Dressing up your office with greenery brings a host of advantages, including increased employee happiness, increased productivity and increased engagement. Offices, malls, hospitals and hotels use indoor plants strategically to reduce stress and transform what is normally a sterile and utilitarian environment into something living and breathing.
However, to maintain these walls and floors of indoor plants, continuous care and attention are required, alongside a strong dose of expertise. Ultimately, you want to choose plants that are well suited to an interior office environment, and that will not require fiddly, heavy maintenance.
Whether you are an office manager starting to dabble in greenery or a desk dweller looking to freshen your day-to-day, this guide to selecting and caring for office plants will bring your workspace to life.
At a glance: Best Office plant Ideas
This guide provides guidelines for growing and maintaining a number of low-light and low-maintenance office plants. Here are the main recommendations for your workspace;
- Snake plants
- ZZ plants
- Succulents
- Pothos
- Bamboos
- Spider plants
- Anthuriums
- Weeping figs
- Peace lilies
- Ferns
- Philodendrons
Unlit desktop Plants that do not require direct Sunlight.
Even the most modern, open office environments can struggle with natural light, particularly in big cities where buildings are side by side and the light might be obstructed by shadow or smog. Whereas office greenery is an easy and efficient way to animate these conditions, finding plants that can grow without direct sunlight can be a challenge.
Snake and ZZ plants are highly regarded by cubicle occupants as hardy, low-light plants that will survive in any office environment. The two have succulent rubberized leaves and require very little attention.
Snake plants
Snake plants grow upright and compact, reducing clutter and taking a clean corner on a desk or desk. (Some may be several feet high, so choose your height wisely.) Allow the soil to dry completely between waterings; in winter, you should probably water a snake plant only once a month. Although these plants thrive under indirect sunlight, they will also thrive (albeit slightly slower) under darker low light conditions.
ZZ plants
The ZZ plant evokes paradisiac sensations, with fern-shaped leaves in a deep and succulent green. However, the low light is best suited for the ZZ plant, a species that hates direct sunlight and needs additional watering when placed too close to windows.
The ZZ factory will grow to several feet in office lighting at a regulated temperature of 60 to 75°F. Water your ZZ plant only when the soil becomes dry to the touch, and it is important to ensure that there is sufficient drainage at the bottom of the pot to reduce the risk of rot.
Easy to maintain Desktop Plants
When you are looking to spruce up your personal space, turn to popular desk plants like bamboos and spider plants; both require some care in watering but are able to survive in low light on desks, in bathrooms, and on kitchen counters. For a touch of color, try anthuriums, which are longer lasting than orchids and flowers all year round.
Bamboos
Selecting a healthy bamboo plant early on is critical to its survival in an office environment. Go for a plant which is bright, vibrant, green everywhere, without defects or yellowing. Furthermore, the pot must be at least two inches larger than the diameter of the plant stem.
Bamboo plants may be grown in the ground or in water. For those in the water, stones and water must be changed at least once a week to avoid decay. For those in soil, do not use too much soil or fertilizer (less is more when it comes to bamboos), and you should water the plant just enough that the soil is moist but not oversaturated.
Spider plants
Avoid placing your spider plant in direct sunlight, as this will lead to bleaching and stunted growth. These plants are ideal for offices because they do not require much light and grow in temperatures between 55 and 80°F. It is best to keep the soil moist, not letting the plant dry out too much between waterings, and you can fertilize your spider plant up to twice a month in the summer months.
Anthuriums
A decorative addition with little maintenance to any office, anthuriums bloom all year round in good conditions and produce small single flowers in red, pink, white, purple and yellow. These plants are able to survive in low light conditions, however, they will produce more flowers in moderate and indirect light. Fertilise your anthurium once a month and allow the soil to dry between waterings.
Large floor Plants that add drama to Shared Spaces
Floorboards are a great way to brighten up office spaces and bring conference rooms to life. They can be used as separators—by separating open floor plans into sections—or as accents at the end of office rows. The weeping fig and the peace lily are two sturdy plants that grow well in limited office lighting. Regular pruning is essential (these plants do not stop growing), but they both offer a touch of green and bring a touch of outdoor.
Weeping Figs
The weeping fig tree thrives better under the indirect sunlight and does not like to be displaced. It is better to find a place relatively close to an eastbound window and keep it there. Make sure the soil stays damp, but not saturated, and fertilize your fig regularly throughout the spring and summer. The weeping fig will drop the leaves if it is stressed, and in these cases it is a good idea to add some magnesium and manganese to the fertilizer.
Peace Lilies
The peace lily is not difficult when it comes to lighting and can survive under desktop fluorescent or indirect sunlight. Water the plant weekly during the summer months, and less often in winter. When the leaves start to collapse, it is a sign that the plant is thirsty and it is time to water the soil and spray the leaves. These plants like moisture, so try to keep moisture in the soil and keep them away from heating and air conditioning devices.
The Best Office plants are more than just Beautiful
Whether you are decorating your office, cubicle, or an entire office, these plants are an excellent start to infuse your workday with greenery. And, through linkages with greater productivity and employee engagement, their benefits will extend beyond aesthetics.