Last Updated on June 8, 2024 by Shavy Jain
Want to breathe life into the dull walls of your office? That’s achievable by injecting some greenery into your work setup. In fact, as per a study by the National Library of Medicine, indoor plants help reduce stress, boost your productivity, and sharpen your attention.
Luckily, there are plenty of low-maintenance indoor plants for your office space. Just because you don’t have the hours/day or gardening chops, doesn’t mean you need to sit the perks of an office plant out.
We’ve made the list of 11 best office plants that suit your workspace, are easy to maintain, and won’t cost you an arm and a half. From classic spider plants to trendy snake plants and majestic monsteras, this curated list has it all.
Before you start filling your cart with greenery, take a moment to assess your workspace. While many of the plants recommended here can thrive in low-light conditions, some, like the Peace Lily, prefer a bit more sunlight, making them ideal for offices blessed with ample natural light.
If space is a concern, opt for visually pleasing succulents such as aloe vera, perfect for sprucing up smaller desks. And for those lucky enough to have spacious rooms, why not consider a statement indoor tree like a huge monstera or an olive tree? Too many options – and we cover them all. Let’s get started.
11 Best Office Plants For Your Workplace
Here is curated a list of 11 best office plants for your dull and boring 9-5 office hours. Let’s find the perfect plant to thrive in your indoor work environment!
Snake plants made it to the top of our best office plants list because they are as sturdy as they come! You only need to water your plant every two to three weeks. This indoor office desk plant requires about 8–10 hours of indirect sunlight. Based on requirements, whether you want the best office desk plant or an indoor office plant, do some research before buying your plant, as they come in various varieties and grow to height of 12–15 inches.
💡 These best indoor office plants love loose and well-drain soils. Water only when the soil is dry; remember to put them near a well-lit spot!
If you’re a complete beginner looking for the best office plants, then Cacti is your safest choice! These baby cacti are the best office desk plants, come in a charming miniature size and are low-maintenance. Though they thrive in bright light conditions, they can tolerate moderate lighting conditions and are drought-resilient. They rarely require fertilization, and repotting is infrequent due to their slow growth. With their unique shapes and textures, baby cacti add a touch of desert charm to your office spaces while requiring minimal care.
💡 Be careful when over-watering these indoor office plants. They love loose and well-drained soil.
ZZ plant, also known as the Zanzibar gem, is among the best office plants as it is resilient and drought-tolerant. This means that if you forget to water it occasionally, it won’t die! This indoor office plant would love a bright, sunny spot but can do great in little to no natural light conditions. It grows around two to four feet tall, meaning it can also be your ideal indoor office desk plant.
💡 Water only when the soil is dry, and remember that this plant is toxic to humans and animals.
Tillandsia, commonly known as air plants, is adored for its minimal care requirements and fascinating growth habits. These epiphytic plants don’t require soil to grow, absorbing moisture and nutrients through their leaves from the air. They thrive in different conditions, from low to well-lit spots, and can fit in your palm, making it the best office desk plant. Care for your plants by regularly misting or soaking them in water for about 20–30 minutes weekly to ensure they remain hydrated and then air-drying them completely.
💡 These are the best office plants for different lighting conditions, versatile for creative display in decorative containers or mounted on driftwood.
If your office is blessed with ample natural light, Aloe vera is perfect for your indoor office plant. Requiring direct or indirect sunlight, a well-drained soil mix, and watering twice a month, it’s a low-maintenance yet beneficial addition to your workspace. Once the leaves are mature, you can even use them for their many medicinal benefits. Remember, a well-cared-for plant can enhance your office environment and your well-being.
💡 Don’t over water. Use a good commercial pot mix soil that is well draining, and remember, they love bright light!
Peperomia Green, also known as baby rubber plant, offers aesthetic appeal and ease of care. Its compact size and glossy, heart-shaped leaves add a delightful touch to your workspaces. Thriving in moderate-to-bright indirect light, it’s adaptable to various office environments. Care involves allowing the soil to partially dry out between waterings to prevent root rot and providing occasional misting to maintain humidity levels.
💡 Your Peperomia Green prefers well-draining soil and benefits from occasional fertilization during the growing season to encourage lush growth.
The Jade Plant is a popular indoor office desk plant choice, cherished for its resilience and charming appearance. With its thick, fleshy leaves and sturdy stems, it adds a touch of elegance to any workspace. These succulents thrive in bright, indirect light but can tolerate lower light conditions, making them adaptable to various office settings. Their water-storing leaves make them drought-resistant, requiring infrequent watering when the soil is arid.
💡 Don’t overwater your jade plant; when in doubt, it’s essential to err on the side of under-watering. Occasional fertilization during the growing season is recommended to promote the healthy growth of your plant.
The Philodendron Green Cordatum, also known as the Heartleaf Philodendron, is loved for its lush, heart-shaped foliage and easy care. Adaptable to various light conditions, it thrives in low to medium indirect light, making it ideal for office spaces with limited sunlight. Its trailing vines make it suitable for hanging baskets or placed on shelves, adding a touch of greenery to your workspace. Make sure you water only when the soil is dry and that these indoor plants love moisture!
💡 Do not overwater your plant; regularly prune it to maintain a compact shape with bushy growth.
The Peace Lily (Spathiphyllum) is a stunning addition to your indoor office space and a plant with significant benefits. Renowned for its ability to purify indoor air by removing harmful toxins like benzene, formaldehyde, and ammonia, the Peace Lily promotes a healthier work environment. It thrives in low light conditions, making it ideal for offices with minimal natural light. With proper care, the Peace Lily rewards you with lush, vibrant foliage and a peaceful ambience.
💡 Your peace lily will require consistent watering to keep the soil moist but not soggy and occasional misting to maintain humidity.
Many of you must be wondering whether Monstera, aka Swiss cheese plant, because of its beautifully cut-out leaves, made our list of the best office plants! We love it as much as you do because this indoor office plant can survive in low-light conditions, but we would love a brightly lit corner in your office. You can water it when the soil is 50–75% dry, but make sure you do not overwater it!
💡 these best indoor office plants are sensitive to watering and can survive in low-light conditions but love bright spots!
The Nerve Plant is admired for its vibrant foliage and low-maintenance care requirements. With its distinctive veined leaves in shades of white, silver, or pink, it adds a pop of colour to your workspace. These indoor office plants thrive in well-lit, indirect light conditions, making them perfect for office environments with ample natural or artificial light. They prefer consistently moist soil and benefit from regular misting to maintain humidity levels, especially in dry office atmospheres.
💡 These indoor office desk plants are sensitive to overwatering, so avoid water-logged conditions. Regular pruning helps maintain their compact growth habit and encourages new foliage.
Expert’s suggestion: Some of these plants can be toxic to animals and humans when ingested. Also, please ensure you’re not underwatering or overwatering these indoor office plants.
Choosing the Best Office Plants: Five Factors to Consider
The office hours are stressful and there’s no doubt about it. Let these plants help things make a little better. When buying the best office indoor plant, here are some things that you need to keep in mind:
Office Lightning: Location matters not just for aesthetics but also for the plant’s health. Assess the amount of natural light available in your office space. Some plants thrive in bright, indirect light, while others can tolerate low-light conditions. Choose plants that match the lighting conditions of your office to ensure they receive adequate light for photosynthesis.
Maintenance: Opt for low-maintenance plants is wise, especially in a busy office environment. Consider plants like ZZ plants, spider plants, or rubber trees that require minimal attention and can withstand periods of neglect.
Aesthetic Appeal: Choose plants that complement the overall aesthetic of your office space. Consider factors such as color, texture, and shape to create a visually pleasing environment. Plants with vibrant foliage or interesting patterns can add visual interest and enhance the ambiance of the workspace.
Air Quality: Office plants can help improve indoor air quality by absorbing pollutants and releasing oxygen. Look for plants known for their air-purifying qualities, such as snake plants, peace lilies, or spider plants. These plants can help create a healthier and more enjoyable work environment.
Add A Lush Green Touch To Your Grey Office Today
Having these leafy friends in the office comes with a bunch of perks! From freshening the air to dialing down the stress, you got a lot more than what you paid for. Breathing in more life to the place, plants undoubtedly provide peace along with a much-needed positive boost at the workplace.
Hope this list of office plants brought into sight the versatility and vibrance of indoor plants and we are sure that by now you must have made your choice to pick the best indoor plant to deck up your office space.
As you continue your journey of sustainability with Ecowiser, do check The Ultimate Guide to Choosing and Nurturing Vine House Plants for more natural decor ideas.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
What are the best plants for an office?
Ideal plants for an office setting are those that can tolerate low light and irregular watering schedules. Common options include snake plants, peace lily, monstera, ZZ plants, and succulents.
What is the perfect desk plant?
The perfect desk plant is one that requires minimal maintenance, fits well on a desk, and adds a touch of greenery without overcrowding the workspace. Succulents, such as cacti or jade plant, are excellent choices for desk plants due to their compact size and low watering needs.
What are few best maintenance tips for indoor plants?
Keeping indoor plants thriving is easy with a few key tips. Water them when the soil is dry, give them enough light without direct sunburn, watch for pests, prune regularly, feed them during growth seasons, ensure proper drainage, and adjust humidity for moisture-loving plants. With care, they’ll flourish beautifully indoors.
