Artificial plants for offices | Stylish, maintenance-free green

A green workplace boosts mood, focus and a sense of calm. When live plants are impractical (low light, no caretaker, hygiene constraints), artificial plants keep offices looking fresh and professional with minimal effort—no watering schedules, no pests, no mess.

Why they work at work

Maintenance-light: Predictable costs, no watering or pruning, no plant losses after holidays.
Looks consistent: Always presentable for clients, photoshoots and receptions.
Works in low light: Windowless meeting rooms, corridors, phone booths and basements still look green.
Hygiene & safety: No soil, mould or insects; no spill risk near electronics or archives.
Scalable: Roll out a consistent look across multiple floors/sites and keep it identical over time.

Top 5 hero picks

Kentia palm — elegant, airy fronds for entrances and lounges.
Strelitzia — architectural statement for modern lobbies and open offices.
Ficus lyrata — sculptural leaves for executive areas and client spaces.
Grasses (ornamental) — slim footprint for desks, counters and wayfinding lines.
Orchids (Phalaenopsis) — timeless, compact accents for reception and meeting tables.

What to put where

Reception & lobby: 1–2 large statements (Kentia/Strelitzia) + a low accent on the counter (orchid/grass).
Open office: Tall planters to zone teams or hide cables; clusters of 3 heights (tall–medium–low) for depth.
Meeting rooms: One medium focal plant in a corner + small table accent; avoid blocking screens/vents.
Focus pods & corridors: Narrow grasses or bamboo columns for privacy and wayfinding.
Canteen & coffee points: Mixed planters on sideboards; easy to wipe, no soil near food surfaces.

Sizing & quantities (rules of thumb)

Statement: 1 large (160–200 cm) per 15–20 m² of open area.
Clusters: Group 3 items: tall (140–180 cm) + mid (80–120 cm) + low (tabletop/40–60 cm).
Circulation: Keep 90 cm clear for walkways; avoid protruding fronds at desk edges.

Containers & finishes

Professional look: Use consistent pot colours/materials per floor (ceramic, fibre-stone, powder-coated metal).
Stability: Weight bases with gravel/sand; insert foam blocks to fix stems upright.
Realism: Top with hydroleca, bark or pebbles to hide joins and cables.
Acoustics: Consider felt-clad planters or high-sided troughs to soften noise in open offices.

Care & housekeeping

Weekly: Quick dust with microfibre (top → down).
Quarterly: Wipe leaves with lukewarm water + a drop of mild dish soap; dry stems to prevent corrosion.
Annually: Check for scuffs/fade; rotate positions in sunny areas; replace tired topdressing.

Compliance & safety (check locally)

Low-odour, low-VOC materials for enclosed rooms.
Fire safety: In some buildings, fire-retardant finishes or documentation may be required—coordinate with facility management.
Accessibility: Keep exits, signage and detectors unobstructed; no trip hazards from pots or bases.

Styling tips

Use large plants to create visual zones and anchor seating areas.
Add small accents on desks and shelves for a lived-in feel.
Keep pots consistent per zone for a unified brand look; match brand colours subtly (liners, pebbles, stands).
Bend leaves slightly into natural positions; avoid perfectly symmetrical crowns.

Common pitfalls

Too many tiny plants (visual clutter) instead of a few strong statements.
Glossy, plastic-looking foliage that reads fake under office lighting.
Random pot colours/materials across one floor.
Pots without realistic top finish (exposed foam or stems).

Quick procurement checklist

UV-stabilised foliage (for sun-exposed areas) and sturdy internal wiring.
Replaceable parts (leaf sets/heads) and spare units for future expansion.
Consistent pot line (3 heights, same finish) + topdressing included.
Delivery plan: weighting materials, floor protection and placement map per zone.

With the right mix—big anchors, smart accents, consistent pots and light upkeep—your office stays green, tidy and inviting all year round, without the operational overhead of live planting.

Back to blog