6 Best Plants for Your Office Environment

As a modern office worker, we all know that plants play a great role in the workplace environment. According to the researches, plants can absorb noise, reduce stress, purify air, boost productivity, and even a small potted plant can brighten up a corner. But not all the plants can thrive in the office environment - only these which don’t require much maintenance can be placed in the low light workplace. Therefore, choosing the right plants for your office can be very important. Check the list below and find out the common and easy-care indoor plants for your office.

1. Spider plant (Chlorophytum Comosum)

Description

Spider plant (or Chlorophytum Comosum), a.k.a. airplane plant [1], is the easiest to grow indoor plants which can tolerate a wide range of conditions. They need little care and can be bounce back if you forget to water them occasionally. According to the research, the spider plants are good at creating oxygen and removing the air toxins, such as formaldehyde, benzene, carbon monoxide and xylene, etc.

Care

Caring for spider plants is very easy, simply plant them in a pot or hanging basket of proper size with rich peat-based soil, and water them regularly. Do not put them under direct sunlight or make them become too soggy, since direct sunlight will burn the leaves and overwater will lead to root rot.

2. Pothos (Epipremnum Aureum)

Description

Pothos (or Epipremnum Aureum), as known as Devil’s ivy, is a species of flowering plant in the family of Araceae and a popular houseplant in the temperate regions [2]. It is easy to care for and even a care guide seems redundant. Pothos help clean the air, reduce the level of air toxins and relax your eyes when you feel stressed. But remember, DO NOT eat it since it’s toxic.

Care

Although Pothos can adapt to a variety of growth environment, bright indirect light, and moderate soil moisture are ideal growing conditions. Be careful not to leave them directly under the sunlight or overwater them for excessive watering will lead to root rot.

3. Snake plant (Sansevieria trifasciata)

Description

Sansevieria trifasciata, commonly known as the snake plant or mother-in-law’s tongue, is a species of flowering plant in the family Asparagaceae [3]. It is a perfect houseplant due to its high tolerance of the most environment – can be neglected for weeks while still look in shape and fresh. And it can help clean air, improve indoor air quality, remove formaldehyde and nitrogen oxide.

Care

The snake plant is a perfect choice for the one who doesn’t have the green thumb - it grows well even when you near to forget it. Although it is easy to care for, still need the basic maintenances, like light, water, and proper temperature. Bright indirect sunlight, temperatures ranging from 55-85℉, and soil conditions between dry and overwatering are ideal preferences for the snake plant.

4. Cactus

Description

A cactus is a member of the plant family Cactaceae [4] that has the superb survival skill. Cacti have many different sizes and shapes, and most of them live in the high dry environments. It can help clean air, decorate office environments, and can be used as a healthy food as well. According to the studies, the cactus juice is rich in vitamin B, vitamin C, beta-carotene and other vitamins and minerals which help relieve joint inflammation, strengthen the immune system, treat skin disorders, prevent the onset of cancer and maintain blood sugar levels.

Care

As we all know, many cacti are true desert dwellers, can live in extremely dry environments, but still should be regularly watered. All of them need well-draining soil environment and remember not to overwater them. Since tap water contains a high concentration of dissolved minerals which is harmful to the soil and plant, rainwater is better than tap water. In addition, most cacti like bright light, but not all can bear the strong direct sunlight, so give cacti the proper light according to the type.

5. Peace lily (Spathiphyllum)

Description

Spathiphyllum is a genus of monocotyledonous flowering plants in the family Araceae [5]. Certain species of Spathiphyllum are commonly known as Spath or Peace lily but are not the real lily at all. As the indoor plant, it can help purify air, convert the carbon dioxide into oxygen, and absorb bad air pollutants like benzene and trichloroethylene.

Care

Being tropical plants, peace lily prefers moist and well-draining soil environment. Extreme dry soil will make the leaves turn yellow, while overwatering can cause roots rots. Direct sunlight may burn the leaves and make them turn yellow, while low light may lead to no flowers, therefore medium and indirect sunlight is the preferred light conditions.

6. Aloe (Aloe Vera)

Description

Aloe is a genus of flowering succulent plants, most of them have thick and fleshy leaves with water stored in. It has antiviral and antibacterial properties and is always used in the household decoration, skin care and medicinal purposes such as relieve heartburn, slow the spread of breast cancer, and lower blood sugar, etc.

Care

Planting Aloe Vera in a big pot or other containers with well-drained soil environment – if not, the root will rot and wilting and cause death. Watering them frequently (like every 3 weeks a time) and deeply (make sure to allow the soil dry at least 1 – 2’’ deep between each watering). Aloe Vera likes bright light but not direct sunlight, and the best temperature for growth is between 55 – 80℉ (13-27℃).

References

[1]. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chlorophytum_comosum
[2]. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Epipremnum_aureum
[3]. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sansevieria_trifasciata
[4]. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cactus
[5]. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Spathiphyllum