When we think about plants in commercial interiors, it is often the large specimens that capture the imagination: towering palms, mature Ficus trees and dramatic architectural plants that transform atriums and reception spaces.

In contemporary workplace design, first impressions matter. Large architectural plants can transform receptions, atriums, breakout spaces and other high-profile areas, creating striking focal points while bringing a sense of nature, softness and vitality into the built environment.

To mark our Silver Jubilee, plants@work is bringing members together for a special Conference and Awards Celebration on Thursday, 8 October 2026, at the stunning Glasshouse Collective in Chobham.

Unused office areas – from empty corners to redundant desks – can easily become “dead space”, adding little to the workplace experience. But as companies rethink how their offices are used in the age of hybrid working, these overlooked areas present an opportunity.

As plants@work celebrates its 25th anniversary, this three-part series explores the 25 houseplants that have played the biggest role in transforming workplaces over the past quarter of a century. Drawn from 25 years of Leaf Awards entries, these are the plants that plants@work members have relied upon to create healthier, happier and more productive working environments across the UK.