Spring is a great time to bring a little of the outdoors inside your office. There are many low-light houseplants that thrive indoors and don’t require a lot of maintenance. They make perfect desk companions throughout the year and brighten up any office space. They can also improve the air quality and boost your mental health at work. We've gathered some tips to help choose and care for an office plant.
Check the Type of Plant
This might seem like a no-brainer but doing a little research about the type of plant you want to get before you buy it will save you a lot of money and heartache in the end. Some plants thrive in full-to-partial sunlight, and others do well in low-light environments. A good choice could be plants in the Aglaonema family, which don’t require much natural sunlight and do well in fluorescent-lit offices. Ask employees at local nurseries or plant shops for tips or do a little Googling to determine the right plant for your space.
Give it Space
Just like people, plants require some breathing room. Make sure you put your plant on a surface that doesn’t have too much clutter. Don’t try to squeeze your plant between furniture. Follow the six-inch rule and make sure the plant is at least half a foot away from any furniture. Also, choose a space that gets good air circulation such as hallways, near a window, or on top of desks or tables.
Monitor Your Watering
This is perhaps the easiest step to mess up as a new plant owner. Most houseplants do well if you water them once a week, but you can see if they need more water by gently pressing your thumb or finger into the soil. If it’s too dry, you can add a little water, and if it’s still moist, wait until it’s dried out to add more. Plants hate sitting in pools of water, so if it’s smaller, you might want to water it in the sink and wait until the water stops running out of the bottom before you return it to its home.
Wipe Down the Leaves
This is another step that many plant owners forget about, but it can make a huge difference in caring for your office plant. Plants don’t do well with dust, so every two weeks, take a moist paper towel and gently wipe the leaves clean.
Make Grooming a Priority
Make sure you trim off dead leaves and remove them from the soil when you see them. This will help the plant stay healthy and thrive.
Mind Holidays and Breaks
If you’re going to be away from the office for more than a few days, make sure your plant is in an area with good air circulation and decent light. If it’s small enough, you could also consider bringing it home and caring for it there before you return to the office.
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