These low-maintenance varieties make the perfect desk accessories.
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If your job involves working on a computer, your desk is likely where you spend most of your days. Whether it's stocked with office essentials or completely sparse apart from a chic desk mat, there are plenty of ways to infuse personality into your daily work setup. Office plants are beneficial in so many ways—not only can some varieties improve the air quality but simply having something green around can help offset the dulling effect of those buzzing fluorescent lights. That said, there is such a thing as too many plants. (We're talking about a professional environment, after all.) Pick one or two to reap the benefits without going wild.
When choosing the best office plants, it's best to stick to smaller varieties that won't take up too much desk space. There is still work to be done, after all. You don't have to stress about these easy, beginner-friendly plants; the majority of them are low-maintenance, so they won't die if you forget to water them for a few days or leave them on your desk while you're OOO. From cacti and succulents to trendy ZZ plants and peace lilies, these office plants create the relaxing vibe you want.
If your office doesn't get much natural light or you sit far away from the windows, pick one of the low-light-friendly plants below. Read on for our 35 office plant picks, and find the one that speaks to you.
Additional copy by Meghan Shouse.
Before you get worried: Yes, the holes in the leaves are meant to be there. The monstera plant is often called the Swiss cheese plant because of the fenestrations, or natural holes, in the leaves that are assumed to be there to capture more sunlight with a smaller leaf mass. It's an ideal office plant because it's leafy and lush yet only needs water every one to two weeks. It can be left alone for days in bright indirect sunlight—perfect for a hybrid work schedule.
If your workplace is bright and sunny, then an olive tree might be the perfect office plant for you. The silvery gray-green leaves are beautiful and won't encroach on your workspace, and this Mediterranean native only needs to be watered about once a week.
Only opt for a majesty palm as your office plant if you have the space for it to potentially grow up to 10 feet tall. While it'll make your workspace feel like a jungle, it's not meant for small spaces. Because of its large size, the majesty palm doesn't require much water, only needing to be watered once every one to two weeks, and it thrives in bright, indirect sunlight.
The bird of paradise plant is named after its beautiful, vibrant bloom which resembles a bird in flight, making it a colorful option for an office plant. Even without the flower, the large green leaves bring a tropical vibe to any office space. They only need to be watered once every one to two weeks, though should be watered more frequently if it's set out in bright light.
This pet-friendly plant is a great addition to your office because it stays relatively small (only growing four to eight inches tall at its largest) and doesn't require much watering. The waxy leaves of the hoya carnosa grow in multiple colors with this species, and it has the chance to produce small, sweet-smelling flowers too.
This office plant is quite striking thanks to its green rippled leaves. The bird's nest fern makes for a great office plant because it thrives in medium to bright indirect light, but it can tolerate lower light if need be. It only needs to be watered once every one to two weeks, depending on how much light it receives on the day-to-day. Just remember to water around the leaves, not directly in the center of the plant.
Looking for something a bit more colorful for your office than your garden-variety houseplant? Consider bringing the vibrant stromanthe triostar into work with you. This office-friendly plant only needs to be watered every one to two weeks, depending on how much sunlight it's receiving, and it should be placed in medium-to-bright indirect sunlight.
This great office plant is a maranta red, also known as a prayer plant—its leaves raise and lower from day to night. Besides the interesting movement, this houseplant has fairly unique foliage as well, with vibrant red veins on the bright green leaves. This office plant needs medium-to-bright indirect sunlight and watering once every one to two weeks. However, it could definitely thrive in a more humid environment.
This large, tropical palm is recognizable by its long green fronds and tall height, giving whatever room it's in some major jungle vibes. The cat palm is a very popular indoor plant, though you should definitely put it in a bright place with plenty of room to grow. It needs indirect sunlight and a drink of water once every one to two weeks, making it the perfect office plant that you'd likely forget about if it weren't for its size.
Indoor gardeners of all skill levels will love this North American evergreen. The wintergreen cherry berry plant is very easy to maintain, and it produces vibrant red berries alongside the beautiful green leaves, giving off an undeniable festive vibe. This office plant thrives in bright indirect light and needs to be watered once a week.
While this plant won't produce delicious coffee beans, the vibrant glossy leaves are perfect for livening up your workspace. The coffee plant is on the larger side of what we'd recommend for office plants (reaching up to 10 inches tall), but if you have the space, we say to go for it. Watering can be tricky with this plant, the frequency will depend on your light exposure (more light means more watering, and vice versa).
A unique variety that is sure to catch your coworkers' attention, the African Milk Tree is a cactus with edgy red leaves. Like most succulents, this plant needs bright, indirect light and watering every two weeks or so. The leaves are known to shed, but don't worry, new ones will replace them.
The Peperomia 'Rosso' prefers bright yet indirect sunlight, perfect for desks located near a window with southern-facing exposure. This plant, while not a succulent, prefers similar conditions: sandy soil, minimal waterings, and warm temperatures.
If you're the kind who always has a fresh bouquet at home, why not add a bloom to your desk? An orchid, while often finicky, can actually thrive with an office's consistent light and temperature levels. Just be sure to stick to a watering schedule as it's easy to both under- and over-water an orchid.
Related Story: How to Care for Orchid Flowers
Vibrant and easy to care for, this leafy office plant is great for those looking to add a pop of color to their workspace. The red Chinese evergreen is air-purifying, and, if given enough light, it will bloom little white flowers in the springtime.
As its name suggests, the whale fin succulent looks a whole lot like Moby Dick's flipper. This sculptural office plant can tolerate low and indirect light. Just be sure to dust it regularly to keep pests at bay.
This cute plant's glossy leaves will surprise you by developing natural holes as they get bigger. (Don't worry, they're not being eaten, just growing.) The deep green will eventually morph into a beautiful teal, hence the Baltic Blue name.
Shaped like a beaver's tail, the prickly pear cactus might be the easiest succulent to care for. With infrequent watering requirements and no need for regular fertilizer, this plant is great for larger desks where you won't accidentally bump into its sharp spikes.
Keep a money tree at your desk to help manifest that next big raise or promotion. This miniature tree is easy to care for and loves low water and low light.
Add a pop of color to your desk with this flowering office plant. Be sure to place your bromeliad near a window or under a grow light once a week or so to help it stay healthy and vibrant.
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