12 Best Plants for the Office

Here’s one of the toughest houseplants you’ll ever meet: This hardy plant doesn’t need tons of water or sunlight to grow. In fact, a smaller plant (like the one shown here) only needs to be watered every two to three weeks. Always make sure the soil is completely dry before watering to prevent root rot. 

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First-time plant parents love this wavy green plant, especially since it thrives in low-light, drought-like conditions. That means, you can get away with watering it once every two to three weeks, and still watch it grow it up to 28″ tall. 

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If you happen to sit near a window, then this double-duty succulent is your best bet. Place it somewhere where indirect light hits and water it every two to three weeks. Once the leaves mature, you can remove them from the plant and squeeze out the gel to treat burns, bruises and sores. 

Bamboo is considered a symbol of luck and good fortune, which may be exactly what you need at work. The best part: It doesn’t require much on your end to make it happen. Just stick it in a spot that gets moderate or indirect sunlight, and water it when the soil is dry to the touch. 

It’s one of the most common houseplants for a reason: You can place it in any room that receives indirect sunlight or very little light. Be sure to water it when the soil is dry to the touch — every week or so.

The white flowers may catch your eye, but it’s the plant’s air-purifying properties that will really make an impact at work. Keep it out of bright, direct sunlight, but make sure it is still placed in a well-lit area. Water it weekly and spritz the leaves on occasion, especially during the hot summer months. 

The heart-shaped leaves will add a little love to your cubicle — hey, we could all use it! With the right conditions (medium indirect to low light and water once a week), its trailing vines can grow up to 10 feet long. 

Place this plant on the corner of your desk or in a hanging pot, so that its spiderettes (the official word for its thin, long leaves) can dangle without disruption. While it may prefer indirect light, this sprawling green grows well in low-light conditions, like your dimly-lit office. Water it frequently, keeping the soil moist at all times. 

Be prepared: The crinkled fronds on this fern give off tropical vibes, so it may put you in OOO mode. But really, it’ll be something to shoot for during your 9-5. Luckily, this green is extremely easy to care for: Give it indirect to low light and water every one to two weeks. 

Since it’s normally found in the tropics, this evergreen needs sunny, humid conditions to survive. Your office is far from a rainforest, but you can still give it the care it needs: Stick it in indirect sun (north-facing windows are ideal) and water it as soon as the soil feels dry. Mist its leaves often to mimic humid conditions. 

It may be small, but this desk-friendly plant packs a punch: Also called Baby Rubber Plant, this leafy green will grow white flowers, as long as it gets watered once or twice a week. Even though it loves bright indirect light, it can tolerate low-light conditions — simply, water your plant more if it’s getting more sun.  

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If you have floor space to fill, make a statement with this potted plant. Sometimes called the Swiss Cheese Plant (look at the leaves!), this beauty can grow just about anywhere with very little light. Water the plant when the top half of the soil is completely dry and feed it with plant food monthly.