The Power of Plants

Eating greens is good for our health and lowers our personal carbon footprint, but greens, the kind we grow indoors, have other benefits too, apart from their aesthetic appeal!

Office plants significantly improve a whole range of aspects of our indoor environment. The benefits cover a spectrum from physically cleaner air to direct beneficial effects on psychological health, task performance, illness reduction and productivity. As well as absorbing carbon dioxide and releasing oxygen, natural plants act as 'pollution fighters' by absorbing chemicals released by furnishings, carpets, printers, copiers etc in our office environment.

Scientific research by NASA and the University of Technology Sydney reinforces the positive effect living plants can have on the health and wellbeing of people who work in buildings.

Greening your Office

Why green your office?

You can have a more healthy, happy and productive work day by getting some shades of green into your work area. It's fun and easy. The key is choosing hardy plants that will be adaptable to your work area and looking after them of course! Click here for a guide on choosing a suitable office plant for your space.

Not sure which plant species are the best for improving your air quality? Click here for a list of top performing plants for cleaner and fresher air.

"Plants in every Department at Macquarie University would make a huge difference to our indoor environmental quality.  My Peace Lily plays an important role in enlivening my office and it only needs a bit of water from time to keep it looking fresh and healthy." Arboretum Coordinator, Samantha Newton

Did you know?

Plants can reduce potentially harmful volatile organic compounds emitted from plastics and synthetics by up to 80% and can also reduce negativity and stress in the workplace by 60% (University of Technology Sydney 2013).

Macquarie University teams get green!

Greening Your Office Action List

• Table 'Get Green with Your Team' at a team meeting - download the Team Meeting Cheat Sheet which has key messages and information to guide your team and get them involved
• Plan an office greening initiative with your team - consider applying for a Sustainability Representative Network grant if required
• Consider passing around the plant list to your team and seek feedback on plant preferences to facilitate engagement with the initiative.
• Take before and after photos of your Department's workplace to showcase the difference, upload it to facebook, and share your story on your team's effort to get green!