Unlike a north-facing room, south-facing rooms get the most direct sunlight throughout the day. This consistent sunlight can be great for the sun-loving houseplants in your home office, but take care with potential extreme light and heat.
Crassula ovata (Jade Plant) ‘Money Plant’
A bushy succulent evergreen sub-shrub. It has fleshy, oval leaves and grows like a small tree. Their leaves tend to be a deep green, however, there are other more colourful cultivators available to add a splash of colour to your south-facing home office. Additionally, under suitable wintery conditions, Jade Plants can produce white, star-shaped flowers.
Sometimes referred to as a ‘friendship plant’ or ‘money plant’, Jade plants are said to symbolise great friendship, luck, and prosperity. Who doesn’t want that in their home office? Plus, they can live as long as 100 years, so you won’t have to worry about your luck running out! Additionally, they’re said to aid mental well-being by nourishing chi – bright, refreshing, and uplifting energy from the ancient art of Feng shui.
- Does well in South-Facing and West-Facing aspects
- Evergreen
- Enjoys full sun
- Water sparingly in winter, and more regularly in spring and summer
- Thought to be lucky and to bring prosperity – great for the home office
- Their small flowers are not only beautiful, but produce a gentle fragrance too
Cucas revoluta (Japanese sago palm)
A slow-growing, hardy palm-like plant. With their feathery leaves, you can add an element of exotic holidays to your south-facing home office. At the same time, they’re slow growers that don’t require much maintenance. All you have to do is repot them every 2-5 years and only prune when the leaves turn fully brown.
Native to Southern Japan and China, this is an ancient species that dates back to the dinosaur era. This is why it’s sometimes referred to as a ‘living fossil’. So, invite a tropical bit of history into your south-facing office.
- Prefers South-Facing or East-Facing aspects
- Evergreen
- Prefers partial shade
- Allow the soil to dry well before watering again – the ‘trunk’ stores water efficiently
- Fertilise monthly to ensure your sago palm gets enough nutrients
- Doesn’t require frequent pruning, even when the leaves yellow they continue to produce nutrients for the plant
Curio rowleyanus (String of Pearls)
A remarkable trailing succulent that grows round, pearl-like foliage. The plant grows to form a long stems that mimic a soothing waterfall. The perfect peaceful addition to a south facing home office. Especially if you don’t want the faff of a water feature.
The green pearls are a strange leaf, however, their shape helps to reduce evaporation. This means the plants have a better chance of surviving in the desert. Or a warm office. Plus, Each leaf has a small, window-like slits that allow the light in to power photosynthesis.
- Thrives better in South-Facing or West-Facing aspects
- Evergreen
- Survives well in full sun and partial shade
- Water once a fortnight in spring and summer, and not at all in winter
- If the pearls are looking a little scorched, move this plant away from the window for a few days
- Produces white flowers in summer, which bring with them a lovely scent for your home office
Getting the perfect houseplant for your home office will help you concentrate better and bring some life into the space.
If you want to learn more about taking care of your houseplants, see the link below to my book ‘My houseplant changed my life’. Many of the home office houseplants mentioned on this page are inside!
To learn more about home office houseplants, see my other blogs below.
Find out about one of the most popular houseplants – Monstera:
Or check out my Pinterest board for more ideas:
David Domoney is a Chartered Horticulturalist, Broadcaster, and Author. David has worked with a number of the UK’s leading garden retailers as a plant buyer and strategic consultant. With more than 30 years experience, in horticulture, David is as passionate about plants now as he was when he bought his first plant at a village fete.
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