15 Best Office Plants to Boost Productivity and Air Quality

15 Best Office Plants to Boost Productivity and Air Quality

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When it comes to enhancing your office environment, certain plants stand out, such as Snake Plant, Miniature Orchids, String of Hearts, Umbrella Plant, Moses in the Cradle, Maranta, Dracaena, Pothos, Dumb Cane, Lucky Bamboo, Skeleton Plant, and Money Plant. Research shows that incorporating plants in your workspace can significantly improve your mood, reduce stress, and enhance focus. Creating your own little jungle at work can lead to substantial benefits, making each workday more pleasant. Furthermore, these plants continuously produce clean oxygen and some even have the ability to filter out harmful toxins from the air. If you’re interested in learning more about the best office plants and their unique characteristics, keep reading this comprehensive guide.

Snake Plant (Sansevieria spp.)

The Snake Plant is an ideal choice for smaller offices due to its vertical growth habit. It features tall, rigid leaves that rise directly from the soil, thus occupying minimal horizontal space. This plant thrives in indirect or filtered light and requires very little attention compared to other plants. Not only does it help purify the air in your workspace, but it also absorbs toxins, providing a healthier environment.

best office plants and air quality

String of Hearts (Chlorophytum comosum)

Also known as the Spider Plant, the String of Hearts boasts distinctive leaves with vertical stripes of light green and white. It enjoys hanging down from a central point, making it a lovely feature in your office space. This easy-to-care-for plant not only adds aesthetic appeal but also effectively cleans the air of toxins. It prefers semi-shaded environments and requires minimal watering.

best office plants and air quality

Miniature Orchid (Phalaenopsis spp.)

Orchids add a touch of luxury to any office environment and are a great choice for those who appreciate flowers. They thrive in indoor settings, ideally placed near a window. The Miniature Orchids of the Phalaenopsis variety feature long leaves reaching about 8 inches and are compact, taking up little space. Enjoy their stunning blooms multiple times a year.

best office plants and air quality

Philodendron (Philodendron sp.)

This plant features large leaves and is remarkably easy to care for, making it an excellent choice for offices. Water it weekly to maintain humidity, and ensure the soil never dries out completely. It prefers indirect light but can thrive under artificial lighting as well. Additionally, it effectively removes toxins like xylene and toluene from the air.

best office plants and air quality

String of Pearls (Senecio rowleyanus)

This plant features unique water-storing beads that hang from long vines, resembling a necklace. Being a trailing plant, it makes an excellent addition to shelves and requires indirect light. Use the minimal water needed for succulent plants, only watering when the soil is thoroughly dry.

best office plants and air quality

Umbrella Plant (Schefflera actinophylla)

The Umbrella Plant grows like a small tree and is suitable for areas with ample space, such as hallways and large reception areas. It thrives well indoors and under indirect light, but ensure the location has good air circulation. This plant is also known for its ability to filter harmful toxins from the air.

best office plants and air quality

Moses in the Cradle (Spathiphyllum wallisii)

This lovely plant features shiny dark green leaves and has a unique white flower with a central pistil surrounded by its petals. It performs well in shady environments and is renowned for its air-purifying properties. It requires minimal care with moderate watering once a week.

best office plants and air quality

Prayer Plant (Maranta spp.)

The Prayer Plant thrives in low light conditions, making it an excellent choice for indoor spaces. It requires minimal watering and can be kept in small pots on your desk. Available in various patterns, it can complement the decor of any office beautifully. Consider this plant for an aesthetic touch.

best office plants and air quality

Dracaena (Dracaena fragrans)

This plant develops a sturdy pale trunk with leaves that feature various shades of green. It maintains its color in semi-shade. You can find juvenile plants that are approximately 4 inches tall for your desk or larger specimens to place in floor pots.

best office plants and air quality

Pothos (Epipremnum aureum)

Pothos is a climbing plant that can be used as a trailing plant over shelves or bookcases. While it can tolerate low light, it thrives under some sunlight and requires a few hours of light each day to maintain its structure. Indirect light is ideal.

best office plants and air quality

Dumb Cane (Dieffenbachia spp.)

Known for its large leaves adorned with light spots on dark green foliage, this plant should be placed in indirect light or even out of the sun. It requires a high watering regime and consistent cleaning of its leaves to keep them dust-free.

best office plants and air quality

Lucky Bamboo (Dracaena braunii)

This plant, although not a true bamboo, resembles it due to its straight, segmented stems. Hydroponic setups are easier and cause less mess, making it a good option for the office. This plant can thrive solely in water, requires semishade, and should be stabilized in a container with stones at the bottom for support. It’s important to change the water when it evaporates. Thinking of purchasing Lucky Bamboo for your office?

best office plants and air quality

Skeleton Plant (Monstera spp.)

A Skeleton Plant thrives in low light but prefers semishade. It loves high humidity and is known for its attractive foliage with characteristic holes. Depending on your office space, you can select a suitable species; for smaller offices, the M. adansonii produces smaller leaves, while larger pots can house the impressive M. deliciosa with leaves ranging from 8 to 32 inches long.

best office plants and air quality

Money Plant (Plectranthus verticillatus)

This plant produces small, round leaves with serrated edges and grows upright, eventually cascading down to reach lengths of up to six feet. Smaller varieties are perfect for office spaces. It can be grown in soil or water for aesthetics. It’s believed to attract abundance and wealth, making it a great addition to your workspace.

best office plants and air quality

Areca Palm (Dypsis lutescens)

The Areca Palm does well indoors, particularly when placed near a window to enjoy some indirect light. You can find both smaller and larger plants based on your spatial needs. This palm adds a tropical and refreshing touch to any indoor environment.

best office plants and air quality

References

  • Guzmán, M. (1998) Caring for Indoor Plants. Argentina: GIDESA.

Picture of Mitchell

Mitchell

Mitchell Ramdy is a dedicated horticulturist and the chief editor of Grow Your Patch. With over 15 years of experience in organic gardening and sustainable living, she shares her passion for cultivating vibrant gardens and healthy lifestyles. Mitchel specializes in providing expert advice on plants, organic products, DIY home decor, and pet care. When she’s not tending to her own garden, she enjoys exploring new eco-friendly practices and inspiring others to transform their green spaces. Her mission is to help readers nurture their patches of earth into thriving, beautiful environments.
Picture of Mitchell

Mitchell

Mitchell Ramdy is a dedicated horticulturist and the chief editor of Grow Your Patch. With over 15 years of experience in organic gardening and sustainable living, she shares her passion for cultivating vibrant gardens and healthy lifestyles. Mitchel specializes in providing expert advice on plants, organic products, DIY home decor, and pet care. When she’s not tending to her own garden, she enjoys exploring new eco-friendly practices and inspiring others to transform their green spaces. Her mission is to help readers nurture their patches of earth into thriving, beautiful environments.