The best plants to help you concentrate

Staring at the same four walls all day can be quite unmotivating. Trying to stay productive has never been harder, and with more distractions than we can count, working from home can be difficult.

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Houseplants are a great way of bringing nature into our homes. Without plants, we simply wouldn’t have the means to survive. As well as providing us with nutrients, clean air and something pretty to look at, a selection of plants have been said to increase concentration and create a calm working environment.

There are many benefits to draw from different plants; multiple studies have proven their ability to increase concentration and uplift spirits when working. By adding plants to your workspace, not only will you be creating an office you're proud of, that looks homely and vibrant with life, you’ll be creating an area you actually want to work in.

There’s a whole lot of science behind flowers and plants and how we as humans can benefit from them, in more ways than one. Sometimes it's simple, it could just be that right now we miss the outside world more than ever. Having something from the outside world, alive and to care for at home, could be the perfect way to boost your mood and not only improve your focus, but your wellbeing, too.

Related: The best products to bring nature into your home

With plants for clean air and plants for a clear mind, you’ll be amazed at how the addition can affect your mood and your productivity.

Find the right plant for you and your home, whether you’re looking for a sense of calm or something uplifting, you’ll find something in our list to bring life into your workspace.

Please note: some of these plants are known to be toxic to cats, dogs and other pets. Please check each plant and its toxicity to your furry friend, before bringing one into your home.

Rosemary:

Working from home, a plant like Rosemary could be your solution to procrastination. The scent is known to impact your mood, making you feel fresher and more active. Simply inhaling the scent will help you focus and clear your mind for work.

Rosemary has been used for centuries to help improve both concentration and memory. A [2018 study](https://www.ajol.info/index.php/bafm/article/view/169943w/169943) into the effect of rosemary found that it worked on students to improve their short-term memory, with significant differences and an increase in overall productivity.

Keep this one on your desk, for sure.

Jasmine plant:

The jasmine plant has an enticing fragrance, believed to reduce stress and act as an anti-depressant. Aromatherapy expert, Beverly Hawkins, finds that due to the calming and sedative nature of its properties, jasmine is great for dispelling fear and uplifting one’s mood.

Once your mind feels uplifted and relieved of anxieties, you’re in a better place for more productive work with improved concentration and focus.

The addition of a sweet-smelling jasmine plant in your workspace will keep you uplifted, even on the longest of days.

Lavender:

Lavender is well known for its calming properties, but did you know lavender can help improve your focus, too?

A scent that everyone’s familiar with, lavender can work to relieve stress and anxious emotions. Removing nerves and negative emotions can have a soothing effect on the brain and open it up to more positive and productive focus.

Who doesn’t want more positivity in their office? Place a lavender plant in your workspace and see how your environment transforms into a calming place to work.

Peace lily plant:

Peace lilies are powerful plants that work to purify the air in your home environment.

In NASA’s Plants for Indoor Air Pollution study, they found that the peace lily was the master of removing air pollutants. NASA’s work discovered that the peace lily absorbed benzene, formaldehyde, xylene, toluene, ammonia and trichloroethylene. As well as being bad for your body, these gases can disrupt your clarity and affect the way that you think.

Working in an environment clear of toxins and air pollutants will have a great impact on your focus.

With clear air comes a clear mind!

Spider plant:

If you’re someone that can’t seem to keep a plant alive for very long, try a spider plant. One of the easiest plants to look after, only needing to be watered occasionally, it can thrive in almost any home environment.

Also included in NASA’s Plants for Indoor Air Pollution study, the spider plant clears the air of both xylene and formaldehyde.

With the addition of a spider plant, your workspace should feel clearer and less stuffy.

Rose plant:

Not only are roses pretty to observe, but studies have also found that simply looking at roses can loosen up the mind and soothe troubles that could be getting in the way of work.

Bloom & Wild found that 75% of participants in its ‘Flower Power’ experiment felt a reduction in their stress levels after putting flowers in their workspace.

So, if you’re looking for a flowering plant that will boost your mood in the office, then a rose plant is for you.

Your new plant friends deserve a home worthy of their greatness. Check out our favourite plant pots and accessories to keep your plants thriving.

Creating the perfect workspace at home? Read more:

The best budget monitors for PC

Closet office: all the best inspiration plus how to create your own

The best office chairs for your home office

Home office decor ideas that will make working from home a breeze

Angelica Daujotas is a storytelling executive at Bauer Media where she tests products for What's The Best.