When the office needs a bit of a spruce up, especially if your employees are returning for the first time since the COVID-19 pandemic hit, you might be tempted to explore all your options with regards to the plants you want to introduce to the space. The decision between fake or real plants can lead to very different pros and cons, and depending on your maintenance capacity, staff involvement and the general aesthetic of the space, choosing the right one can mean the difference between a rounded off space, or one that always feels a little hollow. Today, we’ll discuss the key differences between the two, in order to make the decision process a little easier on you at the end of the day.
Establishing Your Needs and Goals
Start the process by outlining your needs and goals when it comes to office plants. Take stock of the areas in the office that could use an extra plant or two, factoring in unused table tops and barren corners that could use a bit more visual stimulation. Talk to the team about their suggestions, and the types of plants that they think would fit best into the space. Ask about maintenance, and if some members would be keen to take care of real plants as part of a team building activity. Don’t be shy to reach out to experts (designers or plant guru’s) to solidify your plan before choosing between fake or real plants for the space.
Considering Real Plants
Real plants can be distinguished from their fake counterparts by the fact that they require active maintenance in order to keep them alive. Their list of benefits is a long one, including cleaning the air, improving office performance and focus, showcasing that management cares about the wellbeing of its employees, as well as lowering overall stress and anxiety. Aesthetically, real plants might not always look their best, and will require flexibility when it comes to the ebb and flow of taking care of them. Adding another living organism to the office may also promote a sense of community, especially if people from different departments work together year-round to keep them maintained.
Choosing Fake Plants
Fake or artificial plants might not clean the air in the same way real ones do, but they do also have their own set of benefits that make them worth choosing. Typically, these are a little more cost effective, as they won’t have to be replaced from time to time in the same way their real counterparts often have to be. You also get to buy exactly what you want with the knowledge that it will always look the same, and you won’t have to invest a lot of time and energy into maintenance. Lastly, they help to avoid any potential staff issues with allergies, which could be a problem if you don’t consult with the team before introducing a new plant into the office space.
Getting The Right Advice For The Job
As you can probably tell, the decision between fake and real plants can be a difficult one. Based on their competitive benefits, it’s worth getting some extra advice from a team of experts before making a final decision. Bidvest ExecuFlora is here to help no matter where in South Africa your business is based. With offices in three provinces, our team can help with desk plants, general office plants, artificial plants and flowers, green walls and so much more. You’ll have a spruced up office space in no time at all, ready for your team to enjoy after a long stint of working from home during the pandemic.