More than just looking nice, indoor plants have been shown to increase productivity, improve mood, reduce pain, and enhance the quality of air. Let’s face it though, not all of us were blessed with a green thumb or proper lighting conditions. Enter succulents.
Because these low-maintenance beauties can adapt to almost any lighting condition, succulents make a great addition to the home office. They range in size from small to towering, can survive for weeks without watering, and can go on for years without repotting. There is a wide range of succulents to choose from when looking to decorate your home office. Here are just a few succulents that are easy to find and a breeze to care for.
1. Burro’s Tail (Sedum morganianum)
One of the easiest trailing succulents to grow, burro’s tail produces impressive trailing stems with thick, fleshy, blue-green leaves that can grow several feet long. Burro’s tail puts on variations of pink to red flowers in the summertime. Native to Honduras and southern Mexico, they prefer medium to bright light, but adapt well to low-light conditions.
2. Haworthia
Haworthia plants are a close cousin of the aloe vera plant and somewhat resemble miniature aloes. These smaller succulents possess a circular, slightly flower-like growing pattern and are ideal for indoor pots. Haworthias produce thick, fleshy triangular leaves in a variety of variegated patterns and are known to put on flowers all year round.
3. Hens-and-Chicks (Sempervivum tectorum or Echeveria elegans)
Hens-and-chicks refers to two species of succulents that are closely related but differ slightly in appearance. Flat, flower-like rosettes, both succulents are known for producing smaller, identical plants (chicks) that are slightly offset from the parent plant (hens).
4. Ponytail Palm (Beaucarnea recurvata)
Sometimes also referred to as an elephant foot, the ponytail palm may not look like a succulent, but it is, in fact, a relative of the agave plant. Ponytail palms are slow growers that do well in medium to bright light. Native to Mexico and the southwestern United States, these plants prefer milder temperatures and require very little water.
5. Snake plant (Sansevieria trifasciata)
One of the most neglect-tolerant plants there are, snake plants are an easy way to add a splash of green to your indoor space. Snake plants are slow growers but can reach several feet tall. They tolerate low light conditions and need very little water. Brighter light will encourage more vibrant coloring in their showy leaves.
6. Thanksgiving Cactus (Schlumbergera truncata)
Also referred to as a Christmas cactus or holiday cactus, these trailing cacti produce colorful blooms in cooler temperatures that are sure to brighten up your office space. Thanksgiving cactus thrives even in low-light conditions and needs very little water to sustain.
How to Care for Succulents
Growing succulents indoors is incredibly easy. Succulents tend to like the warmer, drier conditions found in most home offices. While most succulents do tend to prefer direct light, they can adapt to lower light conditions. Use a well-draining potting medium. At each watering, water deeply and ensure the water streams freely through the pot to wash out any harmful salts and trace minerals that accumulate in the soil. Allow the soil to dry out between each watering.