Versatile and low-maintenance, succulents are ideal for low-light office environments. Succulents are plants that store water in their tissues, enabling them to live in severe environments such as a desert. Many succulent varieties thrive with full sun exposure. Once some varieties become accustomed to a low-light environment, however, they can remain there indefinitely as long as they are cared for properly. Because succulents retain moisture in their thick foliage, they require soil that drains well and less water than typical houseplants. Mason’s Congo Originating in central Africa, Mason’s Congo (Sansevieria masoniana) can grow to 5 feet tall by 2 feet wide. As an indoor plant, it requires little light or water. Its wide, dark-green leaf stalks are covered with lighter green spots, providing a statement in any office, and the plant is simple to maintain. Mason's Congo is hardy outdoors in U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) plant hardiness zone 10. Jade Plant A popular indoor plant, the jade plant (Crassula ovata) can thrive in a low-light office provided two requirements are met: The plant must be at least 10 years old, and the amount of sunlight exposed to it must be decreased gradually.

If you prefer a smaller, desktop-size jade plant, move it to a sunny location for four hours per day. If planted outdoors, the jade plant is considered a perennial succulent, thriving in sunlight to partial shade in areas where it is hardy, USDA zones 10a to 11a. Turgid Haworthia Native to South Africa, the turgid haworthia (Haworthia turgida) is a small succulent ideal for growing in a pot. Its circular, flowerlike growth pattern is similar to that of Aloe plants. As is common with succulents, it requires little water. Turgid haworthia is hardy outdoors in USDA zones 10 through 11. Gasteria The Gasteria plant (Gasteria) and its many varieties grow well indoors. Similar to the turgid haworthia and Aloe plants, Gasteria has long, spiny, green leaves that grow in a rosette or spiral form. The leaves are spear-shaped and, as true with all succulents, swollen with water-storing tissue. Gasteria is named for its stomach-shaped flowers. The largest variety grows up to 2 feet tall. Gasteria is hardy outdoors in USDA zone 11 in sandy soil.

Aloe Vera Perhaps the most commonly known succulent is the Aloe vera plant (Aloe vera). It can be grown in low-light environments, although it thrives in sunlight. Aloe vera is hardy outdoors in USDA zone 9, producing vibrantly colored flowers. References Los Angeles Cactus and Succulent Society's Cactus Chronicle: What Is a Succulent?Sloat Garden Center Gardener’s Notebook -- Perfect Succulents Indoors and OutSan Marcos Growers: Products, Letter SSan Marcos Growers: Sansevieria Masoniana -- Mason's CongoMissouri Botanical Garden: Gardening Help Frequently Asked Questions -- How Do I Care for My Jade Plant?Blue And White Bedding Ralph LaurenPlants can add a lot of organic character to an otherwise drab office environment.Cheap Bathroom Taps Ebay They can improve air quality and remove impurities.Red Blue Plaid Baby Bedding

They can add a focal point to your work environment. They can even create helpful separations between workplaces — and a source of peaceful contemplation during your hectic day. Here’s a list of 20 indoor plants to consider for your office environment. Be sure to choose one that fulfills the needs of your work space. Jade, or Crassula ovata, is a small, succulent plant with small flowers. It requires minimal watering. In Japanese folklore, the jade plant is known as the “money plant.” Legend has it that its presence brings financial success. The reason for having this plant in your office should be crystal clear! The African violet, or Saintpaulia, is a flowering plant that requires a bit more maintenance than some of the others on this list. However, it takes up very little space, so it can be perfect for small desktops. The peace lily, or Spathiphyllum, is a large, space-filling plant that can also clean the air. Better yet, it can grow even in low office lighting.

The peace lily is ideal for an office space that lacks big windows. Chinese Evergreen, or Aglaonema, makes a great office plant because it requires very little maintenance. It can also thrive in low light and remove toxins from the air. This plant, also known as Hedera helix, is a clinging evergreen vine that can reduce airborne fecal matter particles and filter out formaldehyde. As disturbing as it is to know those airborne particles exist, it’s good English Ivy can take care of it. This is another plant ideal for those stale office environments lacking a lot of fresh air circulating. The parlor palm, or Chamaedorea elegans, is actually a small palm tree. This plant is ideal for creating natural separation of space in your office. And on those cold winter days, it can also add a bit of a tropical feel. The parlor palm is perfect for offices because it doesn’t require a lot of light either. The snake plant, or Sansevieria trifasciata, has leaves that can grow fairly tall.

The shooting dark green leaves have bands of a bright yellow-green on the outside. A healthy snake plant definitely attracts the eye. And a few together make another natural partition. This flowering plant, also known as Gerbara, is a plant that can filter toxins like benzene, a substance that can be emitted by some printing systems. These plants are large climbers, which means they can add some height to small areas. Philodendrons can also survive without a lot of maintenance. These plants are small and come in several different varieties. They do require a significant amount of sunlight, so they are not recommended for dimly lit offices. If you’ve got a window sill that gets a lot of sunlight and tend to be forgetful, a cactus or multiple cacti would be ideal. More often than not, they’d prefer you forget to water them once in awhile. This shrub, also known as Dracaena reflexa, can grow to be very tall. It’s another plant that can provide separation of different office areas.

And it also combats pollutants commonly found in varnishes and oils. If your office space has hardwood floors, this shooting plant would be ideal. The Ming Aralia, or Polyscias fruticosa, is a tall, bushy plant. It’s perfect for offices that require a bit of privacy between workstations. It also only requires water every couple of weeks. This plant, also known as Chlorophytum comosum, is one of the easiest plants to grow indoors. It is often displayed in hanging baskets, so it can also create some visual interest in an office space. The weeping fig, or Ficus benjamina, is a large plant that can filter pollutants from carpets and furniture, such as formaldehyde and benzene. The waxy green leaves on the weeping fig even look the part of the plastic jungle that this plant should help replace. The ZZ Plant, or Zamioculas zamiifolia, is one of the most low-maintenance plants you can find. In addition, it can add a tropical feel to your space. And, as a bonus, some of the plants even produce flowers.

Aloe plants are small enough to easily fit on most desks. They also have air-filtering qualities, with the ability to remove things like formaldehyde and benzene from the air. The gel inside the plant can also be used to treat cuts and burns. The umbrella tree, or Schefflera arboricola, can grow to be quite tall. It’s perfect for creating office privacy. But there are also smaller dwarf versions for desktops. This plant, which is sometimes also referred to as the nerve plant or mosaic plant, can work well in offices because it actually thrives on fluorescent light. Plus, the over-sized, inside-out look on the leaves of the Fittonia can serve as quite a focal point in your office space. The Pothos Plant, or Epipremnum aureum, is a flowering plant that can fit perfectly on most desktops, though it may require occasional trimming. Aside from that, it’s very low maintenance and can be left on a desk for lengthy periods without needing much care. This flowering shrub is not only visually appealing, but it can also filter the air to combat formaldehyde.