The snake plant, also known as mother-in-law’s tongue or sansevieria, has long, narrow leaves and is one of those plants that looks perpetually dirty because it doesn’t really need a lot of water to stay happy. The snake plant is tolerant of low light conditions and low humidity. It needs little more than average room temperature to thrive. In fact, in proper indoor environments with low light and air conditioning, these plants can grow year round without damage from frost or freezing temperatures.

These little trees make wonderful additions to any room, but they’re particularly well-suited for a home office or bedroom because of their compact size. If you opt for a larger plant, it will easily fill up an entire corner of your space and make it feel smaller. A dwarf Alberta spruce can take up just one corner while bringing in some much-needed greenery.

While not as spiky or showy as other plants, bamboo palms are elegant, long-lasting and a great way to bring some greenery into your home office. A sturdier variety of palm than many others, they can grow up to six feet tall and make a great choice for adding a little tropical feel to your space.

An easy-to-care-for plant, aloe vera has a spiky, succulent appearance that can enhance your office’s design and contribute to its overall ambiance. Aloe is also known for its medicinal qualities: For example, according to ancient Chinese medicine, it can be used to treat colds and reduce inflammation and swelling.

Areca palms are a popular plant for offices, largely because they are easy to grow. This hardy palm is native to India and thrives in most office settings. It grows quickly and has lush foliage that should be trimmed from time to time. Areca palms do not require much water or sunlight, making them ideal for just about any office environment. Plus, they make a lovely tropical addition to any home office design.

Golden pothos (Epipremnum aureum) are one of our favorite plants for offices and homes. Their variegated yellow, white, and green leaves grow in a long vine-like pattern, making them perfect for hanging pots or your office’s air plant shelf. The variegation makes each leaf unique and beautiful. They’re also easy to care for!

Many people say ficus plants help purify indoor air and reduce airborne mold. Weeping fig is an especially good option for offices with low light, as it’s designed to thrive in low-light conditions. In fact, you can add several smaller plants of different varieties to your office space—they won’t compete for nutrients or block out light. If you work in a room with lots of sunlight, consider buying a philodendron or another plant that thrives under bright light levels.

The rubber tree (Ficus elastic) is a fast-growing plant that thrives indoors. It’s known for its shiny, waxy leaves that come in a variety of bright colors—like red, orange and yellow. These plants require minimal care and offer bright, tropical appeal to any space.