I am one of the few people with three offices in the same place, in one of my offices, I have a huge window facing East and I have no problems keeping my orchids, and Aloe and my AVs in there. now the new office (I have no plants in there yet) face also East but the window glass if frosted, I think we have a lot of light in that office BUT the frosted "environment" make me think about what plants will really do well in it, I am thinking of a photos, but the janitorial staff is not allowed in my office, actually nobody is allowed in my office, but me due to security reasons, so when Im not around or on vacations, only cacti and succulent will tolerate the "dry condition" and I don't know if they will thrive under "filter-frosted" light. Also some plants, like Aloe seems more for a masculine or man office while others like begonias seems for a feminine or female office. I hope I made my self clear, Opened for suggestions. GV
Green boy, What is the longest you'd be gone? Sanseveria - Snake plant will survive all sorts of neglect. So will Aspidistra eleator. Also, there is Chlorophytum - common spider plant. None are particularly frilly so I would say they are gender neuter. Just good spots of green and the spider is an air cleaner. barb
Hope your orchids are not frilly corsage-type cattleyas...! I must say that this is a new subject to think about: what office plants may communicate about their owners. Hmmm! Fascinating. And since you say that noone comes into your office (what an unimaginable luxury THAT is!!!)---why do the perceived masculine or feminine qualities of the plants you cultivate there matter in the least degree? Grow what will thrive, and grow what you like. I assume that by 'photos', you mean 'pothos'. It should do OK, I'd think. As Barbara asked, what's the maximum amount of time you'd be away? Agree with Barb in re. sansevieria. Definitely a 'masculine' plant!---You could fall back on the tried-and-true spathiphyllum: they can stand being untended for a while, and do well in not much light. As long as you stay away from the pink varieties...
Dracaena marginata is quite drought tolerant and they make quite nice palm-like trees and they're also fairly gender neutral I'd say ;) Also I was thinking (and could be waaaaay off the mark here as I haven't kept these myself but from the requirements....) maybe one of the 'vase' Bromeliads might be suitable as long as your office is fairly warm. They make a 'vase' with their leaves and you only need to empty and re-fill it every two-months and water it just enough so the compost doesn't dry out completely. Neoregelia, Nidularium (urn plant), Tillandsia (the flowering kind not the 'air plant') and vriesea are the ones that don't seem to need regular misting.
my work is lets put it this way, paramilitary. all male staff are really aware of what to wear or what you should have in your office, they have to look real masculine all the time, even the Underwear you should wear you have to be very careful purchasing it and using it,(regularly they wear white boxers, and God forgives if you are wearing a color one and somebody see part of it.) some plants are perceived as "masculine" like cacti, or feminine like Pothos or Orchids. That's my job culture (or lack of it) I could leave my office for a period of a week or a month,I never know. the orderly or the janitors are not allowed if I am not present. And my door have a combination, only the "lock shop" and myself knows the combination ( I am not kidding, no even my boss) I tried Pothos ( i didn,t care)before and when I came back one time it was dry and dead. Sansevieri is a good suggestion,( and if I call it the "snake plant" that sound like it have testicles) and probably all the cacti family,I may go that way. If you get any other suggestion please let me know. i am totally in love with a calathea rufibarba this plant is very light sensitive seems like is moving all the time, I love it!. but I don't know if is going to survive long periods of time without care. What do you think? GB
yes I meant Pothos, let me clarify something, I do receive visitors when I am in the office, but no one is allowed in whenI am away. I have sensitive data in my files, even when they are under combinations/cabinets locks. forget about dracaena or bromeliads. Thanks for your time. GB
