No accessory instantly improves an interior aesthetic quite like a bustling selection of gloriously green houseplants.
This is especially the case in home offices and large-scale office buildings, which immediately benefit. Not only do indoor plants work to brighten up a dreary space with ease, but they can also have surprising health benefits which may help to improve your day-to-day well-being while working your nine-to-five.
We chatted to herbalist and founder of contemporary wellness brand Lab Tonica, Kitty McEntee, for some expert insight into the wonderful world of indoor plants, including some top tips on how to care for them.
What are the best types of plants for offices?
“I’ve found that some of the best plants for offices or any similar workspaces are those that not only make the space look more beautiful, but also offer health benefits”, she explains. “Snake plants and spider plants are excellent choices, as they're known for their air-purifying qualities, removing toxins such as formaldehyde and xylene”.
McEntee continues, “Aloe vera is another great option, too. It's really easy to care for and it can help monitor air quality, as its leaves will show brown spots if the air in the office is heavily polluted. Lavender is also an excellent choice, as it helps create a calming environment. As the gentle office air circulation moves around it, lavender releases volatile oils into the air, promoting relaxation and potentially reducing stress in the workplace.”
What kind of plants would you suggest to curate a fabulous working environment?
According to the herbalist, “To create a truly fabulous working environment, I would recommend a mix of plants with different textures and heights. Tall, aesthetically pleasing plants like the Kentia palm or Fiddle-leaf Fig can act as natural office room dividers as well as add a touch of luxury to the space”.
As for atop your desk, she “recommends considering small succulents or air plants, which require minimal care but add a modern, fresh feel. Trailing plants like pothos or string of pearls can soften harsh lines and add visual interest to shelving units. They also don’t overcrowd the space, which is crucial for a busy environment.”
What are the best ways to ensure that indoor plants stay healthy and happy?
“Of course, the key to keeping indoor plants healthy is understanding their individual needs. Generally, most office plants prefer bright, indirect light and should be watered only when the top inch of soil feels dry”, she says. “It's really important to ensure proper drainage to prevent root rot. In addition to that, regular dusting of leaves helps plants photosynthesize more efficiently. Also, it’s useful to consider using a humidifier or pebble trays for plants that prefer higher humidity levels.”
Which indoor plants grow the fastest for a luscious aesthetic?
McEntee says, “For a quick, lush look, fast-growing plants like pothos, monstera deliciosa, or umbrella plants (Schefflera) work really well. These not only grow rapidly but also have large, dramatic leaves that can quickly fill a space and give it that much-needed greenery. Zamioculcas are fast-growers as well, and they’re incredibly low-maintenance and tolerant of low-light conditions.”
Do you have any other top tips for indoor plant care?
The expert breaks it down:
- “Don't overwater: it's the most common mistake in plant care.
- Rotate your plants regularly: this ensures even growth and prevents them from leaning towards light sources.
- Consider using organic fertilisers: during the growing season to boost plant health
- Group plants with similar care requirements together: for easier maintenance and to create mini humidity zones.”
Without further ado and with McEntee’s advice in mind, we’ve curated a selection of the best plants for the office to brighten up your work day.
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Patch Plants Schefflera Umbrella Tree
Pop this glorious umbrella plant in indirect sunlight and watch her thrive. With some gentle misting and light watering, the evergreen indoor perennial will quickly grow into your favourite plant of the bunch.
Buy now £30.00, Patch Plants
Laurens / French Lavender
Perfect for windowsills and adding a beautifully scented aroma to your office space, French lavender is an easy-to-care-for, evergreen shrub. Just be sure to keep it away from any office pets, as it can be toxic if ingested. Prune this pretty purple plant in April to keep it looking pristine.
Buy now £15.00, Patch Plants
Patch Plants Big Ken / Kentia Palm
This gorgeous Kenita Palm from Patch is relatively easy to care for - and so will make a fuss-free addition to your plant family. It’s happy in a light-filled room so long as it’s not directly next to a window, and requires semi-frequent misting. Otherwise known as the Paradise palm plant, this Edenic, air-purifying greenery will bring new life to any space.
Buy now £75.00, Patch Plants
The Little Botanical Purifying Plant Bundle
Purify the air in your home with these three de-toxifying plants, easy to care for and guaranteed to bring a fresh aura to your space. The sansevieria punk (mother-in-law’s tongue) and snakey sansevieria (snake plant) need watering only every two weeks; the ficus benjamina (weeping fig) once a week, and all are content positioned in light or shady spots. Presented in rustic grey ceramic pots, they’ll add instant style while bringing nature inside and benefitting your breathing.
Buy now £55.00, John Lewis
Patch Plants Snake Plant
Ideal for first-time plant buyers, the snake plant is a super chilled, easy-going option which thrives on being left alone. Place in low-lit or brighter spots and water every few weeks (when the soil feels dry) to help it keep its vivid green colour and tall stems. Pop it in your bedroom to purify the room with its stored-up oxygen, ready to be released at night.
Buy now £10.00, Patch Plants
H&M Fiddle Leaf Fig
Add H&M’s lavish green centrepiece to your online shopping basket and watch in awe as it grows up to 15 metres tall. A chic bedroom feature and a stylish air purifier, the plant offers shoppers two functions for the price of one.
Buy now £49.99, H&M
M&S Large Monstera Swiss Cheese Plant
Decorate your living room or bedroom with this striking cheese plant – its cool holey leaves will add instant character to your space, and bring air-purifying qualities with it. It only needs watering ever so often – just make sure to keep the soil moist – and is happy in most light conditions, whether bright or shady. It’s come a long way, from tropical conditions in South America, so loves a warm, humid environment, ideal for the British indoors.
Buy now £28.00, M&S
Patch Plants Nicolau
Impress guests with a colourful collection of real plants. This handsome fellow will flourish in a bed of moist soil and warmer weather. Top him up when the first two inches of soil are dry and let him take centre stage in your home.
Buy now £60.00, Patch Plants
String of Nickels / Dischidia imbricata
One of the easiest, and loveliest hanging plants to care for, the String of Nickels doesn’t need a lot of water to thrive. So much so, that Patch recommends letting its soil dry out completely before its next watering.
Nocturnal wanderers and haters of daylight may also rejoice, for this plant can tolerate medium to lower light conditions. Due to its slightly tropical nature, however, it might need to be brought into a steamy shower room every now and then for the best growth results.
Buy now £20.00, Patch
Wandering Dude / Tradescantia Zebrina
Don’t be fooled by the Wandering Dude’s seemingly small stature – this plant will grow for metres upon metres no matter how often you prune it.
Pleasingly purple and green, the Tradescantia Zebrina is also extremely easy to propagate, so you’ll be able to sustainably gift your plant’s offcuts to friends and loved ones in no time.
Buy now £14.95, Bloombox Club
String of Hearts / Ceropegia
A heart-shaped option for the lovers out there, the String of Hearts doesn’t need to be watered often and won’t thrive in wet environments. This makes Ceropegias fantastic options for travellers and workaholics who don’t always remember to care for their green friends.
Buy now £18.00, Patch
Patch Plants Rapunzel
Also known as Devil’s Ivy, the Pothos makes an excellent bathroom plant. They’re famous for being super low maintenance (no herbicide guilt here), doing well in bright conditions as well as low light.
They tend to be on the smaller side too, so you won’t have to navigate around one when you’re drying yourself off from the shower. Pothos are also very good at removing common toxins from the air, purifying your space.
Place on a high shelf adjacent to your shower’s spray path for light misting when you have your morning bath.
Buy from Patch Plants and you can add a pot to house your new arrival in style.
Buy now £15.00, Patch Plants
Bloombox Club Aloe Vera
A common ingredient in many hydrating beauty products, the raw version of Aloe Vera also has star-worthy potential for your bathroom. Bloombox Club offers them in three sizes to best suit your space. The fast-growing plant does best in plenty of sunshine while humidity is also another plus point.
As the leaves grow upwards, there’s no need to worry about it taking up too much room either; let it grow on the floor or a high shelf, tall and proud.
Buy now £22.95, Bloombox Club
M&S Large Dracaena in Basket
Alternatively known as the Dragon Tree, the beloved Dracaena is one of the easiest plants to welcome into your home. It’s simple to care for and makes for a striking statement in a shared space.
Buy now £40.00, M&S
