Question
Hi, I have an office with no windows. The only lighting is those typical office fluorescent lights on the ceiling (8ft ceilings).

What would be the best plants/flowers to put at my desk? would african violets work, or what do you recommend

Answer
Hi Adam,

A good percentage of the plants I care for professionally are in offices like yours - no window and overhead fluorescent lights.

Here is a partial list of plants that do best in that environment:

Dracaena 'Janet Craig, Pothos, Philodendron, Chinese Evergreen, Corn Plant, Peace Lily, Parlor Palm and ZZ Plant. Some of these plants are as tall as 6-feet and others are small enough to sit on a desk top or book case.

The only flowering plant in that group is the Peace Lily and it will flower only sporadically. An African violet can thrive under fluorescent light, but usually only if the lights are less than 4 feet above the plant.

It is important that the office lights are left on for about 8 hours, 5 days per week. If your office lights shut off automatically when you leave and you are out of your office a lot, then the plants mentioned will not receive enough light over the long term.

Plants in low light like this use less water and must stay in small pots if you want to avoid root rot. They also will not require any fertilizer.

I have written an article on low light plants that I will email for free to you (or anyone else) who sends a request to me at [email protected].

Please let me know if any of this is unclear or if you have any additional questions.

If this information has been helpful, please click the Rate Volunteer bar below and enter a rating and nomination for me. I am a volunteer on this site so Ratings are the only compensation I receive for answering plant questions.

Need more information? Visit my website at www.HorticulturalHelp.com
or email me at [email protected] or call me at 917-887-8601 (EST)
 
Regards,
Will Creed, Interior Landscaper
Horticultural Help, NYC

Visit my website at  www.HorticulturalHelp.com