Improving Your Home Office Working Space
Working from home has become increasingly popular, and with that comes the need to create a productive, fresh and calming working environment. One way to achieve this is by incorporating plants into your home office space; bringing a little bit of nature inside.
Not only do plants add a touch of beauty and life to any room, they also offer numerous benefits such as improved air quality, reduced stress and increased productivity. In this article by retired amateur horticulturalist Pam Parry, we explore the 10 best plants to improve your home office space.
1: Snake Plant (Sansevieria Trifasciata)
Snake plants are renowned for their low maintenance and air purifying properties. They thrive in low light conditions and require minimal watering, making them perfect for busy professionals. Snake plants help to filter out toxins from the air and release oxygen, resulting in improved air quality and increased focus.
2. Pothos (Epipremnum Aureum)
Pothos, also known as Devil’s Ivy, is a popular choice for home offices due to its trailing vines and heart-shaped leaves. It is a versatile plant that can thrive in various lighting conditions and requires minimal maintenance. Pothos is also known for its ability to remove toxins from the air, making it an excellent choice for purifying your workspace.
3. ZZ Plant (Zamioculcas Zamiifolia)
The unusually named ZZ Plant is known for its resilience and ability to survive in almost any lighting conditions. It has dark green, shiny leaves that add a touch of elegance to any space. ZZ plants are also excellent air purifiers and can thrive with minimal care, making them ideal for busy professionals.
4. Aloe Vera (Aloe Barbadensis Miller)
Aloe Vera is a popular plant known for its medicinal properties. It requires bright, indirect light and minimal watering, making it an ideal choice for home offices. Aloe Vera not only improves air quality but also has the added benefit of soothing properties. Having a plant like Aloe Vera within arm’s reach can be helpful for relieving stress and healing minor cuts and burns.
5. Spider Plant (Chlorophytum Comosum)
Spider plants are beloved for their long, arching leaves with white stripes, giving them a unique appearance. They thrive in bright, indirect light and are known for their ability to clear the air of pollutants such as formaldehyde and carbon monoxide. Spider plants are easy to care for and can also produce small baby spider plants that can be propagated and shared with friends.
6. Peace Lily (Spathiphyllum)
Peace lilies have lush, dark green leaves and elegant white flowers that bloom periodically. They prefer low to medium light conditions and add a touch of elegance to any space. Peace lilies are excellent air purifiers, known for removing toxins such as benzene and ammonia from the air. However, it’s important to note that peace lilies are toxic to pets, so it may not be the best choice if you have furry companions in your home office.
7. Rubber Plant (Ficus Elastica)
Rubber plants have glossy, burgundy-coloured leaves that add a pop of colour to any home office. They prefer bright, indirect light and moderate watering. Rubber plants are known for their ability to remove toxins such as formaldehyde from the air, making them an excellent choice for improving air quality in your workspace.
8. English Ivy (Hedera Helix)
A personal favourite of Pam’s, English Ivy is a versatile plant that can be grown in hanging baskets or trained to climb walls or trellises. It prefers bright, indirect light and benefits from occasional misting. English ivy helps to filter the air by removing toxins such as mould spores and even airborne faecal matter. Additionally, it has been known to reduce airborne mould levels, making it a great plant choice for individuals with allergies or asthma.
9. Dracaena (Dracaena Spp.)
Dracaenas are popular houseplants that come in various shapes and sizes, making them suitable for any home office space. They prefer bright, indirect light and moderate watering. Dracaenas are effective air purifiers and also add a touch of tropical elegance to your workspace.
10. Chinese Evergreen (Aglaonema)
Chinese Evergreens are known for their vibrant and colourful foliage, making them the perfect statement plant for your home office. They can tolerate low light conditions and thrive in humid environments. Chinese Evergreens are excellent air purifiers, known for removing toxins such as formaldehyde and benzene from the air.
What About Glow In The Dark Plants?
Believe it or not, glow in the dark plants are a now a real thing. According to a recent article in WIRED magazine, a company called Startup Light Bio has created bioluminescent petunia using mushroom genes and plans to start shipping them in spring 2024. It’s too early to judge any health benefits, but they sound a fun addition for any workspace.
Conclusion
When it comes to your well-being and working from home, bringing a little nature indoors can make a big difference. According to NASA’s own Clean Air Study, it really is a case of the more plants the better. Incorporating these top 10 into your fitted home office will enhance its visual appeal, plus offers numerous health and well-being benefits.
However, if you struggle looking after plants then Pam recommends simply focusing on a few of your personal favourites from the list above. There are some great plant care mobile apps now available making caring for your plants even easier, so there has never been a better time to embrace your horticultural side.