Are you looking for unpretentious office plants to improve the work environment? Discover some classic plants with benefits + tips for care here!
Most houseplants require appropriate watering, fertilization, protection from diseases and pests, and perhaps the occasional pruning. However, when it comes to office spaces, only certain types of plants are suitable for low light conditions or dry air. Fortunately, these are easy to find these days and can add a touch of nature to the workplace even with little plant care. Such plants also purify the air and can make you forget that you are surrounded by iron and concrete. In order to make the best possible choice for yourself or your work colleagues, you will find great suggestions for easy-care office plants below.
Why are certain plants beneficial for the office?
Not every office space has the privilege of being flooded with sunlight, which is one of the main requirements for healthy plant growth. On the other hand, many office workers keep their blinds down as the sun shines on their computer monitors during the day. Due to these factors, many people forego greening their offices and therefore forego the benefits that this brings. Fortunately, certain green plants also thrive in such room conditions and can beautify workplaces without the need for extensive plant careImprove indoor air quality. Here are some of their key office environment benefits that you and your employees can benefit from in your everyday work life:
- Work-related stress can lead to serious health and psychological problems. One of the main advantages of a green office space is the positive effect of the natural elements on the psyche. When it comes to stress reduction, both green plant leaves and colorful flowers have a relaxing effect, making you feel more relaxed and comfortable in the office environment.
- An equally important benefit of the natural environment is that it promotes concentration and can therefore increase productivity. This can also add to the emotional engagement that is often lacking in the workplace today.
- When it comes to indoor air, more people in a room exhale correspondingly more carbon dioxide, which affects the air quality in the work area. The presence of green plants can significantly reduce the levels of carbon dioxide, bacteria and dust in the indoor air that are normally inhaled.
- In addition, green office spaces can prevent breathing problems caused by polluted environments. Some plant species remove toxic substances such as benzene, xylene, toluene, ammonia, formaldehyde and trichlorethylene from the air.
- Office furniture or floor coverings made of synthetic materials also emit toxins, thereby worsening indoor air quality on a daily basis. However, some plants are able to reduce the amount of these in the air.
- Last but not least, office plants improve the overall appearance of the environment, which contributes to the company's image.
What office space options to consider?
Indoors, some office plants can withstand little light, although there are modern and practical options for greenery these days. A possible design solution, for example, is:Moss walls that also work as DIY projectsYou can add preserved moss to the office space either as a whole wall or as an accent. By adding such a biophilic design, any dark interior can be made more lively and stylish.
However, this option has fewer health benefits and improves aesthetics rather than room conditions. Although moss creates a pleasant office environment, it is largely used for customer acquisition in conference and waiting rooms. When it comes to the actual health and well-being factor, you can opt for the following common plant species instead.
Choose exotic plants for the office with their special features
- For example, you can choose the lucky feather (Zamioculcas) because it is easy to care for and is also suitable for inexperienced people. This type of plant can survive for more than a month without watering and tolerates low light conditions without any problems. For this reason, it is also important not to expose lucky feathers to direct sunlight for long periods. Furthermore, you should not overwater the plant to prevent root rot and pay attention to occasional symptoms such as yellow leaves. Since Zamioculcas usually grow in warm regions, they cannot tolerate cold, which is why unheated office spaces are not suitable for this.
- The porcelain flower (Hoya) is also a suitable plant species from the wax flower genus, which impresses with its beautiful flowers. As far as plant care is concerned, it is not particularly demanding, but it does require occasional watering and indirect light. Avoid waterlogging but keep the soil moist to keep this beautiful exotic plant healthy in office spaces.
- The cob filament from the arum family is also one of the easy-care plants for the office that you can choose. It's about an Asian plant species that is very popular as a houseplant. It is also air purifying and has beautifully patterned plant leaves that are a feast for the eyes. In terms of care, the cob threads like moderately moist potting soil, but do not tolerate direct sunshine, drafts or cold.
- Bromeliads, also known as tillandsias, are exotic plant species that can thrive in the air. This makes them an equally preferred choice in office spaces where you want to add colorful and natural accents. However, bromeliads rely on high humidity, which is why, as office plants, they do not tolerate dry air from air conditioning well. Therefore, it is important to mist them with water daily using spray bottles when the air in your work area is dry.
Below you will also find some classics for your workplace.
Opt for classic variants in the office space
- As the name suggests, civil servant asparagus, also known as bow hemp or Sansevieria trifasciata, is one of the most common plants for the office. This is thanks not only to its ability to purify the air, but also to its robustness. This is a hardy plant species that can survive without water for weeks and can thrive even in low light conditions. The plant leaves of different species are shaped like swords and have different green colors and patterns, and the plant can grow meters high. There are also compact versions that can be used to decorate office cabinets or desks.
- Another representative of the classic office plants is the window leaf, also known as Monstera or Philodendron. This is a large-leaved plant species that is difficult to confuse and is not particularly demanding. However, the window leaf grows very quickly even in low light, which is why it might take up more space in the office. This is a water-loving plant that requires regular watering as well as occasional foliar misting.
- You can also consider the spider plant, also known as official grass or official palm, when choosing office plants. You can grow this type of plant in both hanging pots and planters to brighten up any office area. In addition, the civil servant lily is very adaptable and also has air-purifying properties. Like the bromeliad family, it is recommended to spray the leaves of the spider plant when the humidity is low. Otherwise it grows unhindered in little light and low room temperatures.
- An equally popular natural air purifier is the monoleaf, which is also one of the unpretentious plants for the office. However, if you want to see the plant bloom, you should grow the single leaf in a sunny place in the office room.
- Last but not least, you can opt for climbing plants like ivy to add greenery to work areas without much effort. Although the plant tends to grow outdoors, there are plant varieties that are also suitable for indoor use and thrive as houseplants.
What else should you consider when choosing plants for the office?
It is advisable to choose undemanding and resilient plant species for office spaces. Smaller specimens can also be combined with eye-catching planters to make the workplace appear natural and artistic. For example, easy-care and air-purifying cacti or succulents are also suitable for this, with which you can add exotic and colorful accents to your office table. This will make you feel better, recharge your batteries and increase your concentration. Here are some other factors you should consider:
- If you have little experience in gardening or have not previously cared for houseplants, you should pay attention to their needs.
- Check the condition of your plants regularly and focus on their light and water requirements so that they stay healthy.
- It is better to rely on office plants that can thrive even in limited sunlight. Usually these are tropical or subtropical plant species that in their natural environment are covered by dense vegetation and have lush green foliage. The latter helps them grow even in low light conditions.
- In addition, humidity and proper irrigation are other important requirements for healthy plant growth for most of these crops.
- Before purchasing, find out about the specific preferences of each type of plant so that you can enjoy it for longer.
