Having plants in your office is a great way to increase employee engagement. Find out how to help them thrive with this ebook.

1. Caring for plants
in your workplace
Tips on how to select and nurture your own
workplace garden
By Karen Schmidt
Frontline Leadership Expert

2. Caring for plants in your workplace
Page 2
What your plants say about your
organisation
Organisations large and small are all looking for ways to increase
productivity and engagement without spending a lot of money. Whilst I
talk to my clients about a variety of ways to achieve this, I always come
back to my central theme of “workplace gardening”. I believe that having
a great workplace is like having a great garden and that the leaders in a
workplace should think more like gardeners. I want to go one step
further and encourage people to have actual gardens at work in the form
of pot plants. Flowers on the reception desk can be nice but they are
dead. Plants are living and breathing organisms, like the living and
breathing organisms that inhabit offices.
I can tell a lot about an organisation simply by walking in the front door
and looking around at their office plants. To me, they are a marker of
what’s going on, what gets attention and what doesn’t. Here’s what I
mean . . .
•
Don’t have any? This is a sterile work environment that feels
unnatural
•
Have fake ones? From a distance it seems you care but up close
the truth comes out
•
Paying someone else to manage them? You probably want to
outsource all your HR too because you think its a waste of time
•
Hire them rather than own them? You don’t want long term
relationships with staff either
•
Covered in dust? They are neglected and left to fend for
themselves like your staff
•
Container full of dead leaves or rubbish? This signifies plant abuse
and a disrespect for nature
So if this list reminds you of where you work, do something about it!
Start a trend by bringing in your own plant and encourage others to do
the same. Pay some attention to any plants you do have and see if the
spirit of gardening can be ignited in your workplace.
Let’s Grow! © 2012
www.letsgrow.com.au

3. Caring for plants in your workplace
Page 3
The benefits of plants at work
Having plants in your workplace does more than simply provide a boost
to morale. There is scientific evidence on the role that plants play in
improving the productivity of your staff. Here are just some examples:
•
A 2004 study by Dr Virginia Lohr of Washington State University
found that students working in a computer laboratory that
contained plants were 12% more efficient than students performing
the same tasks in a room that was completely free of foliage.
•
Bio-Safe Incorporated found that sealed office environments are
often 10 times more polluted than the air outside. This can lead to
a marked increase in employee illness from poor indoor air quality.
However research has shown that plant-filled rooms contain 50%60% fewer airborne moulds and bacteria than rooms without
plants.
•
According to a study from Washington State University, plants
release moisture in an office environment creating a humidity level
matching the recommended human comfort range of 30% to 60%.
A comfortable office environment is definitely more conducive to
productivity.
•
A live study conducted in Norway found that introducing plants to
the workplace decreases absenteeism from 15% to 5%. It also
found that placing a plant near a worker or two could save a
company up to 10% of a person’s salary.
•
The Texas A&M University research team explored the link
between flowers and plants and workplace productivity. They
found that both women and men demonstrated more innovative
thinking, generating more ideas and original solutions to problems
in the office environment that included flowers and plants.
•
Research findings from The Foliage for Clean Air Council and
National Academy of Science concluded that the proper selection
and placement of indoor plants can lower building heating and
cooling costs by as much as 20%.
Let’s Grow! © 2012
www.letsgrow.com.au

4. Caring for plants in your workplace
Page 4
Selecting the right plants
According to the book “How to grow fresh air” by Dr B C Wolverton,
some of the best indoor plants for reducing toxins are:
Dieffenbachia
Lady Palm
Anthurium
Dracena
Poinsettia
Peace Lily
Boston Fern
Prayer Plant
Wax Begonia
Rubber plant
Let’s Grow! © 2012
Snake Plant
Bromeliad
(my favourite)
www.letsgrow.com.au

5. Caring for plants in your workplace
Page 5
10 tips to help your office plants
thrive
1.
Light
2.
Water
3.
Fertiliser
4.
Air quality
5.
Pests
6.
Cleaning
7.
Maintenance
8.
Soil
9.
Repotting
10. Give them a break
Let’s Grow! © 2012
www.letsgrow.com.au

6. Caring for plants in your workplace
1.
Page 6
Light
The two important factors for providing light to an indoor plant are
duration and intensity. In other words, how long the plants are exposed
to the light and the strength of the light.
The average plant needs 8 to 16 hours of light a day to thrive. That light
can come from overhead bulbs, with fluorescent being the best because
they provide a far more intense light than standard globes. However,
natural light from a window is even better so consider where you keep
your plant.
Whilst putting your plant in a room without windows might brighten up
the decor, you are going to shorten the life of your plant.
You may also need to move your plant around with the seasons.
Perhaps there is too much light and heat in Summer for your plant to sit
right next to the window but this might be ideal in Winter when the sun is
less intense and the days are shorter.
Some of the signs that your plant is not getting the right amount of light
can include burnt leaves, lack of flowers or loss of pigmentation on
variegated (multi-coloured) leaves.
Generally, plants that bloom, bare fruit or have variegated foliage need
more light than plants with plain green foliage.
Let’s Grow! © 2012
www.letsgrow.com.au

7. Caring for plants in your workplace
2.
Page 7
Water
Both under-watering and over-watering can be detrimental to your indoor
plant.
The best way to determine whether a plant needs water is to check the
soil moisture. Use your finger as most moisture meters are often
inaccurate. If you have soil sticking to your finger then the plant has
enough water. If your finger comes out clean then watering is required.
Most potted plants must be allowed to reach an appropriate level of
dryness in between watering. However, don’t leave it until the leaves are
drooping as some plants cannot recover from drying out completely.
Equally, over-watering a plant can result in root rot and other fungus
diseases. Over-watering is, in fact, the easiest way to kill a cactus.
Pour the water over the surface of the soil slowly until it begins to drain
out the bottom of the pot. Obviously this is best done over a sink unless
the pot comes with a built in saucer for capturing excess water. In the
case of plants such as Bromeliads, water should be poured into their
central “well” rather than the surrounding soil.
If you can, keep your plant in a pot that allows for watering from the
bottom as top-watering leaches minerals from the soil into the drain pan
which means you will need to fertilise your plant more often.
Also remember to water the leaves as many plants take in their water
this way. A spray bottle is best for this. There are some exceptions to
this rule so check on the type of plant you have before proceeding.
Let’s Grow! © 2012
www.letsgrow.com.au

8. Caring for plants in your workplace
3.
Page 8
Fertiliser
The role of fertiliser is to provide your plant with all the necessary
nutrients it needs to grow.
No matter how good the soil, every plant needs extra help to grow. In
nature this would be provided by animal droppings, rotting fruit and leaf
litter. Indoors you need to provide these nutrients instead.
You have two options when it comes to fertilising your indoor plant.
1. Apply a liquid fertiliser (such as Thrive or
Seasol) once a fortnight, pouring the solution
over the foliage and the soil
2. Use a slow release fertiliser (such as
Osmacote or fertiliser spikes) placed on top of
the soil once every 3 to 4 months
Each option has advantages and disadvantages. For example, liquid is
messier to apply and needs to be done more regularly, whilst the slow
release types can look messy in the pot or be forgotten about entirely.
Remember, over fertilising your plant can be just as harmful as not
fertilising at all.
If you have a more exotic plant (such as an African Violet or Orchid) you
may need to purchase a specific fertiliser rather than use a general
purpose product.
Let’s Grow! © 2012
www.letsgrow.com.au

9. Caring for plants in your workplace
4.
Page 9
Air quality
Moisture in the atmosphere is as important to human health and
wellbeing as it is to house plants.
The ideal humidity for plants and humans ranges from 35% to 65%.
Plants themselves are natural humidifiers so the drier the air the more
moisture a plant gives off.
Probably the simplest way to provide humidity for a plant is to mist its
leaves regularly.
Grouping plants together is also helpful as plant leaves will catch and
hold transpired moisture from neighbouring plants. The movement of
fresh, moist air helps plants to breathe, so when grouping plants
together always leave room for air circulation.
The average office plant has to deal with the affects of a highly unnatural
form of air . . . airconditioning.
You should avoid drafts or sudden changes of air temperature around
plants. Also watch out for placing them near devices that let off fumes or
steam, such as heaters, kettles or microwaves, so the kitchen may not
be the best position either.
Let’s Grow! © 2012
www.letsgrow.com.au

10. Caring for plants in your workplace
5.
Page 10
Pests
Careful inspection of new plants before bringing them into your office is
advisable. So if you were ever thinking of taking a plant from your
garden and turning it into an office plant make sure you check for pests
first. The last thing you want is an infestation!
However, despite your best efforts plants can still become infested with
pests, even indoors. The insects most commonly found on house plants
include:
•
•
•
•
mealybugs
spider mites
aphids
scale
Their impact can range from discolouring leaves and eating budding
flowers to stunting plant growth and causing the plant to die.
When pest control is necessary, non-toxic or less toxic substances can
offer effective control and are less likely to cause irritation to your
colleagues. Remember, one of the goals of having plants in the office is
to reduce the amount of toxins in the air so don’t add to them by using
chemical based pest control methods.
Some low toxic pest control ideas you can try are:
•
•
•
•
Pyrethrum based sprays
very weak solution of dishwashing liquid
cotton buds dipped in rubbing alcohol
insecticidal soaps
Of course you need to practice good hygiene and the follow the usual
occupational health and safety guidelines before using even low impact
products in your office.
Let’s Grow! © 2012
www.letsgrow.com.au

11. Caring for plants in your workplace
6.
Page 11
Cleaning
All plants can benefit from a clean every now and then. After all, they
need to keep their foliage clean so they can undertake the important
task of photosynthesis.
In the wild, rain would take care of this task plus the plant would not be
subject to as many man-made chemicals as it is in the average office.
However, in the workplace it is up to you to perform this task.
You really don’t need to use chemicals to do the job. Probably the
easiest methods involve using a damp cloth to wipe over the leaves
every few weeks or misting the plant using a spray bottle.
With larger plants it may be more practical to take them outside and use
a hose or a bucket of water or you could be in for a long and slow
process. Be careful not to rub too hard or you will damage the leaves.
Remember, if you have applied any pest control measures you will need
to re-apply them after the plant has been cleaned.
Let’s Grow! © 2012
www.letsgrow.com.au

12. Caring for plants in your workplace
7.
Page 12
Maintenance
In order to keep looking their best and to reduce the chances of pests
and disease becoming an issue, all indoor plants require some regular
maintenance.
Here are the four key tasks you should perform on a regular basis to
ensure your plant remains in good condition:
1.
Remove dead leaves or flower spikes that are still on the plant
or have fallen into the container
2.
Top up the soil with good quality potting mix to ensure the
roots remain covered at all times
3.
Turn the plant so that all the leaves get access to good light
and none are receiving too much light
4.
Give the pot a clean on the outside to keep it looking good too
Remember, the state of your plants can be a reflection on the state of
your office in general. Make it a habit to maintain your office plants on a
weekly or fortnightly basis and, if you are the prime carer of the plants, to
put in place a backup system so they are cared for if you are away for an
extended period.
Regular maintenance will also help you to pick up on any issues that
need addressing and it makes the job so much quicker and easier than if
you leave it for an extended period.
Let’s Grow! © 2012
www.letsgrow.com.au

13. Caring for plants in your workplace
8.
Page 13
Soil
At some point in the life of your plant the time will come to replace the
soil. This happens for a number of reasons, including the soil becoming
water repellent or infected by some of kind of disease or insect.
Garden experts advise that it is a good idea to change the soil for pot
plants at least once a year, more if the plant you are growing requires a
high level of nutrients such as flowering or fruiting plants.
It is vital that you use a good quality potting mix rather than actual soil
from your own garden or you risk introducing pests and disease. The
potting mix you choose should be matched to the plant you are growing
especially when dealing with Cactus, African Violets or Orchids as
growing them in standard potting mix can at worst kill them or at the very
least prevent them from flowering.
Remember when handling potting mix that it may contain air borne
particles. You need to be careful when opening the bag that you don’t
inhale any of them. A good rule is to also wear gloves so that none of
the potting mix can enter your skin and cause an infection.
When topping up the soil in a pot do not cover up the stem of the plant
as this will inhibit growth. Simply fill up to the level of the original soil.
Finally, there are extra products you can add to your potting mix to help
with water retention and fertilising. Ask at your local garden store what
they recommend.
Let’s Grow! © 2012
www.letsgrow.com.au

14. Caring for plants in your workplace
9.
Page 14
Repotting
If you are looking after your plant and it is growing and thriving then the
time will eventually come for you to consider repotting it.
Generally a plant can stay in a pot for up to 2 years. Without repotting
the plant risks becoming root bound with roots even starting to grow
outside the pot. This can also cause the pot to crack as the plant
struggles to grow in a confined space.
Choose a new pot that is large enough for the plants medium term
needs so that you don’t have to repeat the process too often. Also make
sure you introduce a good quality potting mix and remove as much of
the old mix as you can as it is likely to no longer contain the necessary
nutrients the plant needs to grow.
Make sure you “tease out” the existing roots so they have a chance to
find their way into the new soil. If you need to cut off some roots don’t
take off too many or the plant may not survive.
Depending on the plant you may also need to stake it for a while to help
it adjust to it’s new environment and allow the roots to take hold in the
new soil.
Whenever you disturb the root system you may cause the plant to
"react" or go into shock. This reaction could be in the form of dropping
leaves, drooping or wilting leaves and brown tips. You need to pay the
plant extra attention at this time, in the form of water and fertiliser, to
help it through.
Let’s Grow! © 2012
www.letsgrow.com.au

15. Caring for plants in your workplace
10.
Page 15
Give them a break
All plants are naturally designed to grow outdoors so the term “indoor
plant” is actually a myth. What you are really dealing with is a plant that
requires lower levels of light to grow.
This means that from time to time you need to take your indoor plants
outside. This is also important when you consider the chemicals that are
present in the average office, chemicals that are not always good for
plants.
Some people like to have a few different plants so they can regularly
“rest them” outside before bringing them back inside. This also gives you
the opportunity to have some variety in your plants.
When placing your indoor plant outside you need to consider not only
the amount of light it will receive but whether it will be exposed to
damaging winds, attack by pests or animals and even harm from people
brushing past or using the pot as an ashtray!
Remember, the goal is to bring your plant back inside in better condition
than when it went out so think carefully about where you rest your plant.
Some people even go as far as putting a sign on it so no one thinks it
has been abandoned.
Let’s Grow! © 2012
www.letsgrow.com.au

16. Caring for plants in your workplace
Page 16
About the author
Karen Schmidt from Let’s Grow! is an award winning
speaker, workshop leader, facilitator and coach who has a
passion for growing managers into engaging leaders.
Karen’s philosophy is simple . . . she believes that being a
great leader is like being a great gardener. She uses this
philosophy to help people understand how to develop a more
natural approach to leading that yields results.
Originally a Human Resources practitioner, Karen has been
nurturing frontine leaders for more than 20 years.
Her experience comes from working with organisations of all shapes and sizes
representing industries as diverse as IT, financial services, direct selling,
manufacturing, education, retail, the military and professional associations. Along the
way she has led teams of permanent, temporary and volunteer workers.
To add to her practical experience she holds a degree in Adult Education and
formal qualifications in Human Resource Management and Facilitation. She is
the author of “Lessons in leading from the garden” and “Keep ‘em keen: a guide
for managers on engaging people of all ages and career stages”.
Today she works with frontline leaders across Australia, New Zealand and Asia in a
diverse range of industries to help them create more engaging workplaces. Her
clients include corporates, government departments, professional associations,
educational institutions and community groups.
Karen continues to grow her knowledge base and practical experience through her
membership of organisations such as the National Speakers Association of
Australia, Australian Institute of Management and the Institute of Learning
Professionals.
She has been recognised by the International Federation for Professional Speakers
as a Certified Speaking Professional (CSP), the highest level of accreditation for
speaker’s internationally and held by only 10% of members. Karen was the winner of
the National Speakers Association of Australia (NSAA) QLD "Speaker of the year"
award in 2006. She is the NSAA Queensland Chapter 2012 President.
In her spare time she likes to volunteer at her local community garden and grow her
skills as a social ballroom dancer.
Let’s Grow! © 2012
www.letsgrow.com.au

17. Caring for plants in your workplace
Page 17
Lessons in leading from the garden
How thinking like a gardener will make you a better leader
There are many similarities between creating a thriving garden and
creating a thriving organisation.
Whether you have one pot plant sitting on your desk (one employee)
or a plot of land that would rival the botanic gardens (many
employees) the basic rules are the same. Get it right and your plants
will thrive (your people will grow). Get it wrong and you will be left with
a dead and dying garden (high turnover or worse, high
disengagement). Gardening can be a rewarding pursuit. There is
nothing better than seeing plants grow even if there is hard work
involved and a long gap between effort and result (just like leading a
team).
So what can business leaders learn from gardeners about what it takes to nurture their
teams and get their organisation to bloom? Discover the secrets to naturally engaging
leadership in this easy to read and practical book that will introduce you to:
•
•
•
•
•
•
The basic principles of “workplace gardening”
12 simple activities that grow more productive people
Keeping engagement at the heart of everything you do
5 qualities naturally engaging leaders cultivate
Getting your leaders working as a team to maximise their results
Detailed guide to nurturing the next crop of engaging leaders
Now available in 2 formats:
Printed softcover book
Ebook
A$27.50
A$16.50
To order your copy visit www.letsgrow.com.au
Let’s Grow! © 2012
www.letsgrow.com.au

18. Caring for plants in your workplace
Page 18
Keep ‘em keen
A guide for managers on engaging people of all ages and career
stages
It used to be that the biggest staffing problem managers had to deal
with was high turnover. Today, the real issue is engagement . . .
finding ways to get staff to do more than just turn up to work
physically. It’s about finding ways to engage them mentally and
emotionally.
For some organisations lack of engagement is an ongoing issue, for
others it is more circumstantial. Whatever the cause the result is the
same: lack of engagement is a real issue with real costs attached.
Find out what it takes to keep your people keen at work by learning about:
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
How to tell if your people are Green, Keen, Mean or Has Beens
Why “engageability” is a critical factor when hiring new people
What it really costs to have less than engaged people
Tips for dealing with the “deadwood” in your organisation
3 keys to creating a highly productive workforce
The secrets to engaging people of all generations
Effective ways to engage people no matter what their career stage
The simple strategies that separate engaging managers from the rest
Plus all the latest engagement terminology so you can sound like an expert
Now available in 2 formats:
Printed softcover book
Ebook
A$27.50
A$16.50
To order your copy visit www.letsgrow.com.au
Let’s Grow! © 2012
www.letsgrow.com.au