Plants for remote work — green up your home office

Working from home has its advantages, but the makeshift desk corner in the living room or bedroom often lacks character. One or two well-chosen plants change everything: better concentration, healthier air, a visual break from screens, and a workspace that makes you want to settle in each morning.

The benefits of plants for remote work

Studies are clear: having plants in a workspace reduces stress, decreases eye strain from screens, and improves concentration. When working from home, this effect is even stronger because the space is often small and personal — a plant on the desk is always in your line of sight. Our article on the hidden benefits of plants on mood and concentration details this research.

Desk plants: compact and discreet

Desk space is precious. Small potted plants of 10-14 cm are perfect: a Pilea peperomioides with its graphic round leaves, a compact and sculptural Peperomia, a miniature Syngonium Pixie, or a Coffea arabica in a decorative pot. Placed next to the screen, they offer a little green break with every glance. Discover our collections: small indoor plants and small spaces.

Air-purifying plants for a home office

Screens, printers, and particleboard furniture: a desk corner accumulates volatile compounds in an often enclosed space. Spathiphyllum, Dracaena, and Chlorophytum effectively filter these pollutants. Place a medium-sized purifying plant next to the desk and another on the shelf above. Check out our air-purifying plants collection and our article on plants that purify the air.

Green up the background of your video calls

A wall of plants behind you on video calls always makes a good impression. The trick: a large floor plant (Strelitzia, Ficus lyrata, or Dracaena) framed by trailing plants on a high shelf (Pothos, Tradescantia). The result: a natural and professional backdrop that beats any virtual background. Explore our collections of large XXL plants and hanging and trailing plants, and read our guide on XXL plants: which to choose and how to work them into your home.

Dark home office: which plants to choose?

If your desk is in a corner of the living room away from the window or in a low-light room, go for shade champions: Zamioculcas, Sansevieria, Aglaonema, and Aspidistra. These species stay beautiful even under artificial light. Check out our shade and partial shade plants collection and our article on light and humidity: finding the right balance.

Minimal care to stay focused

In the middle of a workday, no one wants to start a complicated watering routine. The plants in this selection are all tolerant of neglect and require watering only once a week at most. Zamioculcas and Sansevieria need watering every 2-3 weeks. Check out our complete watering guide and our guide to indoor plants for every room. Also explore our collections of easy-care plants and no-maintenance plants.