Perfect Plant Pairings for Wonderful Workplaces
Did you know that the humble houseplant has been shown to contribute all kinds of amazing benefits to commercial workspaces? They come in so many incredible shapes and sizes and aesthetically elevate often unimaginative office spaces. But they also have so much more to offer!
Bringing nature indoors has been shown to vastly improve staff well-being, by creating more welcoming workspaces and decreasing levels of stress and fatigue. There is also evidence of increased productivity and creativity within offices. Furthermore, plants can offer creative solutions such as space dividers to create private corners for casual meetings whilst reducing noise levels in busy areas.
With that in mind let’s look to some of our top easy-care picks that won’t add to your team’s busy workload!
If you want a tall plant, but don’t want to obstruct office corridors or desk space the Dracaena could be the perfect option for your office. This family are known for their tall, thin trunks adorned with clusters of thick, glossy leaves. We offer quite a few varieties of this particular plant from the ‘Lemon and Lime’ with green and yellow striped leaves, to a ‘Marginata’ with darker colouring and finer leaf shapes. They are very easy care and should be allowed to dry out almost completely before re-watering. Our top tip is to water only when you notice the compost beginning to come away from the sides of the pot. Mist the leaves occasionally throughout the week to keep the leaves from drying out at the tips. Dracaenas can tolerate shade, but will do best in bright, in-direct light.
Create fabulous jungle vibes with the cascading vines of the humble Epipremnum. These plants thrive in bright, in-direct light, but will also tolerate shade. The top inch of soil should be left to dry out completely before rewatering. This is usually every 7 to 10 days, but always make sure to check the soil to avoid watering too frequently! Mist a couple of times a week.
Already got an Epipremnum on display? Look to other vining varieties such as the Scindapsus Pictus ‘Satin Pothos’ or Philodendron ‘Brasil’ which require the exact same care but offer varying leaf patterns.
Commonly known as a ‘ZZ’ the Zamioculcas zamiifolia is one of our most shade tolerant houseplants. Although all plants need access to natural light to photosynthesis, the ZZ will tolerate shadier corners in the office. They thrive on neglect and therefore should only be watered when the soil has completely dried out. This can be as little as once a month even in smaller specimens. This is a great bushy option that won’t grow too tall!
Sansevierias come in many weird and wonderful forms from the commonly recognised Sansevieria ‘Laurentii’ to its splayed leaf cousin, the Sansevieria ‘Boncel’. Another option adored for its ability to store water, Sansevierias should be left to dry out completely before re-watering. These are one of our more versatile options for positioning as it’s succulent nature allows it to withstand direct light, whilst also being another one of our most shade tolerant options. No misting required.
One of our most popular plants the Peace Lily is a great option for an office environment. Whether you want to make a statement with a huge Spathiphyllum ‘Sebastiano’ or stick to table top option like the Spathiphyllum ‘Bellini’, these are another great easy care option. Much-like Epipremnums, these plants like the top inch of soil to dry out between watering. Look out for drooping leaves as a sign that the soil is sufficiently dry and ready for a drink! Peace Lilies are also shade tolerant and therefore can be placed in lower light level or bright, in-direct light.
Searching for creative ways to build private areas in communal office spaces? Look no further than the Arecaceae family and it’s fantastic selection of palms! Their gorgeous splaying leaves offer elegant decoration for an office as well as their bushy forms providing excellent natural barriers between working spaces. Palms are generally humidity lovers and require misting a couple of times a week at least. Allow the top inch of soil to dry out between waterings and place in bright-indirect light. Palms can also tolerate being positioned in shady spots but will need much less water.
Looking to add plants to your office in Edinburgh? Check out the ‘Office Plant Section’ of our website and let us guide you towards a selection of plants carefully tailored to your workplace.