Plants Against Headaches and Concentration Problems in the Office
Headaches in the afternoon, waning focus, and unexplained tiredness – many people know these troubles from everyday office life. While we often reach for painkillers or caffeine, we frequently overlook the real cause: the quality of the air in our rooms. Houseplants can offer a surprisingly effective and natural solution here.
Why does office air make you sick?
The good news: Air-purifying office plants can measurably reduce these problems while also improving the air moisture
The four most effective herbs against headaches
🌿 Peace Lily (Spathiphyllum) – The Formaldehyde Destroyer
The peace lily is the first choice for formaldehyde headaches. The NASA study on air purification proved that this elegant plant with white flowers filters formaldehyde from indoor air especially effectively – the very pollutant that most often causes headaches in offices. Additionally, the peace lily removes benzene, trichloroethylene, and ammonia.
Another advantage: the peace lily increases air moisture by up to 5 percent, which prevents dry mucous membranes and reduces susceptibility to headaches. Care is straightforward – the peace lily prefers partly shaded locations and clearly shows when it needs water by drooping leaves. One to two larger specimens per 10 square meters of office space are ideal.
🌿 Devil's Ivy (Epipremnum aureum) – Against tiredness and concentration problems
If concentration problems caused by indoor air trouble you, the devil's ivy is your ally. This sturdy climbing plant neutralizes benzene, formaldehyde, and carbon monoxide – pollutants proven to cause tiredness and mental exhaustion. Studies show that devil's ivy can remove up to 90 percent of formaldehyde from a room within 24 hours.
Devil's ivy is ideal for office settings, as it thrives even in low light and is extremely easy to care for. It can be grown as a hanging plant or climbing plant on moss poles and is perfect for shelves or cupboards. Watering once a week is usually enough, making it the perfect plant for the office.
🌿 Dragon tree (Dracaena) – The all-rounder for better indoor air quality
The Dragon Tree is a true all-rounder among office plants for a good indoor climate. With its striking, sword-shaped leaves, it filters a particularly wide range of harmful substances: xylene, trichloroethylene, formaldehyde, and benzene. Especially the combination of various pollutants in office rooms often leads to vague complaints such as head pressure and difficulty concentrating.
The Dragon Tree can reach considerable sizes and is therefore especially suitable for larger rooms or as a room divider. It prefers bright to partly shaded locations and needs only moderate watering – perfect for forgetful office workers. The varieties Dracaena marginata and Dracaena fragrans are particularly recommended.
🌿 Bowstring hemp (Sansevieria) – The oxygen producer
The bow hemp, also called mother-in-law's tongue, is unique among houseplants for headaches: it produces oxygen at night instead of carbon dioxide. This makes it especially valuable in poorly aired rooms, where raised CO₂ levels are the main cause of afternoon headaches and trouble focusing.
Additionally, the bow hemp filters formaldehyde, benzene, and trichloroethylene from the air. Its fleshy leaves store water, making it very easy to care for – watering every two to three weeks is quite enough. This makes it the ideal plant for better focus for busy people who have little time for plant care.
Scientific evidence: Plants have measurable effects
Practical advice for office and home workspace
For oxygen-rich office plants to fully unfold their effect, you should observe some basic rules. NASA recommends at least one larger plant per 10 square meters of room area for a measurable air improvement. Place the plants where you spend the most time – on the desk, beside the computer, or within sight of your workplace.
Larger plants with more leaf mass cleanse the air more effectively than small specimens. Combine different types of plants, as each kind filters certain harmful substances especially well. Wipe the leaves regularly – dust significantly reduces the air-cleaning performance.
The AIRY system: maximize plant effect
While ordinary potted plants mainly filter through their leaves, the AIRY system works on a different principle: it activates the roots as highly effective air purifiers. The plant roots can break down pollutants many times more effectively than leaves—provided they come into contact with polluted air.
The AIRY pot system actively channels room air through the root system, where microorganisms decompose the pollutants. Studies show that AIRY plants can break down up to eight times more pollutants than conventionally grown houseplants. Especially with persistent issues like poor air in the office or headaches, this can make a crucial difference.
Conclusion: Natural remedies for the workplace
Plants against headaches and concentration problems are not an esoteric idea, but scientifically proven helpers for better indoor air. Peace lily, pothos, dragon tree, and snake plant form a strong quartet against the most common air pollutants in the office. They filter formaldehyde, benzene, and other volatile organic compounds, increase humidity, and produce oxygen.
The investment is minimal, the care uncomplicated, and the effect verifiable. Those who suffer from tiredness in the office or recurring headaches should first improve the indoor air before reaching for a painkiller. Your health and your ability to concentrate will thank you—and your office will also become noticeably more pleasant.
Find the perfect plant against headaches and concentration problems: Discover all AIRY systems with air-purifying office plants and naturally boost your productivity.