Which Plants are Best for an Office Desk? Spruce Up Work!

[vc_row equal_height=”yes”][vc_column][vc_column_text]Working from home means that, well, I don’t get out of the house often. So, I decided to spruce (no pun intended) up my work space by adding a little vegetation to the mix. That got me to thinking, which plants are best for an office desk?

The best plant for an office desk is one that is:

• Low maintenance, requiring minimal water and light
• Comfortable in indoor temperatures and humidity
• Small enough to fit on a desk
• Not messy, such as shedding leaves or petals
• Low on potential scent or pollen for allergy considerations

Of course, that means that there are still a variety of plants that fit the bill to be your new workspace companion.

I personally choose the Raven ZZ Plant as the best office desk plant. Why? It’s very forgiving with water and light. The green leaves turn a deep purple (my favorite) at maturity for a pop of color. It helps clean the air, and it fits nicely in a pot!

However, you may have different tastes, less or more space, or maybe you’re trying to fit a certain vibe in your office. I get that! So, let’s talk about some other great plant options for an office desk.[/vc_column_text][vc_column_text]

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What type of plant is good for an office with no windows?

If you’re lacking real sunlight in your office, then you’ll want to choose a plant that thrives in artificial light. Here are six plants that are good for an office with no windows:

• Snake Plant
• Spider Plant
• Peace Lily
• Pothos
• Cast Iron Plant
• Philodendron

All the plants on this list, with the exception of the Cast Iron Plant, are considered toxic to pets. If you share your office space with animals then you’ll want to choose something more pet-friendly.

Small Office Snake Plant

While it should be noted there are other plants that do well in low lighting and artificial lights, that doesn’t automatically make them the best plant for an office desk. They may require a lot of watering, high humidity, or grow too large for a desk workspace.

I’m not moving my office desk into the bathroom just to keep my plant at a happy humidity level!

Of course, if you have flexibility in moving your office somewhere else, I’d recommend finding a spot with some natural light. Not only will your plant horizons open up, but you’ll feel better too.

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Alternatively, if your heart is set on a plant that requires a little more light than your space has, you can always supplement with a grow bulb or other similar daylight-simulating lighting.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]

Is a cactus a suitable office plant?

Yes, a cactus is a suitable office plant. Cacti enjoy natural light and need little watering or humidity. Many varieties fit easily in a pot, making them a great plant for an office desk.

If your work from home situation often has kids or pets near your desk that may accidentally touch your cactus, then it may not be the best choice.

Most cacti do have needles, which, while harmless, do tend to “sting” a bit. Additionally, many cacti are known to be toxic to children or pets if consumed. If you’re planning on a home cactus, consult the ASPCA database for plant toxicity if you have furry friends to look out for.

Small Easter Lily Cactus

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Which cactus plant is best for an office desk?

These are 8 of the best cactus plants for an office desk:

• Frailea Cactus
• Bunny Ears Cactus
• Feather Cactus
• Fishbone Cactus
• Moon Cactus
• Barrel Cactus
• Dwarf Chin Cactus
• Easter Lily Cactus

These particular eight cacti make the list for several reasons. They’re not very “finicky” making them easy for a home grower to manage. All varieties stay small or are very slow-growing, which is suitable size-wise for a desk. Best of all, these are all non-toxic cacti for pet safety!

The Barrel Cactus does, however, boast sap that may cause skin irritation so is best avoided around smaller children that might touch it. It’s also important to note that the non-toxic Easter Lily Cactus is not the same as an Easter Lily Plant, which IS toxic to cats in particular.

While this is a great list of the best cactus plants for an office desk, there are over 2,500 species of cacti out there. If you have a particularly green thumb and want a more interesting or challenging cactus companion, the world is your oyster![/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]

Are succulents good office plants?

Yes, succulents are also good office plants. They enjoy limited watering, dry air, and natural light to thrive. Most are small, and available in a variety of interesting shapes and colors.

Unlike the cactus, most succulents do not have needles, and thus will be safer to the touch. However, some are still known to be toxic so care is still advised there.

Here are 7 choices in a succulent plant that is best for an office desk:

• Aloe Vera
• ZZ Plant
• Echeveria Minima
• Zebra Plant
• Little Bobo (Sempervivum)
• Blue Chalk Sticks
• Burro’s Tail

Zebra Plant Succulents

Each of these succulents is fairly forgiving in terms of watering, temperature, and the light they’ll receive. Just ensure you don’t water them too frequently, as they’re more similar in nature to a cactus than a houseplant and don’t want to be drowned.

The Aloe Vera, ZZ Plant, and Blue Chalk Sticks are known to be toxic to animals. The remaining four plants of the list are considered non-toxic to animals. Whether you share your office space with a pet or not may better determine which succulent plant is best for your office desk.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]

Best air purifying plants for an office desk

One of the best benefits of having a plant in your workspace is the air cleaning capabilities they provide. If you’re concerned about cleaner breathing, here are some of the best air purifying plants for an office desk:

• English Ivy
• Chinese Evergreen Plant
• Lilyturf
• Kimberly Queen Fern
• Fittonia (Frankie Plant)

Hot Pink Chinese Evergreen

It should also be noted that all of the plants that are good for an office with no windows are also excellent air purifiers. Additionally, Aloe Vera in the succulent family is a happy little air cleaner. If you’re looking for a plant that fulfills more than one need, I’d keep that in mind!

If you’re looking to keep pet friendly, the Lilyturf, Kimberly Queen Fern, and Frankie Plant are all considered non-toxic and pet-safe. I personally enjoy the Frankie Plant’s pop of color and unique leaves![/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]

Which plant is good for office desk feng shui?

If you’re trying to add some luck or Zen to your desk, then you may be looking for a plant that reinforces those good feelings. If that’s the case, here are four choices in a plant that is good for office desk feng shui:

• Lucky Bamboo
• Jade Plant
• Money Tree
• Chinese Money Plant

Money Tree in Planter

The Chinese Evergreen plant, which I mentioned in air purifying plants, is an excellent choice as well. Whether you enjoy leafy greens, tree-like appearance, or the succulent look seen in the Jade family, you’ll be lucky and happy at work in no time!

For our pet-friendly picks, I’m pleased to say that Bamboo, Money Tree, and the Chinese Money Plant are all considered non-toxic to animals. Now, that really is lucky![/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]

Why should you add a plant to your office desk?

Whether you work from home or a more traditional office setting, there are lots of good reasons you should add a plant to your desk:

• Add a pop of color
• Freshen the air
• Soothe the senses
• Express your personal style

In fact, it’s one of the things I most recommend to make your office space more comfortable and, well, yours.

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No matter your reasons, there are a variety of plants to choose from that will do one (or all) of those things! I hope that you’re able to choose a plant that is best for your office desk, and that you get to enjoy all the benefits that it offers. I know I sure do! If you’re giving a present, check out our guide on how to gift wrap a potted plant![/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]As noted on our Affiliate Disclaimer page, links to products inside this blog could lead to sales commissions (at no additional cost to you) which allow this site to continue operations.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row]