20 Best Office Plants for a Happier Desk Vibe in 2025

Adding plants to an office space really changes the vibe. I’ve noticed that having greenery around just makes everything feel more inviting and calm.

Plants aren’t just pretty, they can help with air quality and even lift your mood on those long, stressful days.

The best office plants are the ones that don’t need a ton of attention but still brighten up your workspace and give productivity a little nudge.

Pick the right ones, and you’ll get all the perks with barely any extra work. Here are 20 options I’ve tried that are easy to keep alive and fit into most offices.

1. Snake Plant (Sansevieria)

I keep a snake plant on my desk because it’s basically indestructible and looks sharp. It barely needs water and can handle low light—perfect for an office that doesn’t get much sun.

The leaves are tall, stiff, and have cool patterns. Some types stay compact, so you can squeeze them onto shelves or tiny desks.

Honestly, I love how many varieties there are, and they all bring a bit of green without any drama.

2. ZZ Plant (Zamioculcas zamiifolia)

My ZZ Plant sits happily on my desk and barely needs anything from me. It thrives in low light and can go ages without water.

The shiny, dark leaves look awesome and make the space feel fresher. It can grow a couple feet tall and just keeps looking healthy, even when I forget about it.

If you want a plant that basically grows itself, ZZ Plant’s a winner.

3. Pothos (Epipremnum aureum)

Pothos is honestly one of the easiest plants I’ve ever owned. It’s a tropical vine that doesn’t mind low or medium light, so it’s great for most offices.

Mine trails from a pot or climbs if I let it. It only needs water now and then and loves a warm spot.

4. Spider Plant (Chlorophytum comosum)

The Spider Plant is a classic for a reason—it’s easy and looks cool anywhere. The long, striped leaves arch out in every direction.

Spider Plants grow little baby plants that hang down, which is fun if you like hanging baskets. They help clean the air and don’t mind low or medium light.

A few tips I’ve picked up:

Water when the soil dries out
Keep it out of harsh sun—those leaves burn fast
Repot when the babies crowd the pot

5. Peace Lily (Spathiphyllum)

I’ve got a peace lily in a shady corner, and it just keeps going. The shiny leaves and white flowers brighten things up with almost no effort.

It likes temps between 65°F and 75°F. I water when the soil feels dry—usually about once a week.

A bit of fertilizer in spring and summer keeps it happy. It’s also famous for cleaning the air, which I appreciate.

6. Philodendron Brasil

Philodendron Brasil is a favorite of mine for work. The green and yellow leaves are so cheerful, and it doesn’t need much care.

It loves bright, indirect light but manages fine in lower light. I water every couple weeks or when the soil dries out.

Normal office air is usually fine, but if it gets too dry, the leaf tips might brown. And hey, you can grow new ones from cuttings—handy if you want more plants without buying them.

7. Dracaena Marginata

Dracaena Marginata brings a bit of the outdoors in. The thin leaves with red edges are striking but don’t take up much room.

I find it super easy to care for. It doesn’t ask for much water and handles most light conditions.

It even helps freshen the air and adds a little humidity, nice when the office gets stuffy.

8. Cast Iron Plant (Aspidistra elatior)

Cast Iron Plant lives up to its name, it’s almost impossible to kill. The deep green, shiny leaves make any office feel calmer.

It grows well in low light, so you can tuck it in a corner or on your desk. I water when the soil dries out and leave it alone otherwise.

It’ll stick around for years if you don’t move it too much. Just don’t drown it, overwatering is its only real enemy.

9. Chinese Evergreen (Aglaonema)

Chinese Evergreen is a no-brainer for offices. It handles low light and still looks good.

The leaves come in all sorts of colors, green, pink, silver, so you can pick your vibe. I keep the soil just a bit moist and mist the leaves now and then.

It’s tough, but spider mites can be a pain. If you spot dull leaves, bump up the humidity a little.

10. Parlor Palm

Parlor Palm brings a soft, green feel to my space with zero hassle. It’s happy in low or bright indirect light, so it fits almost anywhere.

It likes temps between 65°F and 75°F and well-drained soil. I water when the top inch dries out. Honestly, it’s perfect for plant newbies.

11. Aloe Vera

Aloe Vera is hands-down one of the easiest plants for work. It loves bright light and barely needs water, which is ideal if you forget sometimes.

I like that it helps clean the air and the gel inside is handy for little cuts. It even sprouts baby plants you can share or replant—bonus!

12. Rubber Plant (Ficus elastica)

Rubber Plant adds drama with its big, glossy leaves. It prefers bright, indirect light but won’t freak out if it’s a bit dimmer.

I water when the top inch of soil gets dry, overwatering is the main thing to watch out for. If it’s warm, it grows fast, and a monthly feed in spring and summer keeps it happy.

13. Boston Fern (Nephrolepis exaltata)

Boston Fern brings a fresh, leafy vibe to my desk. The long, arching fronds add a soft touch, almost like a mini jungle.

It wants humidity over 50% and temps between 60-75°F. I mist mine or keep it near a humidifier.

Once a month, I feed it with a balanced fertilizer during the growing season. That helps keep it lush and green.

14. Succulents (various species)

Succulents are my go-to for a low-effort plant fix. They barely need water and come in all kinds of quirky shapes.

They like bright, indirect light, but some survive in lower light too. My favorites? Aloe aristata (super tough) and Burro’s Tail, which spills out of hanging pots in the coolest way.

They add a splash of color and personality without eating up your time or space. My desk feels more alive with just a few scattered around.

15. English Ivy (Hedera helix)

I’m a big fan of English Ivy. It’s ridiculously easy to grow indoors and looks fantastic trailing or climbing wherever you put it.

This plant doesn’t need much light, so it’s perfect for offices with just fluorescent bulbs. Just keep it away from harsh direct sunlight—those leaves can burn fast.

I water mine when the soil feels dry to the touch. Every few weeks, I toss in a bit of balanced fertilizer to keep it happy.

English Ivy does a decent job cleaning the air. It’s tough and doesn’t complain much, even if conditions aren’t perfect.

16. Lucky Bamboo (Dracaena sanderiana)

Lucky Bamboo isn’t real bamboo, but I love it anyway. It’s easy to care for and doesn’t mind low light, which is great for most offices.

I keep mine in water, but soil works too. It’ll lean toward the light, so I rotate it now and then to keep things looking balanced.

Every so often, I feed it with a diluted liquid fertilizer. That seems to help the roots and stalks stay strong.

17. Bird’s Nest Fern (Asplenium nidus)

Bird’s Nest Fern has these bright, wavy leaves that just scream “tropical.” I like how it instantly freshens up my workspace.

This fern loves indirect light, so I keep it near a north-facing window. Direct sun’s a no-go—it’ll burn those fronds.

It also craves humidity and steady moisture. I mist it pretty often, and I try to keep the soil damp but not swampy.

18. Calathea

Calathea is a showstopper. Its leaves have wild patterns that make any office look a bit more alive.

It doesn’t need tons of light, so it’s happy on my desk. I usually water it just once a week—nice and simple.

It likes humidity, so I keep a tray of water close by. If I forget to water it now and then, it doesn’t seem to mind much, which is a relief on busy days.

19. Air Plants (Tillandsia)

Air plants are wild—they don’t need soil at all. They just soak up water and nutrients through their leaves, so you can stick them anywhere you want.

They’re happiest with bright, indirect light. I give mine a 30-minute soak once a week, and that’s about it.

They prefer it warm—somewhere between 50 and 90 degrees Fahrenheit. If you’re feeling extra, you can grab a pack of 10, 20, or even 30 for a really eye-catching display.

They add a super modern, clean vibe to any desk or reception area. I think they’re a conversation starter, honestly.

20. African Violet (Saintpaulia)

African Violets are tiny but mighty. They fit anywhere and the fuzzy leaves are kind of addictive to touch.

The flowers pop up several times a year in purple, pink, or white. I keep mine near a window, but I make sure it’s out of direct sun so the leaves don’t get fried.

If you want a cheerful, low-maintenance plant that won’t take over your desk, African Violets are a solid pick. Just keep an eye out for pests like mealybugs or spider mites—they show up sometimes.

Benefits Of Having Office Plants

Plants on my desk do more than just look nice. I swear, they help me feel calmer and more focused, and the air honestly seems fresher.

These small changes really shift how I work and feel during the day. Sometimes I wonder why every office isn’t filled with them.

Boosting Mood And Productivity

Every time I add a plant to my office, my mood picks up—kind of instantly. Studies say office plants can cut stress and anxiety by up to 37%.

That’s a big deal if you ask me. Plants also help with feelings of anger and sadness—one study found hostility dropped by 44% and depression by 58% in plant-filled offices.

Taking care of something living gives me little mental breaks, and I don’t even have to leave my desk. Even the color green feels soothing, which makes it easier to focus and not lose my mind on tough days.

Improving Air Quality

Plants are like little air-cleaning machines. They soak up carbon dioxide and give back oxygen, which keeps the air feeling fresh.

I’ve noticed that even a couple of leafy friends can make a difference. Less fatigue, fewer headaches—who wouldn’t want that?

Some plants do more than just look pretty. They filter out nasty stuff like benzene and formaldehyde, which sneak into offices all the time.

It’s wild how a few pots can cut down on pollutants. Suddenly, my workspace feels a lot healthier.

Benefit	How it Helps	Example Plants
Air purification	Removes toxins and adds oxygen	Spider Plant, Snake Plant
Stress relief	Reduces anxiety and hostility	Peace Lily, Aloe Vera
Focus improvement	Creates calm, boosts attention	Pothos, ZZ Plant