What research says about plants and productivity

A University of Exeter study found that employees working in environments enriched with plants are 15% more productive than those in minimalist, plant-free spaces. NASA's Clean Air Study showed that indoor plants can reduce toxic compounds in the air by up to 87% within 24 hours.

For home offices this matters even more: while in a corporate office you share air with colleagues and the building has powerful ventilation, at home you're entirely dependent on natural airflow — and air quality is entirely up to you.

5 ideal plants for a home office

Not every plant suits a work environment. We're looking for species that:

Don't require daily care
Survive in limited-light conditions (glass balconies, interior rooms)
Purify the air or add humidity
Have no strong scent that would break concentration

🌿 Sansevieria (Snake Plant)

Why for home office: Converts CO₂ to oxygen even at night — like a small air purifier next to your desk. Handles shade and drought, watering every 2–3 weeks.

Ideal for: corner placement, shelves above monitors, windowsills with limited light.

🌿 Pothos (Epipremnum)

Why for home office: A trailing vine that looks stunning from shelves or hanging baskets. Filters formaldehyde from furniture and electronics. Practically indestructible.

Ideal for: bookshelves, cabinets, hanging behind or beside a monitor.

🌿 ZZ Plant (Zamioculcas)

Why for home office: Perfect for home offices without direct light — manages in nearly dark rooms. Water every 3–4 weeks, zero maintenance, modern aesthetic.

Ideal for: darker rooms, corners, studies without south-facing windows.

🌿 Fiddle Leaf Fig (Ficus lyrata)

Why for home office: A visually dominant statement piece that transforms even a dull corner into a characterful workspace. Large leaves humidify the air and bring life to the background behind your monitor.

Ideal for: room corners beside windows, video call backdrops.

🌿 Peace Lily (Spathiphyllum)

Why for home office: One of the best air purifiers according to the NASA study. Removes benzene, formaldehyde and xylene — compounds common in household furniture and electronics.

Ideal for: windowsills or desks, partial shade, air-conditioned spaces.

Where to place plants in your home office

Plant placement affects both the psychological impact and practical functionality. A few rules:

Behind or beside your monitor — a green background in video calls reads as professional and calm. A large fiddle leaf fig or sansevieria works perfectly.
On the windowsill — natural light benefits species like peace lily or rubber fig. Don't block too much of the window, or you'll lose reading light.
On a shelf above your desk — trailing plants like pothos cascade down and create a living wall without taking up desk space.
In a room corner — larger plants like fiddle leaf fig or dracaena naturally divide the work zone from the living area — invaluable in studio apartments.

Buy or rent? Does it make sense for home offices too?

Plant rental is typically associated with corporate offices, but it makes sense for home offices in specific situations:

You work from home 4+ days a week and your home office is effectively your workplace — investing in the environment pays off.
You tend to neglect plants — rental includes regular expert care. No wilting leaves, no guilt.
You want statement pieces (fiddle leaf fig, strelitzia) without the hassle of moving them when you relocate.
You need a specific aesthetic for video presentations and don't want to worry whether the plant survives your next holiday.

For a basic home office setup (2–3 low-maintenance species), buying is usually sufficient — a snake plant or ZZ plant costs 300–600 CZK and will last years with minimal care. Rental makes more sense if you want larger or more visually striking pieces with regular professional maintenance.

Interested in plant rental for your office or coworking space?

Verdino offers office plant rental in Prague with regular expert care included. Free consultation within 48 hours.

Free consultation →

Conclusion: A green home office is an investment, not a luxury

If you spend 8+ hours a day at your computer at home, the quality of your workspace directly affects performance, mood and health. Plants are one of the cheapest and quickest ways to improve your environment — no renovation, no furniture purchases required.

Start with three low-maintenance species (snake plant + ZZ plant + pothos), place them strategically — one behind the monitor, one on a shelf, one in a corner — and within two weeks you'll feel the difference yourself.