Feb 18
How to choose houseplants for your home office
Hello hello! In 2020 I will become an avid plant ENTHUSIAST. I was bidding in plant groups, learning about new species of houseplants, and fell subject to a case of “the-collectibles” where I was trying to collect every subspecies of a specific houseplant type.
Many dollars, dead plants, and two years later — I’ve learned some things! As I embark into working from my home full time, I’ve put a lot of time and thought into what I want my home office to look like — and plants are a big part of that process.
As a plant enthusiast and someone who believes in creating supportive and creative energy in a creative space — whether you’re designing a studio, reading nook, writing corner, or home office — I hope this post helps you find the best houseplants to bring into your new space.
How to choose houseplants for your home office
Tip #1: figure out the lighting situation
Too many new plant owners assume if a room does not have any windows or is below 82 degrees Fahrenheit that any plants will die and they can’t have any. This is not true! You can download a handy light-detection app, or review this graphic here to figure out your lighting situation. Terms like indirect, bright indirect, and low light will be helpful as you figure out what types of plants will be happy in your space.
Tip #2 find what type of plant aesthetic you have
This may seem a little silly — but not all plant lovers are built alike! I hate English ivy and succulents and have exactly one plant that is technically a flower. I like big branching plants and long vining ones — so all my plants are either growing up a pole or vining down a bookshelf. I love using Pinterest to check out different kinds of ways to style plants in space and decide what sort of plants I am looking to buy. There are different types of light needs for every plant species, so you will be able to find something that works in your lighting in a style that you enjoy.
Tip #3 talk to your local greenhouse
It can be really helpful to pop into a local greenhouse or flower shop and talk to someone about what you’re trying to do. If you have a big empty corner where you’d love to have a big low-maintenance plant like a snake plant or a Monstera deliciosa or lots of shelves where you want little flowering plants in the sun — bring some ideas to your local greenhouse and ask for some inspiration. It can also be helpful to talk about your abilities as a plant caregiver, are you up for a challenge, or do you need to follow a regular watering schedule, etc?
Tip #4 don’t be afraid to rehome a plant
It has happened to me plenty of times where I got in over my head with a plant that was too big or too high-maintenance. In some cases, I simply threw it out or asked on Facebook if anyone wanted to rehome the plant. You don’t have to keep anything that doesn’t bring you joy! Maybe you got all plants with long vines but are finding their watering schedule too tedious so they’re dropping leaves all over the house — it’s okay to trim back those dead ends and send them to live with someone else. Or maybe you invested in a huge plant that doesn’t work well in a corner or part of the room you bought it for — lots of local plant groups will be happy to help you rehome your green friend.
Tip #5 have fun with the process
I’ve evolved so much in my journey of loving and having plants. There were times I didn’t think I’d ever enjoy having a fern or would see my more established plants put out new growth. Having plants has taught me a lot about seasons of quiet and seasons bursting with productivity. As I’m entering a season where it feels like I’m expecting a lot of new growth, it’s important to remember that trimming back dead ends is just as relevant. Find out who you are as a plant-y person by being open to new plants, new routines, and learning experiences.
Before you go…
If you found this article helpful and want more inspiration for your home office- check out my tips for crafting a cozy home office blog post here!
