The humor writer Erma Bombeck once remarked, “Never go to a doctor whose office plants have died.” Conversely, walking into a workspace filled with lush green foliage can inspire confidence in the people working there, along with a sense of tranquility.

Though researchers have found that proximity to nature increases human happiness, most of us spend a large percentage of our time indoors. So what’s a desk-bound office worker to do? Surround yourself with plants to reap their benefits inside. Even those without a green thumb can successfully grow a wide variety of shade-tolerant, drought-tolerant species.

Whether you share your office with bromeliads, ferns, or fiddle leaf figs, indoor plants have surprising effects on your physical and mental health. One 2021 study found that people around houseplants felt more relaxed, as if they were on a staycation and “away while at home.”

Below, we’ll detail the benefits of adding plants to your workspace, provide tips for choosing low-light plants that work in almost any office, discuss how to maintain your plants so they thrive, and then suggest accessories for display.

Indoor plants improve air quality and health

In the study cited above, people who either maintained houseplants in their workspace or had a view of greenery from their windows showed reduced depression and anxiety.

Moreover, an older study from 2015 found that people who interact with indoor plants—whether watering, fertilizing, dusting, or pinching off spent flowers—feel calmer and less stressed. Research also suggests that indoor plants act as natural air purifiers. They remove pollutants including carbon dioxide, volatile organic components, particulate matter, and ozone.

Know your light levels

How much light do you have in your office? Our eyes are incredibly adaptable, so it’s difficult to determine light levels without a tool. Fortunately, many phone apps can give you an approximation of the light levels in your workspace, usually measured in foot candles (ftc). Here are the ftc ranges that correspond with low, medium, high, and direct levels of light.

Low: 25 to 100 ftc. These workspaces get little natural light; electric lights generate most of the brightness in the room.

Medium: 100 to 500 ftc. These spaces don’t get direct sunlight, though they may be near shaded east or west windows, or unshaded north-facing windows.

High: 500 to 1000 ftc. These office spaces—usually with windows—may get some direct light, though it’s shaded by outdoor foliage or window treatments. Find high ftc locations near shaded south-facing windows and unshaded east- or west-facing windows.

Direct: Above 1000 ftc. These office spaces are next to unshaded south- or southwest-facing windows.

Worried that your workplace foliage isn’t getting enough light? The telltale signs of light depravation include:

• Long skinny stems that break easily
• Leaves that look pale and/or fall off easily
• Lack of flowers
• Leaves that were originally green and white but are now solid green

If your plants show these symptoms, never fear. Just up your lighting game.

The bulbs that best benefit indoor plants are fluorescents and LEDs. Look for bulbs labeled “full spectrum” and grow lights—balanced spectrum lights ideal for growing plants—labeled “cool white” or “daylight.” Specially created bulbs illuminate your plants like an art piece in a museum while providing the light they need.

Low-light lovers

Not all plants thrive in full sun. Some look their best in low-light conditions. Does your workspace have a dark corner or a north window with no direct sunlight? That location may be perfect for the plants below.

Bamboo palms like temperatures between 65 and 80 degrees. Perfect for floor-level pots, it grows up to 12 feet and three to five feet across, although it will be shorter with less light. It’s easy to care for; simply water it when the soil feels dry and feed it a time-release fertilizer in the spring and summer months.

Cast-iron plants have hardy, dark green leaves that can grow to two feet long. It’s a slow-growing plant that thrives in low-light conditions. Forgot to water it? Never fear; though this plant responds to regular watering and an annual application of fertilizer, it’s tolerant of numerous conditions including hot and cold weather.

Philodendrons are fast-growing plants with large glossy leaves. Some species grow upright, while others climb. The latter require a support structure, such as a simple post or trellis. Philodendrons are tropical and prefer a warm location near a window. Dust leaves with a damp cloth to keep them looking their best. Note that they’re toxic if ingested by pets or humans.

Pothos plants boast heart-shaped leaves that grow well in low light, and you can grow clippings either upright or vining in soil or in a vase full of water. This species survives without regular watering, and it doesn’t require fertilization. Like philodendrons, pathos plants are toxic to humans and pets.

Peace lilies have dark green glossy leaves and—given enough sun—striking white hoods that grow over tall flowers. Only water this plant when the soil is dry to the touch and fertilize once a year in the spring or summer. Leaves can get dusty, so wipe with a soft damp cloth as necessary.

Snake plants are hardy, with stiff leaves that can grow up to eight feet tall. The leaves are typically banded with green and bordered with yellow. Snake plants grow in all light conditions, including dark corners. They do well in pots on the floor or on shelves. This plant needs very little water and prefers temperatures above 50 degrees.

ZZ plants are drought-tolerant and slow-growing, with waxy green leaves. ZZ plants do well in low, indirect light and can be susceptible to root rot if overwatered. Large rhizomes resembling potatoes help the plant retain water under the soil. This plant is toxic to humans and pets.

Want more plant ideas? Check out our infographic, “A Little Green Goes a Long Way: Perfect Plants for Your Office.”

A little maintenance for a lot of beauty

Indoor plants need just a little maintenance to fill your workspace with gorgeous foliage. As we’ve noted above, some need weekly watering, while others are fine with biweekly moisture. Almost all plants benefit from an application of fertilizer once or twice from March to September. And because magnesium leaches from the soil at each watering, replace this important mineral by watering with a solution of one teaspoon Epsom salts in a gallon of H2O once or twice a year.

On occasion, you may need to repot an indoor plant. If roots begin to push the plant upward out of the pot, or if you see them pushing through the container’s drainage hole, it’s time to repot. Likewise, if leaves yellow and/or fall off, the plant may need more soil. Not all soils are alike; succulents and cacti do well in sandy soil, while the plants mentioned above prefer organic soil rich with nutrients.

Plant your water-loving plants in plastic pots and those that prefer more arid conditions in terra cotta, which absorbs extra moisture from the soil. Ideally, your pot should have a drainage hole; choose a size that fits easily inside a larger decorative pot to display in your workspace.

To repot, gently tip your plant over and tap on the sides of the pot to loosen it, then gently massage the roots to break them up. Place an inch of soil at the bottom of the new pot, then place your plant inside and spread out the roots. Add soil and press down on the top just slightly to prevent the soil from flowing out the first time you water.

Remember to water the soil, not the leaves of your indoor plants. You can use a watering can with a long spout to thoroughly wet the soil in a sink or outdoors. Alternatively, you can fill a sink, bathtub, or large bowl with water and immerse the bottom of your pot for several hours so that roots absorb the moisture. Know that some plants love to be outside when nighttime temperatures rise above 55 degrees; they respond to outdoor time with more and deeper green foliage, as well as flowers or—in the case of spider plants—small offshoots that you can remove and propagate for more spider plants.

Best leaf forward

Take advantage of the numerous ways to showcase your indoor plants and consider creating a floor-to-ceiling display. Consider a beautiful ceramic pot in a saucer to protect your carpet or hardwood floor. Plant stands with short legs keep pots off the floor while still allowing them to occupy the lower space of a home office. Consider grouping three or five together for a lush display.

For slightly higher placing, consider a wood or metal plant stand as a sturdy pedestal, or set your pot on a decorative table. A hand-painted pot, whether purchased on vacation or gifted by a creative family member or friend, will remind you of happy times and loved ones while you’re at work. Showcase one

plant with dramatic lighting or group several pots together on a table or shelf.

Lacking floor space? Consider a wall-mounted desk hutch or a corner display shelf; both have room for smaller plants, as well as books and photos. A hanging shelf is an effective display strategy as well. Consider mounting one hook, or several, on your ceiling and dangle pots from macrame hangers—either purchased or handmade.

Plant to inspire confidence and tranquility

Picture walking into a workspace with no plants, and then imagine the same space with foliage all around you. Chances are, the latter image feels more satisfying. Give yourself the gift of snake plants, pothos plants, and peace lilies in your office to reap their calming benefits and show visitors you’re a person committed to helping plants—and people—thrive.