Back-to-work and back-to-school schedules will soon be upon us and, as such, we
will inevitably be spending more time indoors. We do not, however, need to be in the
great wide open to surround ourselves with plants! Placing several in our work and
study spaces can improve our air quality, focus and productivity too.
We often look to houseplants in January and February to lift our spirits, but they
really can be enjoyed year-round, and late summer is a great time to add to your
collection. Office spaces are a bit more challenging for tropicals though, given the
fact they often have less natural light, less humidity and less of an opportunity to
control the indoor environment. During fall and winter, houseplants appreciate as
much light as possible, cooler temperatures (around 16.5-18°C), and high humidity…
all of which are hard to achieve when you’re working in a large, shared space (and
Judy from accounting is always cranking the thermostat).
With these factors in mind, we’ve selected our top candidates to survive, and thrive,
in the office. They might not be the darlings of Instagram, but they’ll require little
work on your part to grow well and look great!
Spider Plants: Attractive variegated foliage and super easy to grow, Spider
Plants are right at home in lower light, lower humidity locations.
Pothos: Attractive, large heart-shaped leaves. Tolerates a wide spectrum of
light levels. There’s a reason it’s been a go-to indoor plant for decades!
Philodendrons: Tolerate lower light and humidity, all while offering a lush
tropical feel.
Ivy: No, it won’t take over the office. This tough trailer is a fantastic
air cleaner and is quite happy in lower light spots.
Snake Plants (Sansevieria): This one does pop up a lot online and in design
magazines and for good reason. Not only does it add a great structural
element, it tolerates low light, requires little water and is very easy to grow.
Dracaenas: A popular indoor plant and ‘Janet Craig’ does well in lower light.
ZZ Plants: Tolerate lower light levels, and as moisture is stored in their
bulging roots, does not require a great deal of water. They have a unique
form too!
Peace Lilies: One of the best air cleaning plants! This flowering plant is happy
in lower light. Keep it lightly moist though; do not let it dry excessively.
Anthuriums: Very long blooming and unique as they can be grown in vases
with just water as well. Give them as much filtered light as possible and keep
soil lightly moist.
As a general reminder and caution, watering is where most of us get into trouble. In
late fall and winter the golden rule is: tropical plants must be rootbound in their pots
so that when you water, you can water very thoroughly with warm water to moisten
the soil, but any excess water will run off quickly. Saturated soils that dry out slowly
will rot roots and hasten the demise of your plants. To get a sense of moisture
levels, pick up small plants and feel their weight - wet soils are heavy; dry soils are
light. Once you get the hang of it, you’ll be like the pros who can pick up any potted
plant and tell immediately if it needs moisture. For plants in big pots, a quality
moisture meter is helpful. Remember: in winter, it may be a week, ten days or even
two weeks between waterings, and that’s okay. Feeding is not necessary in late fall
or winter; only feed during the active growing season (generally March through to
September).
Should your space be bathed in lots of bright, indirect light, your options do increase,
but remember that the level of light will decrease somewhat in winter, so you may
wish to stick with the above options. As tempting as it may be to include succulents
in your collection because of their low water requirements, they do need a lot of light
and as such tend not to fare well in workspaces.
So, what are you waiting for? Stock up your windowsills and desktops with some
gorgeous plants and brighten up your workspace, or to make your new home a little
more ‘homey’. Who knows… your next great idea may be inspired by your new silent
partner!
Just a note for all those who have placed their tropicals outside for summer... watch the temperatures! Indoor plants moved outside should soon be transitioned back indoors, especially once night temperatures start dipping consistently below 15C. Our indoor conditions are ideal right now (warm, bright, and a little humid), so making the move is much easier on plants at this time.
