Best Houseplant for an Office
Whether you work from home or have a dedicated workspace in the office, adding a few houseplants is an easy way to bring colour, texture and natural interest into your surroundings.
From compact plants that can sit neatly on your desk to larger varieties that can brighten an empty corner, there are plenty of office plants to choose from. The key is to select varieties that suit the conditions in your workspace and your available time for plant care.
Office environments can sometimes have lower light levels, air conditioning, heating and fluctuating temperatures, so hardy, easy-care varieties are often a good choice.
Here are some of our favourite houseplants for offices, along with tips to help you choose the right plant for your workspace.
What Are the Best Houseplants for an Office?
Some of the best office houseplants are varieties that are relatively easy to care for and can cope with typical indoor conditions.
Snake Plants, ZZ Plants, Spider Plants, Peace Lilies, Pothos and Rubber Plants are all popular choices, offering different shapes, sizes and foliage colours.
When choosing an office plant, think about how much natural light your workspace receives, how much room you have and how often you will be able to water it.
Snake Plant
The Snake Plant is an excellent choice for an office, particularly if you are looking for an attractive plant that requires relatively little maintenance.
Its tall, upright leaves give it a modern, architectural appearance, while different varieties offer a mixture of green, yellow and patterned foliage. Snake Plants are tolerant of lower light conditions, although brighter, indirect light will generally encourage stronger growth.
They are also relatively drought tolerant, meaning they don't need to be watered frequently. Allow the compost to dry out between waterings and take care not to leave the roots sitting in water.
Care tip: If you often forget to water your plants during a busy working week, a Snake Plant could be a good choice.
Ideal for: Desks, shelves, corners and offices with lower light levels.
ZZ Plant
Another excellent low-maintenance office plant is the ZZ Plant.
Zamioculcas zamiifolia has glossy, dark green leaves and a naturally upright growth habit. Its neat appearance makes it particularly well suited to modern offices and workspaces.
ZZ Plants are tolerant of lower light and can cope with periods without watering. Their thick underground rhizomes store water, helping them withstand occasional neglect.
Avoid overwatering and allow the compost to dry before watering again.
Care tip: Choose a pot with good drainage and keep your ZZ Plant away from cold draughts and direct heat.
Ideal for: Busy offices, desks and areas with limited natural light.
Spider Plant
Spider Plants are a classic choice for both offices and home workspaces.
Their long, arching leaves provide plenty of movement and texture, while mature plants can produce stems carrying small plantlets. These can be left to trail from the parent plant or removed and grown separately.
Spider Plants are adaptable and relatively easy to look after. They prefer bright, indirect light but can tolerate lower light conditions.
Their compact size also makes them particularly useful for desks, shelves and filing cabinets.
Care tip: Water when the surface of the compost begins to dry, and remove any brown or damaged leaves to keep your plant looking tidy.
Ideal for: Desks, shelves and smaller workspaces.
Peace Lily
If you want an office plant with flowers as well as attractive foliage, a Peace Lily is worth considering.
Peace Lilies have glossy green leaves and distinctive white flowers. They can tolerate lower light conditions, although brighter, indirect light is generally better if you want to encourage flowering.
They prefer more consistent moisture than drought-tolerant plants such as Snake Plants, so check the compost regularly and water when the surface starts to dry.
Care tip: Keep your Peace Lily away from radiators, heaters and cold draughts, and provide plenty of indirect natural light.
Ideal for: Brightening desks, shelves and larger office areas.
Golden Pothos
Golden Pothos is a versatile trailing plant that works particularly well in offices where space is limited.
Its heart-shaped green leaves are marked with attractive golden variegation. Allow the stems to trail naturally from a shelf or filing cabinet, or train the plant upwards around a support.
Golden Pothos is relatively tolerant of lower light conditions, although brighter, indirect light can help maintain its attractive variegation.
Care tip: Allow the compost to dry slightly between waterings and avoid strong direct sunlight.
Ideal for: Shelves, filing cabinets and hanging planters.
Rubber Plant
For a larger office plant with plenty of impact, consider a Rubber Plant.
Also known as Ficus elastica, the Rubber Plant has large, glossy leaves that can add a bold splash of green to a workspace. With the right conditions, it can grow into an impressive indoor specimen.
Rubber Plants prefer bright, indirect light and should be allowed to dry slightly between waterings. Avoid placing them directly beside radiators or in draughty areas.
Care tip: Wipe the large leaves occasionally with a soft, damp cloth to remove dust and keep them looking their best.
Ideal for: Larger offices, home offices and empty corners.
Parlour Palm
For a softer, more tropical feel, the Parlour Palm is a lovely office plant.
Its delicate, arching fronds add texture without creating a heavy or bulky appearance. It can also tolerate lower light levels, making it suitable for offices that do not receive large amounts of direct sunlight.
As with many houseplants, it is best kept away from radiators and other sources of dry heat.
Care tip: Keep the compost reasonably moist while avoiding waterlogging, and give your palm bright, indirect light where possible.
Ideal for: Larger desks, reception areas and home offices.
How to Choose an Office Plant
Before choosing a new plant for your workspace, take a few moments to consider the conditions it will have to cope with.
How Much Light Does Your Office Get?
Natural light is one of the most important considerations when choosing a houseplant.
If your desk is next to a bright window, you will have a wider choice of plants. If your workspace is several metres from a window or in a darker corner, look for varieties that are more tolerant of lower light.
Remember that low-light tolerant does not mean no light. Houseplants still need light to grow, so a completely dark office is unlikely to be suitable for most varieties.
How Much Space Do You Have?
A small desk does not mean you have to miss out on office plants.
Compact varieties such as Spider Plants can fit neatly on shelves and desks, while trailing plants such as Golden Pothos can make use of vertical space.
If you have more floor space available, a Rubber Plant or Parlour Palm can create a much larger feature.
How Much Maintenance Can You Manage?
Think about your working routine before choosing a plant.
If you travel regularly or have a busy schedule, choose a variety that can cope with less frequent watering, such as a Snake Plant or ZZ Plant.
If you enjoy spending time caring for your plants, you could choose varieties that appreciate more regular watering and attention.
For more advice, see our houseplant care guide.
Are Office Plants Good for Your Workspace?
Houseplants can make an office feel more welcoming and provide colour and natural texture in an otherwise functional environment.
There is also considerable interest in the relationship between indoor plants and wellbeing. The RHS highlights research suggesting that plants and interaction with nature indoors can have positive effects on wellbeing. However, popular claims that a handful of office plants can dramatically purify indoor air should be treated with caution. The number of plants and conditions needed to produce significant changes in indoor air quality are generally not representative of a typical office.
For most people, the main benefit is simple: a well-chosen plant can make your workspace a more attractive and enjoyable place to spend time.
Caring for Your Office Houseplants
Once you have chosen your ideal office plant, a few simple habits will help keep it healthy.
- Check the compost before watering: Don't water simply because it is a particular day of the week. Check the moisture of the compost first.
- Provide adequate drainage: Make sure excess water can escape from the pot to help prevent waterlogged roots.
- Keep leaves clean: Office environments can be dusty, so gently wiping larger leaves can help keep your plants looking fresh.
- Watch out for heating and air conditioning: Avoid positioning plants directly beside radiators, heaters or strong air-conditioning vents.
- Rotate your plants: Turning your plant occasionally can help it grow more evenly towards the available light.
- Check for pests: Look underneath leaves and around stems from time to time, particularly when bringing new plants into a shared office.
For more tips, take a look at our houseplant care and maintenance advice.
Best Plants for a Home Office
Working from home gives you a little more flexibility when choosing plants, as you can create a greener environment without needing to work around a shared office layout.
A Snake Plant or ZZ Plant is a good option for a low-maintenance desk plant, while a Golden Pothos can add greenery to a shelf or bookcase. If you have a bright home office with plenty of space, a Rubber Plant can make an attractive feature.
You can also combine plants of different heights and shapes to create a more interesting display without taking up too much desk space.
Bring Some Greenery to Your Workspace
From compact Spider Plants to striking Rubber Plants, there are plenty of best houseplants for an office to choose from.
The most important thing is to match your plant to the conditions available. Consider the light levels, temperature, space and how much time you have for plant care before choosing your variety.
Whether you want one small plant for your desk or a collection of greenery throughout the office, the right houseplants can add colour, texture and a natural touch to your workspace.
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