Ambius reports the trend in workplace greenery for fall 2010 favors rich and vibrant foliage in a kaleidoscope of dazzling autumnal hues.
“Autumn marks the transition from summer into winter as company workplaces seek to establish a crisp and lively back to work mood with their office plants this season,” said Roel Ventura, a Los Angeles-based design expert for Ambius. “Our clients are craving a kaleidoscope of red, orange, yellow and gold hues at the workplace which add spring to their step and warmth to their hearts.”
Ambius reports that the top five most desirable workplace plants and plant varieties for the American marketplace for the fall 2010 season are:
1. Rustic Orange Coleus (Solenostemon scutellarioides) – The Rustic Orange Coleus features a myriad of orange and golden tones throughout its multi-colored and uniform foliage.
2. Ornamental Pepper Plants (Capsicum annuum) – The small conical peppers on Ornamental Pepper Plants resemble flowers from a distance and look like Christmas tree lights.
3. Chinese Evergreen (Aglaonema Hybrid) – Native to the tropical rainforests of southeastern Asia, this breed of plant is sometimes referred to as “Chinese evergreen.” The Algaonema are very tolerant plants with variegated or green leaves which thrive in a variety of settings.
4. Fall Mums, also known as Hardy Mums or Garden Mums (Chrysanthemum morifolium) – These easy to care for mums come in a wide variation of colors, sizes, shape and types. The roots of this fall-blooming plant are traced to the ancient Chinese and Japanese empires.
5. Crotons (Codiaeum variegatum) – This tropical evergreen shrub sports glossy, multicolored foliage which add warm and cheer to a workplace.
Research clearly tells us that people do respond positively to the presence of plants in buildings. “Healthy, well-maintained plants in well-designed displays enhance the character and appearance of a building and improve the psychological and physical well-being of its occupants,” says Kenneth Freeman, International Technical Director at Ambius based in London who has led many research initiatives on the benefits of plants in the workplace. “Above all, interior landscaping has been shown to be a sound investment by reducing sickness absence, improving mental agility, increasing use of communal facilities and positively changing a person’s perception of a building.”