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Want to add some plants to your office? There are plenty of options out there, even if you only have a small amount of space to work with. Here are 25 different options for office plants that should fit right on your desk.
Office Desk Plants
1. Air Plant Terrarium
For a pop of color at your desk, you could opt for a terrarium. Air plants don’t require constant watering, so it can make for a low maintenance solution. This terrarium is just 3 inches around and contained in a glass. It won’t take up too much desk space and offers a nice pop of color.
2. Mini Succulents
Succulents are fairly durable and don’t require much in the way of care. These are artificial so they require absolutely no maintenance whatsoever. They’re also mini versions. As a result, they won’t take up much of your workspace.
3. Artificial Succulents
These artificial succulents provide another option for those who prefer white planters or varied looks. These still give you the look of a real plant without any of the upkeep. They come in a set of four.
4. Bamboo Arrangement
For a unique spot of green on your desk, you could consider an arrangement of bamboo. The plant represents luck in many parts of the world. As a result, it’s perfect for a business setting. This arrangement comes with a glass vase and black river rocks for a complete look.
5. Potted Pen Stand
This faux plant can actually serve a practical purpose at your desk. The potted faux grass can help you keep your pens and other writing utensils easily accessible. It’s just about 4 inches around. Still, you can stick pens, pencils, and notes in between the leaves for easy access on your desk.
6. Golden Devil’s Ivy
One of the most popular house and office plants, the golden devil’s ivy is small enough to fit on most desks. It can survive with indirect sunlight and minimal maintenance. Some are able to grow much larger with care and repotting. If you’re looking to grow your plant collection, this may be a worthy option.
7. Color Orchids
You can also add some color and visual interest to your desk space by adding some potted orchids. These are fairly tall but don’t take up much horizontal space. They’re also easy to care for and last for much longer than cut flowers.
8. Venus Fly Trap
This tiny plant in a bottle won’t take up much room at all on your desk. Still, it will add some unique visual interest. In addition to its role as decor, a venus fly trap can also be an interesting conversation starter for those who welcome clients or partners to their workspace.
9. Aquaponic Fish Tanks
These contraptions actually serve as mini fish tanks and planters in one. The fish help to fertilize the plants while they purify the water for the fish. It’s an eco-friendly way to grow plants and decorate your desk.
10. EcoSphere
You could also buy an enclosed ecosystem with a plant and aqualife like this spherical model. This one is just 4 inches around. It fits on all desks or shelving units. It also requires no maintenance as the water is self-contained. And it definitely provides a unique talking point.
11. Dog Bonsai Potted Plant
For the dog lovers out there, this planter can make for fun desktop decoration. It’s also sophisticated enough for an office. The bonsai plant can help to purify the air in your office as well. With proper care, it should start growing in just a few days.
12. Purple Amethyst Air Plant
This air plant provides another colorful and unique desktop solution. The purple amethyst base can also serve as a paperweight. It’s a truly unique combination of the crystal and the leaves. What’s more, it adds an unexpected pop of color along with your greenery. Remember, air plants need water at least once a week.
13. Money Bonsai Tree
One of the most popular types of bonsai trees, this version is just over a foot tall and it has regular size leaves. It is said to bring financial luck. It can make a neat desk decoration for you too. You may also buy them as gifts for colleagues or clients.
14. Ficus Bonsai
There’s also the ficus bonsai. This is another small tree plant that actually gives off a bit of a tropical vibe if that’s something you enjoy seeing in your workspace. This one is a few years old. Still, it’s just 5 to 8 inches tall.
15. Bonsai Tree Kit
If you prefer to actually put in the work and grow your own plants as a relaxing break from the workday, you could purchase a bonsai tree kit. This one includes everything you need to grow your own bonsai.
16. Ocean Spider Plant
Spider plants like the one pictured can help you purify the environment in your office. It’s quite easy to care for. The actual pot only takes up a few inches of space. It’s a classic clay pot for a very traditional look.
17. Globe Terrarium With Metal Stand
You can also choose to keep your desk plant raised above your actual desk. This globe terrarium hangs on a metal stand for a different way of displaying air plants.
18. Hanging Air Plant
You could also hang small planters from hooks or similar fixtures above your desk. This hanging air plant is a great example that can also help you save space on your desk.
19. Philodendron
Philodendrons also make for great hanging plant. You can also choose a cute pot and place it directly on your desk, letting the leaves hang off the edges. It’s also fairly easy to grow and maintain.
20. Peace Lily
The Peace lily plant allow you to add some growing flowers to your space that last longer than cut flowers. They also purify the air in your office. They’re fairly low maintenance — perfect for busy professionals.
21. Aloe Plants
Aloe plants like the varieties pictured can be fairly low maintenance. They take up only a moderate amount of space. They also provide healing aloe when needed. They’re easy to grow in windows that get lots of natural light.
22. Proverb Cacti
Cacti are extremely durable and easy to keep alive with minimal maintenance, whether you have moderate or low light. These mini versions also come in planters with proverbs and quotes perfect for staying motivated in the office. Make sure to not over water them.
23. Artificial Lavender
If you like the idea of colorful flowers at your desk but don’t want to cut and water them, consider an artificial arrangement. This faux lavender might do the trick. It comes in a sophisticated white vase.
24. Zero Maintenance Orchid Bonsai
This orchid bonsai kit is a mini plant that should fit on even the smallest of desks. It’s based in a gel medium. As a result, it actually requires zero maintenance to keep it growing.
25. Air Purifying Herb Combo
This herb combo includes lemon balm, mint, and rosemary. It’s 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.
26. Wooden Stand Terrarium
Those who want a retro-style plant setup for their workspace might like this wooden terrarium stand. It includes three glass bulbs for small plants like air plants or buds. It’s also compact and makes an amazing gift for co-workers.
27. Snake Plant
Snake plants include tall green leaves and can grow in both high and low light. They don’t require a ton of water or maintenance. This makes them perfect plants for an office with busy individuals.
28. ZZ Plant
This ZZ plant includes glossy green leaves and is easy to grow. The pot is just about 4 inches around. It’s compact enough to fit in a workspace but large enough to make a visual statement.
29. Wintergreen Weeping Fig Tree
If you’re looking for larger plants for offices, this weeping fig tree may be perfect. The pot is about 8 inches around, and the glossy green leaves really make a visual statement. It’s also easy to grow with little water and low light.
30. Bird’s Nest Nidus Fern
A nidus fern is a low light plant that is easy to care for. This one includes a maintenance guide. Just make sure to follow the easy instructions and it should last in your workspace for years.
Will Succulents Survive in an Office?
Yes, succulents are well suited to grow in a workspace because they need very little maintenance and sunlight. However, just make sure not to over water them and provide plenty of drainage.
Is a Cactus Good for an Office Desk?
Yes, a cactus requires little light or water. This makes it perfect for those who don’t want to spend a ton of time taking care of a plant.
Are there any Office Plants that Don’t Need Sun?
Most plants require some level of sun, but many are able to survive without much. You can always opt for artificial plants. However, if you want real versions, try the following:
- English ivy
- Dracaena
- Pothos
- Philodendron
- Snake plant
- ZZ plant
How do you Take Care of a Desk Plant?
Every plant is different. However, they generally need water, quality soil, and sunlight to survive. Check the care instructions that come with your plant so you can place it in the right environment and water it sufficiently.
Image: Shutterstock, Other images via Amazon
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Aira Bongco
Office plants somehow help with stress but my sister told me that it is bad for the plant.
Oh, great thanks. I was planning to buy an office plant but I don’t know which one to buy. Good thing I came across this article!
Breena F.
The fish plants are actually incredibly cruel to the fish. The tiny space is not enough for even a betta–betta fish should have at least 5 gallons of water in order to be healthy. Also, the plant does not clean the water. There is a complicated cycle (more information can be found if you look up “cycling a fishtank”), and there are many chemicals that it deals with, such as ammonia, nitrate, and nitrite. The lack of actual filtration in those awful tanks lead to a build up of all three chemicals. Ammonia, even in trace amounts, can kill a fish. And that is without taking into account that betas love heavily decorated tanks with specifically underwater plants and a sand substrate, as it emulates their natural environment. Bettas can get stressed easily, which can also kill them. Also, bettas need a water temperature of 78-82 degrees Fahrenheit. A standing bowl of water without a heater can easily drop below that temperature, sending the fish into shock and followed by death.
In short, promoting those kinds of “tanks” is actually promoting animal cruelty. Death by ammonia is incredibly painful for the fish as it essentially chemically burns them to death. Stress deaths are also terrible, as the stress leads to infection and sickness. A well-cared for betta can live up to five years. The lifespan of a betta in these kinds of “tanks” rarely last beyond four or five months.
Please rethink that item on your list. Everything else is wonderfully helpful, and I was very glad for the suggestions! But I implore you to take the time to remove the plant tank to prevent the spread of misinformation and hopefully keep people from killing more animals. There are many fish forums online that are populated by experienced aquarium owners; if you’re interested in what I’ve said, or even want to fact check me, please check them out! The information in incredibly helpful.