Best Houseplants From Offices
Best Houseplants for Every Light Condition: From Low-Light Offices to Sunny Windows
Are you looking to add some greenery to your workspace or living area, but unsure which plants will thrive given your light conditions? Below, we’ll explore top plant picks for two main environments: low-light spaces (like a basement office) and sunlit rooms (with direct or bright indirect light). We’ll also highlight care tips and link to relevant Wikipedia pages so you can view pictures and learn more.
Low-Light / No Direct Sun – The basement office
If your office or room has minimal natural light—think basement spaces or corners where daylight struggles to reach—these houseplants are champions at surviving (and thriving!) in dim environments:
- Snake Plant (Dracaena trifasciata, formerly Sansevieria trifasciata)
- Appearance: Stiff, upright leaves in variegated shades of green or yellow.
- Care: Water sparingly; let the soil fully dry between waterings.
- Images & Info: Snake Plant on Wikipedia
- ZZ Plant (Zamioculcas zamiifolia)
- Appearance: Glossy, oval leaves on thick stems, forming wand-like clumps.
- Care: Tolerates forgetful watering. Let the top inch of soil dry before the next watering.
- Images & Info: ZZ Plant on Wikipedia
- Peace Lily (Spathiphyllum)
- Appearance: Elegant white spathes (flower-like bracts) with lush green leaves.
- Care: Water when leaves droop slightly; enjoys moderate humidity.
- Images & Info: Peace Lily on Wikipedia
- Pothos (Epipremnum aureum)
- Appearance: Trailing vines with heart-shaped, variegated leaves in green, white, or yellow.
- Care: Water once the top half of the soil is dry. Trim vines if they get too long.
- Images & Info: Pothos on Wikipedia
- Cast Iron Plant (Aspidistra elatior)
- Appearance: Large, leathery, dark-green leaves that sprout directly from the soil.
- Care: Water moderately; it’s extremely hardy and tolerates neglect.
- Images & Info: Cast Iron Plant on Wikipedia
- Dracaena (Various Species, e.g., Dracaena deremensis)
- Appearance: Upright canes topped with long, often variegated leaves.
- Care: Prefers evenly moist soil; avoid overwatering.
- Images & Info: Dracaena on Wikipedia
Bright, Direct Light – Upstairs and front room offices
Rooms that get several hours of direct sunlight (like large south- or west-facing windows) or bright, indirect light (sheer curtains or filtered sun) call for these sun-loving houseplants:
- Succulents (e.g., Echeveria, Haworthia)
- Appearance: Thick, fleshy leaves in rosettes or spiky formations, often in various colors.
- Care: Water sparingly; let soil dry completely.
- Images & Info:
- Jade Plant (Crassula ovata)
- Appearance: Tree-like stems with thick, oval leaves that are glossy and succulent-like.
- Care: Water when the topsoil is dry; rotate pot for even growth.
- Images & Info: Jade Plant on Wikipedia
- Fiddle-Leaf Fig (Ficus lyrata)
- Appearance: Large, violin-shaped leaves; can grow several feet tall indoors.
- Care: Keep soil evenly moist (not soggy); enjoys bright, filtered light.
- Images & Info: Fiddle-Leaf Fig on Wikipedia
- Rubber Plant (Ficus elastica)
- Appearance: Broad, glossy, oval leaves in deep green or burgundy.
- Care: Water when the top inch of soil dries; wipe leaves to remove dust.
- Images & Info: Rubber Plant on Wikipedia
- Spider Plant (Chlorophytum comosum)
- Appearance: Narrow, arching leaves (often variegated) that produce “baby” offshoots.
- Care: Keep soil slightly moist; trim offshoots to propagate new plants.
- Images & Info: Spider Plant on Wikipedia
- Areca Palm (Dypsis lutescens)
- Appearance: Clustering palm with feathery, arching fronds and cane-like stems.
- Care: Prefers bright, indirect light; water moderately.
- Images & Info: Areca Palm on Wikipedia
- Citrus Trees (e.g., Citrus limon for Lemon, Citrus mitis for Calamondin)
- Appearance: Glossy green leaves, sweet-smelling blossoms, and colorful fruits if well-cared-for.
- Care: Provide 4–6 hours of sunlight; water when top inch of soil is dry; fertilize regularly.
- Images & Info:
- Kentia Palm (Howea forsteriana) If you want a palm that’s more tolerant of lower light than most others, the Kentia Palm is a perfect choice.
- Appearance: Graceful, arching fronds on thin, upright stems.
- Light Needs: Thrives in bright, indirect light, but can handle slightly lower light than many palms (avoid harsh, direct midday sun).
- Care: Let the top inch of soil dry before watering; prefer moderate indoor temperatures and humidity.
Images & Info: Kentia Palm on Wikipedia
