For a quarter of a century, plants@work members have been at the forefront of transforming indoor environments across the UK, championing the vital connection between people and nature in the workplace. Over the past 25 years, our members have designed, installed, and maintained countless interior landscapes that turn sterile offices into vibrant, health-boosting ecosystems.

As we celebrate this incredible 25th anniversary, it is the perfect moment to look back at the roots of our industry—literally. What plants have stood the test of time? Which botanical beauties have consistently proven their worth in the high-stakes, ever-changing world of commercial interior landscaping?

To mark this milestone, we’ve crunched the data from a quarter-century of Leaf Awards winning projects to reveal the Top 25 Indoor Plants used by our members. From bulletproof boardroom survivors to jaw-dropping architectural statement trees, here are the green icons that have shaped the modern workplace.

The Industry's Essential Workhorses 

These are the plants that have appeared time and again across offices, receptions and commercial interiors, earning their place through exceptional reliability and performance.

Aglaonema has become one of the industry's most widely specified plants. Its attractive foliage, adaptability and tolerance of indoor conditions make it a staple of troughs and floor displays.

Scindapsus and Epipremnum remain the leading choices for cascading displays, shelving and living green walls, bringing movement and softness to interior spaces.

Philodendron has proven remarkably versatile, equally at home as a lush floor specimen or trailing feature in mixed planting schemes.

Sansevieria continues to be valued for its exceptional resilience, thriving in challenging office environments while adding strong architectural form.

Zamioculcas zamiifolia (ZZ Plant) has earned its reputation as one of the toughest indoor plants available, making it a favourite for low-maintenance commercial installations.

Dracaena offers remarkable diversity, providing height, structure and visual impact across countless interior schemes.

Asplenium remains the fern of choice, introducing texture and lush greenery to troughs, shelving and collaborative spaces.

Creating Impact with Architectural Plants

Large specimen plants provide focal points within receptions, atriums and breakout spaces, creating memorable first impressions and defining contemporary interiors.

The elegant Kentia Palm (Howea forsteriana) has long been synonymous with premium commercial interiors, bringing timeless sophistication to statement planters.

Strelitzia nicolai (Giant White Bird of Paradise) has become increasingly popular in modern workplaces, offering dramatic tropical character and impressive height.

The iconic Monstera deliciosa continues to feature prominently as both a climbing specimen and bold floor plant, while the much-loved Ficus lyrata (Fiddle Leaf Fig) remains a favourite for contemporary reception areas.

Ficus elastica delivers bold foliage and dependable performance, while the graceful Areca Palm (Dypsis lutescens) is frequently used to soften spaces and provide natural screening.

Schefflera varieties have demonstrated exceptional versatility, ranging from compact shrubs to impressive feature trees.

Completing this group is Spathiphyllum (including 'Sensation' and 'Sweet Lauretta'), valued for combining elegant white blooms with lush foliage, making it one of the few flowering plants to become a true commercial landscaping classic.

Compact Plants with Lasting Appeal

Not every interior landscape relies on dramatic specimens. Smaller plants play an equally important role in deskscapes, joinery, shelving and mixed planting displays.

The dependable Parlour Palm (Chamaedorea elegans) has been a favourite filler plant for decades, while the resilient Cast Iron Plant (Aspidistra elatior) continues to perform admirably in lower-light environments.

For colour, Croton (Codiaeum petra) has introduced vibrant reds, oranges and yellows into commercial interiors, while Calathea varieties have become increasingly popular for their beautifully patterned foliage.

Spider Plants (Chlorophytum comosum) remain widely used in desktop planting and living walls, providing texture and movement.

Elegant Phalaenopsis Orchids continue to grace reception desks and hospitality spaces, offering seasonal displays that create an immediate sense of welcome.

Guzmania and Vriesea bromeliads have long been the industry's preferred choice for refreshing displays with bursts of colour, while Ctenanthe burle-marxii and Maranta leuconeura add intricate foliage patterns and softness to mixed planting schemes.

Rounding out the Top 25 is the classic Ficus benjamina, whose braided stems and elegant canopy have made it a familiar feature in reception areas for generations.

While new varieties continue to emerge and workplace design continues to evolve, these 25 plants have earned their place through decades of proven performance. Together they represent not only the changing face of interior landscaping but also the expertise, creativity and dedication of the professionals who have helped shape the industry.

As plants@work celebrates its 25th anniversary, we recognise the members whose passion has transformed workplaces across the UK and look forward to the next chapter of bringing nature indoors—creating healthier, happier and more productive environments for many years to come.