6 Low-maintenance Indoor Plants for Offices with Low Lighting

In today’s evolving workplace, creating an inviting and comfortable office environment is more important than ever. As the remote workforce continues to grow, offices across the globe are stepping up their attempts to attract employees to the office. After many years of working from home, employees seek more incentives to travel to the office with a new-found love of both comfortable and creative surroundings. Enter biophilic design - a concept that integrates elements of nature, like indoor plants, to foster a calm and productive atmosphere.

For offices with limited natural light, finding the right plants can be a challenge. Windowless or low-light spaces often feel less vibrant, but the right indoor plants can transform them. Studies show that biophilic design not only improves air quality but also reduces stress, enhances mood, and boosts productivity by up to 15%.

However, not all plants thrive in low light, and maintaining a lush office shouldn’t become another chore. The solution? Low-maintenance indoor plants. These resilient green companions can revitalize your workspace without demanding constant attention.

At Plant Plan, we’ve spent naerly 50 years enhancing office environments with thoughtfully selected plants. From initial plant selection to regular maintenance, our team ensures your space stays green and stress-free. Whether you're looking for the perfect desk plant or a statement piece for your office corner, we've got you covered.

Fortunately, windowless offices aren't the norm these days as they aren't healthy environments for workers. According to The Journalist’s Resource, workers that spend their time in an office without windows are proven to be less happy, less healthy and more stressed than their colleagues with steady sources of daylight.

However, you may be stuck in a low-light space, and if you can’t afford nor justify the hassle of relocating, there are less drastic ways to establish a welcoming, comfortable environment for employees in a windowless office.

Recent research by Human Spaces found that biophilic design increases both productivity and creativity levels by up to 15%. Plants are a key principle of biophilic design and have many benefits for human health and well-being. According to Lauriane Suyin Chalmin-Pui, the Wellbeing Postdoctoral Fellow with the Royal Horticultural Society, office plants can:

• Improve air quality

• Increase cognitive performance

• Reduce stress levels

• Alleviate symptoms of depression and anxiety

Here’s a curated list of six stunning, low-maintenance indoor plants that will thrive in offices with low lighting and minimal upkeep.

There are many variations of Sansevieria, the most popular of which include the Trifasciata, Kirkii and Zeylanica. Sansevieria plants are among the best desk plants thanks to their strength, durability and ability to survive through the most neglectful conditions with minimal lighting and nutrition.

Philodendrons are a large family of plants with more than 450 variations in the world. One of the most popular varieties is the Heart-Leaf Philodendron, a plant that prefers low to medium light conditions. Though a Philodendron is not the best choice for a windowless office, it’s a fantastic office plant for shaded, north-facing spaces.

A Heart-Leaf Philodendron, known by its official term as the Philodendron Scandens, can be hung from the ceiling and left to establish beautiful hanging leaves for added dimension. They can also trail up trellises or be kept in pots to cascade down the back of a desk to add an interesting focal point to an otherwise bare office space.

Pothos plants make the perfect office plants thanks to their adaptability. No matter where it’s placed, a pothos adapts to just about any condition it’s subject to with minimal care and attention needed. As a vining plant, the pothos can trail on a trellis, from the ceiling, or on a shelf to add both depth and dimension to a windowless office.

Spider plants (Chlorophytum comosum) thrive in the shade, positioning them high in the rankings of the best plants for an office with no windows. The spider plant can easily survive one or two days of neglect and will quickly forgive forgetfulness. 

A Spathiphyllum (AKA Peace Lily) is a low-maintenance indoor plant and one of the few flowering plants to tolerate low light conditions. Blooming twice yearly with blooms lasting for several months, the Peace Lily boasts beautiful dark green leaves and an elegant shape that adds a touch of sophistication to a dimly lit office space.

The Chamaedorea Elegans, commonly known as a Bamboo Palm, is easily recognised by its vibrant foliage. The Bamboo Palm prefers life in the shade of a north-facing room, which is the primary reason it gains a spot within the ranks of the best desk plants. Bamboo Palms are also pet-friendly, making them an ideal choice for animal-friendly offices.

At Plant Plan, we offer a wide range of options for office plant hire, including sustainable office plants, indoor plant hire, and office landscaping with plant displays. Our indoor plant hire service allows businesses to choose from a variety of plants to suit their office's aesthetic and size. And with our office plants for lease, businesses can change up their plants regularly to keep their office looking fresh and vibrant.

Our professional plant care service ensures that your office plants will remain healthy and vibrant. We provide regular maintenance, such as watering, fertilizing, and pruning, to keep your plants looking their best. We also offer advice on the best plants for your office environment and can help you choose the right plants for your space. With our professional plant care, you can be sure that your office plants will remain healthy and attractive.