A Plant on the Office Desk? Its Impact on Workplace Performance Is More Than Decorative

Is a plant in the office décor, or wellness infrastructure? The answer is both, because while it enhances spaces, it also shapes the conditions that influence productivity, health, and mood.

Benjamín Romano and LBR&A are responsible for the architectural design of Torre Reforma. Photo: SiiLA.

By: SiiLA News

01/16/2026

In the corporate world, efficiency indeed holds the structure together, as it is only where something alive reminds us we are still human that work thrives. That is why even something as simple as a plant in an office can do more than decorate—it can transform the space.

Research proves it: one square meter of greenery can benefit the mind more than an hour of rest, and 10% of vegetal surface is enough to cool a building and cut cooling costs by up to 30%.

The economic benefits go beyond energy savings. They also translate into workplace performance. Studies from the Journal of Experimental Psychology, NASA, the Royal Horticultural Society, and universities such as Exeter and Queensland show that introducing adequate vegetation can increase productivity by up to 15%, an effect tied to objective and psychological improvements in the environment.

This happens because the body functions differently when environmental quality improves. Empirical evidence shows that in closed spaces, plants reduce carbon dioxide concentrations by 10% to 25%, lower contaminant and bacterial levels by 10% to 90%, and stabilize air humidity. That adjustment, although often subtle, produces cumulative effects: it improves attention, reduces fatigue, and enhances mental clarity. Likewise, in the emotion spectre, it reduces stress and strengthens commitment to the organization, because a measured space is perceived as real—not symbolic—care.

Visible, Green, and Alive

Sky Garden and Torre Reforma gardens—left and right, respectively. Photos: Internet.

A notable example of integrated garden design is Torre Reforma in Mexico City. This skyscraper has 14 groups of four floors, each with access to a triple-height interior garden, resulting in significant vegetation throughout the building. Likewise, the Sky Garden at Reforma 180 stands out for its biophilic design, in a double-height space on the 33rd floor offering panoramic views of the capital.

Although the specific impact of plants depends on each species and each office layout, the principle remains the same: something visible, green, and alive must be present for the space to change. However, this is not about filling planters—it is about choosing species capable of withstanding the interior conditions of a corporate environment: mostly artificial light, constant air conditioning, and low humidity.

Low-maintenance options ideal for workspaces with artificial light. Photo: SiiLA.

Although there is no universal ranking of “the most used office plants,” practice has shown that high-resistance, low-maintenance species perform best because they can survive low light, minimal watering, and thermal fluctuations. Among the most common choices are philodendrons, pothos (Epipremnum aureum), sansevierias (Dracaena trifasciata), and zamioculcas, valued for their durability and capacity to absorb volatile organic compounds.

Plants that combine resistance, low water consumption, and purifying ability. Photo: SiiLA.

In contrast, plants with high environmental requirements—calatheas, bonsais, delicate ferns, or tropical species requiring constant humidity—as well as aromatic or flowering varieties prone to allergies, tend to be avoided.

Be that as it may, when a space allows something living to remain, it also reminds us of what we often forget: that work, no matter how abstract it seems, rests on bodies that feel, breathe, and wear down. In that simple truth, a plant—without meaning to—restores scale and proportion to an environment that demands more than it admits. And perhaps that is its strength: revealing that quality of thought is never separate from the physical world that sustains it, and that what looks irrelevant is often the only thing that anchors us to what is real.

If these ideas invite you to look at your environment with new eyes, it is worth exploring further. At SiiLA REsource, you will find more analysis, data, and perspectives that explain how spaces shape how we work and think. For more information, write to contacto@siila.com.mx.

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