Office and Desk Plants

We would all like to bring a little bit of our garden to the office with us, wouldn't we? Offices can often be drab, somewhat sterile places where the sound of birdsong or buzzing pollinators is replaced by the sound of determined typing and ringing phones.

However, the typical office is not the most ideal place for healthy plant growth. Low light levels, fluctuating indoor temperatures and a lack of space can present challenges to all but the most low-maintenance plants. And that's leaving aside the issue of whose job it is to water the plant(s) - and who does so when that person is off or working from home.

All is not lost, however. There are a number of plant varieties that have become renowned for their office suitability.

Snake Plant

aka: Mother-in-law’s tongue, Saint George’s sword

The snake plant is sometimes referred to as 'indestructible' (with conventional weaponry at least). It can survive weeks without watering and is suited to growing in low light, under flourescent light or on sunny windowsills.

The broad, fleshy leaves - which point upwards like a sword and are edged with cream or yellow - add some much-needed natural beauty to the office environment.

A snake plant can grow very tall, making them ideal for brightening corners or reception areas. Pruning is best done in late spring or early summer.

Spider Plant

aka: Chlorophytum comosum, Ribbon Plant

Originating from southern Africa, the Spider plant features narrow strap-like leaves that arch outwards and downwards, producing a visual flourish that brings character to the most sterile office. It's a quick-growing, compact plant that 'tolerates neglect' as they say and has a long lifespan - so it's a safe bet. 

Spider plants thrive in indirect medium to bright light, and have also been shown to do well under flourescent indoor lighting. They are very forgiving when it comes to watering, partly due to their fleshy roots. They also cope well with fluctuating temperatures, but are best kept above 10 °C.

Trailing stems produce small white flowers, followed by small plantlets or 'baby spider plants' that can be removed and used to propagate new plants. 

ZZ Plant

aka: Zanzibar Gem

Is your office low in natural light? Perhaps even windowless? That doesn't mean you can't have plants, and a ZZ plant may be the answer.

ZZ is short for Zamioculcas zamiifolia ... so we'll stick to ZZ! The plant is native to east Africa, where it's accustomed to periods of drought. The roots store water in underground rhizomes, which means that they can survive weeks without watering if they need to. 

The ZZ plant has smooth, glossy evergreen leaves on stems that arch outwards. It will do very well in part shade as well as under flourescent lighting.

An occasional misting is recommended - especially over the winter when dry office air is common. Avoid placing where the plant willl be exposed to cold drafts or to direct sun (which can scorch the leaves).

Pothos

A pothos plant is a great option for hanging baskets or high shelves: the stems drape or cascade downwards with oval shaped, variegated leaves.

Pothos has become an office reliable; it is very forgiving of inconsistent watering and it has been shown to cope very well in low light conditions or under artificial light. The compact root system is suited to pots and small containers. 

Be careful not to overwater, especially if natural sunlight is limited. The stems can be trained if they start to grow unruly. 

Monstera deliciosa

aka: Swiss Cheese plant

The tropical Monstera plant originates in the forests of southern Mexico. It has been given the nickname 'Swiss Cheese plant' owing to the holes or 'eyes' that can develop on its large and glossy heart-shaped leaves.

Monstera deliciosa will do well in bright, indirect light, but it tolerates lower light levels better than many other tropical plants. The plant can still grow under flourescent light, although it's not ideal and leaves may be less distinctively 'split'.

Moderate to high humidity is best: occasional misting can be required, especially in a dry air-conditioned office - so keep a mister bottle lying nearby. The ideal temperature range is between 18 and 27 °C, but it will do ok down to about 13 °C. 

The key things to avoid are overwatering (allow the top 2cm of soil to dry out before watering again) and placing near cold drafts.

Monstera deliciosa can grow quite high if not pruned, once it starts to outgrow its pot you are best to provide a houseplant-friendly support such as a moss pole or small trellis.

Note: this plant can be toxic if ingested by cats or dogs.