Office plants: 12 plants that can take anything
At the office, a plant has to take a lot: often medium light, dry air from the air conditioning or heating, weekends and holidays with nobody to water it. These plants hold up, and they brighten up a home office corner too.
ZZ plant
Zamioculcas zamiifolia14 dShadeEasyLasts two weeks without water: perfect for holidays.Also called zamioculcas
Snake plant
Dracaena trifasciata14 dBrightEasyMakes do with office light and forgives forgetfulness.Also called sansevieria
Pothos
Epipremnum aureum7 dBrightEasyGrows even under office lights, and makes cuttings for colleagues.Also called devil's ivy
Cast iron plant
Aspidistra elatior10 dShadeEasyNicknamed the cast-iron plant: it survives almost anything.Safe for cats and dogsAlso called aspidistra
Chinese evergreen
Aglaonema commutatum7 dShadeEasyDecorative foliage, comfortable far from the window.Also called aglaonema
Peace lily
Spathiphyllum wallisii5 dShadeEasyTells you when it's thirsty: its leaves droop, then perk up after watering.Also called spathiphyllum
Heartleaf philodendron
Philodendron hederaceum7 dBrightEasyTrails nicely from a shelf, and forgives forgetfulness.Also called philodendron
Parlour palm
Chamaedorea elegans7 dShadeEasyA small palm that copes with partial shade.Safe for cats and dogsAlso called chamaedorea
Corn plant
Dracaena fragrans10 dBrightEasyTall and easy, for a bright open-plan office.Also called dracaena fragrans
Baby rubber plant
Peperomia obtusifolia9 dBrightEasySmall enough for a corner of the desk.Safe for cats and dogsAlso called peperomia
Haworthia
Haworthiopsis attenuata14 dBrightEasyA mini succulent for a desk near the window.Safe for cats and dogsAlso called zebra haworthia
Lucky bamboo
Dracaena sanderiana7 dBrightEasyGrows in water: just top up the level.Also called dracaena sanderianaOur tips
Before going on holiday, water thoroughly and move the plant away from the window if it's in full sun: it will drink less. Most plants on this list easily last two weeks.
Under office lights, a plant grows, but more slowly than in daylight: move it closer to a window if you can, and water it less often than you would at home.