Collection
Office Plants
Survive weekends without water and fluorescent light.
The best office plants are ZZ plant, snake plant, pothos, heartleaf philodendron, Chinese evergreen, peperomia and cast iron plant: they tolerate fluorescent or LED office lighting, dry air from the HVAC and a week or more without water. Place the plant as close to a window as possible or add a small LED grow light, keep it out of the direct blast of vents, and water only when the soil is dry so it survives long weekends.
What these plants have in common
- Survives 10 or more days without watering
- Tolerates artificial light and low natural light
- Handles dry air from heating and AC
- Compact, clean and rarely bothered by pests
Aloe Vera
Aloe vera (syn. Aloe barbadensis)- 4+ hours of direct sun; south or west window; acclimate over 10–14 days
- Soak, then dry completely: every 10–14 days in summer, every 4–6 weeks in winter
- ASPCA: toxic to cats, dogs and horses (saponins, anthraquinones): vomiting, lethargy, diarrhea
Anthurium
Anthurium andraeanum hybrids- Bright indirect, 3–5 ft from an east or west window; no hot direct sun
- When the top 1–2 in. are dry; about every 7–10 days; less in winter
- ASPCA: toxic to dogs, cats and horses (insoluble calcium oxalates)
Bromeliad
Bromeliaceae (Guzmania, Vriesea, Neoregelia, Aechmea, Ananas)- Bright indirect; an east window or 3–5 ft from a south/west window; some direct morning sun is fine
- Keep 1/2–1 in of soft water in the cup, flush every 1–2 weeks; water the mix only when the top inch is dry (every 1–2 weeks)
- Non-toxic to cats and dogs (ASPCA, Neoregelia)
Calathea
Goeppertia spp. (formerly Calathea)- Bright indirect light; 3–6 ft from a south/west window or at a north/east window; no direct sun
- Keep lightly moist: water when the top 1/2–1 inch is dry (about every 5–7 days in summer, 7–12 in winter); filtered or rain water
- Non-toxic to cats, dogs and horses (ASPCA, Calathea spp.)
Chinese money plant
Pilea peperomioides- Bright indirect light; 2-4 hours of gentle morning or late-afternoon sun is fine. East or west window
- When the top quarter of the soil is dry, roughly every 7-14 days; never leave it standing in a saucer
- Not on ASPCA's list by name; NC State Extension lists it as safe for pets and children (related Pilea cadierei is non-toxic per ASPCA)
Dracaena
Dracaena (D. marginata, D. fragrans, D. reflexa, D. deremensis)- Bright indirect; 3–6 ft from a south window or near an east/west one; green types tolerate medium light, variegated need more
- When the top 1.5–2 in are dry: every 5–7 days in summer, 12–18 days in winter; rain, distilled or RO water
- Toxic to cats and dogs: saponins (ASPCA)
Jade Plant
Crassula ovata- 4+ hours of direct sun; south or west window
- Soak, then let dry completely: every 7–14 days in summer, every 4–6 weeks in a cool winter
- ASPCA: toxic to cats, dogs and horses (vomiting, depression, incoordination)
Lucky bamboo
Dracaena sanderiana- Bright indirect; east or north window; no direct sun
- In a vase: roots plus about 1 in. of stalk covered, changed weekly. In soil: water when the top 1/2 in. is dry
- Toxic to cats and dogs (ASPCA, Dracaena spp.: saponins)
Parlor palm
Chamaedorea elegans- Medium to low indirect light: 6–12 ft from a south window or at a north window; no direct midday sun
- When the top 1 in is dry: about every 5–7 days in summer, 10–14 days in winter; soft water
- Non-toxic to dogs and cats (ASPCA)
Peace Lily
Spathiphyllum spp.- Bright indirect light for blooms; tolerates low light (no direct midday sun)
- When the top 1 inch is dry or leaves begin to sag; every 5–7 days in summer, 10–14 in winter
- Toxic to dogs and cats per ASPCA (insoluble calcium oxalates)
Peperomia
Peperomia obtusifolia (and other Peperomia species)- Bright indirect; tolerates a large north window
- When the top half of the mix is dry; roughly every 7-14 days
- Non-toxic to cats and dogs (ASPCA, baby rubber plant)
Philodendron
Philodendron spp. (heartleaf P. hederaceum and others)- Bright indirect; heartleaf tolerates low light
- When the top 1-2 inches are dry; about every 7-10 days in summer
- Toxic to cats, dogs and horses (ASPCA)
Pothos
Epipremnum aureum- Bright indirect; east or west window, south behind a sheer; tolerates medium light, variegated types fade in shade
- When the top 1–2 in. are dry: about every 5–8 days in summer, every 10–14 days in winter
- Toxic to dogs and cats (ASPCA): insoluble calcium oxalates; sap can irritate skin
Rubber plant
Ficus elastica- Bright indirect, best at an east window; green types tolerate medium light
- When the top 2 in. are dry: about every 7–10 days in summer, every 12–18 days in winter
- Toxic to dogs and cats (ASPCA, Indian rubber plant/Ficus); milky sap irritates skin and stomach
Snake plant
Dracaena trifasciata (syn. Sansevieria trifasciata)- Low to bright indirect; tolerates some direct sun
- When soil is fully dry: every 2–3 weeks summer, 4–8 weeks winter
- Toxic to cats and dogs (ASPCA): saponins
Spider plant
Chlorophytum comosum- Bright indirect; tolerates medium light
- When top 1 inch is dry: ~weekly summer, every 10–14 days winter
- Non-toxic to cats and dogs (ASPCA)
Umbrella plant
Schefflera arboricola, Schefflera actinophylla (now Heptapleurum)- Medium to bright indirect; 3-6 ft from a south window, or at an east or west window
- Soak, then let the top 1/2-1 in. dry; in winter let the top third of the pot dry
- Toxic to dogs and cats (ASPCA): oral irritation, drooling, vomiting; sap is a skin allergen
Yucca
Yucca gigantea (syn. Yucca elephantipes)- Full sun to very bright light; south window in winter, east or west window or light shade from hot summer sun
- Soak, then water when the top 2 in. are dry: about every 7-12 days in summer, every 3-8 weeks in winter
- Toxic to dogs and cats (ASPCA, Yucca spp.): vomiting
ZZ plant
Zamioculcas zamiifolia- Low to bright indirect; no hot direct sun
- When fully dry: every 2–3 weeks summer, 4–6 weeks winter
- Toxic if eaten (calcium oxalates); not pet-safe
Comparison: which one fits your conditions
| Plant | Light | Water | Difficulty | Pets |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Aloe Vera | 4+ hours of direct sun; south or west window; acclimate over 10–14 days | Soak, then dry completely: every 10–14 days in summer, every 4–6 weeks in winter | Easy | ASPCA: toxic to cats, dogs and horses (saponins, anthraquinones): vomiting, lethargy, diarrhea |
| Anthurium | Bright indirect, 3–5 ft from an east or west window; no hot direct sun | When the top 1–2 in. are dry; about every 7–10 days; less in winter | Moderate | ASPCA: toxic to dogs, cats and horses (insoluble calcium oxalates) |
| Bromeliad | Bright indirect; an east window or 3–5 ft from a south/west window; some direct morning sun is fine | Keep 1/2–1 in of soft water in the cup, flush every 1–2 weeks; water the mix only when the top inch is dry (every 1–2 weeks) | Easy | Non-toxic to cats and dogs (ASPCA, Neoregelia) |
| Calathea | Bright indirect light; 3–6 ft from a south/west window or at a north/east window; no direct sun | Keep lightly moist: water when the top 1/2–1 inch is dry (about every 5–7 days in summer, 7–12 in winter); filtered or rain water | Moderate | Non-toxic to cats, dogs and horses (ASPCA, Calathea spp.) |
| Chinese money plant | Bright indirect light; 2-4 hours of gentle morning or late-afternoon sun is fine. East or west window | When the top quarter of the soil is dry, roughly every 7-14 days; never leave it standing in a saucer | Easy | Not on ASPCA's list by name; NC State Extension lists it as safe for pets and children (related Pilea cadierei is non-toxic per ASPCA) |
| Dracaena | Bright indirect; 3–6 ft from a south window or near an east/west one; green types tolerate medium light, variegated need more | When the top 1.5–2 in are dry: every 5–7 days in summer, 12–18 days in winter; rain, distilled or RO water | Easy | Toxic to cats and dogs: saponins (ASPCA) |
| Jade Plant | 4+ hours of direct sun; south or west window | Soak, then let dry completely: every 7–14 days in summer, every 4–6 weeks in a cool winter | Easy | ASPCA: toxic to cats, dogs and horses (vomiting, depression, incoordination) |
| Lucky bamboo | Bright indirect; east or north window; no direct sun | In a vase: roots plus about 1 in. of stalk covered, changed weekly. In soil: water when the top 1/2 in. is dry | Easy | Toxic to cats and dogs (ASPCA, Dracaena spp.: saponins) |
| Parlor palm | Medium to low indirect light: 6–12 ft from a south window or at a north window; no direct midday sun | When the top 1 in is dry: about every 5–7 days in summer, 10–14 days in winter; soft water | Easy | Non-toxic to dogs and cats (ASPCA) |
| Peace Lily | Bright indirect light for blooms; tolerates low light (no direct midday sun) | When the top 1 inch is dry or leaves begin to sag; every 5–7 days in summer, 10–14 in winter | Easy | Toxic to dogs and cats per ASPCA (insoluble calcium oxalates) |
| Peperomia | Bright indirect; tolerates a large north window | When the top half of the mix is dry; roughly every 7-14 days | Easy | Non-toxic to cats and dogs (ASPCA, baby rubber plant) |
| Philodendron | Bright indirect; heartleaf tolerates low light | When the top 1-2 inches are dry; about every 7-10 days in summer | Easy | Toxic to cats, dogs and horses (ASPCA) |
| Pothos | Bright indirect; east or west window, south behind a sheer; tolerates medium light, variegated types fade in shade | When the top 1–2 in. are dry: about every 5–8 days in summer, every 10–14 days in winter | Easy | Toxic to dogs and cats (ASPCA): insoluble calcium oxalates; sap can irritate skin |
| Rubber plant | Bright indirect, best at an east window; green types tolerate medium light | When the top 2 in. are dry: about every 7–10 days in summer, every 12–18 days in winter | Easy | Toxic to dogs and cats (ASPCA, Indian rubber plant/Ficus); milky sap irritates skin and stomach |
| Snake plant | Low to bright indirect; tolerates some direct sun | When soil is fully dry: every 2–3 weeks summer, 4–8 weeks winter | Easy | Toxic to cats and dogs (ASPCA): saponins |
| Spider plant | Bright indirect; tolerates medium light | When top 1 inch is dry: ~weekly summer, every 10–14 days winter | Easy | Non-toxic to cats and dogs (ASPCA) |
| Umbrella plant | Medium to bright indirect; 3-6 ft from a south window, or at an east or west window | Soak, then let the top 1/2-1 in. dry; in winter let the top third of the pot dry | Easy | Toxic to dogs and cats (ASPCA): oral irritation, drooling, vomiting; sap is a skin allergen |
| Yucca | Full sun to very bright light; south window in winter, east or west window or light shade from hot summer sun | Soak, then water when the top 2 in. are dry: about every 7-12 days in summer, every 3-8 weeks in winter | Easy | Toxic to dogs and cats (ASPCA, Yucca spp.): vomiting |
| ZZ plant | Low to bright indirect; no hot direct sun | When fully dry: every 2–3 weeks summer, 4–6 weeks winter | Easy | Toxic if eaten (calcium oxalates); not pet-safe |
An office is harder on plants than a home: lights may go off on weekends, nobody waters on vacation, and HVAC vents blow dry air across the desk. The plants here are the ones that cope.
Light in the office
Iowa State University Extension explains that light is the most limiting factor for houseplants and drops off quickly away from windows. In an office, a desk by a window is a different world from an interior cubicle. If you have no window, a plant directly under overhead lights or a small LED grow light on a timer is the way to go; see Iowa State's guide to supplemental lights.
Best office plants
| Plant | Why it works | Watering |
|---|---|---|
| ZZ plant | Tolerates low light, stores water | Every 2 to 4 weeks |
| Snake plant | Upright, narrow footprint | Every 2 to 4 weeks |
| Pothos | Trails from a shelf, tolerates office light | About weekly |
| Philodendron | As easy as pothos | About weekly |
| Chinese evergreen | Colorful leaves in medium light | When top inch is dry |
| Peperomia | Compact, pet-safe | When mostly dry |
| Cast iron plant | Dim corners, very slow | When top 2 inches are dry |
Office care routine
- Water on Friday afternoon only if the soil is dry; never leave water in the saucer over the weekend.
- Keep plants out of the direct airflow of vents and away from windows that heat up in the afternoon.
- Wipe dust from the leaves monthly so they can use the limited light.
- Feed at quarter strength in spring and summer or not at all; plants in low light use little fertilizer.
Air quality claims
Office plants are often sold as air purifiers. A review of the research by Cummings and Waring (2019) found that potted plants remove pollutants far more slowly than building ventilation does. Plants can still make a workspace nicer to be in. See air-purifying plants.
More picks in easy houseplants and low-light plants.
Often mislabeled: plants that don't belong here
| Plant | Why it doesn't really fit |
|---|---|
| Succulents on a windowless desk | They need strong light and stretch under office lighting. |
| Ferns and calatheas | They want steady moisture and humidity, which offices rarely provide. |
| Flowering gift plants | Orchids, kalanchoe and cyclamen look great for a few weeks but rarely rebloom under office conditions. |
Frequently asked questions
What plant is best for an office with no windows?
ZZ plant, snake plant and pothos survive under bright office lighting, especially if the lights are on most of the day. A small LED grow light on a timer for 10 to 12 hours a day keeps them growing.
Can a plant survive under fluorescent lights?
Yes, if the light is close enough. Plants on a desk 1 to 2 feet below the fixtures or under a task lamp do far better than plants on the floor.
How do I keep my office plant alive over vacations?
Choose drought-tolerant plants, water thoroughly the day before you leave, move the pot away from vents and windows that get hot, and for long trips use a self-watering pot or ask a coworker.
Do office plants improve productivity?
Some studies link plants with better mood and satisfaction at work, but they will not measurably clean office air, which ventilation systems already change far faster.
What office plants are safe for pets?
If pets come to your workplace, peperomia, parlor palm, spider plant and cast iron plant are non-toxic per ASPCA.
Sources
Facts on this page were checked against these publications. Links open in a new tab.
- Iowa State University Extension — growing indoor plants under supplemental lights yardandgarden.extension.iastate.edu
- Iowa State University Extension — how care houseplants yardandgarden.extension.iastate.edu
- Nature Portfolio www.nature.com