Now that you've returned to the office after a considerable amount of time working from home, you might arrive with a new vision of how you want your workspace to look. Maybe the WFH life transformed the way you envision your surroundings. You might have found that you perform your best, for example, when you've got certain greenery in your environment at all times. That's understandable, given the calming, grounding, and naturally soothing effects of plant life. Studies have found that simply looking at a plant can help you feel more at ease, so it makes sense that you may want to continue incorporating them into your workspace.

What do you do, though, when your work situation shifts from fully WFH to a hybrid model? The good news is that the average plant doesn't require daily attention. If you can position those that require full sunlight in the right place, you can be confident that everything in your office will stand a fighting chance — and most likely will continue to look their best for months to come. Here's everything you need to know.

Choosing the Right Plants

Ideally, the plants you select should be well-adapted to thrive in the conventional office environment. They shouldn't necessarily require too much light, for example, or need a lot of water to stay healthy and fresh. What's more, they should be capable of handling exposure to occasional dry air.

Among the most popular choices for workplaces is the humble snake plant. People love it for its low-maintenance properties — even individuals sorely lacking a green thumb can handle this attractive plant's care needs. You're unlikely to encounter a plant tougher or more resilient than this. It requires little to no sunlight and doesn't need much water to stay healthy. It's ideal if you work in a hybrid workplace, as you can simply water it on occasion when you happen to be in the office and even then, you always need to be sure that the soil is fully dry before doing so.

Another stylish choice is the famed ZZ plant, another 21st-century favorite that people of all ages love for its sprightly appearance and wavy leaves. It performs especially well in low-light spaces, making it an excellent option if your office lacks natural light and you don't exactly have room to install a grow light. Neither is necessary, however, since the ZZ plant can thrive even when there's minimal light and very little moisture present. Like the snake plant, it's maintained whenever you come into the office and only watered when the soil is completely dry.

If you'd like to incorporate something with a more showy appearance, consider the peace lily. This eye-catching accent is renowned for its wide leaves that gently extend outward in a graceful curve. It produces white flowers, but what really makes it special is the fact that it's a proven air-purifier. You don't need to place it in vibrant sunlight for it to do its job efficiently — in fact, the peace lily prefers indirect light — and you only need to water it about once a week. Take the time to check the leaves whenever you stop by the office to ensure that they're crisp and vibrant. A light spritz of water directly to the leaves will keep them fresh.

When time is of the essence, and you can fully expect that you won't be around too much, count on the spider plant to thrive. It tolerates little to no maintenance quite well, so you never have to worry about its narrow leaves wilting or its eye-catching stripes fading. Another powerful air-purifier, this stunning plant looks best when hanging from the ceiling or placed somewhere where it can enjoy the spotlight on its own, like a desk corner or a side table. The long, spindly leaves tend to look more striking that way. Indirect light exposure is best for the spider plant, but you don't have to worry if your conditions aren't quite optimal. Water it whenever you pop into the office, so the soil stays consistently moist.

Rich, vibrant colors lend the monstera its inherent charm. Certainly, this plant is remarkable enough to make a statement all on its own, and you can expect it to do exactly that, whether it's perched on the corner of your desk or a side table in your lobby. The beauty of this plant is that it can thrive in virtually any environment with very little attention needed. You don't need to expose it to very much light and only need to water it when the soil has dried out to the point that it feels crumbly. For a little extra boost, administer some nourishing plant food at least once a month. That should fit in nicely with your hybrid schedule.

Caring for Office Plants

The good news is that caring for office plants is not an especially complex task. All plants have different needs, of course, but assuming you've selected something that is largely low maintenance, you shouldn't have to worry about it at all on the days when you're working from home. Just be mindful of each plant's lighting, watering, and feeding needs to ensure that you're giving your in-office vegetation the best possible chance to thrive.

Basic Watering Guidelines

In general, err on the side of less watering to protect the integrity of your plants. You don't want to oversaturate a plant, as this could leave it at risk of developing root rot. In low-light spaces where the plant's soil won't dry out as quickly, the risk of this occurring increases. Aim to water your plants slowly with lukewarm water, only when the soil feels dry, and check the bottom of the container to ensure that it's slowly coming from the drainage hole. If there's any standing water in the pot, pour any excess out to prevent root rot.

Basic Lighting Guidelines

Many plants don't require much light at all. If you happen to work in a relatively dim setting, you may not be able to get away with nurturing a plant that calls for more than average illumination. If that's the case, stick with those low-maintenance varieties that can even thrive when it's not too bright in the room. If you do have a plant that requires more consistent light exposure, though, aim to place it as close as possible to a window. Avoid putting it in the sun's direct path, though, or you risk scorching the leaves. Intense sunlight can harm the integrity of the plant over time. If there's no chance of sun exposure and your chosen plant requires some illumination, your next best option is to use a fluorescent light.

Basic Care Guidelines

Watering and lighting are two of the most important steps you can take to nurture your plants when you work in a hybrid-model setting. More flexible plants that can adapt to the conditions will serve you best, since they're less likely to need much care and certainly won't need consistent attention. Since you'll be in the office on occasion, take the time to fertilize the plants that require it at least once per month. Using a water-soluble, all-purpose product is best. Once you've fertilized, add water to protect the integrity of the roots.

Keep an eye on the plant's size, too. Over time, it can expand beyond the size of its container. Once it becomes too big for its pot, it'll take on a slightly overwhelming appearance, one that can detract from the professional image you want your workspace to convey. If that's the case, simply transfer the plant from that container to one that's a step bigger. Avoid anything too big for the plant, though, or you'll need to add more potting mix to fill the gaps. This can be detrimental to the plant's long-term health, harming the roots by leaving them at risk of rotting. You should only have to change containers every two years or so for the plants that tend to grow a little faster.

Consider the temperature in your workplace, too. Some plants like a little humidity, and rarely do they enjoy dry conditions. For that reason, you should keep the plants as far as possible from sources of dry air, like heating vents and air conditioning systems. Even drafty windows could pose a threat.

Finally, consider creative ways to handle plant-care needs if you don't have plans to be at work physically for a while. Working in a hybrid space, you may be able to request that another employee who is there peek in on your plants from time to time. While many plants are perfectly tolerant of more than a little neglect, all plants deserve time and attention. This will ensure that they have the best possible chance of survival, allowing them to thrive even in the dimmest workplaces.