Forest Green Rovers have given their changing room an unusual makeover, filling it with more than 60 different types of houseplant in a project designed to help players stay calm before matches.
The installation was created in partnership with Plants & Flowers Foundation Holland and sports psychologist Dr Josephine Perry. Its purpose is to explore whether bringing more greenery into a high-pressure environment can reduce stress and help players focus.
The club said the display had already coincided with a positive result, with Rovers securing a 2-0 victory over Eastleigh on Wednesday night. It was unveiled ahead of Forest Green’s National League fixture against Harrogate Town.
Why Forest Green brought plants into the dressing room
The project is based on research commissioned by the Plants & Flowers Foundation Holland. The research found that 30% of people in Britain said having houseplants in a room noticeably lowered their stress levels and helped restore a sense of calm.
Among the situations identified as stressful, job interviews ranked highest, with 52% of respondents describing them as a major source of pressure. Difficult conversations followed at 50%, while 42% cited public speaking or giving a presentation.
Sport was also part of the picture: 26% of respondents said the countdown to playing or watching a crucial fixture was stressful. Although 32% said spending time outdoors in nature was one of their most reliable ways to relieve stress, 56% said they struggled to access green spaces during the winter months.
The installation is also intended to encourage people to bring more plants into their own homes. In the survey, 39% of respondents said they wanted to make a high-stress room in their home greener during the winter.
What the sports psychologist says
Dr Josephine Perry said adding greenery to demanding environments could be a simple way for people to manage pressure.
“Adding greenery to high-pressure spaces is one of the simplest, low-effort and accessible habits anyone can adopt to stay in control when the pressure mounts.”
She said pressure could produce physical reactions such as a faster heart rate, quicker breathing and muscle tension, while also making clear thinking more difficult.
“Living greenery acts as a natural buffer, actively reducing nervous system arousal which helps sharpen our cognitive abilities, allowing us to focus and perform better,”
The project therefore links the club’s matchday environment with a wider wellbeing message: plants may offer a practical way to make stressful indoor spaces feel calmer, particularly when access to outdoor green space is more limited.
Dale Vince links project to Football on Prescription
Forest Green Rovers founder Dale Vince said the club already recognised the benefits of nature and football for wellbeing. He referred to the club’s Football on Prescription scheme, which he said had been pioneered at Forest Green.
“We know time in nature is good for people, it’s now being prescribed by doctors. We also know time at football games is good for people, as that too is being prescribed by doctors – we pioneered it here at FGR with our Football on Prescription scheme.
“Plants in offices are well known to boost wellbeing, so why not in a changing room.”
The houseplants were sourced from Holland. The club’s wider aim is to show how greenery can be introduced into everyday spaces as well as professional sporting environments.
