Keeping plants in your study or office can help lift your mood and increase your productivity.
Watering the plants can be scheduled as a meeting, so do set up a reminder to water them at the allotted time.
For those on a tight schedule, self-sustaining varieties like Rubber Plant or Peperomia are ideal.
Caring for the plants can be a mental break and can help restore the work-life equilibrium.
Working from home can be comfortable, but it can also be difficult to properly balance work tasks with houseplant maintenance.
To put things into perspective, adding greenery can improve productivity levels, while 74% of employees feel happy when working remotely (Source: Strong DM).
With the right approach, both plants and remote work can easily coexist.
In this blog, we’re going to share tips that are both practical and easy to implement to help you manage your schedule while attending to your plants.
Make sure to continue reading to find the most fitting arrangement for your workstation.
Why Houseplants and Remote Work are the Oasis You Want
Houseplants are not only a space beautifier; they come with many physical and psychological advantages, particularly for remote workers.
Studies show that maintaining domestic ones also aids in air purification, stress relief, and increasing productivity.
For people spending over eight hours staring at a screen, it is best to have some greenery within sight as it helps bring additional relaxation and equilibrium.
Moreover, some plants are able to assist in regulating the home climate as well, functioning as an air conditioning unit right at your desk.
The data below shows that the indoor plants market size is forecast to increase by USD 6.41 billion at a CAGR of 5.1% between 2024 and 2029.
Blending Plant Care into Your Daily Workflow
Balancing plant care with work online requires nurturing those plants in a way that feels seamless with their daily rhythm, not just the task at hand.
Here are some practical ways to achieve that:
One Smart List: How to Keep Your Plants Happy Without Breaking Focus
Create a Watering Schedule:
You can consider assigning watering days to your calendar just like you handle or schedule work meetings.
For example, designate Wednesdays and Sundays for checking on and watering your plants.
You can also go with phone reminders or calendar notifications to make this consistent.
Leverage Automation Tools
Use self-watering planters or drip irrigation systems for particularly thirsty plants, as these do the heavy lifting so you don’t have to think about them every day.
Take Micro-Breaks with a Purpose
Instead of scrolling through your phone during a coffee break, do a quick “plant patrol.”
A 5-minute check-in can be a refreshing way to disconnect from digital overload and keep your plants in check.
Make Plants Part of Your Workspace
Position houseplants in close reach so you are able to interact and engage with them, such as on your desktop, windowsill, or even bookshelves.
Choosing the Right Green Companions
If you are working from home and have limited time, getting a plant with low maintenance is the best choice.
The Rubber Plant is ideal for people who often overlook watering their plants when working remotely.
It does very well in low light conditions and only needs watering when the soil is completely dry.
Even more resilient is the Ponytail Palm, which can survive without water for long periods of time.
For those looking for small desk plants, Peperomia is perfect as it comes in various vibrant colors.
They only need fluorescent light, and their compact size makes them ideal for desks and perfectly suits your busy schedule.
Do You Know? 66% of American households own at least one houseplant. 33.1 million U.S
Plants as Part of Your Wellness Practice
Remote work can easily change how we balance work and personal time, but what if caring for plants became a method to pause or reset for the day?
Engaging your senses by feeling the soil or watching fresh sprouts may help ground you, as this reminds us how many things in life require time and patience.
Indulge in a routine of plant care and clear your mind while feeling a sense of daily achievement.
Final Thought: Grow Where You’re Planted
Balancing an online work routine with houseplants is possible with the implementation of a few simple strategies.
Use set reminders and schedules for low-maintenance plants, such as cacti, and utilize breaks more strategically for better efficiency.
In my case, I think that tending to plants during the workday helps create a pleasant break and simultaneously improves my workstation.
Looking at it from this angle, I believe even the busiest remote workers can enhance their wellness by incorporating these strategies of greenery, colorful plants, and refreshing elements around the house.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why must I keep plants if I am working from home?
Keeping plants aids in attaining tranquility, focus, and environmental well-being.
How do I go about remembering to water my plants?
Just like meetings, plant watering can be placed in calendars, or alerts can be programmed into phones.
What are some easy plants for beginners?
Rushed people include under easy plants the Rubber Plant, Ponytail Palm, and Peperomia.
Does looking after plants help with stress?
Absolutely, relaxation, health, and breaks are all sustained through caring for the plants.
