The honest answer: there’s real research behind the benefits, but ROI shouldn’t be inflated into one magic number.
In this article
What the research says
The most-cited field study (Nieuwenhuis et al., 2014, University of Exeter) found that, versus lean plant-free offices, offices with plants improved perceived air quality, concentration, satisfaction and objective productivity. The popular "15% productivity" claim stems from this research, but the paper emphasises multiple improvements, not a single percentage — cite carefully.
How to think about ROI
Productivity (small gains × payroll are significant); retention and hiring (environment affects satisfaction and employer brand); brand and ESG (client perception, ESG narrative, WELL/BEAM Plus points); rent vs buy (rental = zero capex for flexible spaces, buy + maintenance cheaper long-term for fixed).
Honest caveat
A systematic review finds overall ROI evidence for workplace-health interventions inconclusive, with plants not singled out. Treat greening as a low-cost, multi-benefit investment — not a guaranteed hard payback.
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