12 Best Home Office Plants: Low-Maintenance Greenery For Your Home Office
^Photo by Carl Heyerdahl on Unsplash
Table Of Contents
- Best low-light plants for home offices
- Cast iron plant
- Snake plant
- ZZ plant
- Best medium-light plants for home offices
- Christmas cactus
- Clivia
- Best high-light plants for home offices
- Aloe vera
- Thyme
- Philodendron
- Jade plant
- Best trees for home offices
- Fiddle leaf fig
- Dracaena
- Money tree
- Plant care and fertilizer tips + 1 common plant myth
So you’re a former plant-terminator turned remote worker, secretly hoping karma isn’t a thing. Because if forgetting to water your succulent incurs karmic penalty you’re no doubt making a guest-appearance as a worm in your next life.
Well, you’re not alone. And in your search for home office setup ideas, The good news is, there are plenty of low-maintenance plants for your home office that even you can keep alive, whether you’ve got a green thumb or brown thumb.
Check them out below.
Low-Light Lush: Best Home Office Plants for Shady Spaces
Got list of dead plants is as long as your list of exes? Then these low-light plants are the plants for you. Because while these plants can survive in low light, they really thrive in any light environment as long as they’re not exposed to direct sunlight. So this means you can stick these plants almost anywhere and they'll be just fine.
Cast Iron Plant (Aspidistra elatior)
Cast iron plants are like booty-calls; give it attention once in a while, but too much care and love (i.e. water) and it’s liable to get the ick and shrivel right up. That makes this plant a home office staple.
Hearty cast-iron plants
- Light needs: This plant can tolerate almost any light condition, from dim corners to artificial light to bright indirect sunlight.
- Watering frequency: Water 1 to 2 times per month, depending on the time of year (you may even want to water these once every two months in the winter). Water sparingly. Let the soil dry out completely between waterings.
- Size: Grows slowly to about 2 feet tall.
- Lifespan: Can live for decades with proper care.
- Soil: Well-draining potting soil (equal parts potting soil, perlite, and peat moss).
Snake Plant (Sansevieria trifasciata)
Fun fact, there’s actually a variety of Snake Plant colloquially referred to as “Mother-in-law’s Tongue”. But I'll leave it to you to guess whether its leaves are sharp, pointy, and wildly uncomfortable to talk politics with.
The Snake Plant is often considered one of the best home office plants there is, because it looks great, it’s hearty, and requires little care.
The 14-year-old-nephew-proof Snake Plants
- Light needs: Another low-light lover, the snake plant can tolerate anything from bright indirect sunlight to shady spots.
- Watering frequency: Water 1 to 2 times per month, depending on the time of year (less often in the winter). Very drought-tolerant. Water infrequently, allowing the soil to dry out completely between waterings.
- Size: There are lots of variants of Snake Plants. Some even reach several feet in height, depending on the variety.
- Lifespan: 20+ years.
- Soil: Well-draining potting mix (equal parts potting soil, perlite, and peat moss).
ZZ Plant (Zamioculcas zamiifolia)
With a penchant for indoor sunglasses and blues rock (for anyone born after the iPhone came out, see “ZZ Top”), the ZZ Plant is another beautiful, hearty home office plant that is great for anyone who has a habit of forgetting to water things.
The blues-rock-loving ZZ Top plant
- Light needs: This plant is incredibly adaptable and can tolerate low to medium light conditions.
- Watering frequency: Water 1 to 3 times per month, depending on the time of year (less often in the winter). Very drought-tolerant. Overwatering is the most common cause of problems for ZZ plants. Wait until the soil is almost entirely dry.
- Size: Can grow up to 3 feet tall.
- Lifespan: 20+ years.
- Soil: Well-draining potting mix (equal parts potting soil, perlite, and peat moss).
Medium Light Magic: Finding Your Plant’s Sweet Spot
If your office gets a moderate amount of indirect sunlight (your windows face north in the Northern Hemisphere and south in the Southern Hemisphere) you have a wider range of plant options.
Below are two medium-light plants that thrive in moderate sunlight conditions.
Christmas Cactus (Schlumbergera)
This beautiful plant is great as a year-round home office plant regardless of whether you’re on the nice list or the naughty list (i.e. if you use “per my last email” in replies).
The vibrant Christmas Cactus
- Light needs: Prefers moderate to bright, indirect light.
- Watering frequency: Water regularly (once per week) during the growing season, but reduce watering (twice per month) in the fall to encourage blooming.
- Size: Grows relatively slowly, reaching about 12 inches tall.
- Lifespan: Up to 100 years (!)
- Soil: Well-draining potting mix (equal parts potting soil, perlite, and peat moss).
Clivia (Clivia miniata)
We love Clivia because, if cared for, it blooms a beautiful and vibrant flower that’s absolutely going to make your home office feel more lively.
A flowering Clivia plant
- Light needs: Prefers moderate, indirect light. Avoid direct sunlight.
- Watering frequency: Water regularly (once per week) during the growing season, but reduce watering in the fall (twice per month) to encourage blooming.
- Size: Grows slowly to about 1-2 feet tall.
- Lifespan: 50+ years
- Soil: Well-draining potting mix (equal parts potting soil, perlite, and peat moss).
High-Light Havens: Sun-Loving Office Companions
If your office boasts bright, indirect light, you have a wider selection of plants to choose from. These sun-seekers will thrive in your well-lit space.
Aloe Vera
The ever-favorite plant of dads around the world, the Aloe Vera not only makes you feel like MacGyver the day after forgot sunscreen at the summer barbecue, but it’s a great home office plant that can tolerate very bright, even direct sunlight for short amounts of time.
The cool part about Aloe Vera is it’s a very easy plant to propagate, meaning you can cut the leaf off the parent plant and transfer that leaf to a new pot and it will propagate an entirely new plant.
Your dad's favorite: Aloe Vera
- Light needs: Loves bright, indirect light. Can even tolerate some direct sunlight.
- Watering frequencyAllow soil to dry completely between waterings. This usually means watering 2 times per month in the summer and once per month in the winter.
- Size: Depending on the species, aloe vera can grow up to 3 and a half feet tall
- Lifespan: 15 years
- Soil: Well-draining cactus or succulent mix
Thyme (Thymus vulgaris)
Along with being the drink garnish that unites hipsters around the world, thyme is a fantastic and low-maintenance home office plant.
*chef's kiss* Thyme plant
- Light needs: Requires bright, indirect light. Can tolerate some direct sunlight.
- Watering frequency: Water 2 - 3 times per month, allowing the soil to dry slightly (but not completely) between waterings.
- Size: 8 inches tall
- Lifespan: 5 years
- Soil: Well-draining potting mix (equal parts potting soil, perlite, and peat moss).
Philodendron (Philodendron spp.)
Philodendron plants come in all shapes and sizes, and there’s a Philodendron plant out there for every home office.
The named-after-an-alien Philodendrons plant
- Light needs: Most Philodendrons prefer bright, indirect light, but some can tolerate lower light conditions.
- Watering frequency: Water 2 - 3 times per month
- Size: 1-3 feet tall, depending on the species
- Lifespan: 25 years
- Soil: Well-draining potting mix (equal parts potting soil, perlite, and peat moss).
Jade Plant (Crassula ovata)
Jade Plants are a succulent native to South Africa and believed to bring good luck. Perfect to have by your side when you request that PTO one week into your new job…
The good-luck Jade Plant
- Light needs: Prefers bright, indirect light but can tolerate some shade.
- Watering frequency: Allow soil to dry completely between waterings. Overwatering is a common issue.
- Size: Can grow into a small tree-like shape with proper care.
- Lifespan: Can live for many years.
- Soil: Well-draining cactus or succulent mix.
Tree-mendous Office Additions: Tall and Stylish
If you’ve got the space, adding a tree to your home office can create a dramatic and calming atmosphere. Just remember, these guys can get big, so make sure you have the room for them to grow.
Fiddle Leaf Fig (Ficus lyrata)
The Fiddle Leaf Fig is a trendy tree that has become a staple in modern home office. Its has large leaves, and it usually grows straight up and stays fairly narrow, so it doesn’t take up a lot of non-vertical space.
The tongue-twister Fiddle Leaf Fig tree
- Light needs: Bright, indirect light is ideal. Avoid direct sunlight, especially during the hottest parts of the day.
- Watering frequency: Water three times per month; allow the top inch of soil to dry out before watering.
- Size: Can grow quite tall, reaching up to 10 feet indoors.
- Lifespan: 30+ years.
- Soil: Well-draining potting mix (equal parts potting soil, perlite, and peat moss).
Dracaena (Dracaena)
The Dracaena adds a sophisticated touch to any home office.
The Dracaena Malfoy plant
- Light needs: Tolerates a range of light conditions, from low to medium.
- Watering frequency: Water about once per week.
- Size: There are lots of different species of Dracaena; some species can grow up to 10 feet tall!
- Lifespan: 15 years
- Soil: Well-draining potting mix (equal parts potting soil, perlite, and peat moss).
Money Tree (Pachira aquatica)
They say this tree brings riches. So make sure it’s in-frame next time you talk to your boss about that raise.
Your favorite finance bro's favorite tree: The Money Tree
- Light needs: Prefers bright, indirect light but can tolerate lower light conditions.
- Watering frequency: Water 2 - 3 times per month.
- Size: Up to 8 feet tall.
- Lifespan: 10 years
- Soil: Well-draining potting mix (equal parts potting soil, perlite, and peat moss).
Plant Care & Fertilizer Tips + 1 Indoor Plant Myth
The Myth That Houseplants Purify Indoor Air
No, indoor houseplants do not purify your indoor air or improve indoor air quality.
In theory it’s possible that indoor plants could improve your indoor air quality, but you’d need an impractical number of plants to impact indoor air quality. We’re talking on the magnitude of 400+ plants. And this would force you to change your Hinge profile from “Plant Parent” to “Plant Hoarder”, which nobody wants.
Here’s how that myth came about.
NASA's Clean Air Study
The popular belief in houseplants as air purifiers largely stems from a NASA study conducted in the 1980s. However, it's important to note that the research was done in sealed environments, unlike our homes and offices. These conditions don't accurately reflect the real-world situation where air is constantly circulating.
While plants can remove some pollutants, the rate at which they do so is relatively slow. To make a noticeable impact on indoor air quality, you would need an impractical number of plants per square foot.
So, should you give up on houseplants? Absolutely not! While they might not be miracle air purifiers, they offer numerous benefits, including reducing stress, boosting mood, and adding aesthetic appeal to your space. Just don't expect them to replace your HVAC system.
General Plant Care Tips
While we’ve covered specific care for each plant, here are some general tips to keep your green companions happy:
- Light: Understand your plant's light needs and provide the appropriate conditions. Rotate your plants occasionally to ensure even growth.
- Watering: Check the soil moisture before watering. Overwatering is a common culprit for plant problems.
- Spritzing: Make you spray your plants with a water spritzer once a week to improve humidity.
- Temperature: Most home office plants prefer average room temperatures. Avoid extreme temperature fluctuations.
- Humidity: Many home office plants appreciate higher humidity. This may mean getting a humidifier in the winter.
- Repotting: Repot your plants when they become rootbound. Choose a pot that's one size larger than the current one.
DIY Plant Food and Pest Control
Who says you need expensive fertilizers and pesticides? Here are some permaculture-friendly alternatives:
DIY Plant Food
- Banana peels: Put your banana peels in a jar and let that sit for up to a month. Then dilute it with 5 parts water and use it to water your plants.
- Coffee grounds: Used coffee grounds can be added to the soil to improve drainage and provide nutrients. Just make sure the grounds are fully dried.
- Eggshells: Crushed eggshells can add calcium to the soil.
DIY Plant Pesticide
If you notice pests on your plants, you can try this homemade pesticide:
Garlic, vinegar, and water spray: Combine crushed garlic cloves, white vinegar, and water in a spray bottle. Let it sit for a few hours, strain, and then spray affected plants.
Note: While this spray can help deter some pests, it might not be effective against all infestations. A more robust pesticide will be neem oil spray.
Remember, when you’re selecting plants for your home office, really pay attention to their light needs. A lot of times plants die not because of a lack of water, but because we put sun-loving plants in the dark or vice versa. Along with nailing the watering frequency and choosing the right soil, and you're home free.
Now it's time to sit back and enjoy the look of envy on your coworkers' faces next time you're asked to "hop on a quick call".
