There are so many benefits of having plants in your home office, like decreased stress and increased productivity, improved air quality, increased job satisfaction, and improved sense of well-being.
Plants don’t just improve the air quality by removing carbon dioxide; they help filter out environmental toxins. They even help combat the horrible-sounding Sick Building Syndrome…
But what plants are best? What plants should I add to my space?
Ferns
I was really happy to hear that ferns are wonderful at cleaning up the air. More specifically, Boston ferns clean up formaldehyde as well as other toxins. We’ve got a ton of ferns (not sure what kind) growing outdoors all around us, and I just adore them. They look so lush and lovely. Luckily, the Boston fern is the common fern seen in plant stores and hanging baskets. They like their environment cool, humid, and with indirect light according to Garden Know-How. I’ll be hanging, at least, one of these babies. I feel like these would make a splash as a gift too. If anyone knows how to propagate these, I would love to hear how. I stuck a leaf in some water once to see if it would grow roots. It just looked pretty for a while and then died.
(For more on plants that clean the air, check out this article from TipsBulletin: 17 Amazing Houseplants that Clean Air.)
Snake Plant
Another star in the healthy air department is the “Mother-in-Law’s Tongue” AKA The Snake Plant. This one cleans up a bunch of toxins. I also think these are gorgeous and add some interesting architectural elements to a space. This one is super low key in the care department, apparently tolerating all sorts of light conditions and temperatures, just don’t let the roots get too soggy.
Spider Plant
Spider plants are fantastic for the air quality, easy to care for, not hard to propagate, and the fill lots of space! I can’t wait to have a bunch of these hanging all over the place though I might have to limit myself to just one in the office. These like average temperature and humidity, sunlight, but not too direct, and to be kept moist, but not drenched, according to the Almanac.
Philodendron
I have a philodendron that I’ve had for TEN YEARS! I don’t have a black thumb or anything, but I don’t particularly have a green one either. These plants are magic. In my experience, they seem to tolerate all kinds of conditions and are another one that is easy to propagate so that you can have lots of philodendron babies! For more official information on their care, check out this article. They also seem to do a great job of removing air pollutants from their environment and can be beautiful in hanging baskets or in regular pots.
Succulents
Finally, I plan on adding succulents, air plants, and maybe a little cactus or two around my desk and on the windowsill to add some extra cheer and interesting textures. I think that’s about all I’ll be able to comfortably fit though I know there are so many fantastic options.
Accessories
Here are some great accessories for your new plants in your workspace. Or, if you simply have zero light (or are so not a green thumb) and can’t have plants, maybe a vase of fresh flowers or a coloring book will do the trick. I’m a little obsessed with the copper watering can.
Clockwise from top left: Similar: Forest Tapestry // Similar: Hedgehog Planter // Similar: Macrame Planter // Urban Jungle Book // Watering Can // Magical Jungle Coloring Book // Similar: Hare Vase //
Do you have plants in your office or your home?
Which ones worked out best for you? Let me know in the comments! I’d love to hear suggestions!
*I sometimes link to books, tools, and other things that I adore and may receive a small commission for it, at no additional cost to you. Read my full disclosure here.
Great post! I keep meaning to add more plants to my office. Right now I just have one sad, lonely little hand-me-down that I think is an aloe plant but I’m not positive to be honest!
Thanks, Meg! Yeah, it can be hard to keep up with plants, especially with the watering near electronics situation in an office 🙂
Mother-in-Law’s Tongue AKA The Snake Plant cracks me right up 😉
Haha! 🙂
Well, as much as I love the look of plants, my thumb is about as black as they come. Might have to just stick with the fake ones in my office space!! But now I know where to look if that ever changes. 🙂 Such a fun and unique post. #daringcreative
Thanks, Shaina! I think fake ones would still be nice!
Thanks for posting about these plants! I’m itching for new plants in our house but didn’t know what would be good choices, outside of my standard succulent choice.
Oh good! I hope this helps 🙂
Yes yes yes! I need more plants. They really brighten up the living space & make work more inspiring. :]
// ▲ itsCarmen.com ▲
Yay! I totally agree.
What a perfect post, with so much research! Great work on the personal, meaningful touch! Ekart Tole, a modern-day philosopher, supports the idea of taking time to mediate on something natural to stay productive in his recent
I COMPLETELY understand the need for plants; my office is in a basement without windows! I have a Jade plant on my desk, and it has been rather sturdy for the ride it is on. I have personally wanted to try a fern, and this article has reinforced that desire. Thanks for the support!
Love your articles! Good luck with keeping up with your desk, and remember KISS. Keep it simple [to keep it] successful!
** recent work with Google! #lostinthought
Thank you! Yeah, it is tempting for me to overdo it with the plants, so that’s good advice to KISS. Ferns seem pretty adaptable. I hope you try one at your desk 🙂
I would love plants in my office. But I have a knack of killing anything green I touch. I use art to bring in color. #Ihaveablackthumb
I am in desperate need of some art in my office right now! I moved to a new space and everything is so beige.
I love office plants!! (Even if I kill them all) Sharing later today.
Thank you, Sarah!!
It’s good to know that ferns are a really good option for cleaning up air. I’ve been contemplating getting some plants for my workspace since I feel like the clean air and the green foliage could really improve the overall space. I don’t have much of a green thumb though, so would a fern be an easy enough to maintain option for me?
Hi Finley! You might want to go with a snake plant. You can’t kill them and they’re great for the air too. Thanks so much for stopping by!