Although green plants aren't a substitute for a window, plants bring a bit of the natural environment into a windowless office, with benefits that extend beyond their decorative qualities. A study by Washington State University's Division of Horticulture suggests that plants create a healthier environment and increase productivity by reducing worker stress and fatigue. Although most plants require a few hours of daily sunlight, a few hardy plants tolerate low light.
Cast-iron plant (Aspidistra elatior) is a tough, dependable, low-light plant that reaches heights of 18 to 24 inches at maturity. The plant tolerates a variety of conditions, including owner neglect, damp foliage and dust. Ideally, cast-iron plant is watered often enough to keep the potting mixture evenly moist but not soggy. Cast -iron plant thrives in normal daytime temperatures and cool nighttime temperatures of about 50 degrees Fahrenheit.
Chinese evergreen (Aglaonema) is a showy, low-maintenance plant that adapts easily to low-light conditions. The leaves of Chinese evergreen vary from light green to dark green, with gray or silvery streaks depending on the variety. Size of the plant -- from 1 to 3 feet -- also varies. Chinese evergreen prefers evenly moist soil and nighttime temperatures of 65 degrees Fahrenheit.
Named for its stiff, spiky leaves, snake plant (Sansevieria trifasciata), also known as mother-in-law's tongue, is a striking plant that tolerates nearly any light level and normal room temperatures. The deep green leaves, with bands of dark green, white or yellow, reach heights of up to 4 feet. Snake plant is a drought-tolerant plant that requires little water, especially during the winter.
Peace lily (Spathiphyllum) is an adaptable plant that displays deep green, sword-like leaves, reaching mature heights of 2 feet. The plant blooms occasionally throughout the year, even in low-light conditions. The blooms, which last as long as six weeks, are white when they emerge, eventually turning pale green. Peace lily is a low-maintenance plant that prefers evenly moist soil and normal room temperatures.
Dracaena (Dracaena marginata) is a tough, adaptable plant that eventually develops a thick trunk and a tree-like shape, reaching heights of up to 8 feet. Dracaena comes in several varieties, including corn plant (Dracaena fragrans), appropriately named for its corn-like leaves; dragon tree (Dracaena marginata), with narrow, maroon-striped leaves; gold dust dracaena (Dracaena godseffiana), with rounded, white and gold speckled leaves; and striped dracaena, (Dracaena deremensis), which displays shiny leaves with gray and white stripes. Dracaena thrives in evenly moist soil and normal room temperatures.
- Washington State University Division of Horticulture: Impact of Interior Plants on Human Stress and Productivity
- University of Missouri Extension: Caring for Houseplants
- Encyclopedia of Container Gardening; Geoffrey Burnie, ed.
- University of Vermont Extension: Low Light Houseplants
- Medioimages/Photodisc/Valueline/Getty Images