Nothing brightens up a space more than a cute little desk plant. But what happens when the space you need to brighten up is, quite literally, in the dark?
We all learned in sixth-grade biology that plants like to have sunlight in order to grow. While this is true of most specimens, there are some that actually can not only survive but actually flourish in shadier spaces. And with all the mental health benefits that plants have been proven to bring to office environments, it’s worth investing a few dollars into a desktop companion that can keep you going for the long haul.
Want to know more about which small desk plants don’t need sunlight? Read on for our favorite varieties, plus tips and tricks to keep your plant thriving.
Bringing Life And Color To A Sun-Deprived Office With Low Light Plants
Working in an office environment can often feel dreary and uninspiring. The lack of natural sunlight, recycled air, and abundance of artificial lighting make most corporate office spaces feel sterile and soulless. However, there are ways to bring a little life and greenery into your sun-deprived office. Plants can instantly brighten up any workspace and have added benefits like reducing stress, improving focus, and even increasing productivity. But when an office has limited windows or light exposure, it can be tricky to find plants that will thrive.
The good news is there are plenty of attractive low light office plants that require very little natural sunlight to survive and grow. These plants are perfect for decorating cubicles, desks and offices that seldom see the sun. With the right selection of greenery you can easily transform even the drabbest, gloomiest office into a cheerful oasis brimming with fresh air and positive energy.
Popular Low Light Office Plants
Here are some of the most popular and resilient low light office plants:
Snake Plant – With its upright sword-like leaves, the snake plant is a hardy and striking plant. It filters indoor air and can tolerate very low light.
Cast Iron Plant – This sturdy plant has broad dark green leaves. It handles low light, irregular watering, and dry office air with ease.
Peace Lily – Known for its graceful white blooms, the peace lily has lush green leaves. It thrives in low light offices.
Chinese Evergreen – The Chinese evergreen has patterned, colorful leaves in shades of green, red, white or pink. It adapts well to low light.
ZZ Plant – The ZZ plant has thick waxy leaves resembling corn stalks. It tolerates a wide range of light conditions.
Pothos – With its trailing vines and heart-shaped leaves, pothos can cascade from bookshelves and desktops. It grows well in low light.
Parlor Palm – The parlor palm has feathery fronds on slender stems. It’s an easy care low light plant.
Bamboo Palm – Also called reed palm, the bamboo palm has long gracefully arching stems topped with lush foliage. It tolerates low light environments.
Ponytail Palm – With its curious swollen base and fountain of narrow green leaves, the ponytail palm adds unique charm to offices. It needs very little light.
Boston Fern – The Boston fern has gracefully arching fronds. With frequent misting, it thrives in low light offices.
The Benefits of Low Light Office Plants
Incorporating low light plants into your sun-deprived office has many surprising benefits beyond just decorating sterile spaces. Here are some of the top reasons to add office plants:
- Improves mood and reduces stress
- Increases productivity and focus
- Makes indoor air healthier by filtering pollutants
- Adds color, texture, and greenery to drab offices
- Brightens up dark, gloomy spaces
- Requires minimal care and maintenance
- Helps you feel connected to nature while at work
Caring for Low Light Office Plants
Caring for these resilient low light office plants is simple. Here are some general care tips:
- Water when the top inch of soil is dry. Take care not to overwater.
- Wipe dust off leaves every few weeks with a damp cloth to keep plants looking their best.
- Apply a balanced liquid fertilizer occasionally according to package directions.
- Prune off any dead or damaged leaves and stems to keep the plant healthy.
- Consider providing supplemental fluorescent light during darker winter months.
- Turn the plants periodically to promote even growth on all sides.
Choosing the Best Spot for Low Light Office Plants
When selecting spots for your low light office plants, keep these factors in mind:
- Areas away from heating and cooling vents or drafty locations.
- Spots that get ambient diffuse light from windows or skylights if available.
- Desktops, bookshelves, cabinets, and other surfaces.
- Entryways, lobbies, waiting rooms to make a good first impression.
- Conference rooms, cafeterias, lounges to boost mood and creativity.
- Near colleagues’ workstations to help build community.
Bring Your Office to Life with Low Light Plants
Don’t let a lack of natural sunlight stop you from enjoying the benefits of plants in your workspace. With the right selection of hardy, low maintenance greenery, you can easily breathe life into even the dreariest office environment. Low light plants can lend a sense of vibrancy, creativity, and tranquility to any sun-starved office. Just be sure to choose varieties that are suitable for the low light levels in your office. With a little TLC and the perfect plants, your office can flourish even without direct sunlight.
Small Desk Plants That Don’t Need Sunlight
If you’re here for a quick list of plants and nothing else, we’ve got you covered. Here’s a list of our favorite small desk plants that don’t need sunlight:
- Aloe Vera
- Snake Plants
- Pothos
- Peace Lily
- ZZ Plants
- Spider Plants
- Succulents
- English Ivy
- Lucky Bamboo
- Sword Fern
- Peperomia
- Monstera
We love these plants because they are pretty much impossible to kill. Even under fluorescent lighting, these varieties will continue to have green leaves and, in some cases, even grow more over time. They are also beautiful enough to be in a living room, making them interesting and fun choices for an office desk.
What plants can grow in an office with no window?
If you are nowhere near a window while in the office, try going with one of the following varieties:
- Pothos: Pothos plants are hearty, and they grow like weeds. Not only will they survive without natural light, they will grow fast and strong across your desk.
- Monstera: Crank up the tropical vibes with a trendy monstera plant. You’ll notice new leaf growth in no time, even in the absence of natural sunlight.
- Lucky bamboo: In the wild, bamboo grows with abandon. In a controlled office setting, it will do the same.
- Peace lily: If you are looking for something that flowers, peace lilies are lovely options for an office desk.
20 Best Plants For Windowless Room
FAQ
What is the best plant for low light office?
- Why Low Light Plants Are Essential for Your Workspace. …
- Snake Plant: The Oxygen Booster. …
- Spider Plant: The Air Cleaner. …
- Peace Lily: The Toxic Fighter. …
- Philodendron: The Cozy Green. …
- Pothos: The Easy Care Climber. …
- Chinese Evergreen: The Majestic Beauty.
What indoor plants do well with no sunlight?
- Snake Plant.
- Cast Iron Plant.
- Chinese Evergreen.
- Peace Lilies.
- Prayer Plant.
- Air Plants.
- Money Plant.
- Peacock Plant.
What plants can live without sunlight?
Which plants can grow without sunlight? Many mentioned plants do well without sunlight, especially Spider plants, Pothos, Peace lily, Snake plants, and various ferns.
What plant grows well in an office?
Low-maintenance succulents like jade plant, zebra plant, burro’s tail, aloe and ponytail palm are considered low-light to moderate-light houseplants and …Sep 7, 2023
What are the best office plants that require no sunlight?
Here are the top 10 best office plants that require virtually no sunlight at all: 1. Snake Plant (Mother-In-Law’s Tongue) The snake plant, also known as mother-in-law’s tongue, is a hardy succulent. Its long, sword-shaped leaves come in eye-catching shades of green and gold.
Do office plants need sunlight?
Plants are known to boost moods increase creativity, and reduce stress. However, when office spaces lack windows or sunlight, it can be tricky finding the right plants. Fortunately, many plants can thrive with just artificial light. Keep reading to discover the top 10 best office plants that don’t need sunlight at all!
What plants are good for office space?
If you are going for style, we think succulents and lucky bamboo are great options for office desks. If you are looking for something on the larger side, try pothos, english ivy or ferns. Are there any plants that don’t require natural lights for office space?
What are low light office plants?
Low light office plants are plants that can grow and thrive with limited natural sunlight They are able to survive and remain healthy using just artificial fluorescent lighting found in most offices. These plants are perfect for brightening up cubicles, desks, and offices that lack windows, skylights, or any other source of natural sunlight
What are the best plants for an office desk with no windows?
Our choice of the best plants for an office desk with no windows are Blushing Maid Tradescantia, Heartleaf Philodendron, ZZ Plant, Chinese Evergreens, Pothos, English Ivy, Asparagus Fern, Parlour Palm, Snake Plants, Lucky Bamboo among many others. 1. Blushing Maid Tradescantia (Tradescantia x andersoniana)
Can office plants survive without windows?
The key to office plants is low-maintenance though you’ll still need to remember to hydrate them at least once in a while. Choose from this list of mostly low-maintenance plants that will survive and some low-light indoor plants that even thrive in an office without windows.