Indoor office plants are a great way to enhance the atmosphere of your home office.
The best desk plants for your home office are going to be those that do not require direct sunlight unless your desk is in front of a big bay window. Natural sunlight is always best but some of the best plants for your home office can survive – and even thrive – in artificial light conditions!
Not only do they look great but they can improve the air quality in your office.
They can be used as decorative pieces, or they can provide you with some much needed greenery and oxygen.
These desk plants can add a pop of color and life into your space. You may even find yourself spending more time in front of your computer when there is something alive right next to you!
Indoor plants are beautiful, but even the hardiest plants require at least indirect sunlight to thrive. However, there are plenty of options for indoor plants that don’t need direct sunlight and can thrive in indirect light and low-light conditions.
Indoors, light conditions can be less than optimal so finding a plant that will not only live but thrive with these kinds of light conditions is important.
Since we all live in different places and in a variety of conditions in our respective environments, we’ve collected this list of different options for home office desk plants that will make your space more vibrant and alive!
Snake Plant
This beautiful house plant has thick leaves which makes them perfect for adding texture to any room. It doesn’t require bright light so if you want to place this indoors, make sure you give it enough natural light.
Peace Lily
These outstanding plants look amazing inside offices because of their bright green foliage. Not only do peace lilies look good, the aroma is amazing too. The peace lily does well without direct sun exposure though, making it ideal for those who live in areas where summers get hot and can thrive under fluorescent lights and artificial light in general.
Bonsai
If you’re looking for something highly decorative, then a small tree that looks like a miniature version of its full-size counterpart then bonsais might just fit the bill. Bonsais come in all shapes and sizes, from tiny little trees to large shrubs. Care and light requirements will vary, but they’re visually stunning.
Spider Plants
A spider plant looks stunning hanging from windowsills or placed near other plants. Its long thin leaves create a very interesting shape and its small size means it won’t take up too much space.
Boston Fern
Another one of our favorites, ferns come in many different varieties. One such variety is called “Boston fern” and it comes in various shades of brown and gray. It grows slowly over time and requires little maintenance.
Rubber Tree
Also known as Ficus elastica, rubber trees grow quickly and produce large amounts of fruit. Their fruits contain latex which helps prevent insects from laying eggs on the tree.
English Ivy
With amazing beautiful green leaves, this low-light plant which is a type of ivy adds beauty to your home office. It thrives in indirect light and low-light conditions and needs regular watering during dry spells.
ZZ Plant – Zamioculcas Zamiifolia
Zamioculcas zamiifolia is another popular choice for your home office. This particular species of palm produces large green leaf fronds that hang down from the top. These fronds are extremely durable and last for years.
Philodendron
Philodendrons thrive in indirect sunlight and are one of the easiest indoor house plants to grow. They’re available in a variety of different types such as the Christmas Cactus, the Pink Philodendron, the Blue Philodendron, the Green Philodendron, and the Red Philodendron.
Dracaena Marginata
Another of the most popular house plants is the dracaena marginata. Commonly known as Dragon Trees, dracaenas are easy to care for and thrive in both shady and sunny locations.
Jade Plant
Jade plants are extremely popular among homeowners due to their ability to attract beneficial bugs like ladybugs and aphids.
Echeveria
An echeveria is a succulent cactus that blooms all year round. It gets cold hardiness ratings of Zones 9 through 11 depending on the specific variety.
Here are some other indoor plants that do well in indirect light and can be a great addition to your home office.
Aloe Vera
Aloe Vera is a plant with medicinal properties. It has been used for centuries to treat burns, cuts, and other skin conditions and is a great addition to your home office.
Potted Palms
There are several species of potted palms including the Phoenix Palm, the Royal Palm, the Canary Island Date Palm, and others.
Cacti
You could add some cacti to your home office. There are hundreds of kinds of cacti out there but we recommend getting something smaller than 10 inches tall. This way, you’ll still enjoy having a nice looking plant on your desk in your office even when it’s not flowering season.
Ferns
Ferns make excellent additions to any room. They are low-maintenance and do not require much light. Plus, ferns are known to cleanse our air by absorbing toxins from the environment.
Desk Flowers For Your Home Office Space
If you’re looking for a pop of color then desk flowers for your home office space may be the route you want to go! We’ve covered a few options there too. Here are some of the best desk flowers for your home office.
Orchid
This type of flower looks amazing when planted next to windows. Epidendrums are very fragrant and they bloom continuously during the spring and fall seasons.
Hawaiian Puna Poinsettia
The Hawaiian Punicais an evergreen shrub native to Hawaii. It can be found growing wild throughout the islands. You can also buy these plants online.
African Violet
These beautiful violets have long stems and bright green leaves. African Violets look good indoors or outdoors.
Lavender
Lavender is visually stunning and the aroma is wonderful, plus they help keep us calm. Lavender is a perennial herbaceous plant that belongs to the mint family.
Kalanchoe
A kalanchoe is a tropical plant that grows well inside. The Kalanchoes come in many colors and sizes. Some varieties include pink, red, white, blue, yellow, orange, purple, and more!
Bromeliad
Bromeliads have big leaves and lots of water retention capabilities. These plants require little maintenance and will last up to 20 years if properly cared for.
Anthurium
Anthuriums are one of the most common houseplants because they grow quickly and produce colorful flowers. Anthuriums are perfect for indoor use since they only need filtered medium light from the sun.
Clivia
The flowers range from yellow to pale orange to red and are easy to grow and care for indoors. They are well adapted to room temperature and dryer conditions.
Gloxinia
Gloxinias are popular as houseplants due to their attractive foliage and vibrant coloration. Gloxinias are drought tolerant and thrive in full sun.
Hoya
Hoyas are another favorite among people who like succulents. Hoyas are hardy and easy to maintain. They love humidity so place them near a bathroom window where moisture is abundant.
Air Purifying Plants
Air purifying plants are plants that remove pollutants from the air. They can be found growing naturally in many parts of the world. Some of these plants have been cultivated specifically for their ability to cleanse the air.
Using an herb plant on your desk can help improve the health of people who spend time working inside all day long. Many studies show that exposure to toxins increases the risk of heart disease, cancer, diabetes, asthma, allergies, depression, anxiety, dementia, Alzheimer’s Disease, Parkinson’s Disease, chronic fatigue syndrome, fibromyalgia, arthritis, migraines, headaches, sinusitis, bronchial infections, respiratory problems, skin conditions, eye diseases, ear infections, tooth decay, obesity, insomnia, and other illnesses.
Herbs are known to reduce inflammation, boost energy levels, relieve pain, fight infection, lower blood pressure, treat digestive disorders, prevent colds, ease muscle spasms, promote sleep, and even protect against radiation poisoning.
Mint is probably the most common type of herb used by gardeners. Lemon balm is another popular choice. Rosemary is often added to tea blends. Basil is commonly grown indoors.
What makes this combination special is that each of these herbs has unique properties which work together synergistically to create powerful results. For example, basil contains volatile oils that act as natural insect repellent while lemongrass oil works well when applied topically to heal cuts and wounds. Mint boosts metabolism and improves digestion while rosemary promotes relaxation.
This combination will not only make your workspace more pleasant but will also provide benefits to those around you too.
This is perfect for those who want plants for the office that can actually serve a purpose. You can cut fresh herbs and bring them home. They also purify the air in your office.
Best Office Desk Plants
The best desk plants for your home office are those that don’t require bright light. These include the ferns, spider plants, and philodendrons. They can be placed in any corner or on top of bookshelves to give you an instant green look. The only drawback is they may get too big if left alone without proper care and it’s better to stay away from tall plants in general for your desk.
If you want to grow your own herbs, it’s important to know what kind of soil you should use. Most herbs prefer a pH between 5.5 and 6.8. This means that most soils will be acidic. To neutralize this acidity, add some lime to the soil. Alternatively, you can try growing herbs in pots filled with peat moss.
Are Succulents good desk plants?
Succulents are beautiful plants with unique textures and are great for desk plants because they do not require much water. They also grow quickly, which makes them ideal for office desk gardens. Succulents are easy to care for, and they are available in a wide variety of colors and shapes.
Succulents come in many different shapes, sizes, and colors, so you should be able to find one that’s perfect for your space.
Desk Plant Care Tips
Water them regularly – It’s important to keep soil moist with water for indoor houseplants. Watering them every few days keeps soil moist so they’ll keep their leaves fresh and healthy. You should also use distilled water since it has no minerals in it. If you have hard tap water then filter it before using it.
Feed them with fertilizer – Fertilizer helps increase the growth rate of the plants which is just as important as moist soil. Use a good quality one like Miracle-Gro or similar products.
Keep away from bright light – All plants are different but bright light can cause stress to indoor plant varieties and reduce their lifespan. Medium light is usually the right fit for most indoor plants so position them away from windows.
Use potting mix – Potting mixes contain nutrients such as nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium, calcium, magnesium, iron, copper, zinc, manganese, among others that are vital for healthy plants.
Related question: Is it good to have a plant on your desk?
Having a plant on your desk is great because it makes you feel happier and calmer. Plants also help clean the air and reduce stress.
Related question: Where should plants be placed on a desk?
The best spot for your plant on your desk in your home office is somewhere that it’s in the line of sight, but not in a place that it will get in the way of your work and if your home office desk plant needs more light, then placing it on your desk so that it’s closer to the light source would be best.
Next Steps
When it comes to your desk in your home office there really isn’t anything better adding some life and oxygen than having a plant on your desk!
The best desk plants for your home office are ones that don’t have heavy light requirements and are relatively low-maintenance.
Which of these desk plants would you choose? Let us know in the comments section below.
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