The 30-Second Summary
- The Problem: Standard swag (t-shirts, tech) is often exclusionary or clutter-inducing.
- The Solution: Team plants. They are size-neutral, gender-neutral, and foster a culture of shared care.
- The Strategy: Choose "resilient" over "refined" (e.g., Pothos over Orchids) to ensure the team feels successful, not burdened.
I am a reformed plant-killer. I’m not just any old “bought a ficus and it didn’t work out” plant killer. I was fired from one of my first jobs because I neglected the office plants.
So why would I, a person who couldn’t remember to keep plants alive, buy plants for everyone on my team?
What started as a design choice became a culture strategy.
My team moved from a set of cozy offices to a row of desks in an open office space with a ton of natural light. I wanted a way to bring some visual unity to the team, so I picked up a dozen plants, a bag of potting mix, and some terracotta pots. Several team members later, I have a set of lessons learned on team plants.
1. Build Through Shared Effort
Potting plants together is a low-stakes bonding ritual. It’s an assembly line of "dirty work" that yields a communal result.
2. Signal Immediate Belonging
A desk plant is an inclusive welcome. Unlike company hoodies or t-shirts, there are no "size anxiety" issues or logo-fatigue—just a living symbol that they belong in the space.
3. Cultivate peer-to-peer care
When a teammate is on vacation or a research trip, the team steps in. Seeing a wilting leaf and reaching for a watering can is a small, daily act of mutual support.
4. Make growth visible
The plants grow over time, creating a visual reminder of the team development. Focus on the growth, not the occasional casualty. If someone's plant dies, get them a new one right away.
Top 3 office plant picks
- Pothos: The Resilient All-Star. Thrives in low light and survives neglect. Ideal for the "set it and forget it" office environment.
- Spider Plants: The Natural Air Purifier. Effectively reduces indoor pollutants and creates "pups" (runners) that the team can propagate and share.
- Peace Lily: The High-Communication Choice. It "wilts" dramatically when thirsty and recovers instantly when watered—the perfect visual cue for busy owners.
Worst office plants
- Orchids: High Maintenance, Low ROI. Once the blooms fall, you’re left with a "stick" that rarely re-flowers in an office setting.
- Air Plants: The "Low-Maintenance" Trap. They require deep soaking, which is messy and often forgotten, leading to high "dry-out" rates.
- Succulents: Light-Dependent. Unless your office has direct, 8-hour sunlight, they will stretch and fail.
Swag shouldn't just be 'stuff'—it should be a culture-builder. Plants grow as your team grows, serving as a living record of your shared development. But if you still need ideas for stuff, check out Inclusive swag for diverse teams