We all know that plants have a soothing effect when placed in our homes, offices, and other places. Aside from enhancing one’s interior aesthetics, they are known to filter and improve the quality of the air, and produce significant benefits on your mental health. Humans also have a profound need to be exposed to nature because it directly affects our very emotional well-being.
But do artificial plants have the same benefits as real plants? More people are taking on many plants as a hobby, but it can seem laborious when you don’t have sufficient time to look after them.
The Pros And Cons Of Artificial Plants
When trying to pick out plants, you have the option to choose from either artificial, preserved, and living ones. Before making the purchase, it is important to decide which kind of plant will be best suited for your home office or office space.
1. Maintenance
If you do not have a lot of time to look after plants, artificial and preserved plants are an excellent low maintenance option that ensures the presence of greenery in your office space. After all, living plants will tend to wilt if there is no one assigned to take care of them, whereas non-living plants only require minimal dusting or misting (for some species).
Depending on the medium in which they are grown, living plants may also attract insects and/or other pests that may be undesirable for anyone to see; resultantly, generating extra unnecessary costs to get rid of them and other inconveniences. Unless you use sterilized soil or foam for real plants, artificial and preserved plants may be a preferred option.
2. Sustainability
Plants are known to convert carbon dioxide to oxygen, a vital process not only to ensure you live, but also to improve the air quality, which therefore improves your overall well-being. Instead of heavily investing funds in air filters, they can minimize the pollutants in your air, while also, simultaneously decorating the area they are in.
This characteristic of real plants is crucial for those who stay in a closed space, such as an office. Furthermore, greenery in the workplace is known to significantly reduce stress.
Unfortunately, artificial and preserved plants cannot convert carbon dioxide into oxygen. Artificial plants may even increase your carbon footprint, as its manufacturing, logistical and disposal processes are hazardous to the environment. Most are manufactured from factories, and are mostly composed of chemicals and other synthetic substances. Shipping them also uses fuel, extra plastic packaging, pallets & crates. Finally, for disposal, they would take up to more than 30 years (reaching up to more than hundreds of years) to degrade. In turn, however, artificial plants are easily mass produced, making them a much cheaper option.
3. Accessibility & Availability
There are various decorative plants available in nature; some of which are harder to find. For instance, a rare flower might be the perfect addition to an office space you have in mind, but it may be difficult to find a seller for it, or the supply for it will be incredibly limited. Not to mention, not all species are capable of surviving in interior conditions.
Aside from availability issues, living plants are generally an expensive option, as they require extensive care such as watering, lighting, pruning and ensuring pests do not infest the plant (or the space). Most are required to be replaced often too. When they are in transit, there are also more risks & costs involved associated with real plants because of the logistic concerns faced.
Conversely, artificial plants are more easily transported and readily available for purchase anywhere. They are conveniently reusable many times for any time of the day/season, as well. They do not have to be placed in specific conditions to sustain moisture and are not prone to wilting. You also don’t have to think about your water bill going up once they make themselves at home.
4. Artificial Plants May Come Off As Tacky
There is a tendency to turn one’s nose up when anyone finds themselves allured by a plant, which turns out to be artificial. Depending on your taste, it can be considered a reflection of the difficult financial situation of the buyer.
The high maintenance and expensive nature of real plants has become a prestigious status symbol. Guests & clients are more likely to admire a properly maintained office with captivating lush greenery than one adorned with plastic leaves & foliage. Living plants offer scent and texture as well, that can rarely be imitated by an artificial one, making them more desirable.
5. More Options…Means More Style!
Similar to the many novel ways of designing Christmas trees, artificial plants have the liberty of looking unique and being its own identity. They can be of any design, color, or shape and can even be akin to a sculpture. Through this, a decorative plant can also become a work of art.
Redesigning artificial plants allows the interior designer to be more imaginative, creating a sense of modernity. Instead of being a tacky alternative to real living plants, now they can present the owner with a subtle impression to be forward-thinking.
Lastly, without the restrictions on storage conditions that real plants have, artificial plants will give interior designers the freedom to design for any environment, whether for a residential or commercial location. This iteration of plants will inspire a new wave of creative art & innovation to expand more portfolios motivated by nature.
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Figuring out which furniture will complement the greenery scenery in your office might be a challenging task.
Feel free to contact our Movado Interiors team for years of expertise in interior design and discover more Movado furniture that can elevate your office space!
Reach us at info@movadointeriors.com for more information!