Greenery is more than just office dressing: it improves your employees’ and guests’ experience because of how plants and natural materials affect our bodies.
But knowing that plants are a core element of any interior decor and can set the tone for your business doesn’t help you overcome the challenges many office spaces face: north-facing windows, cubicles that block light, building lights off over the weekend, and more.
As horticulturalists with decades of experience working in commercial settings, we know that people often wonder what the best plants for their low-light offices are. So we’re here to share some expertise – and yes, some plant options – so that you can uplift your office for the long-term, with plants and design choices you love.
Low Light Isn’t the Only Concern for Indoor Office Plants
Between our horticultural knowledge and practical experience in commercial plant design and care, we’ve seen time and again that light is not the only reason why a plant does or doesn’t thrive.
Other factors include:
- Temperature: Do icy blasts hit your reception area in winter? Where are heating and cooling vents that pump for hours?
- Humidity: Does your building have commercial HVAC and humidity control? Do employees open windows in the spring?
- Traffic and movement: Do you want greenery in a busy corridor or quiet corner?
- Space: Will a plant have room to grow? Do you have the square footage for a statement container plant like a tree? Is there an overlooked area such as desk dividers that could double as a home for plants?
- Aesthetic: What is your existing décor? If a plant or container looks out of place in your office, it will stick out even if it is happy and healthy.
This is why it is best to consult with experts before rushing out to buy plants. Plants can be expensive investments so it is important to get things right and understand your options and make the right choice the first time around.
As a national leader in indoor commercial landscaping, Plantscape is a partner in both plants and design for many commercial spaces, and we can work with your limitations, whether that’s light or something else. We offer a variety of interior commercial services, including plant rentals and the capacity to execute projects from smaller office refreshes to statement living walls. For each client, we tailor plant selection to perfectly match the conditions in their building.
Investment in Office Plants is Investment in Design
Our commercial clients often come to us knowing they want greenery in their space without realizing exactly how much design sense is involved, and how much opportunity they have to improve their interiors with plant design. 
Being happy with your investment in plants, whether that’s in a traditional office, other workplace or commercial space, means investing in design. From the aesthetic of the plants themselves to how they change acoustics to where they draw attention, your greenery should enhance your experience at work.
Good plant design will improve the flow and function of your workplace and make it feel better to be in. Bad plant design can leave you over- or underwhelmed, and repeatedly eat into your office budget. The difference is not just plant know-how, but the eye and expertise of interior designers. That’s why it is key to partner with an expert in plantscaping, which combines these skill sets, not just a plant supplier or an interior office designer.
Why Office Plant Maintenance Matters as Much as Plant Choice
Even the hardiest plant can end up looking tattered if it suffers from neglect or worse, improper maintenance.
Plant care is not intuitive – it’s a skill, and one that most employees don’t bring to their office jobs. Maintenance is more than watering: it’s also pest control, rotation, soil checks, repotting, seasonal adjustments and trimming. Perhaps most importantly, it’s catching any potential problems early so they can be ameliorated and your plants and office design always look incredible.
This is why a professional plant maintenance service is a great option for upkeeping commercial designs.
In our maintenance program, we regularly check on your plants and care of everything necessary to keep plants healthy. We account for a variety of conditions in our maintenance including light and season, as well as placement in your office, to bring plants to their full potential.
Plantscape also has a maintenance guarantee to replace plants covered under our terms and services. Because we understand that to get the benefits of plants and plant design, you need to have healthy, happy species in your office.
7 Great Indoor Low Light Plants to Consider
Snake Plants
Snake Plants‘Snake plants’ include the striking Sansevieria Laurentii, which offers dark and light greens with the potential for lots of vertical growth. They are known for tolerating a range of conditions, including low light.
Cast Iron Plant
As tough as its namesake, the Cast Iron Plant is hardy and does not require direct sun to look its best. With dark, beautiful, downturned leaves, it adds a touch of drama to any space.
Pothos Plants
Many of the pothos family of plants are tolerant of low light and conditions other plants find challenging. With signature heart-shaped leaves, the Golden Pothos brings creams and greens to life in any space, while the Totem Pothos bursts upwards indoors, growing to 6+ feet.
ZZ plants
The slow-growing ZZ Plant, also known as an Emerald Palm, showcases luminous leaves in a true dark green. Great on its own or mixed with other plants, this varietal is very tolerant of both low light and intermittent watering.
Bird’s Nest Fern
Wavy leaves create an organic cascade of bright green in this striking fern. Not a fan of direct sun, this plant is an energetic and elegant choice for a low-lit space.
Mass Cane
With a signature bright green stripe in the middle of long, elegant leaves, the Mass Cane is a standout choice for low light situations. These wonderful plants may grow quite tall and can bring the feel of a small tree to your space.
Dracaena Dorado
The Dracaena Dorado is a versatile plant that can tolerate both sun and shade. It features gently curling leaves that have a brilliant green edge.
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Plantscape’s interior plant guide offers a wide selection of low‑light–friendly choices along with additional options tailored to your environment. If you’re a Pittsburgh‑area business looking to bring plants into your office, connect with our friendly, knowledgeable team today.
