Impact of interior plants on human stress and
productivity
 
This study was conducted in a computer lab at Washington
State University. Subjects asked to participate in
an experiment to measure stress levels in people using
computers. Subjects were randomly assigned to be
tested in the computer lab when plants were absent or when
they were present. Interior plants, when present,
were placed around the sides of the room. Subjects' blood
pressure and emotions were monitored while they performed
a slightly stressful computer task that measured reaction
times in response to seeing and decoding the shape of a
simple object on the screen.
When plants were added to the lab, the subjects were
more productive (12% quicker reactions on the computer
task) and less stressed (systolic blood pressure
lower). They also reported feeling more attentive
when the plants were present.
The following article discusses this research, which
was partially supported by the American Floral
Endowment and the Horticultural Research
Institute.
Lohr, V.I., C.H. Pearson-Mims, and G.K. Goodwin. 1996. Interior
plants
may
improve worker productivity and reduce stress in a
windowless environment. J. of Environmental
Horticulture 14(2):97-100. Full
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