Plants can improve tenant occupancy and retention by 17 percent based on various case studies including a scientific study of the Opryland Hotel performed by Michael Evans, former associate professor of Hotel, Restaurant and Institutional Management of Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University.

Hotels can retain guest presence in the lobby atrium and gift shop longer when the interior landscaping has a nature element, according to research. Guests’ use of the atrium area and snack bar have shown an increase of almost four percent in hotels containing properly installed interior landscaping.

According to a survey of 670 facility and corporate managers, the top three reasons for using plants were color, employee attitude and retention, and "making an environmental statement." Almost 50% of the facility managers questioned said that they use interior plants in 75% to 100% of their buildings.

The survey identified plants, artwork and sculpture as the key interior building enhancements which could influence higher occupancy and retention. According to the survey, facility managers used plants to add color and enhance a building’s appearance, contribute to improved employee attitude and employee retention, and make a positive environmental statement.