The Best Plants To Bring Life To A Drab Home Office
Working from home can be monotonous at times. Starting and ending your day in the same space can take a toll on your motivation. Whether you're hybrid or fully remote, many of us post-pandemic workers still spend a good amount of time in our home offices. So, to prevent that dip in day-to-day dopamine, we suggest you make the space as friendly and supportive as you can.
What kind of home decor says "friendly and supportive" more than some greenery? Spicing up your office with succulents or spruces could seriously improve your work week. Botanists at Texas A&M University found that our proximity to plants has emotional and mental health benefits. According to Psychology Today, plant decor may lead to greater confidence, creativity, and concentration.
So if you want to clean out the clutter in your head and potentially clean out your air, we recommend you head to your local nursery. Check out our list of plants to look for.
Aloe vera
If you're looking for something soothing, aloe vera can help you. We mean that both mentally and physically. According to Healthline, the plant can be used as a remedy for various skin and beauty concerns. This desert plant is minimalistic, with stiff leaves branching out in a spiral.
Good Housekeeping notes that the plant requires little watering and does best in direct sunlight. Beyond that, all you need to do is plant it in well-drained dirt and a clay pot. If you can do that, your succulent will be bound to thrive.
Peace lily
If you're looking for something dainty and aromatic, the peace lily is a lovely choice. As reported by Petal Republic, there is a wide range of peace lily specimens, but the one best suited for indoor placement is called spathiphyllum cochlearispathum.
Not only is the peace lily easy to care for but, according to experts at Our House Plants, the name comes from the white petals resembling a flag of surrender. Paradoxically this plant's beauty might what keeps you from giving up when the zoom fatigue hits.
Bamboo
If you're in need of strength and a little bit of luck to make it through your work week, bamboo shoots could be a great companion. These unique-looking, tubular plants are often suggested in Feng Shui as a way to boost your luck.
According to The Spruce, bamboo is easy to care for, requiring filtered light and infrequent watering. Bamboo is low-maintenance but its bold look will still make for a great statement plant. Its smaller stature makes for the perfect coffee table embellishment or desk side decor.
African violet
If you don't have a whole lot of room for plants but still want to add some beauty to your workroom, we recommend the African violet. The plant grows a dense base of deep green leaves within a rather small circumference. Creating a beautiful contrast, bright purple flowers bloom from the plant.
The African violet is a sight for sore eyes, but it is not an indoor plant for beginners. According to The Royal Horticulture Society, the plant is extremely delicate and requires an attentive caretaker.
Pothos
If you want to add some plants to your home office but are afraid of how much work goes into caring for them, we'd direct you to pothos. This plant is harder to kill than it is to take care of. Marc Hachadourian, director of glasshouse horticulture, explained to The Wall Street Journal's Buy Side that this plant "is one of the most versatile and adaptable of houseplants."
Pothos does well in bright lighting and low lighting, meaning that you won't have to put out too much effort to make sure your office plants thrive.
Snake plant
A work perk for many remote employees is getting to travel at their leisure. But, as the old saying goes (sort of), what is one person's treasure might be another plant's trash. So if you want to leave for a week or two without killing your office plants or hiring someone to water them for you, the plant for you would be the snake plant.
Country Living recommends you water these plants every 10 days. Not only are they easy to care for, but they are visually stunning with bright green upright leaves.
Chinese evergreen
A Chinese evergreen could be the perfect accent piece if your office decor has a more neutral palette. Don't let the name mislead you, though; the plant does not just come in green but in a range of colors including red and silver, according to Better Homes and Garden.
This plant can add a showy, extravagant element to your room without the clutter. These floppy, oblong plants will be the perfect pop of fun to keep you optimistic throughout the work week.
Monstera deliciosa
This plant is often referred to as just "monstera," but "deliciosa" is just too fun to say to keep out. So we present to you the monstera deliciosa, a plant that will stand out in your office.
Pennington reports that this flamboyant, leafy plant can grow up to 10 feet tall and 8 feet wide indoors. Don't worry too much if you don't have enough space though; its growth will depend on your caretaking and trimming habits. That being said, this plant is not very demanding. Country Living recommends you water your monstera deliciosa whenever the top inch of soil feels dried up.
Peperomia ginny
Peperomia ginny plants are another bright, colorful addition for your office. This plant's unique leaves are often lined with a beautiful baby pink. While the plant can withstand medium light exposure, Houseplant Central explains that these bright edges increase in vibrancy with the plant's exposure to direct light. Although, green or pink, the plant is still a stunner.
And if you are a dog owner, this plant is non-toxic — it might come as a surprise but there are a handful of common indoor plants that are toxic to dogs, so you should always research plants if you have pets in the home.
Baby rubber plant
The baby rubber plant is related to the peperomia ginny — its scientific name is peperomia obtusifolia. This plant is so vibrant and shiny, you'll have onlookers questioning if it's real. But don't be fooled by its rubbery appearance — this plant requires a humid environment and bright, indirect light says The Spruce. Its clean cut leaves and small stature make it a neat addition to your office.
If you have a more minimalist home or are aspiring to one, the baby rubber plant will fit right into your vision.