Allergies are one of the main reasons why many offices prohibit the use of plants in their buildings. This is because many companies mistakenly believe that all plants produce and release pollen that can trigger their employees or clients allergies. However, this assumption is not accurate. There are numerous plants that do not trigger allergies and that are perfect for the workplace.

Additionally, indoor plants in a controlled environment do not upset allergies like plants in an outdoor setting. Wind and drastic changes in the weather will pick up pollen and place it in the air outdoors. Unless your office is built inside a wind tunnel, chances are that no matter what plants you place in your office, they will not set off anyone’s allergies.

The Top Allergy Free Office Plants

Below is a concise list of the most popular office plants that are perfect for an office that concerns itself with allergy prone personnel or clients. Allergy can also be reduced by
placing these plants away from windows and air ducts that promote dissemination of pollen.

Miniature rose: These roses are bred to remain small in size. They generally feature small flowers and can be found in a wide variety of colors which include red, pink, white, and lavender to name a few. They also repeatedly bloom throughout the year and are very easy to maintain.

Begonia: There are over 1,500 varieties of this plant which can be found in dozens of colors. The flowers bloom year-round in an indoor environment and blossom up from green glossy leaves. These plants are easy to maintain and only need small doses of water.

Nasturtium: These green plants are very easy to maintain and control. They feature small green leaves that need to be watered weekly. These plants grow to the size of their flower pot and do well in both low light and high light environments.

Croton: These blooming green plants grow upwards and contain seeds that resemble ticks. The leaves are light green but will also fade into yellow. The seeds are light brown to medium yellow. The plant needs medium light in order to thrive.

Parsley: Parsley plants can be found in the curly or flat variety. This plant is also used for seasoning in cooking; however, it does not include a strong odor. These plants can grow upwards and out over the sides of the pots they grow in. They release no pollen, making them the perfect allergy proof plant.

Thyme: Thyme plants contain small green leaves and are very easy to maintain. They need water weekly and can thrive in both little or high light. They generally don’t grow large and are one of the healthiest varieties of plants.

Other popular allergy-proof plants include bay, the peace lily, peperomia, and Swedish ivy to name a few. These types of plants are by and far the least allergy pollutant plants available. They are also some of the most popular plants for office settings where the allergies and well-beings of their employees and clients are of the utmost importance.

Every year brings more and more technological advancements. As these advancements are made, manufacturers get increasingly more creative and are constantly developing innovative and unique gadgets for the office setting. Some of these devices appear to be very helpful, while others veer on the side of the strange and bizarre. But as further advancements in technology are made we can only assume that office gadgets will only get smarter, stranger and increasingly more innovative.

#1: Keyboard/Monitor Combination

Eee PC has created a keyboard with a computer monitor. This handy device works just like a regular keyboard. However, it has a built-in computer monitor on the right hand side. You can run document and messenger programs and check email on the keyboard monitor even when not plugged in to your computer.

This gadget will allow people in an office to take their keyboards to meetings in-house. They can then take notes and share files while in these meetings. This cuts down on passing around paper and allows workers to work from other places within the office away from their desks.

#2: The Thinking Desk

Be afraid! Very afraid – Your desk is watching you! Imagine a desk so sophisticated that it can actually read and catalogue memos or any written documents placed upon it. It can even remember and record ‘doodles’ you make on ‘Post It Notes’ and can read and reveal the temperature of your body or of your cup of coffee.

You no longer have to imagine it. This unique desk will store every shred of information it comes into contact with. This includes when other people are snooping around your computer or desk when you aren’t present. Additionally, it can communicate with other machines in the office. You can place items on the desk and they will instantly be faxed. You can also use it to act as copying machine.

#3: 3D Hologram Desktop

Manufacturers are on the verge of launching a new desktop computer screen that actually is the same size as a piece of paper and just as thin. You can place this on a desk and plug your hard drive into it. The computer monitor will now be replaced with a hologram interpretation of everything that would appear on a regular desktop screen. This hologram monitor is expected to replace all regular desktop and flat screen computer monitors in the future. They are light weight and cost little to manufacture.

However, these 3D Hologram desktop monitors are still in the experimental phase and the creators have a great deal of kinks to work out. Still, it is expected that these unique monitors will be released in the next five to ten years.

The Cost Of The Future

Contrary to popular belief the cost of future office gadgets will actually decrease. As advancements in technology are made, so are advancements in manufacturing technology. This will cut back on production costs and will provide savings for corporations and for general consumers who invest in the purchase of these office gadgets.

Plants add a splash of color to your office cubicle and imbue the atmosphere with renewed energy. Here are 20 flowering office plants that are considered best for coloring your cube with:

#1 – Croton: These larger plants are known for their foliage. They have thick stems which bloom and branch out with colorful leaves. Colors vary depending upon the variety.

#2 – Small Cactus: Small cacti also known as Christmas Cactus flowers dark red or dark pink and needs very little attention.

#3 – Ivy: Comes in a variety of colors and grows well in dark offices with artificial light. This is one of the most popular office plants.

#4 – Spider Plant: Features spiky green foliage. This plant may flower and is a very easy to care for plant that needs very little sunlight in order to thrive.

#5 – Mums: This flowering plant is very easy to care for. Also known as the “Mothers Day” plant and can be found in an eclectic assortment of colors.

#6 – Geranium: These are one of the easiest to care for plants and are small enough to place on an office desk. They remain ever in bloom and can be found in more than one color.

#7 – Flame Violet: Features glossy green leaves that are splattered in white all throughout. Contains small red flowering blossoms. Needs some sunlight to grow.

#8 – Gold Fish Plant: This flowering plant features orange flowers from green foliage. The color of the flowers resembles that of typical goldfish. Needs at least a small amount of sunlight in order to thrive.

#9 – Corn Plant: Features corn colored flowers from green stems. Needs little light and little water to grow.

#10 – Orchids: Green plant with a variety of flower colors to choose from. Must have bright light but needs little water to thrive.

#11 – Kalanchoe: This plant has a green base and a profusion of flowers that could be in any color including white, yellow or pink. It needs little sunlight.

#12 – Gesneriads: Known for their variety in unusual colors. They bloom year-round and need little sunlight to survive.

#13 – Zebra Plant: The foliage of the plant resembles the patterns on a Zebra. Also includes yellow flowers. Direct sunlight is a necessity if it is to thrive.

#14 – Shamrock Plant: Can produce yellow, pink, or red flowers from a variety of foliage colors including green or dark red. Needs very little light and water to grow.

#15 – Sanservieria: This is a classic office plant that contains leaves that resemble snake tongues. It has broad foliage and only needs to be watered sporadically.

#16 – Pease Lily: This plant features white flowers. The more that it is watered the more that it will bloom. Often seen with Beta Fish in the vase in which they grow.

#17 – African Violets: This plant features purple flowers year-round. The leaves of the plant actually appear hairy. Needs little light and little water.

#18 – Cape Primrose: Resembles and acts the same as the African Violet but features larger flowers and leaves. Needs to be watered more than the African Violet.

#19 – Amaryllis: These plants will grow 5-8 stalks of flowers in a variety of colors and need little sunlight to grow.

#20 – Caladium: Features large rounded leaves that feature shadows of color in red or white. Only needs to be misted regularly.

Office efficiency can truly be enhanced my implementing the philosophy and art of Feng Shui into the design and set-up of your office cubicle. When you eliminate common clutter and properly manage your paperwork and files, you will begin to empower yourself to be more productive and to enjoy your work. Additionally, the simple placement of gadgets that promote organization and Feng Shui can save you time, earn you more money and improve your overall mental health while you are working.

Workers who are confined to cubicles have experienced great changes in their working habits once they have introduced the gadgets presented herein, into their office workspace. These gadgets were created to inspire and positively create a harmonious environment which in turn adds positive chi to a cubicle. Adding one of more of the gadgets herein can greatly improve your Feng Shui.

#1: Monitor Arms

Computer monitor arms are one of the greatest office gadgets that you can add to your cubicle. These arms can easily be installed into any desk, and allow the user to place and move their computer monitor with ease. These secure arms allow the user to change the placement of their monitor with little effort in order to change the Feng Shui of their cubicle at a moments notice.

#2: Monitor Filters

Monitor filters can easily be applied to both flat screen computer monitors and to average sized monitors. These filters simply clip on to the computer and cover the screen. They prevent glare from the sun and from office lights, and also prevent static and radiation. These monitor filters can affect the flow of positive chi in a cubicle by removing tiresome distractions.

#3: An Adjustable Height Desk

If you have the ability to change your desk or to seek out an upgrade, you should consider an adjustable height desk. These desks allow you to change the height of the main desk and keyboard with a few simple steps. This allows you to change the feel of your office with very little effort. Additionally, the movement and change in height can actually increase your work productivity.

#4: Extendable Phone Arm

Placing your office phone on an extendable phone arm works much like a monitor arm. This gives you more desk space because your phone will be uplifted from the desk, and also allows you to move freely about while talking on the phone. Adding this to your cubicle allows you to constantly change your cubicles Feng Shui every time you move the phone.

#5: Open Storage Cabinets

Filing cabinets that are opened and organized can greatly improve the overall Feng Shui of your cubicle. This is specifically true of color coded open filing cabinets. As long as you keep these filing cabinets organized your Feng Shui will increase in power.

#6: Cable Covers

Covers and tubes which conceal computer chords, phone cords, and other electronic cords, make for more positive Feng Shui. These covers make a work area look more professional and more organized.

#7: Bulletin Board

The use of a well positioned bulletin board can improve Feng Shui. Instead of leaving important notes and information laying about on your desk where they can collect and turn into clutter, you should add a bulletin board where you can pin these items neatly to keep your desk clean.

#8: Inside Desk Organizer

An inside desk organizer allows you to simply organize important office tools such as staplers, paper clips, thumb tacks, and post-it-notes, inside your desk and away from your view. The less items that are on your desk, the better that your Feng Shui will move and flow.

#9: Dry Erase Board

Attaching a dry erase board next to your phone is an excellent way to improve your Feng Shui and keep your desk organized. You can use this board to place phone numbers and notes that you make during the day, instead of posting them on your desk or using post-it-notes.

#10: Plants

Though technically not a gadget, one of the best items you can add to your cubicle to improve Feng Shui is one or more green plants. Adding such an item to your office cubicle will improve your Feng Shui and will clean your office air.

In order for plants to thrive in an indoor environment such as an office, they must be properly cared for. They will need to be watered according to their growing needs and will need to be strategically placed in specific areas where they will not be harmed by excessive heat or cold. They will also need to be placed in areas where they will receive the amount of natural light that they require.

The growth and health of a plant can also be increased with the use of fertilizer. However, many plant fertilizers on the market today can produce a strong odor. This is okay if your plants are growing outside and have proper ventilation, but it can be a nightmare if you are growing them indoors. Additionally, many people are allergic to the odors that originate from certain types of fertilizers. Therefore, you will want to take great care in choosing a non-smelling fertilizer for your office.

The Top Non-Smelling Fertilizers

There are a variety of non-smelling fertilizers available on the market that are perfect for indoor plants. Many of these fertilizers are 100% organic.

Saint Organic Fertilizer: This organic fertilizer is one of the top selling and highest quality plant fertilizers on the market. In fact, Saint Organic Fertilizer is the chosen fertilizer for 8 out of 10 offices in the United States. This fertilizer includes enzymes, growth promotants, positive microorganisms, and trace elements that promote growth and maintain the health of plants. Though the fertilizer contains traces of chicken manure, it features no smell due to the manner in which is manufactured. Another excellent factor is the fact that this fertilizer is environmentally friendly and is not harmful to humans or pets.

Rock Powders: Rock powders are a very popular method of fertilizing plants. Rock powder can come in many forms and can be created from various resources. This includes clays and manure. This type of fertilizer is 100% odorless. Most people will mix rock powders with other fertilizers.

Seaweed: Seaweed is another popular odorless fertilizer. For years people all around the world have used grinded seaweed as fertilizer. The seaweed contains multi-nutrients that build healthy plants and maintain their textures and glossy shines.

Kelp: Kelp fertilizer comes in two forms. The powder form can be sprinkled on the plants or in the soil of the plant. It can also be mixed into water and sprayed on the plants. It also comes in liquid form that can simply be placed in the soil. Either variety increases the chances of growth and promotes health and durability.

Meal: There are numerous animal products which are known as meals that have been proven to prolong the life of plants and have been successful at speeding up the growing process. All of these meals are odorless and include: blood meal, bone meal, feather meal and fish meal.

Each of these fertilizers are odorless and can generally be found in any Lawn And Garden Center. Additionally, many of these fertilizers are cheaper than high-smelling fertilizers that are typically used for indoor plants.