17 Best Plants For Office Space (+Basic Care Details)

If you are a plant enthusiast like me, you must be interested in decorating your office space with some indoor plants. But what kind of plants are suitable for office spaces?

I have worked in all kinds of office spaces, right from a small cubicle with a desk to a dedicated office cabin. And what’s essential for me is to fill the space with some greenery.

I am sure you also want to do the same, and that’s why you are here. So, without further delay, let’s get right into the list of plants that are suitable for office spaces of all kinds.

Snake plant

Sansevieria are evergreen succulents that can grow 12 feet high. They have attractive, stiff leaves as well as air purifying quality. 

They have other benefits too; they can convert carbon dioxide into oxygen at night, which is ideal for keeping in any room. They can even absorb harmful toxins from the air and protect you from airborne allergies.

Sunlight: Snake plants like full day indirect bright light and can tolerate no more than 3 hours of direct light. They can tolerate low light to high light conditions, ensuring that the direct sun is not for long hours.

Watering: Water your snake plant ideally once a week, depending on the atmosphere. In the summer, they will dry out fast, asking for water more frequently and less during winter. However, they can survive without water for long durations, so it’s OK if you are a forgetful planter.

Fertilizer: Fertilizing snake plants is easy as they are light feeders. They just need to be fertilized twice in the growing season. Fertilize with a liquid houseplant food by diluting the dosage half to avoid stressing the plant.

General care: Place your snake plant in a space with moderate to high temperature and humidity levels. Mist them occasionally and provide good air circulation around them.

Buy Snake Plant: Buy a Healthy Snake Plant From Plants.com

African Violet

African violet is a small indoor plant blooming white, purple, or blue flowers, thriving in low light very efficiently. 

They are pretty tricky plants to grow but can be kept healthy with few tricks. They bloom almost throughout the year, thrive in a bright and humid atmosphere. 

Sunlight: African violet likes to have some light exposure and will stay healthy if fluorescent lights are kept about 1 ft above them. Low lighting conditions can lead to leggy growth, and direct sun can bleach the leaves.

Watering: Keep the soil slightly moist and water them with warm water. Don’t water African violet from the top. Instead, water from below to avoid water contacting the leaves. Water when the soil is dry.

Fertilizer: During the growing season, fertilize your African violet with high phosphorus plant fertilizer. Please do not over fertilizer as it can lead to diseases.

General Care: Mist African violet occasionally to increase the humidity around them. Keep them away from cold drafts and keep them slightly root-bound. Prune dead and damaged leaves to encourage their growth.

Buy African Violet: Buy a Healthy African Violet From Plants.com

English Ivy

English ivy is a plant with dark green glossy leaves vining that can trail and get pretty long. 

Its evergreen foliage can also be used as a ground cover and grow aggressively, especially those planted during spring. 

They look great in hanging baskets indoors. However, always make sure they are protected from cold winds.

Sunlight: English ivy will thrive in partial to full shade, which is great for indoor plant lovers. They thrive in bright light and 

Watering: English ivy should be kept on a drier side and should be watered only when the soil is dry on the top to touch. 

Do not over water, don’t keep the soil soggy, and check the soil before watering. Then, water them from below to avoid wetting the leaves every time you water the plant.

Fertilizer: Fertilize your English ivy every two weeks during spring and summer with a balanced houseplant fertilizer. 

When the plant is in stressful conditions, do not fertilize them as it can stress them even more, leading to their death.

General Care: English ivy-like moderate temperature levels and cool temperatures during nighttime. Prune lower leaves during the spring to encourage growth and also discourage bacterial growth.

Buy English Ivy: Buy a Healthy English Ivy From Plants.com

Bird’s Nest Fern

Bird’s nest fern grows naturally on the surface of other plants or trees. They grow at a moderate speed with some good care, such as adequate warmth, humidity, and moisture. 

Please do not touch or move the newly grown fronds as they are very fragile.

Sunlight: Give your bird’s nest fern enough bright filtered light and no direct sunlight as the leaves can burn. You can expose them to the early morning sun, though; it will not harm them. 

Watering: Moist soil most of the time, and no sogginess is what keeps the bird’s nest fern thrives in. 

Do not overwater and make sure the drainage system is proper. Water when the soil is dry, and don’t wet the leaves while watering them.

Fertilizer: Fertilizer your bird’s nest fern by diluting the dosage to half the strength of good houseplant fertilizer. Do not apply the fertilizer on the fronds and do not over-fertilize as it can lead to abnormally shaped foliage.

General Care: Bird’s nest fern-like high temperatures around them and can suffer to survive in low-temperature levels. To keep the humidity levels high, you can use a humidifier to raise humidity.

Buy Bird’s Nest Fern: Buy a Healthy Bird’s Nest Fern From Plants.com

Golden Devil’s Ivy

Golden devil’s ivy is a popular indoor plant, famous for its hardiness as they are forgiving and easy to care for. 

They feature heart-shaped leaves variegated in yellow and green. Thriving in various conditions and growing fast is something you can call a USP of this plant.

Sunlight: If you provide them more dark shade and less than direct sunlight, they will keep growing with no end. Bright indirect light would be the best light and also keep the yellow variegation on leaves.

Watering: The golden devil’s ivy has shallow roots, and some watering will do the work. Just let the soil dry between watering and let the excess water drain out after watering.

Fertilizer: Since golden devil’s ivy is hardy plants, they can survive with little feeding. Feed them with a balanced houseplant fertilizer once every 2-3 months only during the growing period.

General Care: Prune golden devil’s ivy when you feel the vines are growing long, and you can use those cuttings to grow more of them. They like high temperature levels and high humidity around them to be in a healthy state.

Buy Golden Devil’s Ivy: Buy a Healthy Golden Devil’s Ivy From Etsy.com

ZZ Plant

ZZ plants have oval-shaped glossy deep green leaves, great for planters wanting no commitment as they are sturdy ones. 

ZZ plants grow up to 3′- 4′ height in favorable conditions. They are even drought tolerant as they have rhizomatous roots that store water.

Sunlight: A lot of filtered light is what your ZZ plant wants to thrive and grow like crazy. Yes, that’s all you need to give them, ensuring direct sun exposure, if there’s any, is not more than 3-4 hours.

Watering: ZZ plants have rhizomatous roots, which indicates that they can survive without water for a long time. But watering is still required when the soil is dry completely, ideally 2-3 times a month.

Fertilizer: Any balanced houseplant fertilizer will do the job as they don’t require a lot of feeding to grow. 2 or 3 times in the growing month, diluting the strength to half the recommended dosage will fulfill their nutrient needs.

General Care: Repot your ZZ plants when the roots have outgrown their pots. Spring is a good time to report. The temperature level at your home is perfect for these plants. Avoid planting near heating systems and protect from cold winds.

Buy ZZ Plant: Buy a Healthy ZZ Plant From Plants.com

Orchids

Orchids are very lovely houseplants growing flowers with wide ranges of colors. They are easy to grow in any house or indoor space and brighten your space with their exotic blooms. In addition, they are easy to care for once you know their care guide and stick to the same.

Sunlight: Orchids like a bright light to low light to thrive but can suffer if put under too much light. 

Direct or too much light can stress the plants and also burn the leaves. Also, it will give the leaves a yellow-green color due to too much light.

Watering: You should water orchids every other day during the warmer months with tepid water. 

It is better to water them in the morning so that the soil dries out by night. However, the roots should be kept slightly moist all the time and never let it dry out completely.

Fertilizer: Fertilize your orchids once a month or two. Also, fertilize when the soil is damp. You should also drain the excess fertilizer by watering them thoroughly once a month to prevent salt build-ups.

General Care: Clip off spent stems of orchids once the flowers have fallen from them. Cut the stem above the visible node to encourage growth and flowers blooming.

Buy Orchids: Buy a Healthy Orchids From Plants.com

Philodendron

Philodendron is a charming foliage plant with glossy huge green leaves, great options for beginners. 

They are straightforward to care for and easy to grow plants, and the best part is you can keep them anywhere in your indoor space without giving a lot of thought.  

Sunlight: Philodendron likes full-day indirect sun on them, and a little direct sun is no harm. They grow fast when given indirect light for long hours and might not grow if kept in low light for a long time.

Watering: Philodendron has medium water requirements. They like to dry out between watering. During summer, they need water more frequently as the soil dries out fast and less during winter.

Fertilizer: Fertilizing philodendron is not necessary. They can grow without feeding too. 

However, if you choose to feed, you can choose any houseplant fertilizer by diluting the recommended dosage to half. Feed your philodendron twice during the spring.

General Care: You should occasionally trim philodendron to foster new growth and keep them bushier. Spray neem oil spray all over the plant once a month to keep the pests at bay.

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Venus Fly Trap

Venus flytrap grows from a thick rootstock; the leaves grow up to 6 inches long with blades along the midline. They fold their circular lobes to eat the insects to feed themselves. 

However, if you think you can feed your Venus flytrap with dead insects, then there you can go wrong as the trap doesn’t close tightly enough to eat the food.

Sunlight: Venus flytraps like filtered bright light and will even thrive in low light too. The direct light can harm them, and it will make the leaves crispy and dull.

Watering: Venus flytrap likes its soil mix to stay moist all the time but not soggy. It would be best if you watered Venus flytrap as they start to dry. 

Water them with distilled water as tap water can harm the plant affecting their health in the long run.

Fertilizer: Well, your Venus flytrap is carnivorous and if you want to feed them, then feed them insects. If that’s not possible, feed their traps with a mild fertilizer twice in the growing season.

General Care: Keep the atmosphere humid, good air circulation, and the soil wet of your Venus flytrap for a healthy and happy growing plant.

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Oxalis

Oxalis are prolific and come in ranges of colors and sizes, also referred to as a love plant. They are at that time called shamrock due to their shamrock-shaped leaves. 

The color of the flowers depends on the color of the leaves, and they are thin and dainty. They bloom in early summer and go dormant during the winters and autumn.

Sunlight: Oxalis grows well in bright indirect light and takes a few hours of direct light without getting damaged. A slightly shady spot will also work for them.

Watering: Water your oxalis more frequently during hot weather and less frequently during cold weather. Let the soil dry halfway before every watering, which might take 4-5 days during summer.

Fertilizer: Fertilize throughout summer and spring with houseplant food by diluting the dosage to half the strength. While planting these, you can use compost to provide the soil with the needed nutrients.

General Care: Oxalis like cooler temperatures and high humidity around them. A wintry climate can kill them. 

Some varieties cannot tolerate winter and may die. Make sure to plan them in well-draining soil, and the pot must have a proper drainage system.

Buy Oxalis: Buy a Healthy Oxalis From Etsy.com

Rex Begonia

Rex begonia is a gorgeous tropical plant, grown as houseplants for their jaw-dropping varieties of colored leaves with different patterns. 

The leaves can grow up to 9 inches, and the blooms are small and insignificant, which are often cut down to display the beauty of their leaves. 

Keep them with other green foliage plants to enhance their as well as the virtue of that space.

Sunlight: Rex begonias need bright indirect light to have bushier foliage and to retain their color. They don’t need a lot of light or direct light as they don’t bloom aggressively.

Watering: Rex begonias thrive when the soil is kept moist but do not over-water them. Touch the top of the soil; if it is dry, then you should water them. Do no mist them directly as it can lead to powdery mildew.

Fertilizer: Feed your Rex begonias with any liquid houseplant fertilizer during the growing period and hold your feeding during the winter. 

The feeding should be done, making sure the temperature and other conditions are in balance.

General Care: Provide a temperature level above 60°F and high humidity around your Rex begonias. Do not mist; instead, grow plants to let them increase the humidity level on their own.

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Money Bonsai Tree

Money bonsai trees are beautiful plants with thick branches and glossy leaves, also considered a symbol of good luck by many. 

Their braided trunk is not natural, they are braided during the initial growth, and the green trunks are braided before they turn woody. They can grow 60 feet tall outdoors and up to 6 feet indoors.

Sunlight: Money bonsai trees need indirect, filtered, full daylight. You can keep them near a sunny window. Keep them away from frost and cold drafts. 

Watering: Keep the soil moist for the money bonsai tree but not soggy. The money bonsai plant will flourish and have huge leaves as they get watered more. 

Let the soil dry from the top during summer before watering them and completely dry it during winter.

Fertilizer: Feed your money bonsai tree with bonsai fertilizer from March to October to encourage new growth and let the plant rest during the remaining months.

General Care: Prune money bonsai tree regularly and especially during spring to encourage new growth. 

Keep the humidity levels moderate to high around the money bonsai tree. To maintain the braided trunks, wrap a strong string around the top so that they remain bound as they grow.

Buy Money Bonsai Tree: Buy a Healthy Money Bonsai Tree From Plants.com

Ficus Bonsai

Ficus bonsai is one of the popular plants for bonsai lovers, having an s-shaped trunk with glossy oval leaves. 

There are around 800 species or more of ficus. Ficus bonsai have aerial roots from branches and trunks with long-lasting foliage. 

They purify the air and look magnificent when planted in shallow pots to show off their trunks and roots.

Sunlight: Ficus bonsai can easily thrive in low light, but keeping them in bright indirect light is the best spot. Find a spot where they can get enough indirect light and see them flourishing. 

Watering: Water your ficus bonsai when needed. It usually needs to be watered when the topsoil is dry. 

Keep the soil moist but never over-water it. The drainage system should be proper, and the excess water should drain with 2 minutes of watering.

Fertilizer: Ficus bonsai should be fertilized with a liquid organic fertilizer once a month during summer, and if you find the growth has stopped, then fertilize twice during winter.

General Care: prune your ficus bonsai regularly to get the desired shape and also retain the shape. Mist around them to keep the humidity levels high. Dry air and low light conditions can lead to pest infestation.

Buy Ficus Bonsai: Buy a Healthy Ficus Bonsai From Etsy.com

Lucky Bamboo

Lucky bamboo is houseplants that can be grown hydroponically or in soil. They are favorites of all types of growers and also have deep roots in feng shui. 

When grown in the soil, they grow the longest. You can train the lucky bamboo plants into different shapes such as hearts, swirls, braids, and many more. 

Being a symbol of good luck, wealth, health, and growth, they are gifted by people to their loved ones.

Sunlight: Keep your lucky bamboo in indirect light, preferably in a bright room. This doesn’t mean you put them under full direct sun, which will burn the leaves. 

Watering: If you are growing your bamboo plant in water, prefer distilled or filter water to keep their roots healthy and moist. 

If your bamboo is growing in soil, then keep the soil moist but never over-water them. Let the soil dry on the top before watering them again.

Fertilizer: Fertilizing lucky bamboo is unnecessary, but if you still feel like feeding them, then use a liquid houseplant fertilizer once a month. Do not fertilize our bamboo plant in the dormant period.

General Care: Remove yellow leaves as soon as you see them on your bamboo plant. 

Keep them at a high-temperature level and away from cold drafts during cold weather. Also, for lucky bamboo growing in water, change the water once every week with fresh water.

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Hanging Air Plant

Air plants are epiphytic naturally, but when grown indoors, they behave like ordinary houseplants. They are solid and beautiful houseplants with minimal care requirements. 

Don’t go by the name, as they need more than just air to grow and remain healthy. They look great when grown in hanging baskets. 

Follow simple instructions while taking care of your air plant, as we have discussed below.

Sunlight: For air plants, you need to keep them near a window where it can get a full day of indirect bright light. 

East, south, and north-facing windows are the best options for keeping your air plant. Do not fry them in direct sunlight. You can always use an artificial light source if you don’t get enough light in your room.

Watering: Watering is tricky for your air plant. They like occasional bath and regular misting. 

Depending on the atmosphere, if the atmosphere is not too dry, you can water your air plant and ensure the excess water has drained out completely. 

Mist them once a week so that the surface of the plant is also quite moist.

Fertilizer: There’s not much need to fertilize your air plant as they are not planted in soil, and proper light and water will keep them healthy. 

If you still want to fertilize them, then add a pinch of bromeliad or orchid food to your mister while misting.

General Care: When you recently bought your air plant, soak them in water for about half an hour and allow it to dry completely before keeping it in a globe. 

Keep the plant away from the window with direct sunlight as the glass will intensify the heat.

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Peace Lily

The peace lily is not literally a lily but is a member of the Araceae family and is a favorite of planters as they are adaptable and really easy to maintain. 

They have beautiful hoodlike cover flowers white in color. The plant can grow up to 3 feet tall with bold green foliage. 

They are known to have an air-purifying quality which is even recognized by NASA.

Sunlight: Peace lilies can grow easily in partial shade and can tolerate fluorescent lights. 

They can even thrive in no window room, which is a piece of great news for many planters. However, please do not put them under direct full light. It can harm the leaves and the plant in the long run.

Watering: Water your peace lilies with filtered water when the soil from the top is dry. You can also wait till the leaves droop a little, asking for water, which is not at all harmful for your plant. 

Fertilizer: Fertilize your peace lilies once every six weeks with an organic houseplant fertilizer. Fertilize during the growing period and let them rest in the dormant period.

General Care: Keep the temperature level and humidity level high around your peace lilies. Misting their leaves can help raise the humidity around them.

Buy Peace Lily: Buy a Healthy Peace Lily From Plants.com

Mini succulents

Mini succulents are cute little succulents with thick leaves and swollen stems with water-storing quality. 

Since they store water, they are drought tolerant and can survive just with misting for a long, long time. 

In addition, these plants don’t mind oversight, so if you are one of those ignorant planters, you can definitely grow as many varieties of succulents as you can in your indoor space.

Sunlight: Mini succulents can thrive in both low light and full light but make sure you provide one type of lighting so that they can adapt to the condition. 

Watering: Though your succulents are drought-tolerant, that doesn’t mean you keep avoiding watering them. 

You should water your succulents thoroughly and let the excess water drain out completely. Then, water them when the soil dry. Soggy soil can attract root rot.

Fertilizer: Choose any balanced liquid fertilizer and dilute the dosage to half the strength for feeding your succulents. Feed them in the early spring and the late summer and let them rest in the winters.

General Care: Plant your succulents in a well-draining potting medium and avoid over-watering. Keep the temperature level raised for better growing conditions. 

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