Working from home has become the norm for many of us, and while there are certainly many advantages to no longer heading into the office, there are also challenges. Distractions--the fridge, streaming media, pets, and power naps--may keep us from being as productive and inspired as we could be.
Luckily, indoor plants have a way of providing a visual mini-break that can give your eyes a rest from the computer screen. Indoor plants can transport you to the great outdoors-- if even it is all in your head. This mental break can be just enough to regain your focus and get you back on track to focus on work.
How to Find the Right Indoor Plant
The best indoor plants for your home office are both easy on the eyes and easy to care for. You want houseplants that will make the chaos--the piles of paper, and stacks of stress--dissipate.
These 10 low-maintenance, easy-care, and mainly low light tolerant houseplants can help transform your home office into an oasis.
1. Chinese Evergreen
Chinese Evergreens have a well-deserved reputation for being both beautiful and low-maintenance. The Chinese Evergreen Wintery Winehouse features green leaves dappled with cream, while the Cutlass has narrow light green leaves with dark green accents throughout. The exotic Siam Aurora is a showstopper, thanks to the red-edged variegated and pink stems.
These leafy indoor plants thrive if you give them plenty of low to medium indirect light and water them only when the soil is dry. Chinese Evergreen plants prefer high humidity, but they will keep their lush looks when the humidity is lower.
2. Dieffenbachia
Dieffenbachia will add a relaxed, tropical vibe to any space. Put one of the smaller-sized varieties on your desk for an instant visual break. Large, broad, variegated leaves abound and create a relaxing atmosphere.
Varieties like the Dieffenbachia Tropic Maryanne feature eye-catching large white leaves edged in green, while the Dieffenbachia Memoria Corsii has predominately green leaves speckled with lighter shades of green and cream.
Dieffenbachia plants will fare well even with a certain degree of neglect. Find a spot that receives adequate indirect light and water only when the soil dries out and this low maintenance plant will maintain its natural beauty.
3. Maranta
Sometimes referred to as Prayer Plants, Maranta plants will add a peaceful, easy. feeling to your workspace. The intricate, patterned leaves of the Maranta Red are mostly dark green with light green accents and red stripes. Perhaps the most intriguing feature of Maranta plants is the foliage, which responds to light and in the evening they turn up, like hands held in prayer.
Maranta plants prefer regular watering and extra humidity if you can provide it. They are not terribly picky about the amount of light they receive, just as long as it is indirect.
4. Parlor Palm
Escape to a lush green tropical forest, at least in your mind, when you decorate your home office with a Parlor Palm. Bright green, palm-shaped fronds give this plant depth and create a full look.
These adaptable palms prefer bright indirect light, but they will be just fine in low or medium indirect light. Parlor Palms are great for anyone who is forgetful when it comes to watering since they would prefer under-watering to over-watering. They are also effective at cleansing the air in a room, so you can breathe easy while you are hard at work.
5. Philodendron
Philodendrons are commonly thought of as lush vining plants, and for good reason. Trailing varieties like the Brasil, Lemon Lime, and Heart Leaf put out impressive vines dotted in stunning leaves. However, there’s a lot more to this family of plants. The Philodendron Prince of Orange has large oblong leaves that grow from a center point. The leaves start out in a vibrant shade of orange and gradually change into a bright green. New leaves on the Philodendron Moonlight start out as an intense lemon-inspired yellow before morphing into a light green.
While Philodendrons can be drastically different, they all have a few things in common. They all have mesmerizing leaves that are great for providing a quick mental break before you get back to work. Philodendrons are also incredibly low maintenance. Wait until the soil is dry before you give them water and they are completely content with any amount of light, just as long as it is indirect.
6. Pothos
Laidback Pothos makes a great addition to a home office because these plants are not about drama. They like to wait for the soil to dry out before they need water and while they prefer low indirect light, they can handle other amounts of indirect light.
While Pothos are certainly low-maintenance they do like to show off their foliage. The leaves of the Marble Queen Pothos are almost evenly speckled with white and green while the leaves of the Pothos N’Joy have separate blocks of white and green. The Golden Pothos has mostly green leaves with specs of bright golden yellow. Place your Pothos on a high shelf so the vines can tumble down and create a curtain of greenery.
7. Sansevieria
Sansevieria will give your home office a professional look and feel, while also providing style and warmth. The tall sculpture-like Sansevieria varieties, such as Frozen, Zylancia, and Black Coral are great for fitting into corners or tight spaces. Smaller varieties, such as the Black Star, Forest Star, and even the Mikado are right at home on a bookcase or desk.
Less is more when it comes to caring for Sansevieria. These are definitely indoor plants that do best when they are left alone. The soil should be completely dry before you give them water and as long as the light they receive is indirect your Sansevieria will be happy.
8. Syngonium
Sometimes referred to as Arrowhead Vine, Syngonium is another indoor plant that will liven up your home office with lots of variegated leaves. The Syngonium Gold Allusion has slight red veining in green leaves with bursts of yellow while the Syngonium Holly has leaves that are almost completely white save for some green accents.
Keep your Syngonium trimmed to create a lush bouquet of leaves or let the vines develop for a cascading effect. The easy-going Syngonium needs indirect light and does best when the soil dries out between watering.
9. Umbrella Plant
The small leaves of the Umbrella Plant grow in a circular pattern atop thin stems, reminiscent of an umbrella. It’s the sheer volume of these stems and umbrella-like leaves that set this indoor plant apart. The thick canopy of leaves gives this shrub-like plant a full and lush appearance.
The undemanding Umbrella Plant makes a great addition to your home office because this indoor plant requires very little care. These plants need medium to bright indirect light, and that is their main requirement. Let the soil dry out between watering and just admire the view.
10. ZZ Plant
The smooth, waxy leaves of the ZZ Plant reflect light and grow in a near-perfect symmetrical pattern along the stems. As the stems reach higher they will fill in with more leaves that start out as a bright green and gradually fade into a darker green.
The ZZ Plant is native to Africa, making this a drought-tolerant indoor plant. Your ZZ Plant won’t hold it against you if you’re late with water from time to time - your plant may actually love you more for it. Just make sure to place your ZZ Plant in a spot that receives indirect light.
Get to Work
Work can be stressful enough without the added pressures of working remotely. Indoor plants will help bring a sense of calm and focus and will make your workspace feel comfortable and inspiring. You will hopefully find you are better able to take on whatever challenges the workday may have in store!
These ten plants all make great additions to your home office. Check out our full selection of indoor plants to find more greenery and foliage to set the tone for your home office.