27 Best Office Plants That Require Little Maintenance

Snake Plant

The snake plant (Dracaena trifasciata) is as tough as they come. Read the plant label carefully to avoid choosing a cultivar that grows several feet too tall for your workspace.

Instead, look for a dwarf selection like ‘Futura Superba’ or ‘Whitney’. They require little special attention except for a drink from your water bottle on your way out the door, and they do best in a spot where they can get bright, indirect sun for eight hours a day. Snake plant is toxic to pets.1

• Name: Snake plant (Dracaena trifasciata)
• Light: Sun, part shade
• Water: Water deeply once or twice a month
• Mature Size: Average 2 ft. tall indoors

African Violet

If you’re looking for a small indoor plant that will easily thrive in an office, consider African violets (Saintpaulia ionantha).

African violets aren’t picky about the light source that helps them bloom, and a fluorescent lamp aimed at the plant is acceptable, which makes them a great plant for a windowless office. A window that faces north or east provides ideal light conditions but avoid placing this plant in direct sunlight.

• Name: African violets (Saintpaulia ionantha)
• Light: Partial sun
• Water: Water ever week or so, when top inch of soil is dry
• Mature Size: 6-9 in. tall and wide

English Ivy

English ivy (Hedera helix) requires medium light and average water to thrive indoors, and it does best in an office where you have exposure to bright, indirect natural light. If the trailing climbing nature of ivy gets too exuberant, wrap ivy tendrils around a small trellis or obelisk for a living piece of art.

Cultivars include ‘Silver Dollar’ and ‘Yellow Ripple’ featuring gray or gold variegation, or ‘Curly Locks’ or ‘Manda’s Crested’ with ruffled leaves. English ivy is toxic to people and pets.2

• Name: English ivy (Hedera helix)
• Light: Part to full shade
• Water: Water when top inch or two of soil is dry
• Mature Size: No limit; freely climbs and spreads

ZZ Plant

Zamioculus zamifolia, commonly known as the ZZ plant, is a drought-tolerant succulent that forgives low light and little water. The plant does just fine with fluorescent bulbs as its only light source, so choose a ZZ plant if you have an interior office.

The nearly black stems and foliage of the ‘Raven’ cultivar look stunning in a neutral workspace. The plant is toxic to humans and animals.3

• Name: ZZ plant (Zamioculcas zamiifolia)
• Light: Bright, indirect or low light
• Water: Water when the soil is three quarters or fully dry
• Mature Size: 2-4 ft. tall and wide

Aloe Vera

Aloe vera plants are easy to grow if they receive lots of bright light on a sunny office window sill. The standard Aloe barbadensis miller is attractive in a modern office space. Consider the dwarf ‘Minibelle’ or the speckled ‘Tiger Tooth’ cultivar. Grow them in a sandy cactus mix to ensure the excellent drainage these plants require. Aloe is toxic to humans and animals.45

• Name: Aloe vera (Aloe barbadensis miller)
• Light: Full, partial sun
• Water: Water the plant twice a month
• Mature Size: 12-36 in. tall, 6-12 in. wide

Philodendron

Whether an office is flooded with natural light or is tucked in a cozy corner, the carefree philodendron adds cheer with its glossy green leaves and trailing habit.

The philodendron requires regular moisture to keep its lush look so a self-watering pot could be a lifesaver. Grow the silvery mottled ‘Brandi’ cultivar with the simple green Philodendron hederaceum for a handsome combination in a container. All philodendrons are toxic to people and animals.67

• Name: Philodendron (Philodendron spp.)
• Light: Partial sun
• Water: Water when the top inch of soil is dry
• Mature Size: Trailing, 1–20 ft. tall, 1–6 ft. wide

Tillandsia

Air plants (Tillandsia), do not require soil. Affix air plants to a piece of driftwood with fishing line, fill a miniature terrarium with air plant varieties or arrange them in an unconventional container.

The Tillandsia genus includes several hundred species in the bromeliad family, all with green, silver, or rosy spiked foliage. As epiphytes, they grow on shady tree branches and don’t need much light but those on sunnier desks are more likely to grow a flower spike.

• Name: Air plants (Tillandsia)
• Light: Partial sun
• Water: Heavily mist the plant weekly and soak for 30 minute every other week
• Mature Size: 2-12 in. tall (indoors)

Oxalis

Oxalis, also known as wood sorrels or shamrock plants, are houseplants that add a splash of color to the office with their shamrock-like appearance. Some types of oxalis are treated as lawn weeds but the cultivated types make pleasant office mates, such as Oxalis vulcanicola ‘Zinfandel’, with deep burgundy foliage.

These plants do well in low humidity but require bright light for the best color, and they will do best in an office with a window. It’s also toxic to animals.8

• Name: Wood sorrel (Oxalis)
• Light: Full sun, part shade
• Water: The plant prefers dry soil; water every one or two weeks
• Mature Size: 2-18 in. depending on type

Rex Begonia

Any of the jewel-like cultivars of the Rex begonia (Begonia rex-cultorum) can adorn an office desk. This plant is grown for its foliage and you’ll find dozens of cultivars that feature speckles, veining, and even swirling patterns in shades of silver, purple, red, and green.

Rex begonias do fine in indirect light, though they do need several hours a day of bright light to thrive. Make sure they also have sufficient humidity. Rex begonias are toxic to pets.9

• Name: Rex begonia (Begonia rex-cultorum)
• Light: Partial sun, shade
• Water: Water regularly and keep soil moist, but not soggy
• Mature Size: 12-18 in. tall and wide

Lucky Bamboo

Lucky bamboo (Dracaena sanderiana) isn’t true bamboo but it is an easy indoor plant as long as it’s in indirect sunlight, which could mean on a far wall of your office away from the direct sun.

Have fun on your breaks shaping lucky bamboo stems into shapes like spirals, weaves, or even hearts. Lucky bamboo grows well in low light and can grow in water. Lucky bamboo is toxic to animals.10

• Name: Lucky bamboo (Dracaena sanderiana)
• Light: Partial shade
• Water: In soil, water ever week or 10 days; in water, change the water weekly
• Mature Size: 1–5 ft. tall, 1–2 ft. wide

Pothos

Pothos (Epipremnum aureum) is a simple green plant with heart-shaped leaves but it grows fast. Grow pothos with long lengths of vines to trail along the walls of a cubicle or office.

Pothos is flexible about lighting and even tolerates low light or fluorescents, but make sure it has lots of room to spread. Cultivars ‘Neon’ and ‘Silver Satin’ are extremely tolerant of an office’s dark or low-light conditions. Pothos is toxic to animals.11

• Name: Pothos (Epipremnum aureum)
• Light: Bright, indirect light
• Water: Water the plant every one to two weeks, depending on its light conditions
• Mature Size: Trailing, 20–40 ft. long, 3–6 ft. wide

Cactus

Cacti thrive as indoor office plants. Two groups of cacti include desert cacti (with hairy spines) and forest cacti (more succulent in appearance minus the prickly parts). Some cacti produce blooms, such as the Christmas cactus (of the forest kind).

Cacti don’t need pruning and rarely need repotting since they grow slowly. They will require a sunny spot to thrive, so this is your plant for direct sun if you have a spot right by a window.

• Name: Cactus (Cactaceae)
• Light: Full sun
• Water: Though drought-tolerant, water cacti every 10 days in the summer and decrease to once a month or so in winter
• Mature Size: 1-96 in. tall, 2-30 in. wide depending on species and cultivar

Spider Plant

Spider plants (Chlorophytum comosum) are fast-growing with long arching leaves (called ribbons), and they don’t require much care. They prefer warm, humid offices, thrive in indirect light, and keep them away from air conditioning vents.

Repot the plant when it looks sparse so its roots have more room and propagate baby plantlets for the rest of your office.

• Name: Spider plant (Chlorophytum comosum)
• Light: Partial sun, shade
• Water: Water when the top two inches of soil is dry
• Mature Size: 1-2 ft. tall and wide

Peace Lily

The large glossy green leaves (and rare white flower) of a peace lily (Spathiphyllum spp.) are soothing to see, and they can tolerate lower light so they’re perfect for a workspace that’s away from bright windows.

Peace lilies require some attention, though, so you can’t just forget about the plant. As soon as you see the peace lily droop, it’s telling you it needs a drink. The peace lily is toxic to animals.12

• Name: Peace lily (Spathiphyllum spp.)
• Light: Filtered light
• Water: Water when leaves start to droop
• Mature Size: 1-4 ft. tall and wide

Jade Plant

Bring some good luck and prosperity to your office with a jade plant (Crassula ovata). These succulents have thick, fleshy green teardrop-shaped leaves that grow in a cheerful upright direction. The right light is key for this succulent.

Place the jade plant and other succulents on sunny window sills but not in direct harsh sunlight or the leaves will burn. The jade plant is toxic to animals.13

• Name: Jade plant (Crassula ovata)
• Light: Full sun
• Water: Water when about three quarters of the soil in the pot is dry
• Mature Size: 3–6 ft. tall, 2–3 ft. wide

Weeping Fig

The weeping fig tree or ficus tree (Ficus benjamina) is a broadleaf evergreen commonly used to fill office corners in well-lit offices. It can live up to 50 years but beware, it doesn’t like to be moved—or ignored. Its leaves are typically small glossy green ovals; variegated varieties include Ficus benjamina variegata and F. benjamina ‘Starlight’.

• Name: Weeping fig (Ficus benjamina)
• Light: Bright, filtered sun
• Water: Keep the tree consistently moist, but never soggy
• Mature Size: 3-6 ft. tall

Spiderwort

Spiderwort (Tradescantia) is a petite plant with pretty purple foliage that’s perfect for a desk or shelf. It requires minimal care for its lush foliage.

The plant does well in regular potting soil and almost any light. However, the more variegated the plant, the brighter the light it needs to thrive (this is when you need a window office!). For solid purple leaves, opt for ‘Purple Heart‘ and for more reddish foliage with silver stripes, grow T. Zebrina pendula. The plant is mildly toxic to humans and animals.14

• Name: Spiderwort (Tradescantia)
• Light: Full sun, partial shade
• Water: Keep the soil consistently moist
• Mature Size: Vining, N/A

Parlor Palm

Parlor palm (Chamaedorea elegans) is a graceful, frothy plant and a slight breeze moves its green fern-like foliage. Parlor palm adapts to low light and can’t tolerate too much watering, which is ideal for those without corner offices. It’s a slow-growing, long-living plant that even tolerates air conditioning.

• Name: Parlor palm (Chamaedorea elegans)
• Light: Indirect light
• Water: Water weekly
• Mature Size: 2-6 ft. tall, 2-3-ft. wide

Nerve Plant

If you have a dimly lit office, brighten it with a nerve plant (Fittonia albivenis). Its ovate green leaves are decorated with deeply pronounced white, silver, or pink veins. You’ll need to remember to water the plant because it likes high humidity levels.

This plant tolerates diffused light and fluorescent lighting, making it the perfect cubicle plant. ‘Fortissimo’ or ‘Red Star’ varieties have pink veined leaves.

• Name: Nerve plant (Fittonia albivenis)
• Light: Partial sun, diffused light
• Water: Water regularly but not too often; the plant will fall over or “faint” when it’s dry but perks up with a drink
• Mature Size: 3–6 in. tall, 12-18 in. wide

Ponytail Palm

The ponytail palm (Beaucarnea recurvata) has cute, sassy, and strappy green leaves and tolerates neglect. It’s a succulent rather than a true palm. If you work at a desk that doesn’t have a lot of space, this indoor tree can stay small for a long time as a desktop specimen if grown in a shallow pot.

It needs a larger pot to grow into a floor plant—use cactus or succulent potting mix with a little extra peat moss blended in to enrich the soil.

• Name: Ponytail palm (Beaucarnea recurvata)
• Light: Bright, indirect light
• Water: Water this plant every 10 days to every two weeks
• Mature Size: 6-8 ft. tall, 3-5 ft. wide

Prayer Plant

Prayer plants (Maranta leuconeura) have unusual ribbed patterns and markings on their green foliage, depending on the variety. The plant’s leaves remain flat during the day but fold up at night to look like praying hands. They are somewhat fussy plants—they aren’t drought-resistant and dislike being near air conditioners, preferring humid, warm air.

However, they live in shady corners of the office that other plants may not tolerate.

• Name: Prayer plant (Maranta leuconeura)
• Light: Partial sun, shade
• Water: Water every few days to once a week, or about when half the soil is dry
• Mature Size: 6–12 in. tall and wide

Peperomia

Peperomia (Peperomia spp.) has flouncy but sturdy foliage in all kinds of textures, colors, and variegations, so it’s tough to pin a common look to the Peperomia genus.

This low-maintenance, drought-tolerant plant forgives some negligence. It’s also slow-growing, rarely needs repotting, and likes bright, indirect light, making it a great desk plant. Peperomia thrives in an orchid potting medium or regular potting soil with some added peat moss. Try P. verticillata ‘Belly Button’ for its tiny leaves or P. caperata ‘Suzanne’ with its deeply ridged foliage and silver accents.

• Name: Peperomia (Peperomia spp., including P. caperata, P. obtusifolia, and others)
• Light: Semi-bright, indirect light
• Water: Water the plant only when the soil is completely dry to the touch
• Mature Size: 6-12 in. tall and wide

Cast-Iron Plant

The sturdy, long-lasting cast-iron plant (Aspidistra elatior) is popular in offices because it’s tough to kill, needs minimal attention, grows in low light and little watering, and brightens a dull corner with glossy green leaves.

This is ideal if you have an office with a north-facing window and room to fill. For more interesting foliage, choose ‘Hoshi-zora’, which produces green leaves with yellow and white speckles, or ‘Variegata’ which produces green leaves with white stripes.

• Name: Cast-iron plant (Aspidistra elatior)
• Light: Indirect sunlight (direct sunlight burns leaves)
• Water: Let the soil dry out completely before watering deeply
• Mature Size: 2-3 ft. tall, 1-2 ft. wide

Chinese Evergreen

Chinese evergreen plants (Aglaonema commutatum) welcome an office’s low-lighting conditions, particularly when you have a spot with some light, but not direct light. They are easy to grow and also slow-growers so their large and glossy leaves won’t get shaggy very quickly.

The plant prefers to be left alone most often, though colorful varieties may need more warmth and light. Colorful versions include ‘Red Zircon’ with green leaves and pink blotches and ‘Silver Bay’ and ‘Maria’, both with green leaves and silver tinges and stripes.15

• Name: Chinese evergreen (Aglaonema commutatum)
• Light: Partial, full
• Water: Let the top inch of the soil dry out between waterings
• Mature Size: 1-3 ft tall and wide

Umbrella Tree

If your office is brightly lit with space to spare, opt for the low-maintenance umbrella tree (Schefflera spp.). The tropical houseplant has delicate drooping green leaves shaped like flower petals forming an umbrella shape.

Umbrella trees can produce solid green, variegated, or nearly white leaves. ‘Dazzle’ has nearly white leaves and ‘Gold Capella’ offers golden and green variegated leaves. Just turn the plant for balanced growth. The plant is toxic to people and pets.1617

• Name: Umbrella tree (Schefflera spp.)
• Light: Bright indirect (not sunlight)
• Water: Water the plant when the soil completely dries out
• Mature Size: 4-6 ft tall, 3-6 ft. wide

Money Tree

The money tree (Pachira aquatica) is a low-maintenance and hardy plant that is thought by feng shui practitioners to bring positive “chi” or energy into a space. This quick-growing plant adds 2 feet of height per year. Place it in bright to medium indirect sunlight, for at least six hours a day.

This plant also does well under office fluorescent lights, but make sure you have room for it to grow. With the right touch, this cheerful green tree can live for a decade in your workspace.

• Name: Money tree (Pachira aquatica)
• Light: Full, partial sun
• Water: Water this tree often and regularly only when the top inch of soil is dry
• Mature Size: 6-8 ft. tall and wide

Majesty Palm

Majesty palm (Ravenea rivularis) has long arching green fronds and though challenging, it is grown mostly indoors. This palm requires humidity, bright but indirect light, moisture, and annual repotting. The trick is in the lighting because too much sun can scorch and burn the fronds. But it’s a beautiful plant for a bright corner of the office.

• Name: Majesty palm (Ravenea rivularis)
• Light: Partial sun (not full)
• Water: Keep the plant evenly moist but not soggy
• Mature Size: 4-6 ft. tall