Office plants chosen to cope with artificial light, dry heated air and weekends without watering, from compact desk palms to floor-standing kentias and ZZ plants for reception areas. Free tracked delivery across Ireland and 24 more EU countries.
What are the best office plants?
The best office plants are the ones that tolerate modest light, dry air and irregular watering. ZZ plant (Zamioculcas zamiifolia) and kentia palm (Howea forsteriana) lead the list for lower-light floors, pothos (Epipremnum aureum) trails happily from shelves, and money tree (Pachira aquatica) or dragon tree (Dracaena marginata) add height beside a bright window. If pets visit the office, choose from the pet-safe species below.
| Plant | Light | Watering | Best spot | Pet-safe |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| ZZ plant (Zamioculcas zamiifolia) | Low to bright indirect | Every 2–4 weeks | Desk corner, reception | No |
| Kentia palm (Howea forsteriana) | Low to medium | When the top few cm are dry | Floor, reception | Yes |
| Parlour palm (Chamaedorea elegans) | Low to medium | Keep lightly moist | Desk, shelf | Yes |
| Money tree (Pachira aquatica) | Bright indirect | When the top half is dry | Floor by a window | Yes |
| Peace lily (Spathiphyllum) | Low to medium | When leaves start to droop | Meeting room | No |
| Dragon tree (Dracaena marginata) | Medium to bright | Every 2–3 weeks | Open-plan floor | No |
| Pothos (Epipremnum aureum) | Low to bright indirect | When the top few cm are dry | Shelf, trailing | No |
Why put plants in an office?
Because a planted office is a nicer place to work. A 2014 University of Exeter study in the Journal of Experimental Psychology: Applied found that staff in planted offices reported greater workplace satisfaction and concentration than staff in bare, "lean" offices. Plants also soften hard surfaces and break up open-plan sightlines.
Keeping office plants alive over weekends and holidays
More office plants are lost to a heavy watering before a holiday than to neglect. ZZ plants, snake plants and pothos cope with two to four weeks dry if the compost is allowed to dry out first. For longer breaks, a self-watering pot or a saucer of clay pebbles and water keeps roots supplied without leaving them waterlogged. Keep plants away from radiators and air-conditioning vents, which dry leaves fastest.
Frequently asked questions
What office plants grow without a window?
No plant grows in total darkness, but ZZ plant, pothos and kentia palm cope well under office lighting that is on for most of the working day. Keep them within a few metres of a window if you can.
Which office plants are safe for dogs and cats?
Kentia, areca and parlour palms, money tree (Pachira), ponytail palm (Beaucarnea) and calatheas are non-toxic according to the ASPCA. ZZ plant, peace lily, dracaena, monstera, philodendron and pothos are not, so keep them out of reach.
How often should I water plants in an office?
Check rather than follow a calendar. Most office plants want water when the top few centimetres of compost are dry, which in a heated office is usually every one to three weeks, and less often in winter.
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