If you work at home, you may want to use plants to liven up
a bland workspace. Having living plants in your home office can make days more
pleasant, boost your mood, and increase your productivity. Read on for
suggestions on home office plants to consider.
Indoor Plants for Home Offices
Choosing plants for workspaces in your home is similar to
that of any houseplant you have.
Consider growing conditions, such as available light and
space, when choosing houseplants for a home office. Generally, plants
for workspaces are relatively compact, but in the home nearly anything goes.
Most require little care and tolerate occasional neglect.
Here are a few suggestions for home office space plants.
- Pothos (Epipremnum): A popular
office plant for good reason. It’s a lovely, fast growing plant that cascades
gracefully from hanging
baskets or high shelves. Pothos
tolerates both shady corners and sunny windows. It likes to be watered every
few days but will survive an occasional period of dryness.
- English ivy (Hedera helix): Requires
very little attention once the roots are established. Although English
ivy is good for cool, air conditioned offices and thrives in filtered
bright light to low light, this woodland
plant doesn’t do as well with direct, intense sunlight or dramatic
temperature swings.
- ZZ plant (Zamioculcas zamiifolia):
This plant is enjoyed for its shiny, dark green leaves. Super hardy, it prefers
moderate to bright light but tolerates low light or fluorescent bulbs. Periods
of drought are also okay but, ideally, ZZ
plants should be watered when the top two inches (5 cm.) of potting mix
feel dry to the touch.
- Snake plant (Sansevieria): Also
known as mother-in-law’s tongue, this is a distinctive plant with stiff,
upright leaves. The plant can go a long time without water and, as a rule,
monthly irrigation is plenty. Snake
plant, which tolerates both heat and air conditioning, is a good choice for
a shady corner.
- Rex begonia (Begonia rex cultorum):
An exotic, colorful plant that is surprisingly easy to grow. Although you may
occasionally be awarded with a pretty bloom, rex
begonia is valued for its interesting foliage. While it doesn’t appreciate
intense light, it needs moderate or bright indirect light to bring out the bold
colors in the leaves. Water only when the soil feels dry to the touch.
- Cactus: Cactus,
as well as other succulent
plants, is always one of the best office space plants. Choose from a huge
range of colors, forms, and sizes then water sparingly. Ensure the cactus gets
plenty of direct sunlight.
These, of course, are merely suggestions. Depending on your available space, indoor conditions, and personal preferences, you could even include a potted tree or another large floor plant, like citrus, rubber tree plant, parlor palm, and dracaena.
Tips on Growing Office Space Plants
If the light is limited, you may want to invest in a small desktop grow light. (Some even plug into the USB port on your computer).
Most home office plants benefit from light feeding during
spring and summer. If you’re busy or forgetful, a slow-release
fertilizer will provide nutrients gradually for three months or more,
depending on the type.
If you work at home, you may want to use plants to liven up
a bland workspace. Having living plants in your home office can make days more
pleasant, boost your mood, and increase your productivity. Read on for
suggestions on home office plants to consider.
Indoor Plants for Home Offices
Choosing plants for workspaces in your home is similar to
that of any houseplant you have.
Consider growing conditions, such as available light and
space, when choosing houseplants for a home office. Generally, plants
for workspaces are relatively compact, but in the home nearly anything goes.
Most require little care and tolerate occasional neglect.
Here are a few suggestions for home office space plants.
- Pothos (Epipremnum): A popular
office plant for good reason. It’s a lovely, fast growing plant that cascades
gracefully from hanging
baskets or high shelves. Pothos
tolerates both shady corners and sunny windows. It likes to be watered every
few days but will survive an occasional period of dryness.
- English ivy (Hedera helix): Requires
very little attention once the roots are established. Although English
ivy is good for cool, air conditioned offices and thrives in filtered
bright light to low light, this woodland
plant doesn’t do as well with direct, intense sunlight or dramatic
temperature swings.
- ZZ plant (Zamioculcas zamiifolia):
This plant is enjoyed for its shiny, dark green leaves. Super hardy, it prefers
moderate to bright light but tolerates low light or fluorescent bulbs. Periods
of drought are also okay but, ideally, ZZ
plants should be watered when the top two inches (5 cm.) of potting mix
feel dry to the touch.
- Snake plant (Sansevieria): Also
known as mother-in-law’s tongue, this is a distinctive plant with stiff,
upright leaves. The plant can go a long time without water and, as a rule,
monthly irrigation is plenty. Snake
plant, which tolerates both heat and air conditioning, is a good choice for
a shady corner.
- Rex begonia (Begonia rex cultorum):
An exotic, colorful plant that is surprisingly easy to grow. Although you may
occasionally be awarded with a pretty bloom, rex
begonia is valued for its interesting foliage. While it doesn’t appreciate
intense light, it needs moderate or bright indirect light to bring out the bold
colors in the leaves. Water only when the soil feels dry to the touch.
- Cactus: Cactus,
as well as other succulent
plants, is always one of the best office space plants. Choose from a huge
range of colors, forms, and sizes then water sparingly. Ensure the cactus gets
plenty of direct sunlight.
These, of course, are merely suggestions. Depending on your available space, indoor conditions, and personal preferences, you could even include a potted tree or another large floor plant, like citrus, rubber tree plant, parlor palm, and dracaena.
Tips on Growing Office Space Plants
If the light is limited, you may want to invest in a small desktop grow light. (Some even plug into the USB port on your computer).
Most home office plants benefit from light feeding during
spring and summer. If you’re busy or forgetful, a slow-release
fertilizer will provide nutrients gradually for three months or more,
depending on the type.