Modern workplaces are evolving into environments that feel more comfortable, supportive and human. As hybrid working becomes more common, the purpose of the office is shifting.
People now come in for collaboration, focus and a sense of connection, rather than simply occupying a desk. Biophilic design plays a central role in this shift, helping soften corporate spaces with natural textures, tones and forms.
Read about the conceptual foundations of biophilia in Biophilic Design Principles. This article takes a more practical approach: how to apply biophilic thinking in an office using botanicals that are reliable, low-maintenance and suited to a commercial environment.
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Why Do Dried, Preserved, and Artificial Botanicals Suit Offices Better Than Live Plants?
Live plants are wonderful when the conditions are right, but offices don’t often offer the stability they need. Many workspaces have limited natural light, fluctuating temperatures and mechanical ventilation that dries the air.
Watering routines can be inconsistent, and shared workplaces bring allergen and fragrance sensitivities into consideration.
Dried, preserved and artificial botanicals avoid these issues while still supporting biophilic aims. Preserved foliage keeps its natural colour and texture for years with almost no intervention.
Dried stems introduce warm, earthy tones and tactile interest without relying on sunlight or humidity. Artificial plants step in where neither dried nor preserved materials would last, particularly in windowless meeting rooms, corridors or heavily used areas.
Importantly, these botanicals offer consistency. Live planting can vary dramatically across a building depending on proximity to windows and heat sources.
By comparison, dried, preserved, and artificial pieces stay looking as intended, making them ideal for larger commercial layouts where uniformity helps maintain a cohesive interior scheme.
Different botanical types bring their own strengths:
- Dried flowers add softness and depth, introducing muted tones that can calm busy environments.
- Preserved foliage retains the authenticity of natural greenery without the care requirements of a living plant.
- Artificial plants provide lasting structure and greenery in low-light or high-traffic zones.
For designers, these alternatives allow natural influence to be incorporated almost anywhere in the office, even where live plants wouldn’t survive.
How Do You Choose the Right Botanicals for Each Office Zone?
Each area of a workplace has its own purpose, atmosphere and practical considerations. A professional florist or interior stylist will adapt their choices accordingly.
Reception and Entrance Areas
Reception spaces set the tone for the whole workplace, so botanicals here need presence and clarity.
- Preserved foliage works beautifully when you want greenery with long-term stability. It carries the organic textures of a living plant without needing full daylight or watering. Eucalyptus, ruscus and ferns work beautifully in reception environments as they hold their colour and structure over long periods.
- Sculptural dried elements, such as pampas, create height and movement. The different varieties of pampas grass can help build different aesthetics, so take care when choosing the right style for a brand’s identity.
- Where natural light is limited, artificial planting ensures a polished, welcoming look. Many reception styles use these to great effect, but some can either overpower the environment or fade into the background. The best artificial plants for a reception area often have a lot to do with space concerns and branding.
- Moss walls are a powerful biophilic statement. They provide a rich, calming backdrop of natural texture, improve acoustics and require no watering. Flat moss and reindeer moss add depth and softness without overwhelming the space. Moss and moss art often rely on different textures of moss to create that interesting visible aspect, and research into the right colours and types of moss to see which would work the best for you.
- Large artificial statement plants. Where sunlight is limited, artificial trees or large faux foliage pieces ensure the space remains polished.
Biophilic Ideas for Receptions
Layered textures, like moss walls and dried grass arrangements, work well to bring in a biophilic atmosphere. With a natural tonal palette of greens, creams, and sand tones, it welcomes visitors gently with subtle repetition in the forms of mirrored arrangements on either side of the entrance for balance. The aim is to create a strong first impression that signals warmth and professionalism.
Meeting Rooms
- Dried stems and simple preserved arrangements soften hard surfaces while keeping visual noise to a minimum. Olive branches, eucalyptus and preserved ferns bring gentle greenery without maintenance.
- These materials also suit shared spaces because they contain no pollen, something often considered in workplaces where lots of different people will be working for several hours a day. Choosing the right flowers or type of flower can boil down to whether dried flowers can trigger allergies.
- Artificial plants work well in boardrooms and enclosed meeting areas where natural light is minimal.
Here, botanicals are there to bring balance, not attention. Choose materials with calming textures (moss, soft grasses, muted greens). Use curved forms to reduce visual tension and support more relaxed interactions.
Breakout and Social Spaces
- Layered dried grasses add texture and warmth.
- Bunny tails, which have become popular for their gentle movement and velvety appearance, help soften shared seating areas. Bunny tail grass is an interesting plant and can form the foundations of very interesting floral installations.
- Preserved ferns and airy stems offer a relaxed, approachable feel.
These spaces benefit from arrangements that feel inviting rather than structured. Opt for warm neutrals and gentle greens to promote comfort.
Open-plan Workspaces
- Repeated arrangements of small preserved or dried elements help create rhythm without becoming distracting.
- Lower arrangements work best, maintaining openness while softening large areas.
- Repeating small dried arrangements: Wheat, broom bloom, mini pampas or delicate grasses create rhythm without taking over.
- Preserved tabletop foliage: Low eucalyptus arrangements maintain greenery while keeping sightlines open.
The goal is harmony and consistency rather than standout, high-impact pieces. Use repetition for cohesion across desks or departments. Mix botanical textures with wood, felt or woven materials to soften acoustics. Pair botanicals with natural light sources where possible.
Low-light, Awkward or High-traffic Zones
- Corridors, secondary seating areas, corners and windowless rooms all benefit from artificial plants, which withstand changing conditions and frequent handling.
- Natural-looking faux foliage can blend seamlessly with preserved or dried elements when styled well, something demonstrated in design-focused discussions like how to make faux plants look real.
- Keeping them looking fresh is straightforward; our guide on how to clean artificial plants outlines simple maintenance steps.
Artificial options ensure visual continuity wherever natural materials reach their limit.
How Do You Maintain Dried, Preserved and Artificial Botanicals in an Office?
Maintenance is refreshingly simple compared to caring for live plants.
- Dust dried and preserved arrangements gently.
- Keep preserved foliage away from strong sunlight to avoid fading.
- Avoid high humidity around dried flowers.
- Wipe artificial plants occasionally to maintain their realism.
More detailed tips can be found in guides on caring for dried flowers and cleaning artificial plants.
A light seasonal refresh is usually enough to keep everything looking its best.
How do Botanical Choices Support Sustainable and Cost-conscious Office Design?
For a biophilic office, dried, preserved, and artificial botanicals offer longevity, reducing the need for frequent replacements – making it more environmentally friendly and less stress on office staff to keep on top of.
They require no watering and generate minimal waste. For organisations looking to balance aesthetics with practicality, these materials offer a stable, budget-friendly way to maintain a natural feel across their office environment.
Because their appearance remains consistent, they also allow designers to create schemes that stay cohesive over time, particularly helpful in larger offices, multi-floor layouts or workplaces with brand-led interiors.
How Does Biophilia Affect Productivity?
The growing interest in biophilic offices isn’t just an aesthetic trend. Research consistently shows that contact with nature supports:
- Reduced stress and mental fatigue
- Improved concentration and cognitive clarity
- Higher satisfaction and sense of belonging
- Better mood and emotional regulation
- A calmer, quieter environment (especially when natural textures help soften acoustics)
Offices often expose people to long periods of screen time, artificial lighting and noise. Bringing natural forms, tones and materials into these environments helps counterbalance that intensity. Even subtle botanical elements, such as a preserved moss wall, a cluster of dried stems or gentle forms like bunny tails, can make a measurable difference to how people feel in a space.
The commercial impact is well documented: happier, calmer employees tend to collaborate better, make fewer errors and report higher workplace satisfaction. When biophilia is applied thoughtfully, it becomes a strategic tool, not just a styling choice.
Practical Considerations for Biophilic Office Styling FAQs
Are artificial plants suitable for biophilic offices?
Yes. While they don’t replicate the living qualities of real plants, their natural forms and textures support the visual calm and softness associated with biophilic interiors.
How long do preserved botanicals last?
Preserved foliage can remain vibrant for several years when kept out of direct sunlight. Their longevity is part of what makes them popular for commercial design.
Do dried flowers collect much dust in offices?
A light dusting keeps them looking fresh. They are low-maintenance and reliable in busy settings.
What botanicals work best in windowless areas?
Artificial plants are the most dependable choice in low-light zones, though preserved materials may also work if kept dry and away from heat sources.
Are dried and preserved flowers hypoallergenic?
They contain no active pollen, which makes them suitable for shared workspaces. Any concerns about sensitivities are minimal compared with fresh flowers.
About the author:
Rob Copsey
Rob Copsey is the founder of Atlas Flowers, a London-based wholesale supplier specialising in high-quality, sustainably sourced dried, preserved, and artificial flowers. With deep roots in horticulture and a family legacy in the flower industry spanning four generations, Rob has nurtured a lifelong passion for the natural world. Since launching Atlas Flowers in 2006, he has maintained a strong commitment to environmental responsibility, collaborating with growers worldwide to source exceptional products with minimal ecological impact. Under his leadership, Atlas Flowers has grown into one of the UK’s leading suppliers, known for providing unique, eco-friendly floral options to florists, retailers, and beyond.
Published: December 2025