Office

Office Plants: Productivity and Well-Being at Work

Transform your workspace into a green and productive office with our selection of easy and purifying plants. Pilea, Zamioculcas, Sansevieria, Pothos, succulents, and cacti: these plants improve air quality, reduce stress, increase concentration, and create a healthy and inspiring work environment.

Why have plants in the office?

• Improve productivity: studies show +15% productivity with plants in the office
• Reduce stress: lower cortisol (stress hormone) and improve mood
• Purify the air: absorb CO2 and toxins (formaldehyde, benzene), release oxygen
• Increase concentration: greenery improves focus and creativity
• Reduce eye strain: visual breaks on greenery rest eyes tired from screens
• Humanize the space: create a warm and welcoming environment

🌿 Ultra-easy plants for the office

Zamioculcas (ZZ Plant): the indestructible office plant. Tolerates low light, missed waterings (1 to 2 times per month), dry air, and total neglect. Shiny dark green foliage. Height 40-80 cm. Purifies the air. Perfect for a windowless office or a very busy person. Minimal watering = zero hassle.

Sansevieria (Mother-in-law's Tongue): robust and graphic. Tolerates low light and missed waterings (1 to 2 times per month), as well as dry air. Releases oxygen at night. Purifies formaldehyde, benzene, and xylene. Height 30-120 cm depending on varieties. Vertical silhouette that takes up no space. Perfect on the desk or a shelf.

Pothos (Epipremnum): easy and fast vine. Tolerates low light and missed waterings. Purifies formaldehyde, benzene, and xylene. Fast growth, decorative variegated foliage. Trailing or climbing. Water once a week. Perfect hanging or on a high shelf.

Cultivation: all tolerate low light (office fluorescents are enough), rare watering, and dry air from air conditioning. Zero hassle, maximum benefits.

🌵 Succulents and cacti: mini office plants

Various Succulents: Echeveria, Crassula, Sedum, Haworthia. Varied shapes and colors. Withstand extreme drought. Water 1 to 2 times per month. Height 5-20 cm. Perfect on the desk, windowsill, or a shelf. Take up little space and add a touch of greenery.

Cactus: Opuntia, Mammillaria, Echinocactus. Graphic shapes. Withstand total drought. Water once a month. Height 10-30 cm. Perfect on the desk. Zero maintenance.

Aloe vera: purifying succulent. Medicinal properties (soothing gel). Water 1 to 2 times per month. Height 30-50 cm. Perfect on the desk or windowsill.

Cultivation: full sun to partial shade (ideal office window), very well-draining soil. Rare watering. No fertilization. Perfect for busy people who forget to water.

🪴 Pilea: cute and easy

Pilea peperomioides (Chinese Money Plant): cute round leaves on thin stems. Easy care, tolerates low light. Produces baby plants (easy cuttings). Height 20-40 cm. Water once a week. Perfect on the desk, brings cheerfulness and lightness. Very trendy.

Cultivation: partial shade, well-draining soil. Water when the soil is dry. Rotate the pot regularly for even growth. Light fertilization in spring and summer.

🌱 Other easy plants for office

Chlorophytum (Spider Plant): effective purifier (formaldehyde, xylene, toluene). Easy, tolerates neglect. Produces hanging baby plants. Tolerates low light. Height 20-40 cm. Moderate watering. Perfect hanging or on a shelf.

Dracaena: easy structural plants. Dracaena marginata (thin trunks, fine foliage), Dracaena fragrans (broad foliage). Purify the air. Tolerate low light. Height 60-150 cm. Moderate watering. Perfect for a corner of the office.

Spathiphyllum (Peace Lily): air purification champion. Elegant white flowers. Tolerates low light. Height 30-60 cm. Water when leaves drop (recovers quickly). Perfect on the desk or a shelf.

Ferns: Nephrolepis (Boston), Phlebodium (blue). Humidify air (ideal with dry air conditioning). Tolerate partial shade. Height 30-60 cm. Regular watering. Perfect to soften the office.

Palms: Areca, Kentia. Elegant, purify air and humidify. Tolerate partial shade. Height 1 to 2 m. Regular watering. Perfect in a desk corner to create a green presence.

Where to place plants in the office?

On the desk: small plants (Pilea, succulents, cacti, compact Sansevieria). Immediate proximity, frequent visual breaks. Height 10-30 cm. Don’t take up too much space.

Windowsill: plants that love light (succulents, cacti, Aloe vera). Benefit from natural light. Height 10-40 cm.

Shelf or furniture: medium plants (Pothos, Chlorophytum, Spathiphyllum, Dracaena). Create presence without cluttering the desk. Height 30-60 cm.

Desk corner: large plants (palms, Monstera, Dracaena). Create a calming focal point. Height 1 to 2 m.

Hanging: trailing plants (Pothos, Chlorophytum, Philodendron). Use vertical space and free up desk area. Gracefully hang down.

Office plant tips

Choose according to available light: office with window = more choices (succulents, Pilea, Spathiphyllum). Office without window = plants that tolerate low light (Zamioculcas, Sansevieria, Pothos). Office fluorescents are enough for these plants.

Favor easy-care plants: at the office, watering is often forgotten. Choose plants that tolerate neglect (Zamioculcas, Sansevieria, succulents, Pothos). Water 1 to 2 times a month = zero stress.

Appropriate pruning: small office = small plants (Pilea, succulents, compact Sansevieria). Spacious office = medium to large plants (palms, Dracaena, Monstera). Don’t overcrowd the workspace.

Watering on Monday: establish a watering routine on Monday morning. Check the soil and water if dry. Weekly routine = healthy plants.

Clean the foliage: dust reduces purification and photosynthesis capacity. Wipe leaves with a damp cloth monthly.

Rotation: regularly turn pots for even growth. Plants lean toward the light (window).

Scientifically proven benefits

Productivity +15%: a University of Exeter study shows that having plants in the office increases productivity by 15%. Employees are more focused, creative, and satisfied.

Stress -37%: a University of Technology Sydney study shows that plants reduce stress by 37%, anxiety by 44%, and fatigue by 38%. A more calming environment.

Creativity +45%: a Texas A&M study shows that plants increase creativity and problem-solving by 45%. Greenery stimulates the brain.

Improved air quality: a NASA study confirms that plants absorb formaldehyde, benzene, xylene, and toluene (office toxins). 3 to 5 plants for a 15 to 20 m² office significantly improve air quality.

Reduced absenteeism: a study from the University of Norway shows that plants reduce absenteeism by 25%. Employees are healthier (purified air, reduced stress).

Frequently Asked Questions

Which plants if my office has no window?

Zamioculcas (champion of low light), Sansevieria (tolerates shade), Pothos (thrives under neon lights), Aglaonema (low light), Aspidistra (indestructible iron plant). All thrive with office neon lights, no natural light needed.

How many plants on a desk?

1 to 2 small plants on the desk (Pilea, succulents, compact Sansevieria). 1 to 2 medium plants on a shelf or furniture (Pothos, Spathiphyllum). 1 large plant in a corner if space allows (palm, Dracaena). Total 2 to 5 plants for a 10 to 15 m² office. Balance between benefits and clutter.

Do plants really improve productivity?

Yes, scientifically proven! Studies show +15% productivity, -37% stress, and +45% creativity with plants in the office. Greenery improves concentration, mood, and well-being. Visual breaks on plants rest eyes tired from screens.

Should office plants be watered often?

No, most are low-maintenance. Zamioculcas and Sansevieria: 1 to 2 times per month. Succulents and cacti: 1 to 2 times per month. Pothos and Pilea: once per week. Spathiphyllum: when leaves fall. Establish a watering routine on Monday mornings. Check the soil and water if dry.

Do office plants require a lot of maintenance?

No, special selection of easy plants. Watering 1 to 2 times per month to once per week depending on species. Fertilize 2 to 3 times per year. Clean leaves once a month. Repot every 2 to 3 years. Time budget: 5 to 10 minutes per week. The benefits far outweigh the minimal effort.

Can we put plants in a shared office?

Yes, great idea! Plants improve the collective atmosphere, reduce everyone's stress, and purify the shared air. Choose easy plants (Zamioculcas, Sansevieria, Pothos) that tolerate neglect if several people forget to water. Set up a watering rotation.

Do plants attract insects in the office?

Rarely. Well-maintained indoor plants do not attract insects. Avoid overwatering (attracts gnats). Clean the leaves regularly. Use quality potting soil. If problems arise, treat with diluted black soap or neem oil.

Are office plants a good investment?

Yes, excellent investment! Productivity +15% (financial gain for the company), stress -37% (employee well-being), creativity +45% (innovation), improved air quality (health), absenteeism -25% (savings). Budget €50 to €150 for 3 to 5 plants. Exceptional ROI (return on investment) in productivity, health, and well-being. Investment that pays off quickly.