Whether it’s welcoming a new team member, celebrating a company milestone or acknowledging a colleague's great work, navigating the world of employee gifting can be a little overwhelming.
Many traditional employee gift options such as fancy hampers or alcohol can often promote unnecessary waste or are not aligned with the values many companies want to promote, such as health & well-being or sustainability.
In recent years, companies have shifted towards more sustainable and inclusive gift options. The focus is now heavily placed on finding a gift option that team members can keep and enjoy for longer and that is kind for their health and the planet.
We believe the answer is plants.
And here’s why…
3 Health Benefits of Gifting Plants
Did you know that, beyond aesthetics, plants offer some pretty powerful health and wellbeing benefits?! Gifting your employees plants could help them…
💨Breathe Better
Did you know that the air inside your home or workplace can actually be worse than the air in the middle of a city?! This is because pollutants get in, but they find it extremely hard to get out.
Bacteria and viruses stick around the home or office, leading to a higher chance of illness. Airborne dust levels can rise, and home appliances and furnishings such as carpets, paint and printers can give off pollutants called volatile organic compounds VOCs. These pollutants can build up in the air and irritate your eyes and skin, worsen your asthma, or make it hard for you to breathe.
The good news is that houseplants can soak up these VOCs. NASA's extensive research revealed that plants could remove up to 87% of toxins in the air in just 24 hours! You can think of plant leaves as lungs, breathing in unclean air and releasing fresh, clean oxygen.
🧠Feel Better
Being cooped up inside all day with little opportunity to get outside can wreak havoc on our wellbeing. Bringing greenery into the home not only brightens up your surroundings but can deliver a much-needed mood boost and work wonders on our physical and emotional health.
But why is this?
Plants have been used as part of a natural form of therapy for decades due to the influential association of green with feelings of relaxation and calm. Numerous studies suggest that interacting with nature in some form can help reduce stress, lower blood pressure, encourage faster healing and increase overall happiness.
One such study by the University of Essex for mental health charity “Mind” found that 94% of people who exercised in green spaces felt it benefited their mental health!
Around the world, ‘green prescriptions’ are now being issued to patients suffering from poor mental health to dose up with walks in nature or community gardening programmes.
😴 Sleep Better
Getting the recommended seven to eight hours of sleep per night can be difficult. As soon as our heads hit the pillows, our minds become busy- thinking about what happened during the day and everything we need to do tomorrow.
Sounding familiar?
Well, you are not alone! In fact, according to a study by the National Sleep Foundation, approximately 51% of adults worldwide are getting less sleep than required.
If you find that your sleep is suffering, rather than turning to medication, why not take a natural approach and seek the assistance of the humble houseplant?
Having plants in your bedroom is a great way to make the space feel like a sanctuary, a place where you can escape the stresses of the day. But plants do more than create an oasis-like atmosphere; they purify the air and replenish oxygen.
Studies have shown that house plants like Sansevieria trifasciata (snakeskin plant) release oxygen during the night and increase quality respiration while you sleep. Other outdoor plant foliage like lavender and jasmine have a soothing vapour that can lead to a more restful sleep.
If that wasn’t impressive enough, plants with large leaf surface areas also can absorb sound and create a sense of tranquillity, making them the perfect addition to busy households!
Best plant gifts for employees
Call us biased, but… with so many varieties & styles out there, we truly believe there’s a plant for everyone.
For the creative colleague 👉 DIY Plant Kits
For the team members who like to get stuck in and get their hands dirty (quite literally!) Our DIY Terrariums are the perfect gift where the recipient can unwind, get creative & walk away with a brand new plant creation. From Terrariums & Kokedama to Container Herbs & bee-friendly havens, we have a kit to suit all styles and interests!
For the busy colleague 👉 Low-maintenance terrarium
Have a team member who’s always in a rush? Or perhaps you’re not sure if they are blessed with a green thumb? Terrariums are an excellent option that offers maximum effect with minimal maintenance. We stock a variety of ready-made terrarium options online.
For the desk-proud colleague 👉 Desk plants
Plants can transform an ordinary work environment into something living and breathing. They can increase the humidity around your desk, remove toxins from the air, and add a touch of style to your workspace. Some of the most popular desk-friendly options include the Snake Plant, Spider Plant, Aloe Vera Plant, Devil’s Ivy Plant or Succulents.
For the health-conscious colleague 👉 Air-purifying plants
Have a colleague that needs a little TLC? Give them the gift of clean air & better sleep with our pick of the best air-purifying plants. We recommend the Snake plant, Areca Palm or Peace Lily. Placed beside their desk in the office or beside their bed at home, these three plants will offer some seriously great aesthetic AND health benefits.
Ready to treat your team to the power of plants?
You can shop all plants mentioned above directly from our online plant store. For large or custom orders, reach out to our team today for a personalised quote: team@plantstore.ie. We offer delivery across Ireland & Northern Ireland & flexible payment options
