6 best low-maintenance indoor plants for offices with low lighting

Windowless offices are the norm these days but are by no means the most 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.

While many businesses simply 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

Low-maintenance office plants

There’s no doubt that biophilic design both inspires and energizes the workforce. What is likely less energizing, however, is the idea of caring for hundreds of office plants with various demands.

The good news is there are plenty of low-maintenance indoor plants that will invigorate your office space without becoming an additional source of worry and stress. The even better news is that Plant Plan exists to make the entire process easier for you.

Plant Plan

We’ve been enriching office environments with nature for over four decades. With a dedication to biophilic design, plant selection, installation and ongoing maintenance, we offer comprehensive planting and maintenance services for your convenience. This includes selecting the best desk plants to thrive in your unique office space.

So, without further ado, here are the top six office plants that are guaranteed to revitalize your office space with very little fuss.

1) Sansevieria (Snake Plant)
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.

2) Philodendron
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.

3) Pothos
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.

4) Spider Plant
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. 

5) Peace Lily
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.

6) Bamboo Palm
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.