Studies have shown that adding plants to your workplace carries multiple benefits for mental and physical health. Plants can help reduce stress while boosting productivity and creativity, and some varieties even help purify the air. Educators work busy schedules that leave little time to tend to a large “garden” in the classroom. Fortunately, even keeping a few, small plants can be beneficial. Below are a variety of indoor plants that can survive with minimum effort.

Cacti
These popular plants are famous for their ability to grow almost anywhere with little care or attention. Choose from more than 2,000 varieties, many of which are small and can fit in tight spaces. Cacti only need watering once every two or three weeks. However, they typically need a lot of sunlight, so you will want to place them near a window.

Succulents
Much like cacti, these popular plants come in numerous varieties and can thrive inside a classroom with minor maintenance. These waxy plants actually store water in their thick leaves, so they only typically require weekly watering. They also grow well with low sunlight or indoor lighting, making them ideal to place on a desk.

Pothos Plants
Pothos plants are some of the most popular office plants in the world. They grow quickly and require little sunlight, making them the perfect plant to live on shelves and filing cabinets. Their bright green leaves are easy to trim and add a touch of color to any workspace. Only water when the soil begins to dry out.

Snake Plants
Snake plants are hard to kill, require little sunlight, and grow well at room temperature. You also only need to water every few days. Additionally, these plants can help keep you and your workspace healthy: They can help purify the air by removing toxins and producing oxygen.

Spider Plants 
Spider plants require minimal upkeep and can be grown in partial light and shade. Plus, they can subsist one to two days without water. They also help filter pollutants from the air. Finally, they are easy to propagate—if you wanted to share the plant with a colleague, simply pinch off small sections and place in fresh soil.

Lucky Bamboo
This indoor plant isn’t technically bamboo, but rather a member of the lily family. Popular for its attractiveness and ability to easily grow indoors without a lot of light, it typically does not need to be watered but more than once a week. Lucky bamboo can also grow without soil when submerged in water, such as in a vase or dish. If you grow it this way, make sure the water level doesn’t sink below the stems or it will die.

ZZ Plant
These plants are growing in popularity. They thrive in bright light but will also do just fine in lower light environments. As a succulent, you only need to water it every two to three weeks. Its bright green, laddered leaves make this plant a pleasing addition to any desk. Artificial Plant If any of the other plants seem like too much work, don’t worry. Get yourself some affordable, artificial or replica plants. It is a stress-free way to brighten up a workspace.

Illustration by Dillon Nelson