is derived from the Greek word “drakaina” — a female dragon. The link between plant and beast is the resinous red gum produced when the stem is cut. When thickened, it’s supposed to resemble dragon’s blood. It is used as a varnish and in photo engraving.

4. Dracaena Marginita Character

Dracaena Marginata Character

Dracaena Marginata Character – Originally from Madagascar, Dracaena are known for their visually arresting ornamental foliage. An increasingly popular indoor plant in the modern workplace, the plant — which can grow up to 15 feet in height — is supported by an aged and knobby trunk that gives it a unique character.

5. Philodendron Red Congo

Philodendron Red Congo

Philodendron Red CongoThe Philodendron Red Congo is a new and distinct cultivar of Philodendron. It is a product of the cross or breeding between Philodendron ‘Imperial Red’ as the female parent and an unidentified cultivar of the Philodendron tatei. This plant grows vigorously upright but spreads in an open manner. New Red Congo leaves are brownish to almost red in color, while the large mature ones are dark green in color with a touch of red. The plant’s leaf petioles remain reddish purple to bright right with long-lasting petiole sheaths.

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