Adding plants to your workspace really can help you get through the day. There have been studies done on the benefits plants have in the workplace. They lower people’s stress levels, so they allow room to be more creative. So, you’re adding a new plant, becoming less stressed, and cooking up fresh ideas. That’s a win-win-win. I think you deserve a raise for that.
Blake Pope has the right idea for the perfect office plants, and has a large Peruvian apple cactus (Cereus repandus), a few air plants (Tillandsia species), and a golden pothos (Epipremnum aureum). These are all great plants to have in your workspace, especially if it’s not in your home, because they don’t won’t require much attention, and you’ll feel so much better knowing they’re doing fine while you’re away. As I’ve mentioned before, the plants you bring in will be based on the light you get in your space. Blake’s work desk is next to a large west-facing window, which lets in a good amount of light during the second half of the day. If you work in an office with no windows but you really want to bring plants in, you’re going to need a grow lamp that you can put on your desk. In my opinion, the cool kids at the office have always been those that have had plants at their desks, so there.
In Sofie and Yannick’s home office, they have plants that require more attention because, well, they’re at home. If a plant needs watering during the weekend, they’re there to give it a drink. They have a few thirsty but amazingly gorgeous plants on their desk, as well as a prayer plant (Maranta leuconeura), an Alocasia, and a Calathea warscewiczii in pots on the floor next to the desk. Their desk has shelves hung above it, so they’re able to place multiple small plants there. They also use small bowls to hold an air plant (Tillandsia) or two.
Plants You Should Think About for Your Workspace
PLANT Snake plant (Sansevieria trifasciata) LIGHT Bright indirect to low light
WATER Let the soil dry out completely before watering, meaning you’ll probably water once every three to four weeks
PLANT ZZ plant (Zamioculcas zamiifolia) LIGHT Bright indirect to low light
WATER Let the soil dry out completely before watering, meaning you’ll probably water once every three to four weeks
PLANT Peruvian apple cactus (Cereus repandus) LIGHT Bright indirect to direct light
WATER Let the soil dry out completely before watering, meaning you’ll probably water once every three to four weeks
PLANT Rubber plant (Ficus elastica)
LIGHT Bright indirect to medium light
WATER When the top 2 in (5 cm) of soil is completely dry
PLANT Air plant (Tillandsia) LIGHT Bright indirect to medium light
WATER Submerge in lukewarm water for about five minutes, and turn air plant cup down to allow it to dry fully before placing back in its spot
This excerpt is from Wild Interiors by Hilton Carter. To get more great blog posts like this one - direct to your inbox – be sure to sign up to our mailing list here.