I've always liked the idea of Bonsai Trees.
[This is part of the Problogger Home Office Series.]
As I slowly work towards something that even remotely looks like a functional office I’m considering nearly everything as I want it to make sense (and make sense for a long time).
Although the pace of my work has seemed to grind to a near halt since school has started to pick back up and my second daughter decided that she wanted to be less sedentary and more mobile in addition to a ramp-up of traveling outside the home for meetings, projects, and more I’ve spent less time focusing on developing my space, which is sad.
Well, to be honest, I’m not upset at all as it’s just one of those things – like many people’s home office it’s going to take a while to “build out” and that’s just part of the overall process. I’m less inclined to “get there” and more interested in taking simple steps forward.
One of the things I’m reconsidering is whether or not to have flora in my office; that is, plant life.
Spiders...
I don’t have a green thumb by any stretch of the imagination and most plants that have been kept under my care mysteriously die – I think it’s simply a matter of being so involved in my work I forget to water the darn things!
But, I really do like it when there’s something else alive and adding to the culture of my office instead of the whirring of my half-terabyte drives (as long as they aren’t dying, sheesh!).
So what are your thoughts about having flora in the home office? What do you have and what should I try to put in this place?
I want some pictures too!
[This is part of the Problogger Home Office Series. Image via Creative Commons, jorge.]
I don’t have any flora in my dom room, or home office, but I do have fresh fruit. I love the smell of peaches, strawberries, and the like. I’d occasionally place them on my desk (away from my computer) and let them freshen up with some natural sunlight throughout the day.
Also an open window on a nice breezy day every once in a while adds to the freshness of the room.
ah. fruity!
I have wanted plants of some kind in my home office for years, but never could for fear of what my cats my do to them. So recently, I gave in and bought fake flora
It is just a simple little, plant with large leaves, standing about a foot tall with large leaves. I didn’t think a fake plant would matter, but I like it so far.
I’m with you on that one Todd. My cat would tear those plants apart. I’m moving off to college soon though, and won’t have my cat there anymore. So, I’ll definitely be getting some plants in the house. It just freshens up the house, in my opinion. But I definitely gotta keep up with watering them..!
no more cats? where is he/she going?
The cat will be staying with my parents, haha!
ah! win!
fake flora… hmm. sad…!
Flora? I don’t even have a desk! lol…yet anyway. Desk is being delivered week of labor day (how appropriate, no?). Since I have 2 teenage (in kitty years) cats, the LESS there is for them to destroy, the longer they get to live
hahaa, awesome!
picture?
I don’t currently have flora in my office but it does seem like a good idea! Not alot of fresh air gets into the room, other than when the AC is on, so for me it might very well be a good idea to get a plan in there to freshen the air up!
-Jean
did you get one? picture!
I am a plant-person and while I don’t have an office, I do have about 30 houseplants. I always recommend Jade plants. They are so easy to take care of and they basically thrive on neglect! Being a “succulent” plant, the don’t need a lot of watering. Just stick them in the sun and water once or twice a month and they’re good to go!
“succulent” plant? eww……
Plants are great in the home office because they will defuse sound (outside noise or inside noise). They help you feel better aesthetically. Before I moved to Picayune, I had a home office that was two walls of windows so I was basically outside working. I felt better, got less tired, and had to take fewer breaks (or maybe I just didn’t notice all the mini-breaks I took while watching birds build nests, hummingbirds fight over the nectar, and squirrels play tag). Today my office is really small (5′x8′) and just one wall of windows. I need to get some inside plants.
ooh. you have a new gravatar, right?
Well I am a gardening crazy person so I am thrilled to comment and share a few tips. There are a few plants that are VERY easy to care for and were rated by Nasa as some of the best at air purifying and they are:
Pothos
Purple waffle plant
Purple heart
Peace lilly
I will be glad to send you a cutting of mine that will take root super easily
purple waffle plant? i had to look that up! and which “cutting” were you talking about?
I will be very subjective here and will recommend Orchid Plants for your home office!
They look wonderful and it is really easy to take care of them.
Orchids have a few basic needs like water and light.
1.Orchid Plant needs to be watered every 7-10 days. You can use ice cubes to water it. 3 medium ice cubes per Orchid. Just put ice around Orchid Plant and let it melt.
2.The Plant needs light, but not too much. Orchid does well in natural light, bright indirect light or fluorescent light.
Orchid Plant can be in bloom for months each year and can live indefinitely. In this respect Orchids are an excellent value as far as Blooming Plants go. After your Orchid stops blooming you can re-pot it and make it bloom again.
Orchids are safe choice for allergy sufferers!
Check what Orchid Arrangements we offer in New York:
for Cappuccino lovers: http://www.orchiddiva.com/boutique/home-collection/cappuccino.html
for Cognac lovers: http://www.orchiddiva.com/xo-diva.html
Make your business bloom!
jack,
thanks for this! wow, so comprehensive!
My home office is in a treehouse. XD
… gotcha.
Yes, I do. I’m about to move into a new house and will add more plants. House plants are great for indoors because of the diffusion of sound and they help with the air (removal of CO2 & airborne contaminants) . Spider, Nephthytis, Pothos, and Wandering Jews are all good house plants that don’t need an over abundance of care. I have a spider plant that is propagating like crazy. I wish I could give you some of the shoots.
Succulents are easy to take care of but I just don’t like the look for indoors.
wandering jews? yikes. never heard of that either….!
Make sure whatever you get is non-toxic, for the sake of adventurous Li’l Tentbloggers.
I do like the idea of houseplants in an office, though. That photo you included in this post is very serene.
omg. you’re right! didn’t even think about that…!
The only ‘flower’ I have in my home office is a digital one my husband bought for me in South-Korea. It’s on solar energy and starts moving it’s ‘leafs’ when it detects light. It’s just fun to look at and the best news is that it can’t die on me
(even though I’m usually good with plants, I don’t like them inside…I’m more of a garden person)
can you send me a link? i want one!
You mean a link to a picture or to a place where you can buy it? If the last, I have no idea…hubby bought it in South Korea three years ago…