Article Highlights
- Why Indoor Plants Matter for Air Quality and Well-Being
- Low-Maintenance Desk Plants That Thrive in Perth Workspaces
- Bring Your Office to Life with the Right Greenery
- Frequently Asked Questions
Walk into any modern Perth office and you’ll notice something’s changed. Plants aren’t just sitting in forgotten corners anymore. They’re climbing walls, softening desk edges and turning sterile spaces into places people actually want to work.
If you’re planning an office fitout, adding the right plants isn’t just about aesthetics. It’s about creating an environment where your team feels better, thinks clearer and breathes easier. The benefits of plants in office settings go well beyond decoration.
Why Indoor Plants Matter for Air Quality and Well-Being
Research shows that indoor plants absorb volatile organic compounds like formaldehyde and benzene, the same chemicals that off-gas from carpets, paint and furniture in commercial spaces. The NASA Clean Air Study identified several common species that actively filter indoor air pollutants.
But improved air quality is only part of the story. Greenery in the workplace has been linked to reduced stress levels and better mental health. When you’re staring at screens all day in a sealed building, even a small connection to nature can shift how you feel.
Plants also play a subtle acoustic role. Dense foliage and green walls help dampen sound in open-plan offices, reducing that constant hum of conversation and keyboard clicks. It’s not a replacement for proper soundproofing, but it helps.
Low-Maintenance Desk Plants That Thrive in Perth Workspaces
Not everyone has a green thumb, and that’s fine. The best office plants are the ones that survive when you forget to water them for a week or two.
Snake Plant (Mother-in-law’s Tongue)
This one’s practically indestructible. It tolerates low light, needs infrequent watering and keeps filtering air even when you’re neglecting it. The upright, dark green leaves fit neatly on an office desk without taking up much space.
ZZ Plant
Glossy, architectural and nearly impossible to kill. The ZZ plant stores water in its thick stems, so it handles Perth’s dry, air-conditioned offices without complaint. It’s also one of the few plants that looks just as good after three weeks of neglect.
Jade Plant
With thick, fleshy leaves that store moisture, the jade plant is perfect for busy teams. In many cultures, it’s considered a lucky plant, symbolising prosperity and good fortune. That makes it a popular choice for office desks across Perth, especially in businesses with Asian cultural ties.
Aloe Vera
Sculptural, medicinal and low-fuss. Aloe vera loves bright indirect light, which makes it ideal for desks near windows. It’s also handy to have around if someone gets a minor burn in the kitchen.
These desk plants don’t demand daily attention. Simply water when the soil feels dry, and they’ll reward you with steady growth and cleaner air.
Floor-Standing Statement Plants to Bring Life to Your Office Space
Sometimes you need something bigger. Floor plants anchor a room, soften hard edges and make a statement in reception areas or meeting rooms.
Fiddle Leaf Fig (Ficus lyrata)
This is the showstopper. With its large, violin-shaped leaves, the fiddle leaf fig adds instant style to any office setting. It needs bright, filtered light and regular watering, so it’s not quite as forgiving as a snake plant. Rotate the pot every few weeks to encourage bushier growth and keep the shape balanced.
Devil’s Ivy (Golden Pothos)
If you want greenery that grows fast and trails beautifully, devil’s ivy is your answer. It thrives in low light, tolerates neglect and looks stunning cascading from shelves or climbing moss poles. It’s also one of the most effective plants for removing toxins from indoor air.
Peace Lily
The peace lily is forgiving, elegant and flowers even in low light conditions. Its dark green leaves droop visibly when it’s thirsty, giving you a clear signal that it’s time to water. That makes it perfect for teams who aren’t confident plant carers.
Spider Plant
Hardy, adaptable and fast-growing, the spider plant produces baby “spiderettes” that you can propagate and share around the office. It works well in hanging baskets or on high shelves where its long stems can cascade.
These larger plants create focal points and help define different zones within an open-plan office. They also contribute significantly to improved air quality across bigger floor spaces.
Designing with Green Walls and Hanging Baskets
Green walls are no longer a luxury reserved for high-end corporate lobbies. They’re becoming a practical design element in Perth office fitouts, especially where floor space is limited.
A well-designed green wall can transform a plain corridor or break-out area into something memorable. It also delivers practical benefits like noise reduction, better humidity levels and a strong visual connection to nature.
Hanging baskets are another smart option. They free up desk and floor space whilst adding layers of greenery overhead. Devil’s ivy, spider plants and air plants all work beautifully in this format. The key is choosing species that tolerate the low humidity typical of air-conditioned Perth offices.
Choosing the Right Plants for Low Light or Indirect Sunlight
Not every office is flooded with natural light. Many Perth CBD buildings rely on artificial lighting, and corner desks or internal meeting rooms can be dim.
Luckily, several plants thrive in low light conditions:
- Snake Plant – tolerates almost any light level
- ZZ Plant – grows slowly but steadily in shade
- Cast-Iron Plant – lives up to its name
- Peace Lily – flowers even without direct sunlight
- Devil’s Ivy – adapts to low light without losing vigour
If your office has well-lit areas near windows, take advantage of them. Aloe vera, jade plants and fiddle leaf figs all prefer bright indirect light. Just keep them out of harsh direct sunlight, which can scorch leaves during Perth’s intense summer afternoons.
When planning your office fitout, think about light zones. Position low-light plants in corridors and internal spaces, and save the sun-lovers for desks and break areas near windows.
Practical Tips to Keep Office Plants Alive When You’re Busy
You don’t need to be a gardening expert to keep office plants healthy. A few simple habits make all the difference.
Water only when needed
Overwatering kills more office plants than neglect. Most low-maintenance office plants prefer to dry out slightly between waterings. Stick your finger into the soil, if it feels dry a couple of centimetres down, it’s time to water.
Wipe the leaves
Dust blocks light and reduces a plant’s ability to photosynthesise. A quick wipe with a damp cloth every few weeks keeps leaves looking fresh and functioning properly.
Rotate pots
Plants grow towards the light. Rotating them every couple of weeks encourages even growth and prevents them from leaning awkwardly to one side.
Don’t stress about perfection
A few brown tips or a dropped leaf doesn’t mean disaster. Most office indoor plants are resilient. Trim off any damaged bits and keep going.
If your team struggles with plant care, consider partnering with a local Perth plant-hire service. They’ll handle maintenance and swap out plants seasonally, so your office always looks its best without the effort.
Bring Your Office to Life with the Right Greenery
Adding plants to your workspace isn’t complicated, but timing matters. The best time to integrate greenery is during your fitout, when you can design planter boxes, install green walls and position power and water for self-watering systems.
At Perth Citi Fitout, we help businesses create functional, beautiful spaces that support well-being and productivity. If you’re planning a simple refresh or a full office transformation, we’ll work with you from concept to completion.
Want to explore how plants and biophilic design can fit into your next project? Get in touch and let’s talk about your office fitout.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the best plant to have in an office?
The snake plant is hard to beat. It tolerates low light, needs minimal watering and actively filters indoor air pollutants. It’s reliable, attractive and fits on almost any office desk.
Which plant is lucky for an office desk?
The jade plant is traditionally considered a symbol of good fortune and prosperity, making it a popular choice for office desks, especially in Perth’s diverse business community.
What are the advantages of using plants?
Plants improve indoor air quality, reduce stress levels, increase productivity, add aesthetic appeal and help with noise reduction. They also signal that your business cares about employee health and sustainability.
Do plants help reduce noise in an office?
Yes. Foliage absorbs sound waves, and green walls or clusters of plants can noticeably reduce echo and background noise in open-plan offices. It’s a simple addition that delivers real acoustic benefits.
