10 Office Plants That Don’t Need Sunlight for your Desk

Every working person needs a plant friend on their desk to keep them company and add a little nature vibe to the office. But what if there’s not enough sunlight in your office for your plant friend to thrive? Don’t fret, I have a list of 10 easy-going houseplants primed for an office life with you.

Take a look below for some pictures and details that should help you pick out your new plant friend!

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Lucky Bamboo

• Scientific name: Dracaena Sandriana
• Description: The intricate spirals and twists of this plant’s shape lend an exotic touch to the office. Perhaps, given enough love, it will grow into the sky, where a giant lives with a goose that lays golden eggs.   
• How often should I water it?
  • If it is grown in water, change the water weekly. 
  • If it is grown in soil, water when the top 1 inch of the soil is dry to the touch. 
  • Use distilled, filtered, or rainwater.
• Can I leave it over the weekend or holidays (i.e. more than a week)? Over the weekend, yes, but not the holidays. 
• Fun fact: Lucky Bamboo is not bamboo, but a water lily that looks like bamboo. Actual bamboo is a form of grass and cannot live in water like the Lucky Bamboo.

Blushing Bromeliad

• Scientific name: Neoregelia Carolinae
• Description: True to its name, this bashful plant has a flower-shaped center that turns a deep pink-red hue before its actual flowers start blooming. Unsurprisingly, you can’t see these flowers because they’re hidden deep within the crown. They’re shy. 
• How often should I water it? Water every 2 weeks using distilled water or rainwater. Note: Pour water into the cup-shaped center of the plant (i.e., vase).
• Any additional care? Set it on a pebble tray for a humidity boost. Click here for how to create a pebble tray!
• Can I leave it over the weekend or holidays (i.e. more than a week)? If the holiday is not more than 2 weeks, yes! 
• Fun fact: Blushing Bromeliad is a relative of a well-known Bromeliad fruit we all love but hate to put on our pizzas – the pineapple!

African Spear

• Scientific name: Sansevieria Cylindrica
• Description: Unlike its flat-leaf relative, the Snake plant, this succulent is known as the cylindrical snake plant with subtle stripes on its green foliage. Its striking form not only adds a bold flair to your working desk but it’ll also remind you to eat your asparagus for good health.  
• How often should I water it? Water every 2 weeks or so after the soil dries out completely. 
• Any additional care? Make sure to get rid of excess water after every watering session.
• Can I leave it over the weekend or holidays (i.e. more than a week)? Yes! This plant can go up to 3 months without being watered (don’t take that as a challenge, though).
• Fun fact: African Spear belongs to the same family as asparagus, but that doesn’t mean you should eat them! Cause they are … toxiiiiic~ for you.

Corn Plant

• Scientific name: Dracaena Fragrans
• Description: No corn is grown on this foliage beauty, but it resembles a mini version of how a corn stalk in a field matures, hence its name. It has also been called ‘false palms’ because of its upward growth habit, like a palm tree. Either way, this slender plant makes for a lush companion on an office desk.
• How often should I water it? Water when the top 1-2 inches of soil is dry, using distilled water. 
• Any additional care? If the plant grows too tall for your liking, simply cut the tops of the cane. Don’t worry, new leaf buds will start growing near the cut area. 
• Can I leave it over the weekend or holidays (i.e. more than a week)? Weekend, yes. But not for holidays.
• Fun fact: Corn plants take years before they produce a flowering stalk, and even then, the flowers only come out to bloom at night. The sweet fragrance emanating from them is known to be intense and overpowering enough to fill a small house.

Click here for a detailed guide on the proper care a Dracaena plant needs!

Radiator Plant

• Scientific name: Peperomia spp. 
• Description: Sporting thick, round bright green leaves, this relatively small plant comes in varieties with eye-catching variegates on their foliage (like Peperomia Metallica). It’s a dainty little plant that could provide a calming touch to your working space. 
• How often should I water it? Water when the top 1-2 inches of soil is dry. 
• Can I leave it over the weekend or holidays (i.e. more than a week)? Weekend, yes. But not for extended holidays.
• Fun fact: Radiator plants have a variety with succulent-like traits called Peperomia Graveolens. Their leaves are thicker to retain water for storage, so their care is similar to that of a succulent. But it is not a ‘true’ succulent.

Aloe Vera

• Scientific name: Aloe Barbadensis Miller
• Description: Beneficial as a cooling salve and refreshing addition to a drink, this succulent with its thick leaves and jagged edge adds a bit of a rough allure to your office aesthetic. Although, do not attempt to use it for more than decor. Seriously, don’t. 
• How often should I water it? Water when the top 1-2 inches of soil is dry.
• Can I leave it over the weekend or holidays (i.e. more than a week)? Weekend, yes. But not for extended holidays.
• Fun fact: Aloe Vera can actually blossom, usually after 4 years and when it’s grown outdoors where there’s ample light. These flowers are generally yellow and orange blooms in tubular forms. 

Chinese Evergreen 

• Scientific name: Aglaonema Commutatum
• Description: Being one of the most attractive, variegated foliage plants to have, this sweetheart brings a pop of character to any space. If you’re lucky, it’ll even bloom in your presence.  
• How often should I water it? Water when the top 1-2 inches of soil is dry. 
• Can I leave it over the weekend or holidays (i.e. more than a week)? Weekend, yes. But not for extended holidays.
• Fun fact: Chinese Evergreen can very well grow flowers which then turn into berries. However, like the whole plant, these are toxic and should not be ingested. 

Peace Lily

• Scientific name: Spathiphyllum
• Description: It has glossy, green leaves with white flower stalks blooming amidst its foliage. This gorgeous no-fuss plant makes for a delicate look to decorate your desk with its lively form. Bask in the peace that it brings. 
• How often should I water it? Water when the top 1-2 inches of soil is dry, using filtered water. 
• Can I leave it over the weekend or holidays (i.e. more than a week)? Weekend, yes. But not for extended holidays.
• Fun fact: A Peace Lily’s flower is NOT the apparent white flower blooming in the plant’s midst. It is actually the tiny cylindrical white, or yellow core inside called the spadix. 

Asparagus Fern

• Scientific name: Asparagus Aethiopicus or Asparagus densiflorus ‘Sprengeri’
• Description: With its bushy but delicate pine-like leaves, this peppy plant is a must-have in any office company. If you’re the type who likes textured plants, this feathery baby is just for you. 
• How often should I water it? Mist the plant daily, especially at its stems.
• Any additional care? Trim the plant to keep it neat when it is growing too long for your desk. 
• Can I leave it over the weekend or holidays (i.e. more than a week)? No. These are clingy babies. Don’t leave them in all their lonesome.
• Fun fact: Asparagus fern (sometimes called Emerald fern) is considered not a “true” fern. If anything, it is part of the lily family and a close relative of the asparagus plant. Simply because it can produce flowers and berries! Don’t eat it though, it’s toxic.

Gerbera Daisy

• Scientific name: Gerbera Jamesonii 
• Description: This colorful and vibrant flowering plant is an easy hack to add a spring look to your office desk decor. Forget about getting cut flowers in a vase that will eventually die off. That’s just rude; get this lovely flower instead!
• How often should I water it? Water when the top ½ inch of soil is dry. 
• Any additional care? Remove wilting blooms immediately to stimulate new growth.
• Can I leave it over the weekend or holidays (i.e. more than a week)? Weekend yes, but not for the holidays. 
• Fun fact: Gerbera Daisies are made up of tiny flowers that grow around the flower head. There are even 4 different classes of its variety based on its varying layers of petals.

So what are you waiting for? Go out and grab a charming desk plant of your own to keep you company through the long hours of the day and gives you something to look busy with while you eavesdrop on office gossip. Before long, you might end up with a mini office garden on your desk. 

Welcome to plant life, my friend.

References:

https://www.houseplantsexpert.com/lucky-bamboo-plant.html

https://www.houseplantsexpert.com/blushing-bromeliad.html

https://www.thespruce.com/grow-sansevieria-cylindrica-1902732

https://www.houseplantsexpert.com/dracaena-corn-plant.html

https://www.thespruce.com/grow-peperomia-species-indoors-1902491

https://www.houseplantsexpert.com/aloe-vera-house-plant.html

https://www.houseplantsexpert.com/chinese-evergreen.html

https://www.houseplantsexpert.com/peace-lily-plant.html

https://www.thespruce.com/grow-asparagus-ferns-1902714

https://gardenerdy.com/asparagus-fern/

https://www.houseplantsexpert.com/barberton-daisy.html