10 Best Small Plants for Your Office Desk – Expert Advice
In today’s fast-paced and often demanding work environments, creating a harmonious and stress-free workspace is essential for boosting productivity and overall well-being. One simple yet effective way to enhance the ambiance of your office desk is by incorporating low-maintenance plants that require minimal care and thrive even in low-light conditions.
In this article, we have asked experts and curated a list of the best low-maintenance plants that are perfect for your office, along with an exploration of the numerous benefits they bring to your workspace.
Whether you’re a seasoned office worker or a remote professional, read on to discover how these green companions can transform your work environment for the better.
Here’s a List of the Best Low-Maintenance Plants for Your Office Space:
1. Parlor Palm: Low-Maintenance and Air-Purifying
A parlor palm (Chamaedorea elegans) is an excellent, common plant for an office. It’s a low-maintenance plant that adds a pleasant and subtle aesthetic ambiance. Its lush, arching fronds and woody trunks, which look similar to bamboo, give it a calm and exotic feel.
With only occasional watering needed, this plant thrives indoors and purifies the air by removing toxins such as formaldehyde, xylene, and toluene. When mature, it provides food through its fruit and can slightly increase oxygen production by adding humidity to the air.
This small, elegant plant brings beauty and positive health benefits, making any work environment more peaceful and enjoyable.
— Carly Hill, Operations Manager, Virtual Holiday Party
2. Money Tree: Prosperity and Unique Care
The best plant to have in an office, and my favorite, is the money tree. They are popular office plants known for their distinctive leaves and braided trunks.
Money trees are believed to bring positive energy and prosperity to their surroundings. Typically, money trees are sold as small plants with braided trunks comprising three, five, or seven stems, and they continue to grow in this manner as they mature.
To care for a money tree, it is important to provide it with the right amount of light, water, temperature, humidity, and fertilizer.
With their unique appearance and reputation for bringing good luck, money trees can be a great addition to an office space.
— Kristina Ramos, Reverse Recruiter, Find My Profession
Must Read: Can You Grow Peonies Indoors?
3. Peace Lily: Attractive Air Cleaner
The white flowers and dark green foliage of a peace lily make it an attractive plant, but it also does a great job of cleaning the air around it. It needs a steady supply of water and does best in moderate to dim light.
It will still survive if you water it every so often, though. It is a great asset to any workplace because of its capacity to filter out harmful air contaminants.
Here are a few benefits of the Peace Lily plant in the office:
- Improved Work Environment: Enhances the overall atmosphere and aesthetics of your office desk or workspace.
- Increased Productivity: Reduces stress and boosts focus, potentially leading to higher work efficiency.
- Healthier Atmosphere: Filters out indoor pollutants, ensuring cleaner and fresher air.
- Minimal Distraction: Requires little attention, allowing you to stay focused on tasks.
- Professional Appearance: Adds a touch of sophistication to your workspace, leaving a positive impression on colleagues and clients.
Keeping a Peace Lily on your office workspace desk not only adds aesthetic charm but also serves as a practical and health-conscious choice.
— Cindi Keller, Communications Coordinator, The Criminal Defense Firm
4. Spider Plant: Easy Care, Air Filtering
Spider plants are excellent for smaller offices or for hanging near a window. They require indirect, bright light, but they can manage lower light levels.
These plants are well-known for their ability to filter air and for the distinctive spiderettes that hang from the mother plant. They’re tough, easy to care for, and can thrive in the hands of even the most forgetful office worker.
In an office setting, Spider Plants offer multiple benefits: They purify the air, removing common pollutants, thus enhancing air quality. Their presence is linked to reduced stress and improved well-being, fostering a more relaxed and productive environment.
They also boost oxygen levels and humidity, beneficial in air-conditioned spaces. Additionally, being non-toxic and pet-friendly, they’re safe for varied office environments. Plus, their low maintenance nature suits busy workplaces
— Tim Allen, Director, Oberheiden P.C.
Also Read: Best Plants for Shallow Pots
5. Chinese Evergreen: Aesthetic and Purifying
The Chinese Evergreen (Aglaonema) is the ideal plant for an office setting. It thrives in low-light conditions and adds a touch of beauty with its variegated leaves.
This plant not only enhances the aesthetic appeal of the workspace but also improves indoor air quality by purifying the air. It can remove harmful toxins and create a healthier work environment.
With its adaptability and low-maintenance requirements, the Chinese Evergreen is perfect for busy office settings.
— Roy Lau, Co-Founder, 28 Mortgage
6. Snake Plant: Ideal for Office Settings
I’m a plant nut—I have over 150 plants in my living room, and I’m constantly getting new plants, trading cuttings, etc. The best plant for an office is a low-maintenance plant, something that thrives in low light.
Oftentimes, people forget to water office plants. Plus, many offices may shut down for a week around Christmas or other holidays, so having a plant that doesn’t need a lot of maintenance is key. Because a lot of offices have fluorescent lighting and not a ton of windows, having a plant that thrives in low light is good as well.
My pick would be a snake plant; they’re great in low light, low maintenance, require little water, and are known for purifying the air, which is great in an office. They are also very nice-looking aesthetically.
— John Frigo, Ecommerce Manager, Best Price Nutrition
7. Holy Basil: Lucky Plants for Office Desk
Holy Basil, often revered for its purifying qualities, makes for an excellent addition to your office desk, especially if you’re seeking lucky plants.
As a small office plant, it doesn’t require much space and thrives well with minimal care.
Perfect for offices with limited sunlight, it is one of the best plants for office environments lacking natural light. Regular watering and occasional exposure to mild sunlight keep it healthy.
Apart from its luck-bringing beliefs, its aromatic leaves can refresh your workspace, making it a unique choice among office plants.
8. Lucky Bamboo: Brings Good Fortune and Positive Energy
The Lucky Bamboo is a quintessential plant for those who believe in Feng Shui and are looking for lucky plants for their office desk.
Its resilience and ability to grow in water make it one of the best plants for offices with no windows.
This low-maintenance office plant only requires changing its water weekly and avoiding direct sunlight, making it ideal for busy professionals.
Its elegant appearance and supposed luck-attracting properties make it a popular choice for enhancing office aesthetics.
Also Check: Low-Maintenance Indoor Plants for Living Room
9. ZZ Plant: Ability to Thrive in Low-Light Office Settings
The ZZ Plant is a top contender for the best plants for your office, especially if you’re looking for low-maintenance office plants.
Its ability to thrive in low light conditions and require minimal watering makes it ideal for office spaces.
Known for its lush, waxy leaves, the ZZ Plant can add a touch of greenery and style to any desk or office corner.
It’s also believed to bring good luck, aligning with the theme of lucky plants for the office desk.
Must Read: Best Trailing Plants for Hanging Baskets
10. Rosemary: Enhances Focus and Memory in Office Spaces
Rosemary, often associated with remembrance and loyalty, is an excellent choice for outdoor plants for your office.
It’s not only a unique office plant with its fragrant leaves and woody stems but also serves as a symbol of luck and protection.
Suitable for sunny spots, it thrives outdoors but can also adapt to indoor environments, given sufficient light.
Regular pruning and well-drained soil will keep your Rosemary plant healthy, bringing a fresh aroma and a touch of green to your workspace.
See Also: What to Do With Tulips After They Bloom in Water
Conclusion
Plants like Parlor Palm, Snake Plant, Holy Basil, Lucky Bamboo, ZZ Plant, and Rosemary are excellent plant choices for enhancing office environments. They not only beautify your space but also purify air, boost focus, and potentially bring luck.
We’d appreciate your feedback on how these plants have transformed your workspace! Please use the comment box below.
