August 2011 – Plants have both aesthetic and therapeutic value, writes DR HILARY DAVIES, leading to measurable improvements in workplace productivity and the health of staff.
We all like plants – even if they are merely viewed from a window. They have recognised benefits for removing pollutants from the air. This is an extremely important attribute considering that most buildings are better sealed these days to reduce energy losses, and, consequently, they have higher pollutant loads. Introducing plants could be a really clever way of getting better quality air without having to increase ventilation rates. Indeed, a former NASA scientist, who studied the benefits of plants for air quality in space labs, thinks that the building industry needs to adopt plants as an essential part of the air recycling system – reducing reliance on often poor-quality outside air for the ‘fresh air’ intake1. Plants could also help reduce ‘sick building syndrome’ – frequently the result of the off-gassing of the VOC’s (volatile organic compounds) that are commonly used in our furnishings, carpets, photocopiers, printers and building components. Interestingly, ANY plant is capable of removing these nasties (early studies reported on just a few plants, which became predominant in the literature as THE plants to use) since it is the plant/root system and potting mix microbes that together remove and neutralise pollutants – and after a week or so, they get even better at this removal process!2
Air quality aside, did you know that recent research is demonstrating that plants also have real benefits in terms of productivity, psychological health and even powers to aid recovery from ill health?
REDUCE STRESS, INCREASE PRODUCTIVITY
Plants can enhance our sense of wellbeing, and while this appreciation has been largely speculative, recent studies from UTS in Sydney, the Netherlands, England and US have found there are measurable benefits. These include reduced stress, increased attentiveness and the ability to complete tasks quicker.
Studies by Lohr in Washington, Fjeld in the Netherlands and Russell in Guildford, UK3, which measured stress levels and task performance, found that participants’ blood pressure levels were reduced, attentiveness levels and concentration levels improved, and rates of carrying out tasks increased (especially for computer tasks) when there were plants in the room compared to control groups working in a room with no plants. Work at UTS acknowledges other studies showing workers feel more creative, attentive, comfortable and productive in offices with plants; in addition, researchers have also recently completed their own final report4 on the benefits of plants to wellbeing. Part of the research used standard psychological surveys and found a number of significant differences in a range of emotional states (see Table 1) when plants were introduced to an office space.
On a parallel theme, students have been found to be more attentive in lectures (inattentive behaviours reduced by 70 percent) and more likely to return after a break to a room with plants5, while further work by UTS has found that school children improved performance across maths, spelling and science when plants were in the classroom.6
HEALING POWERS
Besides the benefits of plants to work environments, there is increasing evidence that plants can improve clinical outcomes. Hospitals provided with interior plantscapes and gardens that can be seen and accessed by patients and staff are reporting reduced times for patient recovery and lower staff stress levels (as well as better staff retention).7
SUMMARY
So, given the proven health and wellbeing benefits that plants can provide, having a ‘black thumb’ is no excuse for not greening your environment. The cost of providing and maintaining plants is more than offset by the benefits they produce – reduced stress and negative emotional states, increased productivity and sense of wellbeing, and a much healthier environment with cleaner air. The value of plants extends far beyond their aesthetic qualities. Why would you not add plants to your environment?
[Editor’s note: for more information about the value of plants in the built environment, see our cover story in the Aug-Sep issue.]
References
1. http://www.wolvertonenvironmental.com/air.htm
2. Burchett, M., Torpy, F., Brennan, J and Craig, A (2010) Greening the great indoors for human health and well-being, Final Report to Horticulture Australia Ltd, UTS http://www.nipa.asn.au/docs/UTS%20FINAL%20REPORT%20Amended%20Project%20NY06021.pdf
4. See Burchett (above)
5. http://www.plants-in-buildings.com/news-230805-racstudy.php
6. Daly, J, Burchett M and Torpy F (2010) Plants in the classroom can improve student performance http://www.nipa.asn.au/docs/Research%20Report%20-Effects%20of%20indoor%20plants%20on%20school%20performance%20(2010)%20V1.pdf
7. http://www.plants-in-buildings.com/news-hospitals-010205.php
Dr Hilary Davies is a senior lecturer in Facilities Management and Construction Management at Deakin University in the School of Architecture and Building.
NB: Deakin University offers a Masters in Facilities Management degree. Enquiries may be directed to Dr Hilary Davies. Email: hilary.davies@deakin.edu.au
More information
Deakin University (FM courses) www.deakin.edu.au/scitech/ab