17 Best Office Plants That Will Survive In Your Workspace

Office plants not only add life to a traditionally boring, colorless space, they’re also beneficial! This list of the best indoor plants for the office has tons of great options for you to choose from, both small and large.

Adding the right indoor plants to an office environment can provide numerous benefits, some of which most of us are probably not even aware of.

Not only are they beautiful to look at, they also help to soften the sterile, empty corners of the average office space.

Small plants can add life and color to any area, while larger office plants create fantastic natural privacy barriers. There’s also something about office houseplants that just makes people feel happier.

17 Of The Best Office Plants For Your Workspace

How To Choose Houseplants For The Office

There are tons of options to choose from, and the list below is just a start. Here are a few quick tips for choosing the perfect houseplant to keep at work…

Grows well with little sun, or under artificial lights
Requires minimal care (so it won’t die over the weekend, or when you go on vacation)
Doesn’t need regular feedings
Slow-growing, so it can stay in the same pot for many years
Adapts well to the frequent temperature changes that often occur in office environments
Doesn’t require much humidity to thrive

17 Of The Best Indoor Office Plants

Ok, now it’s time for the list! Below, I’ve broken it down into two sections. First, I’ll give you small ones that make perfect desk plants, or will fit well in your cubicle.

Then I list taller options that are great if you’re looking to fill larger areas, or would like a floor specimen.

Oh, and many of the specimens on this list are clean air houseplants that can remove indoor toxins. Which is just what we need, since most offices never get any fresh air.

Aloe vera houseplant sitting on my office desk

Smaller Indoor Desk Plants

These smaller options work well for your desk, shelf, or a table. For each of these, I’ve also included some quick care tips to make it simple for you to choose the perfect one(s) to meet your needs.

1. Aloe vera

This one may surprise you, but aloe vera grows very well under artificial lights, making it great office houseplant.

It’s a succulent though, so make sure you don’t overwater it. Allow the soil to dry completely between waterings. Learn all about how to care for aloe vera here.

2. Spider plant (Chlorophytum elatum)

With it’s long, thin, arched foliage that is either green or variegated with white, spider plants look fantastic sitting on a bookshelf or atop a credenza.

Being easy to maintain, it is resilient to infrequent watering and poor lighting. Learn all about how to grow spider plants here.

3. Asparagus fern (Asparagus densiflorus)

The asparagus fern has long, arching stems that are awesome hanging plants, or cascading over the corner of your desk.

In the right conditions, you’ll be rewarded with tiny white flowers that turn into red berries annually. Give it bright light, and take care not to overwater.

4. African violet (Saintpaulia)

A consistent bloomer, these beauties have flowers in shades of purple, pink, and white. They are good office plants because they do surprisingly well under fluorescent lights, and require minimal care.

The soil needs to remain moist, but not soggy. Also, be sure to bottom water, as they are susceptible to crown rot.

5. English ivy (Hedera helix)

Surely ivies need no introduction. They are easy to grow just about anywhere, and can fill up your cubicle with lovely greenery.

These vining plants look great in either a pot or hanging basket. They like to be kept consistently moist, so don’t let the soil dry out completely on this one.

6. Christmas cactus (Schlumbergera buckleyi)

A very popular houseplant, the Christmas cactus produces tubular flowers in a range of colors, which bloom during the holiday season.

These succulents can dry out between waterings, and like bright light. Learn all about how to care for them here.

7. Peace lily (Spathiphyllum wallisii)

Depending on the size, peace lilies can either be small desktop plants, or large floor plants.

Either way, they grow great under artificial or low light, and they flower too! For best success, keep the soil evenly moist, but never wet. Here’s how to care for peace lilies.

8. Adenium (desert rose)

In ideal conditions, desert roses will get large, colorful blooms almost year-round. It’s also very low maintenance and doesn’t like much water.

This succulent requires dry soil that is well drained, and it loves as much light as possible. So put it in your office windowsill, or directly under fluorescent lights.

9. Lucky bamboo

If you’re looking for lucky plants for your office desk, then you definitely need a lucky bamboo!

These fun little plants are commonly grown in water, and do well in shady spots. Keep the water level consistent, and only use room temperature, filtered water on them (chlorine can harm them).

10. Pothos (Epipremnum aureum)

Also known as Devil’s Ivy, pothos have appealing arrow-shaped leaves that can be anywhere from green, marble yellow, or variegated with white.

This vining plant requires very little maintenance, and does well in a low light environment, making it great for your workspace. Keep the soil on the dry side for best results. Learn how to care for pothos here.

Large & Tall Office Plants

These larger specimens are perfect to use as a living privacy divider for your cube, or just to fill a boring, empty corner in the office. I included basic care instructions for these too.

11. Parlor palm (Chamaedorea elegans)

These large palms can grow to be 6′ tall, and are wonderful for as a natural partition for your workspace.

They grow well under artificial lights, and don’t require a ton of care. Just be sure to keep the soil consistently moist, and never let it dry out completely.

12. Weeping fig (Ficus benjamina)

One of the most popular indoor plants for offices around the world, this large tree works great in a sunny corner, entryway, or reception area.

Some have green leaves, and others are variegated. It needs a good bit of light, and the soil should remain moist, but be careful to not overwater.

13. Money tree plant (Pachira aquatica)

Another one that can grow to be a tall tree, money plants are said to bring prosperity and good fortune to their owners. And who wouldn’t want that sitting next to them on the job every day?

They adapt well to the lights in an office, and regular waterings (don’t over or under water). Learn how to care for money tree plants here.

14. Lacy tree philodendron (Philodendron selloum)

Also called a “tree philodendron”, this tall plant has interesting heart-shaped leaves with holes in them.

It thrives indoors with good artificial lighting, or bright, indirect sun. It doesn’t need much water, but the soil should never dry out completely.

15. Dracaena

There are lots of different varieties of dracaenas, and all of them would do well in an office. It makes a superb indoor plant, and needs several hours of indirect sun or artificial light to grow properly.

Water when the soil is dry, and be careful not to overwater this one, as it doesn’t fare well with soggy soil.

16. Chinese evergreen (Aglaonema commutatum)

Slow-growing and tough, Chinese evergreens can thrive in almost any type of indoor condition, making them the ideal office plant.

It survives with regular watering, doesn’t require fertilizer, and accepts low intensity or bright light. It even does well in fluorescent lighting. Learn how to care for them here.

17. Prayer plant (Maranta leuconeura)

A super fun one that looks great in a hanging basket, prayer plants get their name because the leaves fold up at night like praying hands.

They are happiest with bright filtered light, and when their soil is kept evenly moist.

Office plants are a fun addition to any workspace, and have lots of benefits too! So bring this list to the garden center with you, and get a few of them for your desk and floor space.

If you want to learn all there is to know about maintaining healthy indoor plants, then you need my Houseplant Care eBook. It will show you everything you need to know about how to keep every plant in your home thriving. Download your copy now!

More Houseplant Lists

Share your top picks for your favorite or coolest office plants in the comments below.