With lockdown in place for over a year now, most freelancers have got their working from home practices down to a tee. You’ve figured out the best place to work for a bit of quiet, bagged your perfect desk chair and had a spring clear out. But one item that we think all freelancers should have in their home office is a house plant.
Some of you may have picked up one before, getting the biggest, trendiest, and shiniest house plant available, which ended up in the bin after being a bit too needy. We’ve pulled together a list of the best (and easiest to look after) house plants, to add a bit of life to your home-working space.
Spider Plant
A spider plant (Chlorophytum comosum) should be a staple for any home. They are easy to look after and don’t need much sun, so if you are the type of freelancer that likes to work in the dark, the plant will be fine. Also, if you have a dog that tries to eat everything in sight, you don’t need to worry if they decide to have a nibble, as spider plants are non-toxic.
Cacti
Big ones, little ones, spiky ones, furry ones. The humble cactus comes in all shapes and sizes. You can even get flowering ones if you want one that colour-matches your home-office style. Looks aside, cacti are perfect if you forget to water your plants for weeks on end, as they are very hard to kill. They do prefer a higher level of light, so if you are lucky enough to work with a view, pop your cactus in the windowsill and it will thrive.
Peace lily
The peace lily (spathiphyllum) lives up to its name by acting as an air purifier, making your home office feel fresher and creating a calm atmosphere for you to work. With vivid green leaves, it flowers in the spring and the flowers can last for over a month. They don’t need a lot of light and can usually survive an accidental overwater.
Lemon tree
Be the envy of your freelancer friends during Zoom calls by getting a lemon tree. They look cute and the pop of colour can make your home office feel that bit more homely. The downside is they are notoriously difficult to look after as they require just the right amount of water and don’t like being cold. Maybe go for a fake one if you don’t fancy the challenge.
Devil’s Ivy
Epipremnum aureum, the handle Devil’s Ivy was coined as it is almost impossible to kill! Easy to look after, they will adapt to suit your home office space – from low light to sunnier spots.
Aloe vera
A very striking plant, with thick and fleshy green leaves. The plant is simple to care for, but should be kept out of direct sunlight. The aloe vera is known for its many health benefits – the juice from the leaves can be used to ease pain from scrapes and burns when applied to the skin. Although aloe vera drinks are a popular health beverage these days, the gel from the plant should not be eaten by humans or pets, as it can be toxic in large doses.
Monstera deliciosa
The monstera deliciosa is also known as the swiss cheese plant, due to the holes in its deep green leaves. The name translates to – you guessed it – delicious monster and they can grow rather big, up to 9 metres in some cases and can bear fruit. These are a great floor plant to have in the corner of your home office and are happiest in bright, indirect sunlight.
ZZ plant
Zamioculcas zamiifolia, given the nickname ZZ plant, grows with long stems. If you lock yourself away in the day while completing your freelance work, barely surfacing for a drink or air, then this plant may be the one for you. The ZZ plant requires very little sun and water and can tolerate being a little neglected.
Chinese money plant
The Chinese money plant (known officially as Pilea Peperomioides), looks very stylish with its circular leaves. Another plant that is perfect for beginners, as it doesn’t require too much attention and is relatively hardy. Just keep it next to a bright window and they will be happy. They do grow towards the light, so if you want a perfectly symmetrical plant, rotate it every few days. They are believed to attract wealth to its owner. We’ll take 10, please!
Save money with Dinghy
Whilst here at Dinghy we are yet to find a money tree, we can save you money with our freelancer insurance. The cover can be switched on and off, so when you aren’t working, you can cut your costs by hitting the pause button. Our policies have been designed to be flexible, so you can get the cover you need; whether that’s professional indemnity, public liability, or business equipment cover. All our policies come with freelancer assist, so we can help you with chasing any unpaid invoices. Get a quote in seconds here.
