At Ergo Desks, we are big believers that the right desk environment plays a vital role in productivity. Adjustable standing desks are one fantastic way of improving your office space, but indoor plants can also help to boost your mood even in the most stressful working days.
Research has also shown that spending time around indoor plants can in fact help reduce stress, anxiety, and depression, and the presence of plants can create a calming and soothing atmosphere, promoting relaxation and emotional well-being. This is especially beneficial in a work environment where stress levels are typically heightened.
However, since not all of us are green-thumbed, it’s important to know which ones you aren’t likely to kill! In this blog, we look at the 5 best desk plants that are easy to care for and low maintenance.
The 5 best desk plants for your office include:
1. Cactus
Cacti are hardy plants. They evolved to thrive in desert environments where sunlight is unforgiving and water is scarce, so they’ll have no trouble surviving on your office desk.
Cacti come in all shapes and sizes, some spikey and others fluffy. Just pick one that you like the look of and, if you do go for a spikey one, make sure you keep it somewhere you aren’t likely to place your hand on it accidentally!
In the spring and summer, when cacti are growing, they’ll need to be watered around once a week. The great thing is that if you forget a few days they aren’t going to keel over, just make sure not to leave them for months on end.
During the autumn and winter, don’t water your cactus so much – let the soil dry out between watering.
2. Snake Plant
A great air-purifying plant for your desk is a snake plant, also known as Sansevieria trifasciata, or Mother-in-Law's Tongue (interesting name, right?)
This is a great one for the office as it requires little maintenance since it is drought-tolerant. What's more, it thrives in a wide range of light conditions, so it can grow whether your office or workspace is dark or sunny.
Another benefit is that snake plants come in various sizes and shapes, making it suitable for different desk spaces, whether you're working with a small home workspace or large corporate office.
3. Spider Plant
Spider plants are incredibly hardy and durable. They are fantastic plants for beginners, and with some well-drained soil and indirect sunlight they will thrive.
Again, you should be watering spider plants around once a week. Give it a generous drink, but don’t let the soil get too soggy – this can lead to root rot which will damage the plant. A tip to understand when to give it a top up is to stick your finger into the soil, if it’s dry until a couple of inches down, it’s time to water.
Bonus fun fact about spider plants is that they are non-toxic and hallucinogenic to cats! If sitting on your desk at home, you might find your furry friend taking a little munch. Click here to view our Atlas Mini, a fantastic modestly-sized desk for home use.
4. Aloe Vera
Aloe vera is a succulent plant species known for its medicinal properties and ornamental value. So, if you'd like your office plant to be more than simply decor, the aloe vera plant is the one for you.
You can apply the fresh aloe gel to your skin or add it to a smoothie to reap the medicinal benefits.
Aloe vera is drought-tolerant and requires bright light (about six hours of sunlight per day). For this reason, we recommend placing your aloe vera plant in a south or west-facing window. You should also keep your aloe vera plant in a pot that drains well as it cannot tolerate standing water and will die if there is no outlet for water drainage.
5. Pothos (Devil’s Ivy)
Pothos, which you might know as devil’s ivy, is another plant which thrives in low-light conditions. Although it doesn’t do quite as well in periods of drought as the others on this list, it will still take a fair period without water to kill it, and it will definitely let you know when it needs a drink.
An added bonus of Devil’s Ivy is that it will continually grow throughout your time with it, making it hang elegantly off the side of your desk. If it thrives so much its length becomes an issue, don’t be afraid to give it a prune.
If you have an adjustable standing desk, you can give yourself a challenge to see if you can grow it long enough to touch the ground even when in an upright position!
We hope you’ve appreciated our guide on good low-maintenance plants to freshen up your working environment. If you want to go even further and upgrade your desk, you can browse our fantastic range of adjustable electric desks here.
Otherwise, our standing desk blog provides more useful tips on using a standing desk for a more balanced lifestyle. Feel free to contact us with any questions, with the handy live chat feature on our site, or via email at info@ergodesks.co.uk.
Published on 04/05/2022
Updated on 04/04/2024
