🌿 Top Office Plants Compared: Which One Fits Your Workspace Best?
- Eloïse Beytrison
- Jun 11
- 5 min read
Updated: Jul 1
Choosing the right office plants isn’t just about looks – it directly affects indoor air quality, employee well-being, and ongoing maintenance. Not every plant thrives everywhere: some need lots of light, others tolerate low-light corners. Some improve the air measurably, while others mainly enhance aesthetics.
That’s why it’s worth taking a closer look when selecting greenery for your office: What’s the goal – adding freshness to the reception area? Improving air quality in open-plan spaces? Or finding low-maintenance options for shaded corners?
At Oxygen at Work, we’ve compiled a list of 10 proven office plants that we’ve tested in real working environments. Each plant brings its own strengths – whether it’s CO₂ filtering, humidity impact, or adaptability to different spaces. Plus, we’ve included expert insights from our Greenery Specialist David Birkenfeld, and a bonus tip featuring two extra low-maintenance options.
Our expert for this article: our Greenery Specialist, David Birkenfeld! 👨🏻🌾
David has been devoted to plants since his childhood, and is part of our Greenery Team in Germany.
Understanding the Ratings
To help you compare the plants at a glance, we’ve included a rating system from 1 to 5 for four key criteria:
Light: How much sunlight the plant needs (1 = thrives in low light, 5 = needs lots of natural light)
Watering: How often it needs watering (1 = rarely, 5 = very frequently)
Humidity Impact: How much the plant helps increase indoor humidity (1 = low impact, 5 = very high impact)
CO₂ Impact: How effective the plant is at absorbing carbon dioxide and improving air quality (1 = minimal, 5 = strong impact)
These scores are based on our internal evaluations and real-world experience in office environments.
Chinese Evergreen (Aglaonema spp.)
The Chinese Evergreen is a sophisticated choice that tolerates extreme lighting and is not bothered by a few missed waterings. The bonus? It comes in a variety of colorful leaf patterns (Lemon, 2024).
🎯 Ratings
Light: 2
Watering: 2
Humidity Impact: 2
CO₂ Impact: 3
Fiddle Leaf Fig (Ficus lyrata)
Bright but indirect sunlight is the ideal setting for this striking, sculptural plant. It is a little pickier, but when placed correctly - it is totally worth the care (Gilman et al., 2019).
🎯 Ratings
Light: 4
Watering: 3
Humidity Impact: 3
CO₂ Impact: 4
Fishtail Palm (Caryota mitis)
The Caryota's distinctive, jagged leaves, which resemble fish tails, add striking texture to any interior area. It prefers bright, indirect light and regular watering, and does best in spacious environments like open-plan workplaces or lounges. This plant makes a strong statement!
(Plant on the right)
🎯 Ratings
Light: 4
Watering: 4
Humidity Impact: 5
CO₂ Impact: 4
Peace Lily (Spathiphyllum sp.)
It is well-known for its elegant white flowers and great ability to filter the air. It also signals when it is thirsty (just pay attention to the leaves) - which makes it an excellent choice for forgetful plant parents.
(Plant in foreground)
🎯 Ratings
Light: 2
Watering: 3
Humidity Impact: 4
CO₂ Impact: 4
Pothos (Epipremnum aureum)
This trailing plant has rapid growth, endures low light conditions and recovers effectively from many adversities. It is an excellent choice for shelves and suspended baskets (Lemon, 2024).
🎯 Ratings
Light: 2
Watering: 2
Humidity Impact: 2
CO₂ Impact: 3
Kentia (Howea forsteriana)
The Kentia Palm is a classic and elegant way to offer a bit of the tropics without being too demanding. It is perfect for offices that desire low-maintenance vegetation with a sophisticated appearance because it can withstand low to medium light, dry indoor air, and occasional missed waterings.
(Plant on the right)
🎯 Ratings
Light: 2
Watering: 2
Humidity Impact: 3
CO₂ Impact: 4
Philodendron (Various spp.)
A real classic when it comes to office plants: easy to care for, adaptable in terms of light requirements and aesthetically pleasing - and an ideal companion for beginners (Steil, 2022).
🎯 Ratings
Light: 3
Watering: 2
Humidity Impact: 3
CO₂ Impact: 4
Dieffenbachia (Dieffenbachia spp.)
A great option for areas with lots of light! You just need to make sure it is out of reach for children or pets, as the sap can be irritating (University of Florida , 2024).
🎯 Ratings
Light: 4
Watering: 3
Humidity Impact: 3
CO₂ Impact: 4
💧 Low-Maintenance Favorites
ZZ Plant (Zamioculcas zamiifolia)
Perfect for busy workers, this glossy-leaved beauty is nearly indestructible and can withstand neglect, dry air, and low light levels (Henny & Chen, 2013).
🎯 Ratings
Light: 1
Watering: 1
Humidity Impact: 2
CO₂ Impact: 3
Cast Iron Plant (Aspidistra elatior)
As its name suggests, this plant is a true survivor. It grows best in cooler, shaded areas, which makes it perfect for corners or entryways (Gilman, 2014).
🎯 Ratings
Light: 1
Watering: 1
Humidity Impact: 1
CO₂ Impact: 2
👨🏻🌾 Expert Insight: David Birkenfeld
Why are you the right person to speak on this topic?
I’ve been caring for plants since I was about 7 or 8 years old — so I bring nearly 30 years of hands-on experience. And it’s not just professional; it’s personal. I’ve always shared my home with plants and looked after all kinds of plant groups over the years — from bromeliads and tillandsias to orchids, ferns, and many others.
In your experience, what makes a plant truly “office-friendly”?
These are plants that can tolerate a wide range of conditions — from light and humidity to watering. That includes plants that can handle low light and longer dry periods. But humidity and air purification also play a role. Plants that release a lot of moisture through their leaves can noticeably improve indoor air quality by increasing humidity. Many plants also absorb airborne pollutants, which helps create a healthier office environment.
Why should companies pay attention to choosing the right indoor plants?
Choosing the right “office plants” is also important for indoor air quality. Plants that are poorly maintained or placed in the wrong location tend to develop less foliage and photosynthesize less. Plus, constantly replacing plants is a cost factor that companies can avoid with the right selection from the start.
What’s a common mistake people make when selecting office plants?
People tend to choose what looks nice without checking if it fits the space or care routine — which leads to all sorts of care mistakes. A classic example would be the beautiful Calathea, which has very specific needs and quickly reacts to the wrong care.
Where can businesses learn more or get help with plant selection?
At Oxygen at Work, of course! In my opinion, the best advice comes from people with real experience and knowledge. Online forums can also be helpful if you're looking to dig deeper. Personally, I haven’t had the best experience with plant advice from garden centers or hardware stores — though that might be more of a private opinion!
