Office Plants in South Florida — How Interiorscaping Boosts Productivity

The business case for office plants has evolved from "nice to have" to quantifiable competitive advantage. A 2015 Human Spaces study of 7,600 office workers across 16 countries found that employees in offices with natural elements reported 15% higher levels of well-being, 6% higher productivity, and 15% higher creativity scores. For a 50-person Brickell office paying average Miami market salaries, a 6% productivity gain represents approximately $300,000 in annual output — against a typical office interiorscaping program cost of $15,000-$40,000 per year.

This is why Class A office towers in Brickell and along Fort Lauderdale's Las Olas corridor are now specifying interior plant programs as part of their standard amenity packages — and why tenants in unplanted offices are asking for them.

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The WELL Building Standard — Plants as Certification Points

The WELL Building Standard (v2), administered by the International WELL Building Institute, includes specific credit categories relevant to interior plantscaping. Buildings pursuing WELL certification — increasingly required by institutional tenants in South Florida's premium office market — can earn points through:

• Mind 07 (Restorative Spaces): Interior plantscaping contributing to biophilic design features
• Mind 08 (Biophilic Design): Documented biophilic design strategy including plant programs
• Air 01 (Air Quality Standards): Air-purifying plant installations with documented VOC reduction

For property managers in Brickell, Downtown Miami, and the Fort Lauderdale CBD pursuing WELL certification as a leasing advantage, a professionally documented interior plant program can contribute 3-7 points toward certification thresholds. The documentation requirements are specific — use a FNGLA CLCP-certified interiorscaper who understands WELL documentation protocols.

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Best Plants by Office Zone

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Plant Rental vs. Purchase — The Commercial Decision

Most South Florida commercial interiorscaping programs use rental/service contracts rather than plant purchase. The economic argument is straightforward:

Plant rental program (typical):

• Monthly fee covers plants, containers, installation, and all maintenance
• Plants replaced free of charge when they decline
• Seasonal rotation included in premium contracts
• No capital expense; operational cost only
• Tax deductible as business operating expense

Plant purchase:

• Lower long-term cost IF plants survive
• Full maintenance cost is additional
• Replacement risk is yours
• Not practical for high-traffic or difficult environments

For most South Florida commercial properties — particularly Brickell high-rise offices, HOA amenity buildings, and hospitality venues — rental programs are the standard approach and the more financially rational choice below 200 plant count.

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The Toxicity Question for Office Plants

Several of South Florida's most effective low-light office plants are toxic to pets and mildly irritating to humans. This matters in two specific commercial contexts:

1. Pet-friendly offices (common in South Florida's creative sector — Wynwood, Coconut Grove tech companies): Species selection must exclude Pothos, Peace Lily, Snake Plant, ZZ Plant, and Philodendron.

2. Healthcare adjacent offices (medical office parks, hospital administrative offices): Low-allergen and non-toxic species required. Cast Iron Plant and Areca Palm are the workhorses for these settings.

For the complete guide to choosing a commercial interiorscaper in South Florida, see How Do I Choose a Qualified Interiorscaper in South Florida? in the FloridaLandscapeIQ Knowledge Base.

Find certified commercial interiorscapers through the Interiorscaper Directory.

Source: Human Spaces Global Report 2015; IWBI WELL v2 Standard; NASA Clean Air Study; FloridaLandscapeIQ Editorial Team, May 2026.