The10 Best Office Plants

The 10 Best Office Plants

Those who work in an office can appreciate the addition of some fresh interior design elements that can change the somewhat dreary office environment to a welcoming one. Using color in the form of artwork or furniture is fine, but what an office could use more are some fresh green plants that add both beauty and efficiency to the office environment.
There are many indoor plants that can be used in an office environment, and many of these are low maintenance. Plants introduce a little bit of nature into an artificial environment and also energize employees. They have a positive effect on the mental state of the workers as well, and some of these plants even purify the atmosphere and remove harmful toxins from the air.

If you are looking to add some nature to your office space and can’t decide where to start, here is a list of the 10 best office plants to keep in your cubicle:

1. Pothos:

Neon Pothos

The reason that makes this such a good office plant is its ability to grow in almost every lighting condition. That is an important factor for office plants because most offices don’t see the use of too much natural light.
Placing a wooden or mesh trellis where you want to grow the plant will help the Pothos climb on it. This helps in merging nature with architecture which can bring the feeling of being outside to your space. If you don’t want it to climb on a wall or a pole, placing it in a hanging basket works just as well. Pothos are also commonly grown in just a simple glass vase of water – showcasing the root system and taking the guesswork out of maintenance.
2. Aglaonema:

Aglaonema Siam

Aglaonemas are plants that can grow in a variety of environments, which makes it a very good plant for the office. It can grow equally well in bright sunlight as well as in low light. The varieties of colors and leaf patterns are almost endless. Aglaonema are also available in pink and red varieties to give a low light environment a splash of color where most plants wouldn’t grow.
They come in a variety of sizes from a 6in pot suitable for your desk, to a 14in pot best used as a floor plant.
3. Spider Plant:

Spider Plant

With its narrow, long green leaves and small spiderettes hanging down from the mother plant, the Spider Plant is one of the easiest office plants to grow. This plant can survive a lot of tough conditions and grows in indirect, but bright sunlight. One of the things that make this plant a looker are the babies of the plant, or spiderettes, that dangle from the mother plant. They can also be taken off and grown as separate pup plants. This is a great option if you have a windowed office or are looking for an office plant that you can hang.

4. Snake Plant:

Sansavaria Superba Christi

What’s not to like about a plant that can go on for weeks of neglect and still look fresh because of its shape? The majority of snake plants have tall leaves that stand vertically up to 3 feet. There are also shorter varieties such as Superba Christi that grown on the shorter side. Also known as Sansavaria, these plants can survive in low light and have very few insect problems. Snake plants are also on NASA’s list of plants that clean harmful chemicals from the air. Throw in the fact that they are extremely drought tolerant and all of that combined makes this one of the forerunners on the office plant list.
5. Cactus and Succulents:

Cactus and Succulents

Just place them in bright sunlight and your cacti and succulents are good to go! The Cactus family is a collection of succulent plants that have small growths on them to store water. This allows them to withstand a lack of nutrition for quite some time and still be able to get the nutrients they need to live. Bright green, with a number of beautiful varieties, the cactus is a great plant to be grown in the office. Just be sure no one gets stuck with the needle-like growths. Many varieties are available that are office friendly and lack spines and needles. Just make sure that you don’t over-care for these plants – as most people tend to water them too much. Looking for a plant that thrives on neglect? If you have natural sunlight, these are the ones.
6. Rubber Plant:

Rubber Plant – Ficus Robusta

If you prefer a plant that purifies your office of indoor pollutants, the rubber plant could be a good choice. It requires bright and indirect light to grow indoors, so keeping it near a window that has curtains or some other sort of screening is a good idea. You should  be careful of its watering requirements as they vary throughout the year. During its growing season, the Rubber Plant needs to stay moist while in other seasons it will be fine when watered once or twice a month. The Rubber Plant is actually in the Ficus family which makes them a sturdy and hard to kill plant.
7. Dracaena Family:

Janet Craig

While the Dracaena Family consists of hundreds of different types of plants (many suitable for an office) – our pick is the Janet Craig. The Janet Craig is an attractive plant to look at that also eliminates pollutants from the air. The Dracaena Janet Craig is a great choice to elevate an office space with its strap-like leaves and upright form.
To keep this plant healthy, make sure that its soil is moist but not too soggy.  You can allow it to dry out slightly between waterings. Janet Craigs are not too picky with lighting. A medium to low light or artificial light is suitable for this tough plant.
8. Bromeliad:

Bromeliad

If you have some extra space in your office where you would like to keep an ornamental and flowering plant, the Bromeliad is a good choice. With its rigid fleshy leaves, it can liven up a dull office space if placed in the right area. Bromeliads are typically slow growers and can be kept in a medium to bright light office. One of the three flowering plants on this list, the Bromeliad’s burst of color can last for months before the flower dies off.

9. Peace Lily:

Peace Lily

If simple green plants are too monotonous for you, consider growing the Peace Lily in your office space. The beautiful and elegant white flowers of this plant are perfect for a serious work environment. The Peace Lily is also known to purify the air and is easy to grow. Known to grow well in both low light and bright light – this beautiful plant will continue to flower sporadically  throughout the year. Peace Lilies prefer moist soil and are not happy campers when allowed to completely dry out.
10. African Violet:

African Violet

And finally, if you want a splash of color in your office to make it more cheerful, the African Violet is a great choice. Care for these little guys properly and it will pay off when you see the small blooms pop some color into your office.
The African Violet needs filtered light of medium to high intensity. The thing you need to be most careful about is watering this plant. It requires warm water that has been standing for 48 hours, and shouldn’t be splashed with water. The water should be added to the base only. The African Violet also needs a special African Violet fertilizer with a high phosphorous count for healthy growth.

So there you have it. No matter which one you choose, having an office plant tends to add much more character to an office space while also cleaning the air. Plants also have a positive psychological effect on the mind which adds to the productivity of the workers. Use them to liven up any office area and you’ll soon notice a difference in the quality of that space.