Start the Year Right! 9 Office Plants That Will Boost Your Mood and Productivity in the New Year

It’s a pretty simple equation: people perform better in a happy, healthy workspace, and plants in the office can get you there. Studies show that the presence of office plants boosts employee productivity, ups engagement and improves general wellbeing. Plants in the office also reduce stress, improve air quality, and just create a more appealing space - making workers and visitors feel more at ease.

Anyone who lives with houseplants knows that some plants are needier and more difficult than others. These prima donnas do not belong in the office. Our short list of the best plants for the office only includes easy-care, low-maintenance plants that accept low-light conditions, and don’t need daily attention.

And if you want to put these in your house as well, who can blame you?

1. Snake Plant

Tough, elegant, and virtually indestructible - that’s the essence of a snake plant (Dracaena trifasciata). These are the plants we give our kids for their college dorm rooms - the ultimate low-maintenance houseplants. If you water once or twice a month, you can keep the upright stems looking their best. Sure, they’d love bright, indirect sun for eight hours a day, but they keep on keeping on even under artificial light. Find a gorgeous and hardy snake plant from The Sill to bring freshness to your office.

2. Money Tree

The money tree (Pachira aquatica) is a low-light houseplant that's easily recognizable with its braided trunks and bright, cheerful, shiny leaves. It is reputed to bring financial luck and prosperity, according to feng shui practitioners. All in all, the money tree is a superstar for the office, tolerant, graceful, and a conversation starter. Bring on the fluorescent lights - the money tree will still thrive. You will need to water every week or two. Money trees can be found at Lively Root or your local garden center.

3. Peace Lily

At first I considered my peace lily (Spathiphyllum wallisii) a foliage plant, with gorgeous dark green leaves - but then, one spring, my plant offered its first white spathe flower. Peace lilies are lush and lovely in the office and can survive in extreme low light areas, even dark areas. You don’t need to water often and when you do, the plant will tell you: its leaves begin to droop. If you love your office peace lily, here’s some good news: these plants can live for 20 years - long enough to qualify for retirement! Find a peace lily from Lively Root and bring positive energy into your office this year.

4. Lucky Bamboo

Lucky bamboo plants (Dracaena sanderiana) are not true bamboo - but they sort of look like they are. They have woody, green stems that can be shaped into spirals or hearts. The thin leaves grow from them. Lucky bamboo is considered a lucky plant - although they never come with guarantees. However, they are sure to be admired in the office. No direct sun for lucky bamboo, a plant that prefers low light and can even grow in water. Lucky bamboo can be found at Lively Root.

5. Pothos

Pothos (Epipremnum aureum) is an easy-care, lovely plant and one of my favorite houseplants. It also makes a terrific office plant. This foliage plant has bright green, heart-shaped leaves on vines that spill out of the pot. I have a few pothos in hanging baskets with leaves that cascade to the floor. Pothos varieties don’t need or want full sun and have no problem in low light areas or with fluorescent lights. They are super easy to propagate from cuttings. Want something a little snazzier than a basic pothos? Rare cultivar pothos 'Albo' from The Sill has unique white variegation that will spice things up!

6. Corn Plant

The Dracaena fragrans corn plant is not the kind that produces corn on the cob. Rather, it’s a tropical African evergreen tree. Its thick, cane-like stems produce long, narrow leaves like corn stalks. Corn plants grow up to 6 feet (2m) tall, so they won’t work well on your office desk, but they make stunning standing plants. In bright, indirect sun, the leaves develop a lovely yellowish lime-green stripe down the center of its leaves that disappears in low-light. They also grow well in low-light, but the leaves become solid green. Dracaena 'Lemon Lime' can be found at The Sill.

7. Chinese Evergreen

Chinese evergreen plants (Aglaonema commutatum) are tropical perennials with large, shiny, lance-shaped leaves. The foliage is a mix of colors, with patterns of green, cream, silver, white, red, or purple. In feng shui practice, Chinese evergreen is said to attract luck, prosperity, and success - all great for a work environment. And this elegant plant works well in an office's low-light conditions. Find the 'Red Siam' aglaonema cultivar from Lively Root for a unique take on this beauty.

8. African Violet

What if you have a small desk rather than a large workspace? Is there a plant that will fit in the corner of a desk? Yes! African violets (Saintpaulia ionantha) are a great choice. These lovely little plants have fuzzy leaves and purple flowers - and never get taller than 6 inches (15 cm). The plants are happy getting their rays from a fluorescent lamp, but indirect sunlight is good too. Find a cute little African violet at Lowe's.

9. ZZ Plant

Zamioculus zamifolia is a tropical upright plant with glossy, forest green, oval leaves, growing to 4 feet (1.3m) tall. The Zamioculus zamifolia is usually called the ZZ plant - for obvious reasons! It is a great plant for a corner in the office since it can grow in a low light and low humidity environment. It’s a succulent plant and needs very little water - you won’t need to water until the soil is fully dry. In fact, the ZZ thrives on neglect and can go on for weeks without any human intervention at all. This easy-care plant is office-perfect since it accepts low light and does just fine when the light source is fluorescent. Add a unique touch to your desk with a 'Black Raven' ZZ plant from Lively Root.

Bring a positive energy and fresh vibes to your office this new year by trying one of these great office plants. Your new jungle will be the envy of your coworkers!