Creating a healthy work environment is key to ensuring your employees are focused, productive and happy. Recently, many companies have been putting their efforts into improving their workplace wellbeing. And, one easy way to brighten up your office and bring life into the space is by including plants.
Plants have been scientifically proven to be fantastic mood boosters, as well as being good for our physical health too, as they are able to clean the air and stabilise the humidity levels. But, we understand that, sometimes, workers don’t have the time to take care of their office or desk plants properly.
Of course, the last thing anyone wants is a plant graveyard in their workspace. So, we’ve put together this list of the best office plants that will add colour and warmth to your workplace while being incredibly easy to look after and won’t mind if you neglect them for a little while.
1. Snake Plant
As one of the toughest plants around, snake plants can withstand low light levels and drought. In fact, they can go months without being watered. Although, it is recommended you water your snake plant every one to two weeks when the soil is completely dry. With their unique appearance and easy-to-look-after qualities, it’s no wonder why the snake plant is so popular in both homes and offices. Whether you give it a quick drink from your water bottle at lunch or forget about it for weeks, this plant will thrive anyway.
2. Pothos
Pothos, also known as Devil’s Ivy, is a type of evergreen vine that will trail pretty heart-shaped leaves. Best placed on a high spot, either on a cabinet or a shelf, it’ll brighten up any dull space instantly. If you get the larger species, then it’ll look beautiful in a big pot on the floor or trained around a pole or column. The Pothos is able to adapt well to a variety of office conditions, from the darkest cubicles to the brightest window. Plus, it’ll be perfectly fine if someone forgets to water it every now and then..
3. Air Plants
Air plants are an unusual type of plant as they don’t need soil to survive. Instead, they receive nutrients through their spidery green leaves from the light and moisture in the air. These plants will give your space and your employees a chance to get creative as they can be placed in mini decorative terrariums, or hanging glass globes or even arranged in a teacup or any other container to sit on desks. To water them, all you have to do is submerge them in water for several hours once a week, which can be done during lunchtime and left throughout the afternoon.
4. Aloe Vera
Aloe Vera is one of the oldest plants that first appeared in Chinese writings around 3000 B.C and has been used globally for its medicinal properties. The Ancient Egyptians idolised aloe vera and even called it ‘the plant of immortality’. Known for its anti-inflammatory and pain-relieving effects, the aloe vera gel is still very much used today. So, not only are they great for your health but their green leaves will add colour to your desk and they’re easy to grow too. All they need is lots of bright light and as they’re technically a succulent, they’ll only need watering every few weeks.
5. Succulents
Succulents are perfect plants for office and plant newbies as they’re tough, hardy and pleasing to look at. With hundreds of different varieties, you can’t go wrong with a succulent. These waxy-looking plants are known for storing water in their thick leaves which means they rarely need watering. They also enjoy sunlight and dry air so placing them on a windowsill is ideal.
6. Bamboo
Need a bit of extra luck in your office? Then bamboo is the plant for you! This happy plant will freshen the air in your office, give your space a much-needed Feng Shui boost and will grow quickly with very little care. You can also shape the stems into fun shapes like spirals or weaves for a more distinctive look too. Bamboo doesn’t need a lot of light, making it a great choice for darker office spaces, and will need watering about once a week.
7. Peace Lily
Peace Lilies are a beautiful flowering plant with deep green leaves that will reward workers with white flowers both in the spring and autumn months. This plant is surprisingly easy to look after and grow and will delight employees when they come in on a Monday morning and see it’s bloomed. A peace lily doesn’t need a lot of light and will forgive being underwatered, but, preferably it would like its soil to be kept moist. Peace lily plants are also well-known for being able to clean up the air and remove harmful toxins to create a nice working environment.
8. English Ivy
English Ivy does an amazing job of softening harsh lines and making your office look like a more relaxing place to work. This trailing plant may need a little bit more work than others, to begin with, but we promise it’ll be worth it in the end. When you first start growing the vines, they will need to be watered fairly frequently. After they’re established they’ll survive with fewer waterings and in dry, cool conditions.
9. Spider Plant
The beloved spider plant is easily adaptable and will make a statement no matter where it’s placed. This sprawling plant is not only easy to care for, but will produce baby plants too so your employees can prune them and take the baby plants home to grow. Or, you can just have an office full of spider plants! This plant prefers to dry out completely before being watered again so it can usually go a couple of weeks without water.
10. Ficus
Whether your office is full of light or only offers a few hours of light a day, the ficus will survive! This miniature tree-like plant will look just as attractive as a stand-alone plant or as part of an eye-catching display. And, luckily, the ficus plant actually prefers being neglected as they like several days of dry soil, so busy workers won’t need to worry about watering it often.
Browse our impressive range of indoor office plants to spruce up your work environment.
Want to do more for your workplace wellbeing? Learn how to manage stress in the office so your employees can feel calm, secure and motivated more often.
