Choosing the Right Indoor Plants for Your Office Space

Creating healthier, more productive workplaces starts with the right choices, especially when it comes to the plants you bring into your indoor environment. Not all plants are suited for office life, and not all installations deliver equal benefits. At Ambius, we eliminate the guesswork with scientifically backed, professionally maintained indoor plant solutions tailored exclusively for commercial settings.

Why indoor plants matter in office environments

Modern office buildings are designed for energy efficiency, often sealed with limited air circulation. However, this also means indoor pollutants from paint, carpet adhesives, printers, furniture, and even kitchen processes accumulate over time. These pollutants - particularly petrol-related VOCs - can significantly impact employee health, productivity, and well-being.

Ambius, in partnership with the University of Technology Sydney (UTS), conducted groundbreaking research proving that indoor plants can remove up to 97% of petrol-related VOCs in just 8 hours, when supported by the right care. This proves that choosing the right plants for your office isn’t just a design decision - it’s an investment in health and performance.

Key factors in choosing office plants

Ambius interior plantscape consultants assess several key factors to ensure the best match between your workspace and the plants we provide:

Light levels: All Ambius species are categorised by their light tolerance (low, medium, high). We measure your workspace using light metres and match plants accordingly.

Traffic flow: Our team will recommend the best suited species for hallways and walkways, ensuring they provide the specific look, while not getting in the way as they grow. 

Space and scale: Our designs consider how each plant interacts with the proportions and layout of your office- without overcrowding or obstructing movement.

Visual objectives: Whether your office is minimalist, corporate, or creative, our greenery is chosen to complement your visual identity.

Indoor air quality considerations: just 3-6 indoor plants can deliver cleaner indoor air, by removing a range of VOCs removal and other toxins. Our team recommends based on your space. 

Plants commonly used in offices

Ambius offers a curated portfolio of tropical plant species, grown and acclimatised for indoor spaces. The following are among the most commonly recommended:

Scindapsus aureus (Pothos): Ideal for a range of different solution, from desktop to vertical displays and wall-mounted green walls like Live Picture. Thrives in medium and high light levels. 

Zamioculcas zamiifolia (ZZ Plant): Well-suited to reception counters and desks. Prefers medium light levels. 

Dracaena deremensis (Janet Craig): Popular in boardrooms and open-plan spaces, perfect for privacy areas. 

Howea forsteriana (Kentia Palm): A hardy native from Lord Howe Island, often used in corporate lobbies and lounges, as well as throughout open plan areas.

Schefflera actinophylla ‘Amate’: Broadleaf and lush, native to the Daintree, and excellent for floor-standing containers in large open zones.

All these species are included in Ambius’ approved range and offer consistent VOC removal capabilities under our ongoing care program.

The role of the GROW formula in long-term plant health

Plant selection, meaning 'the right plant in the right light', is part of the formula. In addition to this Ambius maintains plant health through its proprietary GROW Formula - Groom, Rotate, Observe, Water. Combined with our sub-irrigation system, this approach:

• Eliminates the need for top watering (reducing the risk of overwatering and underwatering)
• Promotes consistent hydration via wicking action
• Minimises disruption to your workplace, as it offers quicker servicing

Ambius horticultural experts visit every 3 weeks, ensuring plants stay healthy and visually aligned with your workspace.

Pairing plants with the right containers

An effective office plantscape isn’t just about greenery - it’s also about presentation. Ambius offers a diverse range of sustainable containers, specifically designed to complement contemporary interiors. These include:

• Floorstanding and desktop vessels
• Hanging options
• Custom-built and client-owned containers

We also refurbish and repaint containers as part of our sustainability efforts, ensuring long-term aesthetic value while minimising waste.

Vertical plant solutions for space-constrained workplaces

Where floor space is limited, a greenery wall is the ideal solution. Ambius offers:

Live Picture: A framed, wall-mounted system using 9 x 140mm plants

Live Picture Go: A compact, sustainable version using 4 x 140mm plants, in black the material it is made from is a bamboo frame

These systems provide natural indoor air purification while promoting wellbeing and design appeal—without occupying valuable floor area.

Sustainability and responsible design

Sustainability principles back every Ambius plant solution. From ECO Pebbles made from 80% recycled materials to VOC-free containers and sub-irrigated systems that reduce water waste and keep the plants thriving, we help businesses improve both their environmental impact and indoor air quality.

Ambius is also proud to partner with Rainforest Rescue, supporting reforestation efforts in the Daintree Rainforest—aligning our plant care indoors with broader environmental restoration outdoors.

Final thoughts

Choosing the right indoor plants for your office is more than a design decision - it’s a strategic move toward healthier, more productive workplaces. With Ambius, your plant selection is guided by experienced consultants, supported by rigorous research, and maintained by horticultural experts who understand the science behind thriving interiors.

To arrange a consultation with an Ambius Interior Plantscape Consultant, contact us.