One of the easiest ways to brighten up your office is by adding houseplants. Bringing a little bit of nature to your workplace can boost your mood and increase your productivity. Even more impressive, NASA researchers have found that these plants can help improve indoor air quality. Indoor plants also make uplifting gifts for people who are stuck inside all day.
Of course, not every plant works well indoors, but many thrive in these conditions. Here are ten proven plant choices to make your office healthier and more enjoyable.
1. Snake Plant
The Snake plant offers tall, dramatic foliage in green and yellow. Also called Mother-In-Law’s Tongue, the Snake Plant is easy to care for and does well in low light conditions with little maintenance.
2. ZZ Plant
This plant, originally from East Africa, is nearly indestructible. The ZZ Plant likes indoor lighting and can survive being neglected for months at a time. It has tall, graceful stems with attractive shiny leaves and looks great on a desk or table.
3. Golden Pothos
This plant is easy to care for and produces charming, heart-shaped leaves on long vines. Water infrequently and prune it regularly for best results. You can also share your cuttings with your office mates and easily make new Pothos plants.
4. Peacock Plant
For gorgeous, colorful foliage in low-light conditions, you can’t beat the Peacock Plant. This Brazilian native likes high humidity, so place it on a water-filled pebble tray out of direct sunlight. It stays petite, so the Peacock Plant works well in a small space.
5. Spider Plant
This is a graceful plant that is easy to care for and looks best in hanging baskets and pots. Spider Plants have thin yellow and green leaves and small white flowers. They need to be watered regularly but can survive a good deal of neglect and grow quickly.
6. Aloe
If your office has any windows, an Aloe plant would make a perfect addition. It needs some natural light and weekly watering. The juice in aloe leaves is proven to heal burns and small cuts. Plus, aloes reproduce easily, so you’ll soon have aloe pups to share.
7. Lucky Bamboo
For good fortune in a small container, try Lucky Bamboo. This plant grows vertically and requires little care. Simply place it in a container filled with water near an indirect light source and enjoy its bright green stems and thin, elegant leaves.
8. Corn Plant
Originally from the tropics of Africa, the Corn Plant offers bold, bright, beautiful foliage. With proper care, it may even produce a sweet-smelling flower. Bright, indirect light and regular but infrequent watering will bring out the best in this plant.
9. Peace Lily
For gorgeous flowers indoors, the Peace Lily is an excellent choice. It will grow well in a windowless room with infrequent watering and regularly produces glamorous white flowers.
10. Chinese Evergreen
Perhaps the most effortless office plant is the bold, leafy Chinese Evergreen. This easy-to-find plant prefers light so low that even indoor fluorescent bulbs will do the trick. And, if you’re lucky, you may even get small flowers in the spring.
Whether you have a sunny room or a windowless office, there’s an appropriate plant for your space. With just a little bit of care, you’ll be rewarded with better health and an improved mood while you work for years to come.
