Whether you’re starting a new job in the new year, or looking to spruce up an office space you’ve been in for a while, easy care office plants are an easy first step that’ll not only add a decorative feature, but do their part to improve the health of the office environment.

Not sure which are the best plants for offices with low light, or those resilient plants that survive air-conditioning? If you’re looking to add plants to your office to uplift the space, these are important considerations, as a happy plant leads to a happy overall ambience in a space. 

Luckily, you’re in the right place, as we guide you on indoor plants in South Africa that are cut out for office life.

Indoor plants that thrive without sunlight

Dragon tree

‘Thriving on neglect’ is apt to describe the dragon tree, or Dracaena Marginata, a tree that thrives indoors and adds architectural elegance to a darker corner of your office.

It’s resilient, surviving low light, missed waterings and busy schedules, while filtering toxins like benzene and formaldehyde from office air.

ZZ plant

Zamioculcas Zamiifolia, or ZZ plant as it’s more affectionately known, is a bit of an all-rounder if you like to shuffle your plants around now and then. This plant is happy in dark corners or bright rooms, not to mention quite forgiving for those plant parents who occasionally forget to water them.

The ZZ plant’s glossy leaves add a distinct style to your office – a memorable conversation starter for visitors.

Plants that survive air-conditioning

Snake plant

Besides being a great fuss-free answer to your search for best indoor plants for air quality, the snake plant, or sansevieria, is drought-tolerant. This comes in especially handy in the notoriously dry environments created by air conditioning systems.

The snake plant comes in a range of sizes too; place yours in the corner of a room, on a shelf, or on your desk, for a pop of greenery that also naturally cleans the air by filtering out toxins.

Pothos

Pothos is another top choice among drought-tolerant indoor plants for your office that do well in air-conditioned environments. This plant prefers bright, indirect light, but can tolerate darker conditions. 

It only needs watering when the soil dries out, making it an elegant and practical choice for busy office environments. The plant has a vine form to it, so pot yours in a small planter and position it on a surface eye level or higher to let its branches trail down towards the floor.

Office plants that reduce stress

On tougher days at the office, plants do their part to ease stress and support wellbeing. Here are popular picks to add to your desk and help manage those stress levels.

Peace lily

Peace lilies increase humidity levels by up to 5%, lowering the likelihood of issues like dry skin, static electricity, and increased risk for colds. 

Peace lilies are also one of the plants that clean office air, absorbing toxins that are commonly found in office environments due to cleaning agents, paints and electronics. 

Result? With cleaner air, you can think clearer and feel less stressed.

Aloe vera

A local legend, aloe vera is a favourite among office workers thanks to its visual appeal. It also supports a healthier, more breathable environment in the office, clearing toxins from the air.

Place yours as a feature on your desk, or at the entrance to your office to bring about a calming effect on days when it’s really needed.

Office plants: pick yours to set yourself up for a productive year ahead

Now that you know about six plants that will boost health, wellbeing and productivity in your office, browse them at your nearest Stodels garden centre.