Artificial office plants advice – practical tips

Do you want your office to feel greener, warmer and more professional without the hassle of watering, pruning or falling leaves? Then artificial plants for the office are a smart choice. With the right combination of size, style and placement, you can instantly enhance an entrance, meeting room or workspace. Well-chosen artificial plants bring calm to the interior, fill empty corners and make a business space feel less bare. In this guide you’ll read what to look for when choosing artificial plants for the office, which types work well per area, and how to avoid a plant looking too small, too large or simply out of place.

Why artificial plants work so well in offices

An office shouldn’t only be practical, it should also feel pleasant. That’s exactly where artificial plants make a difference. They instantly add a green look, without having to consider daylight, holidays or maintenance. That’s especially useful in offices with fluctuating occupancy, darker corners or busy reception areas where real plants often struggle to stay beautiful.

Artificial plants are also highly versatile. Use them as an eye-catcher in an entrance, as a subtle mood setter on a desk, or as a soft partition in an open workspace. By choosing lifelike models with natural leaf veins, good color variation and a matching pot, you create a polished look that remains professional. For many companies, that’s exactly the winning combination: presentable, maintenance-free and ready to place.

What to consider when choosing artificial plants for the office

Good artificial office plant advice starts not with the plant itself, but with the space. First look at function, size and sightlines. A plant should add something to the interior, not get in the way or disappear against the rest of the decor.

1. Decide the plant’s function

Start by asking what you want the plant to do in the space. Do you want to fill an empty corner, reinforce a representative entrance, or bring more atmosphere to individual workstations? That goal largely determines which size and type of plant fits best.

• For an entrance or reception, a tall artificial plant works well as an eye-catcher.
• For desks and cabinets, compact models are better proportioned.
• For large open areas, you can combine multiple plants for more calm and balance.
• For informal meeting areas, soft, airy shapes help make the atmosphere less stark.

2. Choose a size that suits the space

A common mistake is choosing a plant that’s too small. In a professional environment, artificial plants may have presence. Especially in a hall or office area, a height of about 150 to 200 cm often works well, because the plant actually contributes to the interior without dominating. In larger entrances or rooms with high ceilings you can go bigger, for example with a Strelitzia or a tall palm.

For desks, windowsills or low cabinets, smaller artificial plants make more sense. That way you keep the whole calm and avoid a cluttered or out-of-proportion look.

3. Match the style to your interior

Artificial plants should align with your office’s look. A sleek, modern interior often calls for calm, architectural forms such as an Alocasia, Yucca or stylized Eucalyptus. A Swiss cheese plant (Monstera) 110 cm also works as a modern eye-catcher in creative environments. In a warmer or more natural setting, types like Ficus, Bamboo, Areca palm or ornamental grasses often fit better. Don’t just think about the plant, but also the pot. A good pot completes the picture and largely determines whether the arrangement feels luxurious, rugged or calm.

Advice per office area

Artificial plants in the entrance or reception

The entrance is often the first place visitors see. So it’s fine to choose a more striking plant here. Tall artificial plants work well next to a reception desk, by a glass facade or in an empty corner that would otherwise feel bare. Think of a Kentia palm 180 cm (in pot), Strelitzia, Areca palm or standard Eucalyptus. These varieties provide height, volume and an inviting look.

In reception areas, choose a plant with sufficient body. A model that’s too slim can quickly disappear in a larger hall. Finish with a sturdy pot that matches the rest of the interior, for example matte black, concrete look or a warm earth tone.

Artificial plants for workstations and desks

In and around workstations, subtle usually works better than large. Small artificial plants on a desk, cabinet or windowsill add atmosphere without dominating the workspace. Compact foliage plants, ornamental grasses or Small artificial plants in decorative pot (24 cm) are often suitable here. By spreading several small accents throughout the space, you create a calm and well-groomed whole.

Do you have an open-plan office? Then you can also work with a mix of medium-height plants along the edges of the space. This adds greenery without blocking walkways or sightlines. For shelves, a Hedera trailing plant in pot is ideal for adding green accents without using floor space.

Artificial plants in meeting rooms

Meeting rooms should look professional, but they don’t have to feel cold. One or two well-placed artificial plants make the space immediately more pleasant. In smaller meeting rooms, a calm plant in the corner often works better than lots of loose decoration. In larger rooms, you can opt for a taller plant or a combination of two sizes to create more balance.

Pay extra attention to the pot choice here. In meeting rooms the overall look is more noticeable, so the finish must be on point. A pot that matches the table, floor or wall colors delivers a strong and calm result.

Artificial plants for dark corners and windowless spaces

One of the biggest advantages of artificial plants in the office is that they also work well in places where real plants struggle. Think of internal meeting rooms, corridors, waiting areas or corners without windows. That’s exactly where artificial plants add atmosphere without the need to consider light or care.

In darker spaces, varieties with clear leaf structure often work especially well because they are more visually present. Avoid plants that are too fine or subtle if the room has little light or contrast.

Which artificial plants are suitable for offices?

The best artificial plants for offices are those that match the scale of the space and the desired look. Within our artificial plant range you’ll find many types that work well in professional interiors, from compact models to large statement plants.

How to create a solid placement plan

If you want to choose artificial plants for the office, a simple plan often helps more than impulse purchases. Start with the largest sightlines in the space. These are usually the entrance, the meeting room and empty corners on the work floor. Choose the larger plants there first. Then add smaller models on desks, cabinets or windowsills.

Also pay attention to walkways. A plant should strengthen the space, not make it narrower. In open offices it’s smart to place plants along the edges, next to furniture or in corners. This keeps the area clear. If you use multiple plants, repeat a style or pot color to maintain calm in the whole.

• Start with 1 or 2 large eye-catchers.
• Then add smaller accents in strategic spots.
• Keep sightlines to windows, doors and reception desks clear.
• Choose pots that match each other.
• Make sure plant size fits ceiling height and furniture scale.

Don’t forget the planter

Good office advice also includes the right planter. A strong artificial plant in the wrong pot quickly looks less convincing. The pot helps determine whether the arrangement feels luxurious, businesslike, warm or modern. In a sleek office, calm pots in black, gray, beige or metal often work well. In a warmer interior, earth tones, concrete look or natural textures are a great fit.

The pot is also important practically. The grower pot should be properly fixed so the plant stands firmly. You can do this with clay pebbles, sand or gravel, finished with a decorative top layer. This not only looks neater, but also makes the plant more stable in daily use. More ideas? See Plant pot inspiration for home and office.

Buying artificial plants with advice that truly helps

You can compare a lot online, but with artificial plants, size remains hard to judge in real life. That’s why it’s helpful to see plants in person when you’re hesitating between heights, types or pots. At Eliassen you can view artificial plants in the webshop and in the large showroom in Ammerzoden. That makes it easier to compare sizes side by side and choose something that truly works in your office.

You’ll also benefit from the personal service of a family business active since 1985. Through our own brand and direct importing, Eliassen offers quality at a sharp price. Whether you need one artificial plant for a reception area or want to combine multiple artificial plants for the entire office, expert and honest advice helps you reach a fitting result faster.

Frequently asked questions about artificial office plant advice

What height of artificial plant is suitable for an office?

For a hall, reception or larger office area, 150 to 200 cm is often a good guideline. In higher or more spacious rooms, you can go larger. For desks, windowsills and low cabinets, smaller sizes make more sense.

What are the best artificial plants for the office?

That depends on the space and style. Ficus, Eucalyptus, Bamboo, Strelitzia, Areca palm, Alocasia and Yucca rostrata are all popular choices for office design. For subtle accents, ornamental grasses and smaller foliage plants work well.

Are artificial plants suitable for dark office spaces?

Yes, they are very practical there. Artificial plants stay beautiful without daylight and are therefore ideal for corridors, internal meeting rooms, waiting areas and other places where real plants have less chance.

How many artificial plants do you need in an office?

That depends on the size of the space. A combination of a few large eye-catchers and multiple smaller accents usually works best. Start with the main sightlines and build from there.

Which pot works best with artificial plants in the office?

Choose a pot that matches the rest of the interior. In modern offices, calm colors and clean shapes are often a strong choice. For extra inspiration for office planters, explore different styles and combinations. Always ensure the plant is fixed firmly and neatly in the pot.

Can you view artificial plants for the office in person first?

Yes, that’s often a smart idea if you’re unsure about size, type or look. At Eliassen you can view many artificial plants live in the showroom in Ammerzoden, in addition to ordering via the webshop for delivery throughout the Netherlands and Belgium.