If your office desk looks like the inside of a hospital room – bare, drab, and sanitized – it’s time to shake things up and add some character to it. Not only will it make your office desk look cozier and more homey, it will also improve the air quality of your work environment, reduce workplace stress, and enhance productivity. It also gives your eyes a welcome break from staring too long at a computer screen. In addition, larger plants can act as space dividers between workspaces.

Here’s a list of the best indoor plants for beginners. They’re in the beginner category because they are fairly low maintenance and hard to kill. They require minimal care and aren’t so persnickety. They will just want a little love and affection, plus water and sunlight. Some of these are small enough to keep on top of your desk, but most require a small dedicated space near sunlight.

The Peace Lily, or Spathiphyllum
The Peace Lily is at the top of the list for a reason. It can thrive in low office lighting and is an excellent air purifier. It is very easy to maintain, especially for first-time plant parents, because it will let you know when it needs to be watered in the most dramatic way ever – its leaves droop. Alternatively, this drama queen will let you know that it’s very happy by producing flowers.

Chinese Evergreen, or Aglaonema
Another low maintenance plant, the Chinese Evergreen is known for its tolerance to low light. It doesn’t require everyday watering, and best of all, it removes toxins from the air

Snake Plant, or Sansevieria
The Snake Plant is also also known as mother-in-law’s tongue or ribbon plant. It makes for excellent room dividers because the leaves grow tall. The plant has waxy, succulent leaves, so it doesn’t have to be watered every day. Snake Plants can actually go without water for a while. You can go on a two-week vacation and be welcomed back by this plant.

Spider Plant, or Chlorophytum comosum
Is one of the easiest plants to propagate because it produces “pups” which are small spider plants that you can just detach from the mother plant to grow more Spider Plants. They are very versatile and can be displayed as hanging plants or potted plants.

ZZ Plant, or Zamioculcas zamiifolia
The majestic ZZ Plant has beautiful, waxy, succulent dark leaves and thick branches. With that description, you know that it can stand without watering for a while. The plant can tolerate low lights. It’s one tough cookie that can stand a bit of neglect. As a bonus, some of the plants even produce flowers. Do not overwater this plant though, as the leaves will immediately turn yellow.

Do you have any indoor plants for the office? Which is your favorite one and why? Share your answers in the comments. Remember to stay humble and hustle hard.

Written by Jaie O. The Help