19 Best Plants to Brighten Up an Office With No Windows

Working in an office with no windows can feel dreary and lifeless. The lack of natural sunlight and connection to the outdoors can take a toll on productivity and mood. However, bringing some greenery into a windowless office space can help liven things up.

Certain plants actually thrive in low light conditions, making them perfect choices for offices without windows. From air-purifying plants to desk-sized varieties, there are plenty of options to add vibrancy and life to any windowless workspace.

Here are 19 of the best plants for an office with no windows

1. Snake Plant (Sansevieria)

With its upright, sword-shaped leaves, the snake plant is a classic choice for low-light offices. Its succulent-like foliage only needs occasional watering, making it ideal for forgetful plant parents. Snake plants are available in a variety of leaf patterns and colors, from solid dark green to variegated varieties. Place them in sleek, modern planters to complement any office aesthetic.

2. Cast Iron Plant (Aspidistra elatior)

As its name suggests, the cast iron plant is nearly indestructible. Its broad, glossy green leaves can grow up to 2 feet tall and thrive in low light and irregular watering. Slow but steady growers, cast iron plants can live for years with minimal care, making them office favorites. Their lush foliage brings life without requiring much maintenance.

3. ZZ Plant (Zamioculcas zamiifolia)

Native to eastern Africa, the ZZ plant features succulent-like stems with clusters of shiny, deep green leaves. They tolerate neglect, low light, and infrequent watering like champs. Their compact size makes ZZ plants ideal for desks and shelves. Place them in brightly colored planters for an eye-catching accent.

4. Chinese Evergreen (Aglaonema)

With patterned leaves in shades of green, red, pink, and silver, the Chinese evergreen brings appealing textures and colors to lifeless offices. They thrive in low light and are relatively drought-tolerant. The slower growth of the Chinese evergreen in low light makes it easy to manage in smaller office spaces.

5. Peace Lily (Spathiphyllum)

Known for its air-purifying abilities, the peace lily features lush green foliage and beautiful white blooms. Although they prefer bright indirect light, peace lilies can tolerate lower light office environments. Let them droop slightly before watering to avoid overwatering. Place peace lilies in drainage-equipped planters to complement their graceful blooms.

6. Pothos (Epipremnum aureum)

With its cascading vine-like growth, pothos is a popular indoor plant for offices with shelves or hanging planters. The heart-shaped satiny leaves come in green, gold, and even white variegated varieties. Pothos can be propagated from cuttings, allowing you to expand your office jungle. Let them trail from a moss pole in a sturdy planter for added interest.

7. Philodendron

The many philodendron varieties offer different looks, from the split leaves of lacy tree philodendron to the heart-shaped leaves of the Brasil philodendron. Most tolerate low light once established and have trailing/climbing growth habits ideal for shelves and surfaces. Philodendrons thrive in warm, humid conditions. Go for green-leafed varieties rather than variegated for lower light offices.

8. Parlor Palm (Chamaedorea elegans)

With its dense clumping growth and feathery fronds, the parlor palm adds refined tropical flair to any space. Slow growers that can reach 6 feet tall at maturity, parlor palms adapt well to low light offices with their indirect light preferences. Place them in well-draining soil in decorative planters to highlight their graceful forms.

9. Dracaena (Dracaena spp.)

Dracaena offers different looks with its slender, spear-shaped foliage ranging from green to variegated varieties. The compact varieties work well as desk plants, while larger specimens can be floor plants. Most dracaena tolerate low light conditions but may grow slower. Avoid direct southern light which can scorch their leaves.

10. Ferns

Certain ferns like the bird’s nest fern (Asplenium nidus) and Boston fern (Nephrolepis exaltata) adapt well to low light office conditions. Just keep their soil evenly moist and humidity high through misting. The lush green fronds pair well with tropical planters like macrame hangers. Trim ferns occasionally to keep them full and flush with new growth.

11. Lucky Bamboo (Dracaena sanderiana)

Despite its name, lucky bamboo is not a true bamboo but a species of dracaena. Lucky bamboo adapts well to low light offices. Display the slender, cane-like stems in vessel planters or decorative rocks for an exotic accent. Lucky bamboo symbolizes prosperity in Feng Shui, making it a thoughtful office addition.

12. Air Plants (Tillandsia sp.)

These unique epiphytes grow without soil, absorbing moisture and nutrients from the air. Air plants come in intriguing shapes like the spiked Tillandsia ionantha and silvery, curled Tillandsia xerographica. Display them in glass terrariums or mounted on driftwood. Just mist them occasionally and soak weekly to water.

13. Bromeliads

With their tropical appeal and vibrant flowers, certain bromeliads tolerate low-light offices. Go for the colorful bracts of guzmania or low-growing cryptanthus with striped foliage. Provide good drainage and regular misting. Avoid direct sun which can scorch their leaves. Bromeliads make eye-catching accent plants.

14. Succulents like Aloe, Haworthia, and Snake Plant

Succulents store water in their thick, fleshy leaves, allowing them to tolerate low light and irregular watering. Go for petite aloe and haworthia varieties or mini snake plants for desks. Arrange assorted succulents together in creative planters. Just let soil dry between thorough waterings and provide well-draining soil.

15. Peperomia

Available in myriad leaf shapes, colors, and patterns, peperomia offer diversity for low light offices. Their thick, succulent-like leaves tolerate neglect. Display peperomia in trailing or upright forms. Water when the top inch of soil dries and avoid overwatering to keep these tropical beauties happy.

16. Nerve Plant (Fittonia albivenis)

With its striking veined leaves, the nerve plant provides artistic appeal without demanding light. Its low, spreading form works nicely as an accent or desktop plant. Provide high humidity and well-draining soil for the nerve plant to flourish. Water frequently enough to keep its soil slightly moist.

17. Calathea (Calathea spp.)

The eye-catching patterns and colors of calathea foliage bring vibrancy to dreary offices. Go for peacock houseplants like the Calathea makoyana or rattlesnake plant (Calathea lancifolia) for their low light tolerance. Water calathea frequently enough to keep soil lightly moist and provide humid conditions.

18. Ponytail Palm (Beaucarnea recurvata)

Despite its name, the ponytail palm is not a true palm but a succulent-like plant. Its bulbous base and long, drooping foliage add unique texture without demanding light. Ponytail palms are drought tolerant but prefer occasional watering and well-draining soil. Their slow growth makes them easy to maintain.

19. Spider Plant (Chlorophytum comosum)

Spider plants earn their name from the baby plantlets that form on wiry stems, resembling spiders on a web. The bright green grassy leaves tolerate neglect and very low light levels, while helping filter air. Let spider plants trail in hanging planters or as groundcovers. Water when the top inch of soil is dry for care.

When selecting plants, choose varieties suited to your office’s specific conditions. Seek out low-light champions described as tolerating “bright indirect to low indirect light”. Avoid varieties needing “bright indirect light” for proper growth.

With the right selections, adding plants can transform stale windowless offices into vibrant, living spaces. Just provide basic care needs like proper watering, occasional fertilizing, and high humidity for lush, healthy plants.