Best Office Plants for Productive and Busy Workspaces
Plants are scientifically proven to reduce stress, so it’s no surprise they’re such a popular choice for encouraging relaxation and improving productivity in the workplace. Office plants bring a sense of calm to even the busiest of buildings, creating a more inviting and comfortable space to work in.
According to Chirp declutter coach Amy Thompson, bringing pockets of nature indoors with you can go a long way towards improving overall wellbeing. Whether it’s potted indoor office plants or gorgeous greenery, these small additions can instantly lift your mood to create a more balanced and energised workspace.
However, not every indoor plant is cut out to be the ideal office companion. Some of them demand far more care and attention than a busy workday allows. Read on to discover which are the best office plants to choose – and which ones are better left at home!
Why Indoor Office Plants Matter in the Modern Workplace
Why have plants in the office? Amy says that taking just five minutes out of your day to water, tend to, or simply enjoy your new office plant can be a great way to practice mindfulness.
As well as introducing a splash of nature into the workplace, indoor office plants also offer a host of practical benefits. They soften harsh office aesthetics while helping to improve air freshness and reduce noise levels. Just a few well-chosen plants create a calmer and more welcoming atmosphere for both staff and visitors.
At Office Furniture Online, we highly recommend inviting employees to have a say on which office plants you bring into the workspace. Allowing staff to choose their favourite greenery encourages self-expression and team bonding.
How to Choose the Best Office Plants
Office plants must be strong and durable enough to handle the realities of a busy workspace. They need to cope with low or artificial light, irregular watering, fluctuating temperatures and limited space.
The best office plants survive and thrive with little to no maintenance needed. They’re fine without water over the weekend when nobody is working, and forgiving if you forget the watering can during a hectic week. Office plants should also grow at a manageable pace so they don’t overwhelm your workspace or require constant pruning.
Office Plant Essentials
- Low‑light tolerance – able to thrive away from windows or in artificial lighting
- Minimal watering needs – forgiving if you forget to water them during a busy week
- Hardiness – resilient enough to cope with temperature changes and occasional neglect
- Air‑purifying qualities – helps freshen the workspace and improve overall air quality
- Pest and disease resistance – reduces the risk of unwanted bugs or plant issues
- Controlled growth – stays neat and manageable without taking over the workspace
What are the Best Plants for Office Use?
Now you know the most important features to look out for, let’s get to the fun part – deciding which indoor plants are best for your workplace! We’ve compiled a list of our six favourite plants for office use.
English Ivy
The first of our recommended office-friendly plants is the tumbling, climbing and weaving beauty – English ivy. Give your working environment a breath of fresh air with this charming addition. Also known as Hedera Helix, English ivy requires watering just twice a week and loves to be placed in view of bright light, such as beside a window.
Snake Plant
Next up, we have the delightfully leafy snake plant. Requiring minimal effort to maintain and a watering schedule of just once a month, it sits comfortably beside you as you work without taking up any of your time. In terms of its need for light, the snake plant isn’t particularly picky, so long as you leave it in line of at least filtered or partial brightness.
Dracaena
Resembling a bushy tree, but on a much more manageable scale, the dracaena plant offers character and personality. It can quickly become the ideal computer companion. Requiring water just once every two weeks and a spot in indirect-yet-bright sunlight, this spiky-leafed delight makes for a low-maintenance addition.
ZZ Plant
The ZZ plant (short for Zamioculcas Zamiifolia) is the perfect indoor addition, as it thrives off artificial, fluorescent light. Combine that with its need for watering just once a month, and you’ve got yourself a beautiful leafy green plant that’s a stunner to admire and all but cares for itself.
Cacti
Taking on a unique and interesting form, the common cactus plant is much-loved for its sturdy frame and spiky nature. But did you know it’s exceptionally easy to care for too? Not at all fussy, your cacti will accept any kind of light, whether it be natural or artificial, and you can get away with watering just once every two weeks.
Peace Lily
Named after its extraordinary white petals which resemble waving white flags, the peace lily is another plant that’s easy to care for in a busy office. Happy wherever you place it, a peace lily thrives under any light and requires watering once a week.
Indoor Plants to Avoid in the Office
While plants can make for great office additions, some demand far more attention than others. If you don’t have much time free for watering and maintenance, these are the indoor plants you’re best to avoid.
Croton
At first, crotons might appear to be the ideal office candidate, perfectly placed to complement autumnal decor courtesy of their rich and vibrant leafy veins. But the reality is that they require constant maintenance. On top of being sensitive to low light and drafts, croton plants are picky about how and when they’re watered.
Gardenia
They might have gorgeous bright green leaves and an enchanting, heady scent, but gardenia plants are also famously fickle. In fact, they’re among the toughest to keep alive and in bloom – unless you keep them in acidic soil and constant bright light, gardenias really will struggle to thrive.
Orchid
Colourful and tender, orchids are visually stunning, but they do have a reputation for being particularly tricky to look after. Tropical by nature, orchids demand bright, indirect sunlight and struggle to stay alive if the temperature gets too hot. Watering can also become a tedious task, as the roots can quickly become waterlogged.
Banana Plant
While the beautiful banana plant might complement your creativity, taking the necessary steps to help it flourish can be exhausting. Importantly, the rainforest plant requires near-tropical conditions to survive, lots of water, and a new pot to accommodate each step of its growth.
Office Plants FAQs
Plants help reduce stress, boost productivity and create a more welcoming workspace. Office plants also improve air freshness and soften rigid office interiors.
The best office plants are low‑maintenance varieties that thrive in low light, don’t need frequent watering, and stay small. Popular choices include snake plants, ZZ plants, peace lilies and cacti.
Plants that tolerate very low light can grow well in windowless offices. ZZ plants, snake plants, pothos and Chinese evergreens all thrive under artificial lighting.
Care for office plants by watering them only when the soil feels dry. Keep them out of direct drafts, and wipe their leaves occasionally to help them absorb light. Choose hardy plants that don’t require constant attention.
The best desk plants are compact, slow‑growing, and easy to maintain. Great options include succulents, small pothos varieties, mini snake plants, air plants, and peace lily compacta.
The Role of Office Plants in Biophilic Design
Using indoor plants and greenery is key to creating a biophilic workplace. Our guide explains everything you need to know about this nature-inspired approach to office design.
In Summary
You don’t have to rely on artificial office plants to add some natural greenery into your workspace. There are plenty of indoor plant varieties that thrive in artificial or low light, without the need for constant care and attention.
English ivy, snake plants and dracaena plants are just a few of our favourites here at Office Furniture Online. We love the natural charm and character they bring, and the positive impact they have – the best office plants boost wellbeing, improve focus, and make even the most functional workplace feel more inviting.
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