The Peace Lily: Fragrant Indoor Plants Perfect For A Stress-free Workspace

Stress is common in the workplace. According to the American Institute of Stress, 80 percent of workers experience stress on the job. What's more, 40 percent of employees said their jobs are "very" or "extremely" stressful. As a manager, you want your people to be happy and engaged—not stressed and checked out. You will be happy to know that adding office plants to your space can reduce employee stress.

Many studies have found that plants can reduce stress levels in the workplace. The "why" boils down to this: Plants have both physical and psychological effects on the human body. And there is a connection between the two. From a physical point of view, plants clean the air. About 45 years ago, environmental scientist Bill Wolverton partnered with NASA to study the ability of plants to clean up wastewater.

Peace Lily is one of the most popular and beautiful indoor plants in the world. Historically, it has been used for its calming and uplifting effects on the mind and body. It is an excellent plant for those who are looking for ways to reduce stress and increase relaxation.

Able to survive in low-light areas, the peace lily is a low-maintenance plant that produces beautiful white flowers. It can rid indoor air of toxins common in the workplace, from formaldehyde and benzene to acetone and mold spores.

Peace lilies prefer soil that can drain and retain moisture. Mixed potting mixes with textures are common for peace lilies, Prolific and productive peace lilies require a growing medium that is able to hold some water but still drains well. Peace lily plants also require acidic soil with a pH range between 5.8 and 6.5. Easy peace lily potting medium consists of a 2:2:1 mixture of standard houseplant compost, sand and bark or perlite.

Peace lilies are a good choice for low-light locations because they can grow in shade or partial shade. They also tolerate fluorescent lights, so if you need a plant friend to liven up your desk at the office, peace lilies are a good choice.

Peace lilies like to be watered a lot at once, but also need to dry out afterwards. When thirsty, the plant sways slightly, telling it when it needs to drink. If you pay attention to when it usually starts to clear up, you can plan to water the day before it usually does

Like many houseplants, the peace lily cannot be propagated by leaf or stem cuttings. The propagation process of peace lilies is similar to that of succulents or aloes, using a process of division.

"You want to divide parts of the mother plant to produce more plants," says Marino. "This is best done with a mature plant, as the different sections you can divide will be more obvious."