5 EASY PLANTS TO SURROUND YOURSELF WITH (IN YOUR HOME OFFICE)
Although cacti and succulents are still a go-to option for a headache-free greening of your work space, you can easily introduce leafy green plants at your desk, given that you choose among those which don’t require a lot of maintenance. The selection of plants below can tolerate a wide range of temperatures and light conditions, and, most of them even thrive in dry soil, which means less frequent watering. So, with that in mind, here are five easy plants that’ll allow you to bring the outdoors in, and also come with air-purification benefits.
THE RISE OF HOME OFFICE WORKERS
A 2017 OddsMonkey report showed that the number of remote workers has increased by nearly a quarter of a million in the UK over the past decade. This increase in the number of work-from-home employees has led to people getting creative with their office space at home, with some even building their workspaces in the garden. Dezeen’s list of top garden studios details how outdoor working spaces can be adapted to suit a wide range of needs, depending on the owner’s preference.The traditional log cabins featured on Screwfix ‘can also be used as log cabin offices,’ according to the home improvement company. Garden offices allow homeowners to separate themselves from the house and work among nature. Most people don’t have room for office space outside, however, this doesn’t mean you can’t have your own private green space in which to work.
1. MONSTERA DELICIOSA (SWISS CHEESE PLANT)
If looking after plants isn’t your forte, the Swiss cheese plant is one for you.The Independent explains there’s a good chance you will be able to keep this plant alive, no matter how busy or forgetful you are. It only needs watering every two weeks or so, and they can live happily in pots or hanging planters. They're growing fast, too, so you need to make sure that you use a pot or planter with plenty of space. They’re also known to have good air cleaning properties.
2. SANSEVIERIA TRIFASCIATA (VIPER’S BOWSTRING HEMP)
Also more commonly known as the snake plant,Wired claims it is incredibly robust . It will help filter toxins in the air, which makes it a great plant for the home office or anywhere in the house with little to no airflow. So, if you want the air in your office to be as clean as your desk, this is the plant to have. I’ve had Sansevieras at the office for several years and they’re doing considerably better than other plant species, with the same amount of care. They thrive in dry and well-drained soil.
3. HOWEA FORSTERIANA (KENTIA PALMS)
This plant is known for being a wonderful table and countertop centrepiece, but it can also be great for your home office. It’s incredibly low maintenance and it thrives in low light to dark places. It tolerates warm and cool air, too. While Kentia Palms grow tall, they don’t grow outwards, making them a great space-saving option.
4. EPIPREMNUM AUREUM (DEVIL’S IVY)
Epipremnum aureum is a type of evergreen vine with large heart-shaped leaves that come in a wide variety of light and dark colours. What’s great about it is how it can quickly adapt to a variety of office conditions, whether you have low light or are fortunate to have a bright working space. They’re very easy to care for as they’re resistant to insect infestations and they never lose their colour no matter how long you deprive them of light. If you’re looking to add a little pop of colour to your home office desk, Devil’s Ivy is your best choice. The plant was even recommended in NASA’s Clean Air Study because of its air-purifying attributes. They thrive in evenly moist soil, but not drenched.
LOOKING TO BUY YOUR NEXT PLANT? BUT WHAT ABOUT SUSTAINABILITY?
If you are like me and constantly think about more sustainable ways to shop, then, I’d like to introduce you to the new way to shop plants sustainably.
The Stem is a new kind of online garden centre that keeps the planet in mind at every step of the process. They are based in London, UK, so if you are not in the UK, check if you have a sustainable option to source your plants from. If there are none, that’s a new business idea right in front of you!
With The Stem, a tree is planted for every order made, and as in mid-2020 they have financed the planting of 5000 trees. I have to make a small digression here to tell you how much of a fan of tree-planting I am. Trees have a real positive impact both on the environment and society, and I recommend everyone to contribute to tree-planting if they can. I keep a personal count of the trees that I directly contributed to plant via various means (volunteering in my city, Ecosia searches, direct donation, tree-bracelet purchase, etc.) and I’m currently at 898 trees planted. Try to beat that!
Now back to The Stem: they are using 100% electric vans, and they protect your plants in transit in recycled paper to reduce the impact of plastic packaging. Thanks for that, I hate plastic so much!
This makes me realise how important it is for businesses to make the transition to a positive impact. The Stem is doing just that and they havea fantastic range of beautiful plants, including the first 4 plants on this list (Monstera deliciosa, Sanseviera, Kentia palms and golden pothos). Have a look by yourself. They also have a banana tree plant, yes!!
5. BROMELIACEAE (BROMELIADS)
Although the Bromeliads require a bit of love and care at first, once their flower blooms they require little to no care. They don’t need much fertiliser or plant food and you only need to water them every once in a while as they are extremely drought tolerant. They can be grown in any type of container, as long as it has good drainage. If you’re considering what type of container to put the plant in,20 Indoor Plant Pot Ideas showcases some of the wide variety of designs to consider. Bromeliads are also known to take their time to bloom, but like anything that is beautiful, it’s definitely worth the wait.
Working at home doesn’t mean you have to work in a drab home office. Use the above plants to add some colour, purify the air, and bring some character to your office space.