10 Best Plants for an Office With No Windows

If you are looking to bring some life into your office but don’t have any natural light or windows, it can be hard to find plants that will thrive.

Plants can help improve your mood, reduce stress, increase productivity and even boost creativity. 

The problem with many indoor plants is that they require lots of sunlight to thrive, which many offices don’t have. You may wonder how to keep plants alive in an office with no windows. Fortunately, there are some houseplants that will do well in office conditions.

To solve this problem, I’ve put together a list of the 10 best plants for an office with no windows or very little sunlight.

This post contains affiliate links, which means I receive a small commission if you make a purchase using this link. For more information, see my full disclosure here.

Sansevieria aka Snake Plant

My top pick for an office with no windows is a Sansevieria, also known as a snake plant. This is an easy-to-care-for plant that is very adaptable when it comes to light requirements.

Other terms this plant goes by are mother-in-law’s tongue, devil’s tongue, snake tongue, and bowstring hemp, and more.

The snake plant is a succulent, which means that it doesn’t require much water. You should wait for the soil to fully dry before watering your plant again; otherwise, it may develop root rot.

It can withstand little to no natural light, making it ideal for workplaces with no windows.

A Snake Plant may survive several weeks without water, so you don’t have to be concerned if you forget to water them. It doesn’t take up a lot of room since it has beautiful foliage that grows upward.

Spider Plant

The spider plant is highly adaptable and can live in low-light conditions for extended periods of time. They also do fine under artificial light.

Moreover, the spider plant is known for its ability to purify the air, which is a plus for your office environment.

Spider plants make great hanging plants, but you can also plant them in a pot to sit on your desk.

Water them thoroughly but also let them dry out between waterings.

Pro-tip: Chlorinated water will cause Spider plant leaf tips to turn brown. If you let the water sit out overnight before watering your plant, the chlorine will evaporate.

Curly spider plants are so feminine and decorative!

ZZ Plant

Zamioculcas zamiifolia, better known as ZZ plant, is a low-maintenance plant that does very well in artificial light.

Its smooth, waxy leaves reflect light and brighten up a dark room.

Like the spider plant, ZZ plant is also an air purifier.

Plant it in well-drained potting soil and only water when it is completely dry.

A word of caution: ZZ plant is poisonous, so if you have pets or small children around, you might want to skip this one.

Cast Iron Plant

Another great plant for a low-light office environment is the Cast Iron Plant. They are low-maintenance and can survive almost anywhere in your office.

It has long arching, deep green, glossy leaves that may reach almost 2 feet in length and 4 inches in width.

Plant it in well-drained soil – standard potting mix is fine. You only need to water it when the soil is dry.

This is a very slow-growing plant, so it’s a good idea to buy one that is already the size you want it to be.

You can find several varieties of cast iron plants. In addition to the traditional solid green leaves, there are striped and speckled varieties available.

Peace Lily

The Peace Lily, although not actually a lily, is an ideal plant for an office with no windows. Peace Lily prefers low-light to mid-light areas. And it purifies the air.

While they do like some natural light, they can also survive in fluorescent or other artificial light.

Spathiphyllum, the botanical name for peace lilies, are known for their lone white “flower petal” that protrudes far above the rest of the plant. This “petal” is actually a bract, with a smaller flower inside, and it can brighten up your office space.

Peace lilies rise to the top of the list of easy to care for office plants. Be careful of overwatering. Instead of watering on a schedule, check the top of the soil once a week. If it feels damp, then you don’t need to water.

Lucky Bamboo

Lucky Bamboo is a striking indoor plant.

It isn’t actually bamboo. The botanical name is Dracaena sanderiana. The stems are pliable and can be configured into all kinds of interesting shapes.

While it does prefer bright, filtered sunlight, Lucky Bamboo is tolerant of low-light conditions.

The potting soil should be rich and well-drained. Lucky Bamboo prefers to be moist, but you don’t want the water to be soaking wet.

They can also be grown in a vase of water, which allows their red root system to show.

Like the spider plant, Lucky Bamboo is sensitive to chlorine. Allow your water to sit out overnight so that the chlorine can evaporate before watering your plant.

Pothos

Epipremnum aureum, or Pothos, is another excellent plant that thrives in an office with no windows. Pothos are ideal for indoor settings where you want a plant but don’t get enough natural light. Pothos is also an effective houseplant for improving air quality.

Pothos comes in an array of foliage colors and patterns, from deep green to neon to almost white. Pothos will grow long trailing stems, making it a good choice for plant stands and bookcases.

Pothos are incredibly successful indoor plants and are great for beginners because they are so undemanding. They can live in a low-light environment and are fine in artificial light. If you notice your Pothos getting leggy, then you’ll know that it needs more light.

Parlor Palm

The Parlor Palm (Chamaedorea elegans) is a low-maintenance plant that can thrive in your windowless office. It prefers moderate to bright indirect light and can withstand low levels of indirect light.

Parlor Palms have been prized houseplants since the Victorian era because they do so well indoors.

With the right care, the Parlor Palm will live many years and eventually may reach a height of over six feet.

Water it every week or two, allowing the soil to dry out between waterings.

It’s also one of the safe houseplants for cats and dogs, in case you have a workplace pet who likes to wander through your office.

Philodendron

Philodendrons are low-maintenance and do well in windowless offices. They are great for inexperienced houseplant owners because they aren’t picky about care.

While they prefer bright, indirect sunlight, they grow fine in an office with no windows. If you notice the stems getting long and leggy, your philodendron probably isn’t getting enough light.

Allow the top inch of soil to dry out before you water it again.

There are two major kinds of philodendrons – vining and non-vining.

Vining philodendrons can be supported on a moss pole or pruned to stay small bushy. A heart-leaf philodendron (such as the one below) that is kept pruned is one of the best plants for an office desk.

Non-vining philodendrons have an upright, spreading growth habit. They tend to grow twice as wide as they do tall, so make sure you have plenty of room if you choose a non-vining variety.

Aglaonema / Chinese Evergreen

Aglaonema is known for the beauty of its foliage. Some newer varieties have striking variegated leaves in red, white, pink, and lime green.

It’s also easy to take care of and will do well in an office with no windows.

Chinese evergreen thrives in medium to low light. Bright indoor light, including fluorescent light, is also fine.

They’re also tolerant of inconsistent watering. If you forget to water them occasionally, they will survive. In fact, you should let Aglaonema dry out between waterings. Otherwise, it’s prone to root rot.

What To Look For When Choosing Office Plants

There are two main things to think about before deciding on the best plant for your office.

What Kind of Light Do You Have?

If your office only has indirect or artificial light, then choose a low-light plant, such as those we’ve discussed in this article.

Can You Keep Up With the Watering Requirements?

Some plants are very forgiving about watering. Others are not.

Think about your schedule. Can you check your plants weekly? Bi-weekly? Do you need plants that can bounce back if you forget to water them (or if you have to travel)?

Or are you prone to overwatering? (This is actually one of the most common mistakes that people make with house plants.) In that case, you’ll want to choose a plant that prefers moist conditions and be sure that your pot includes a drainage hole.

Best Plants for an Office With No Windows

An office with no windows can be a dreary place to work. But adding a live plant can boost your spirit.

And best of all, you don’t need a green thumb to make it happen. There are great plants that do well in low light for even the least experienced houseplants owners.

In this post, we’ve shared 10 plants that are easy to care for and require little to no sunlight. You’re sure to find one that works for your space.

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