You spend eight hours in your office, so why not try to brighten it up? Unfortunately, not all offices have windows, which can severely limit your plant options. Here are some common plants that will survive in an office with no windows.
Best plants for offices with no windows: An office with no windows means there is very little light. Common varieties, such as snake plants and spider plants, will grow in low light. Other options include lucky bamboo, lady palms, and monstera plants.
18 Best Plants for Office With No Windows?
Snake plant
One of the most popular plants for a home or an office is a snake plant. This hardy plant prefers low to medium light, which means it will survive, even if your office does not have a window.
Snake plants have long, colorful leaves that can take up a lot of room, although if you keep them in a smaller container, it will stunt their growth. It’s also easy to take care of so perfect if you have a busy job.
Spider plant
Whether you want a plant on your desk or want to have the option to hang one, a spider plant is a great option for the office as it thrives in low light. It also doesn’t need to be watered very often.
Spider plants will bloom, however, and while the flowers don’t have a strong scent, this may be an issue for those who are sensitive to smells.
Peace lily
When exposed to full sunlight, a peaceful lily will produce stunning blooms. However, while it won’t bloom as often in low or indirect light, it will still provide stunning foliage.
Peace lilies do best in indirect light so if you don’t have a window, consider placing the plant closer to an artificial light source. Don’t worry too much, though, as the plant will still grow, just slower, in low light.
ZZ plant
Its official name is Zamioculcas Zamiifolia, which is a bit of a mouthful, so this plant goes by the simplified moniker of a ZZ plant. It grows well in low or artificial light.
The leaves of a ZZ plant are shiny and waxy so the surface will reflect light, brightening a space. It needs fertile soil and you should allow that soil to dry out completely between waterings.
Lucky bamboo
Need a bit of luck in your new job? Or just want a calming presence? Lucky bamboo can be arranged in unique designs and make a real centerpiece on your desk.
While lucky bamboo does better in full light, it can still be okay in low light, so you can try it in an office with no window. Keep the roots damp but not too wet for optimal growth.
Arrowhead plant
This is a very unusual-looking plant and can cheer up any office with its green and white flowers. Each plant has a different color ratio, so no two will be the same.
The arrowhead plant does really well under fluorescent lights but you do need to be careful as they like to climb. So, either place your arrowhead plant somewhere safe for it to climb or be mindful of regularly pruning it.
Peperomia
The stunning green topsides and red undersides of the leaves of this plant will brighten any office space. There are different varieties of peperomia but all like indirect light.
If you are worried about the rate of growth, you can place your peperomia plant under a fluorescent light. However, even in a dim space, it will grow, just slowly.
Parlour Palm
This dainty plant has thin leaves that will brighten any space. A parlour palm is a very low maintenance as they don’t require a lot of water or nutrients to thrive.
A parlour palm won’t grow very quickly, which makes it perfect for offices that don’t have a lot of space. You can place a small plant on a desk or a larger one on the ground for a vertical feature.
Lady palm
Those that have a large office will appreciate the size of a lady’s palm. This plant grows quite large, so be prepared so that it doesn’t interfere with other elements of your workplace.
A lady palm has deep green lines on its leaves for a dramatic look. It will thrive in dim lighting or fluorescent lighting.
Bromeliad
Want a touch of color to your office space? A bromeliad has vivid leaves with stripes of yellow, purple, and green. This tropical plant likes warm, humid temperatures, so using a mister will help it grow.
You don’t need a large container for a bromeliad as their foliage will drape over the side of a small container. You can mix them together or just have one plant as a focal point.
Air plant
Their scientific name is Tillandsia but air these plants are usually simply known as air plants. They are unique in that they don’t need soil to survive.
You can place air plants in any sort of container and you can even hang them in glass jars for a more unique look. While air plants are fine on their own, they are more dramatic if you group a few together.
Dragon tree
This plant is perfect for office space as it really dislikes direct sunlight. You can place the plant in any room that has dim lighting and it will thrive.
The plant is known for its long, spiky leaves that make quite a statement. The foliage is also lined with red accents for a more colorful design.
Arrowhead plant
With a dusty rose hue to its leaves, this plant will stand out and make your office space that much brighter and happier. Arrowhead plants are small to medium in size, so are quite adaptable.
If left alone, this plant will grow into a vine. However, if you don’t want it taking over your office, simply prune it back so it stays in its own container.
Cast iron plant
This plant has dark green foliage that is speckled in white and from a distance, it looks a little like a cast iron pan. The plant does not need a lot of attention and does great in dim lighting.
Cast iron plants can grow quite tall, so be sure to have a larger container for it. You can start it on a desk or shelf and then move it to the ground as it grows larger.
Chinese Evergreen
Another colorful option, the Chinese evergreen has green leaves that are speckled in bright pink. They love dim lighting and are quite happy with fluorescent lighting.
These plants are easy to take care of and need minimal watering. They will also stay small if you keep them in a small container, so they are great if you don’t have a lot of room.
English ivy
This plant is by no means great for all offices but if you have co-workers who love nature and you have a lot of space, you may want to bring it inside. English ivy is a climbing plant so you will need to create a trellis for it.
The inclusion of a living wall is a great idea if you have a large atrium or communal space and want to bring more greenery to it. The plant will keep growing so be sure to prune it to accommodate your space.
Monstera
Also known as the Swiss cheese plant, monstera is known for the holes that develop in the middle of the leaves. This plant will grow in full sun but will also survive in low light.
The monstera plant comes in many varieties so choose one that works for your office space. For example, you can find a mini monstera variety for small spaces or a white monstera variety for more character.
Pothos
This plant will climb if it is left to its own devices, so you can choose how you want to care for it in your office. The plant has bright green leaves and starts out small but can grow quite large.
Furthermore, some varieties do better with bright light, so be sure to pick a variety, such as Golden Pathos, that prefers low light.
Does having a plant indoors bring bugs into the office?
Most offices have closed windows and doors that are not open for very long, so you don’t have to worry too much about extra bugs thanks to your plants. However, if you keep plants near open windows, they may attract extra pests.
If this happens, you should first remove any bugs from the plants. You can pick them off or apply a soapy water mixture.
The healthier your plants are, the fewer bugs will be attracted to them, so follow water and care instructions. However, an office is a professional setting and if the bugs are becoming too much, you may need to bring your plant home.
Conclusion
Just because your office doesn’t have a lot of light doesn’t mean you can’t still have plants. Look for options that grow in either dim lighting or under fluorescent lighting to add some life to your office.
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