The Best Office Plants for Busy Workplaces
Houseplants do far more than simply make a workspace look attractive. Studies around biophilic design suggest that introducing greenery into commercial spaces can help improve wellbeing, reduce stress and create more welcoming environments for staff and visitors alike.
Whether you're looking to brighten a reception area, soften a meeting room or add life to a home office, choosing the right plants can transform the feel of a workspace without adding to your team's workload.
Based in Edinburgh?
We supply plants for offices, studios, shops and commercial spaces across Edinburgh. Visit our Office Plants & Commercial Spaces page to learn more.
Why Add Plants to the Workplace?
Plants help soften commercial interiors and create more inviting environments for staff, clients and visitors.
As well as looking great, they can help:
- Create a calmer working environment
- Introduce natural colour and texture
- Define different areas within open-plan spaces
- Provide natural screening between desks or breakout areas
- Support biophilic workplace design
- Make offices feel more welcoming and less clinical
The best office plants are those that combine visual impact with easy care. Here are some of our favourites.
ZZ Plant (Zamioculcas zamiifolia)
The ZZ Plant is one of the toughest houseplants you can buy and a fantastic choice for busy workplaces.
Its glossy foliage looks smart and professional, while its remarkable drought tolerance means it can happily cope if watering is occasionally forgotten.
Best for: desks, shelving, meeting rooms and lower-light offices.
Snake Plant (Sansevieria)
Another workplace favourite, Sansevierias combine striking architectural form with exceptional durability.
They tolerate a wide range of light conditions and require very little attention, making them ideal for offices where plant care isn't a priority.
Best for: receptions, corridors and contemporary office interiors.
Dracaena
Dracaenas offer height without taking up too much floor space. Their upright growth habit makes them particularly useful in commercial settings where space is at a premium.
Varieties such as Dracaena Marginata and Dracaena Lemon Lime add colour and structure while remaining easy to care for.
Best for: corners, beside desks and communal areas.
Peace Lily (Spathiphyllum)
The Peace Lily remains one of the most popular indoor plants for workplaces thanks to its elegant foliage and occasional white flowers.
It is surprisingly forgiving and clearly communicates when it needs water by gently drooping, making it easy for even novice plant owners to care for.
Best for: desks, meeting rooms and reception areas.
Epipremnum (Golden Pothos)
If you're looking to add a little jungle atmosphere to your workspace, Epipremnum is an excellent choice.
Its trailing stems work beautifully on shelves, cabinets and bookcases, helping soften harder office lines.
Best for: shelving, breakout spaces and home offices.
Kentia Palm
For larger spaces, few plants make as much impact as a Kentia Palm.
Its graceful fronds instantly elevate commercial interiors and can even help create subtle divisions between different areas within open-plan offices.
Best for: reception areas, waiting rooms and collaborative workspaces.
The Best Plants for Low-Light Offices
Many workplaces don't benefit from ideal lighting conditions. Fortunately, several plants cope well with lower light levels.
Our favourites include:
- ZZ Plant
- Sansevieria
- Dracaena
- Peace Lily
If you're dealing with particularly challenging conditions, browse our Shade Tolerant Plants collection.
Office Plants Don't Need to Be High Maintenance
One of the biggest misconceptions about workplace plants is that they require constant attention.
Choosing the right varieties from the outset is often far more important than creating complicated care routines.
Many of the plants listed above only need occasional watering and basic care, making them ideal for busy teams.
If you're looking for even more reliable options, explore our Easy Care Houseplants collection.
Looking for Office Plants in Edinburgh?
At grow urban., we help businesses, studios, shops and workplaces introduce greenery into their spaces with carefully selected, easy-care plants.
Whether you're looking for a handful of desk plants or larger statement specimens, we'd be delighted to help.
Visit our Plants for Offices & Commercial Spaces page to learn more.