The Best Houseplants for Your Office or Home Workspace

A workspace with a laptop on a desk surrounded by potted plants a notebook and a coffee mug in a welllit room — Credit:
Olga Peshkova / Getty Images

There’s a reason that even the most minimal of office spaces often include a small potted plant perched near a keyboard or on a bookshelf. In addition to their aesthetic charm, houseplants can reduce stress levels according to some studies—welcome news to anyone logging long hours at their desk. The right plant can make your workspace feel more inviting and alive, and you don’t need a green thumb (or bright light) to reap the benefits. Many of the best office-friendly plants are as low-maintenance as they are lovely.

Below, a curated guide to houseplants that are perfectly suited to office life.

Britt Parrish, "Tulsa's Plant Queen," gardening and plant educator, founder of Plant.Sip.Vibe event company
Julia Terpstra, lifestyle and gardening influencer
Jon Perdomo, "Plant Man P," Los Angeles-based plant stylist and consultant
Micaela Greenwaldt, houseplants and gardening educator and influencer

Why You Should Add Houseplants to Your Office

Adding greenery to your workspace is more than a decorative gesture—it’s an invitation to slow down, breathe deeper, and create an environment where creativity and calm can thrive. "Who doesn't need more nature, especially when you're inside for the majority of the day?" asks
gardening influencer Julia Terpstra. "What they do to our souls is to me the most amazing benefit," she says. "They give a feeling of hope and accomplishment."

Tending to a plant (even a low-maintenance one) is a small, daily ritual that brings beauty and balance to your routine. And in the middle of a packed workday, these little moments of calm can make all the difference. "Being around living and breathing plants helps slow things down and bring a certain spa-like vibe into a space," says Los Angeles-based plant stylist Jon Perdomo. "It’s kind of like the calmness that looking out a window gives you, but instead it’s on your desk or around you."

What to Consider When Choosing Office Houseplants

Before you bring home a new leafy coworker, it’s worth taking a moment to assess your space and your schedule. The best plant for your office isn’t necessarily the trendiest one—it’s the one that will thrive in your particular setup and match your lifestyle. "Choosing plants based on not only their care requirements but how much time and effort you’re able to give to it will be important for your success with it," explains gardening and plant educator Britt Parrish.

Light is the most important factor in plant selection. Take note of how much natural sunlight your workspace receives during the day. Is it bright and sunny all afternoon? Or are you mostly working in a windowless nook? "Though most plants would love a lot of light, sometimes our space is limited. So selecting plants that can tolerate lower lighting conditions will be beneficial," Parrish says. Also, consider scale (small desks call for compact plants) and maintenance requirements. "Temperature and humidity matter, too. Most tropical plants won’t love a cold or drafty office," adds Perdomo.

So if you’re often bouncing between calls or hopping from one task to the next, opt for low-maintenance plants that can withstand being left to their own devices once in a while.

The Best Houseplants for Offices

The right plant, in the right pot, placed in the right spot, can quietly transform your office into a more beautiful and productive place to be. Here are some of the best varieties for this space.

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Snake Plants

snake plant near a window in a pot — Credit:
Grumpy Cow Studios / Getty Images

Few plants embody the "set it and forget it" mindset better than the snake plant. With its architectural lines and upright leaves, snake plants require only infrequent watering and can tolerate low light with ease. "They are so sculptural with their upright leaves. A true winner, they will fill a pot in no time with a dramatic display," says Terpstra. "It's a plus that they are so beginner-friendly."

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Pothos Plants

If you’re looking for something to top off a bookshelf, the trailing vines and heart-shaped leaves of a pothos plant might be just perfect for you. "A plant I recommend to most everyone is a pothos," says Terpstra. "Forgiving when you ignore them, they are the perfect plant for a beginner and great for an office space as they grow in most conditions."

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Aloe Vera

Not just for sunburns, aloe vera makes a beautiful, minimalist desk plant with functional appeal. Its fleshy, spiked leaves store water, making it a drought-tolerant choice that’s right at home in sunny spots. As a bonus, you can snip a leaf and use the gel for minor skin irritations. (No word on how it handles paper cuts or screen-tired eyes, though!)

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ZZ Plant

Since some fast-growing species could quickly take over your space, turning your office into more of a jungle or greenhouse, smaller houseplants that will happily keep to a corner of your desk. The easy-to-care-for ZZ plant fits the bill. "ZZ plants are slow growers that can withstand lower light conditions," says Parrish.

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Air Plants

Incredibly low-maintenance and versatile, air plants are perfect for small desks or communal spaces where traditional pots might be impractical. "They will give you all the vibes you’re looking for, but will still allow you to have desk space," says Perdomo.

They can also be displayed creatively—in glass terrariums, mounted on wood, or nestled in seashells. "An air plant on a piece of driftwood collected from a beach trip would be such a great reminder of a relaxing vacation," says Terpstra. "Just be sure to mist regularly and give it a good soak a couple of times a month on your lunch hour."

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Aglaonema

With broad, patterned leaves that range from green to a pretty bright pink, the Aglaonema is an ideal decorative accent, says plant stylist and educator Micaela Greenwaldt. Also known as Chinese evergreens, their hardiness makes them one of the most common suggestions for first-time growers.

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Peace Lilies

Peace lily in front of window — Credit:
Helin Loik-Tomson / Getty Images

Classic and elegant, the peace lily is a beautiful choice for an office or home workspace with its creamy white flowers and bright green leaves. "Peace lilies bring a sense of calm and serenity to any room," says Perdomo. While it prefers bright, indirect light, it can adapt to lower light levels to accommodate office spaces.

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Money Trees

money tree plant — Credit:
Polina Sergeyeva / Getty Images

An ideal desk mate for anyone manifesting success (or just trying to make it through the workweek), meet the money tree. "Money trees are great choices for an office or home workspace," Perdomo says. Believed to attract luck and prosperity with their glossy leaves and distinctive braided trunk, they make a sculptural, symbolic addition to any office space.

Beyond its good-luck lore, the money tree is refreshingly easygoing. It thrives in bright, indirect light but can tolerate lower light conditions. "Plus, they look great and are my personal favorite plant," shares Perdomo. "Don't tell the others!"

Plants That Less Suitable for Office Spaces

Like certain furniture and other home décor, not everything is suited for a permanent spot in your office. "It’s tempting to want to bring in the first plant you see, but it’s always important to think about the plant's growth rate," says Greenwaldt. "A plant like the mini monstera (Rhaphidophora Tetrasperma) will grow rapidly and will take over a space quickly... And while they’re stunning, I would never suggest an anthurium or calathea as they require a lot of light and humidity, which most office spaces don’t have a lot of."

"When picking plants for your office space, look ahead to the future. Given the right environment, your plant will grow, so plan accordingly," adds Terpstra. "Look at the people and perhaps animals that will come in contact with your plant. Some plants look harmless, but are actually quite poisonous. Do you have a job where you get summer's off? Be sure your plants are portable so you can bring them home to vacation with you."