A bit of greenery makes a nice addition to your home office. Beyond improving aesthetics, indoor plants are also thought to enhance well-being.
So take a break from computer-based tasks and engage in some indoor gardening.
In this post we’ll consider the theoretical benefits of plants and identify seven easy to grow, pet-safe plants for your home office.
Incorporating plants into your home office decor.
• Benefits of plants
• Selecting the perfect office plants
• Seven safe and easy plants
• Plant care and maintenance
Benefits of Plants
Researchers have identified a number of potential advantages to having plants in your workspace. While the findings are not conclusive, there is scientific evidence that incorporating plants into your home office provides the following benefits:
Boosted Productivity. The vitality indoor plants add to your environment is thought to positively impact productivity. Science also suggests that the color green may enhance creative thinking. An office spruced up with plants triggers a psychological response that makes your workspace more pleasant to be in, your workday more productive, and YOU more inspired.
Reduced Stress. Interaction with indoor plants has been shown to reduce physiological and psychological stress and fatigue. When you’re up against a deadline or wrestling with a complex problem, glancing at a green friend can offer a moment of calm.
Better concentration. Some studies have demonstrated that living plants enhance attention and focus. Having greenery around can enhance concentration and improve memory.
Improved well-being. Plants are thought to have therapeutic effects. For instance, in what is called “horticultural therapy” potted plants are “prescribed” to patients to alleviate depression and anxiety.
Improved Outlook. According to research published in 2022 in Frontiers in Public Health, “[s]creen-based sedentary time was associated with anxiety” though specific symptoms “varied by the type of screen time.” Plants can lift moods and reduce the stress that can accompany screen-based work.
Faster Recovery. Studies have shown that plants enhance not just psychological, but also physical well-being. For instance, research has shown that patients who could see greenery recovered more rapidly from illness, injury, and surgery and did so with less reliance on pain medication.
Enhanced air quality. While indoor plants are frequently hailed as natural air purifiers, the reality is a bit more nuanced. To replicate the toxin absorbing results of the 1989 NASA study on which this claim is based, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) later clarified that you would need to add almost 700 house plants to your home. So, while indoor plants do contribute to cleaner air and increased oxygen levels, the sheer number required for meaningful toxin removal would be ludicrous.
Okay. Indoor plants should not be seen as a substitute for dedicated air purifiers. But don’t shrug off their other benefits – increased creativity and productivity, stress reduction, and improved overall well-being. At the very least, plants are pretty; they can transform a sterile home office into a pleasing, energizing workspace. The air purifying capabilities of a handful of houseplants may be overestimated but, overall, evidence and experience support greenery as a positive addition to your workspace.
Ready to harness these benefits for yourself? Knowing what plants to select and how to care for them is the next step.
Selecting the Perfect Office Plants
When choosing plants for my home office – or for my home period – I don’t just consider aesthetics. I also consider practicality and safety. I do not have a green thumb, but I do have cats. I want a houseplant that is easy to grow, hard to kill, and won’t send me and kitty to the vet.
I do try to give a houseplant a fighting chance. Before I throw it into my octagon of curious cats and benign neglect, I consider the specific conditions of my office and what sort of plant is likely to thrive there. You should too.
Here are a few things to consider:
Availability of natural light. Begin by evaluating the amount of natural light your office space receives throughout the day. If your desk is blessed with abundant sunshine, consider succulents or cacti that adore bright light. For spaces with moderate light, spider plants can be ideal companions. For tucked-away corners with low light? The resilient baby rubber plant might just flourish.
Functionality. Go for plant varieties that sit comfortably on your desk or bookshelf without taking over. Small succulents, like aloes or echeverias, are great examples because they have a small footprint and require minimal care. Remember, the goal isn’t to turn your workplace into a jungle (unless that’s your preference). Be selective with your choices, placing one or two plants in strategic areas to optimize the benefits without cluttering.
Maintenance. How much time do you have to give to your plants? If you are super busy, or simply green-thumb-challenged like me, low-maintenance plants are your allies. Consider the sturdy snake plant or the forgiving pothos. These varieties ask for little but give back a lot. However, while the snake plant and pothos are definitely easy to care for, they’re not so great for your furry friends. Both are toxic to cats and dogs.
Safety. When you work from home, your pets are an important consideration. For pet owners, it’s imperative to select non-toxic plants. Forego the snake plant, pothos, and aloe and opt instead for a spider plant, Boston fern, or Venus flytrap – all pet-friendly … unless your pets are flies. Always verify the latest findings concerning plant toxicity to animals and, if in doubt, double check with your vet.
Seven Safe and Easy Plants for Your Home Office
While some of the plants mentioned above are toxic to cats and dogs, the following plants are all deemed pet-safe. These attractive houseplants are also considered easy to grow and maintain making them ideal additions to your home office.
Spider Plant (Chlorophytum comosum). Easy to grow and hard to kill, spider plants tolerate low light conditions well.
Spider plants can be grown in containers or hanging baskets. A mature spider plant can reach a height of up to 24 inches and spread up to 36 inches.
Baby Rubber Plant (Peperomia obtusifolia). The baby rubber plant comes in several varieties and is great for beginners.
Baby rubber plants stay small, growing no more than 12 inches in height and spread. Their size makes them ideal for shelves or a desk.
Ponytail Palm (Beaucarnea recurvata). The ponytail palm likes dry soil and infrequent fertilizing, making it perfect for the inattentive.
Though slow growing an indoor ponytail palm can still reach a height of six feet. Place this tall plant next to your desk to create a natural screen.
Venus Flytrap (Dionaea muscipula). This super low-maintenance native of the southeastern United States doubles as fly tape, but is SO much better looking.
Venus flytraps are small plants, maxing out at 5-6 inches. But who cares? They eat bugs! To grow successfully indoors Venus flytraps need to be placed in an extremely sunny spot. A windowsill is ideal.
Boston Fern (Nephrolepis exaltata). Low-maintenance, pretty, and popular the Boston fern makes an excellent hanging plant.
A mature Boston fern can reach a height and spread of up to 36 inches. If it gets too big for your office, Boston ferns can be hung or planted outdoors in warm climates (hardiness zones 9 -11).
Baby Tears (Soleirolia soleirolii). Baby tears require regular watering but are otherwise easy to care for. Like Boston ferns, they are well-suited for hanging.
A low growing indoor-outdoor plant (maxing out at no more than 5 inches), baby tears spread when planted outdoors (providing excellent ground cover!) but stay compact indoors, cascading slightly over the edges of their pots.
Fishbone Cactus (Disocactus anguliger, Selenicereus anthonyanus, Weberocereus imitans) Fishbone cactus is the common name of several easy-to-care-for, pet-safe cacti.
A fishbone cactus stays short, growing in height to not more than 6 inches, but can spread to 36 inches. A location that gets a few hours of bright indirect light is ideal.
Plant Care and Maintenance
Your office plants are there to improve your well-being and you should return the favor. Establish a simple care routine for them. Regular watering, adequate lighting, and the right temperature will improve their longevity.
Thankfully, taking care of house plants doesn’t have to be complicated. Here’s a basic care routine to keep your green companions thriving:
Know your plant’s light needs. Different plants have varying light requirements. Observe your plant’s natural habitat (shade, partial sun, or bright light) and place it accordingly. Most indoor plants prefer bright, indirect sunlight. Avoid placing them in direct sunlight, especially during hot hours.
Water your plants consistently. Watering frequency varies by plant type, but consistency matters. Overwatering can lead to root rot, while underwatering causes stress. Monitor soil moisture. Stick your finger about an inch into the soil. If it feels dry, it’s time to water. If it’s still moist, wait a bit.
Increase humidity. Many indoor plants appreciate higher humidity. You can group plants together to create a microclimate, use a humidity tray (a shallow dish with water and pebbles under the pot), or simply mist the leaves occasionally.
Avoid extreme temperature fluctuations. Keep your plants away from drafts, air conditioning vents, and heaters. Sudden temperature changes can stress them.
Use the right potting mix (and repot when necessary). Use a well-draining potting mix specific to your plant type. If your plant outgrows its pot or the soil becomes compacted, repot it into a slightly larger container.
Fertilize. Fertilize your plants during their active growth (usually spring and summer). Make sure to follow the instructions on the fertilizer package; over-fertilizing can harm your plants.
Remove dead leaves and flowers. Regularly trim dead or yellowing leaves. Pinch off spent flowers to encourage new growth.
Rotate your plants. Turn your plants occasionally to ensure even growth. This prevents them from leaning toward the light source.
Regularly inspect for pests. Even houseplants are vulnerable to pest problems. Keep an eye out for changes in leaf color or texture, which can signal an infestation by aphids, mealybugs, spider mites, or other harmful insects. Neem oil, a natural remedy that is safe for cats and dogs, can be used to treat infested plants.
Know your plants (and give them a little TLC). Not all plants are the same. Some like to dry out between waterings, for example, while others prefer consistently moist soil. Understanding your plant’s specific needs will go a long way to keeping it healthy and happy. And try talking to your plants. (Yes, really!) While findings are not proof-positive, some studies have shown that sound spurs plant growth.
Integrate plant care into your work routine, but keep plant care straightforward and time-efficient. Just a few minutes dedicated to your green companions can make a significant difference in both their wellbeing and yours.
Final Thoughts
The care you give to living plants can serve as a tangible expression of the care you give to your work. You can watch your home office greenery grow and thrive along with your career.
And if it’s simply not possible for you to have living plants in your workspace, you still have a couple options for incorporating plants into your home office decor. Try a few artificial plants. Artificial plants have improved tremendously in attractiveness and verisimilitude. Or “suggest” a potted plant with a folk art sculpture. No. Neither of these options will give you quite the experience of sharing your workspace with living plants, but they will give your home office decor a boost.
What’s your favorite indoor plant? And why? PLEASE SHARE your recommendations in the comments below.