The best plants for your desk

Brighten up your working week with an office friendly plant

Whether you work from home or a busy office, a desk plant is a great way to add an injection of colour and personality to your space. And aside from looking good, it could bring a host of other benefits to your working day, too.Research shows that houseplants can help purify the air by filtering toxins emitted from everyday items, such as carpets, upholstery and paint, as well as cutting ozone emissions from office equipment, like photocopiers and scanners. And it doesn’t end there. One study found that a desk plant in your workspace could make you happier, more creative and more productive. The scientists at the University of Exeter found that office plants could help to boost staff wellbeing by up to 47%, and that allowing staff to make design decisions in a workspace that was enhanced with office plants increased creativity by 45% and productivity by 38%. Here are a few of our favourite office-friendly plants…

Peace lily

Bring a touch of tranquillity to your working day with the aptly named peace lily. As practical as it is pretty, this delicate-looking plant is surprisingly tough and only needs watering around once a week (ideal if you’re not in the office every day). It’s also known for its ability to filter some of the most common airborne toxins.

Bamboo palm

Another plant known for its air-purifying properties is the majestic bamboo palm. Thriving in shady, indoor spaces, it’s ideal for breathing life into a dingy, windowless office. And if you’re lucky, you may get the bonus of blooms and berries. Allow its tropical beauty to take you away from the stresses of work and transport you to another world.