Good plants for schools need to do one thing above all else: survive. They have to cope with low light, radiator heat, inconsistent watering, long holidays and the occasional curious Year 3 hand. In other words, there is not much room for fussiness.
The best plants for classrooms and other school spaces tend to be tough, adaptable and happy to get on with things. They can add a welcome bit of greenery to corridors, classrooms and communal spaces without creating another demanding job for already busy staff. And while they may not solve every problem a school faces, a few well-placed plants can make a space feel more welcoming, calm and lived-in.
In this guide, we’ll look at the best plants for schools, where to put them, how to care for them during term time and what happens when the school closes for the holidays. We’ll also cover what to consider when choosing plants for spaces used by children.
Why plants earn their place in a school
The case for greenery in schools is practical, not sentimental. Research into classroom environments has linked indoor plants and views of nature to better concentration, lower stress, and a small but measurable lift in wellbeing for both pupils and staff. The effect is not miraculous, and a pot plant will not fix a difficult timetable, but the direction of travel in the evidence is consistent and positive.
There is a softer benefit too. A reception with a few established plants reads as cared for. A staff room with something green in the corner is a nicer place to spend a fifteen minute break. For settings that talk to parents, governors and Ofsted about environment and wellbeing, plants are a low-cost, visible signal that the space has been thought about.
What makes a good school plant
Schools are a demanding environment for a houseplant, so the selection criteria matter more than in most settings. The plants that last tend to share four traits:
- Low-maintenance. It needs to cope with being watered inconsistently and by different people. Forgiving is better than fussy.
- Tolerant of low or variable light. Many classrooms and corridors have limited natural light, and blinds are often down. Species that manage in low light will always outlast sun-lovers here.
- Robust and slow to sulk. Plants get knocked, moved, and occasionally poked. Sturdy leaves and a tolerant nature go a long way.
- Safe around children. More on this below, but it shapes what you put where.
If a plant ticks those boxes, it belongs on the shortlist. Our (almost) unkillable range is a sensible place to start, because every plant in it has been chosen for exactly this kind of low-fuss resilience.
Safety around children
Many of the toughest houseplants are mildly toxic if eaten, including snake plants, ZZ plants, pothos and peace lilies. For most secondary schools this is a non-issue. In early years, nurseries and SEN settings where things do end up in mouths, it is worth being deliberate: choose non-toxic species for rooms with young children, and keep anything mildly toxic well out of reach in receptions, offices and corridors instead.
Reliably child-friendly options include the spider plant, the parlour palm and Calathea orbifolia. Our pet-safe collection is a useful shortcut, since the same non-toxic list that keeps cats and dogs safe applies just as well to a classroom of five year olds.
These are some of the plants we would recommend for most schools. They are generally forgiving, widely available and suited to the sort of conditions you find in classrooms, offices, libraries and reception areas.
Snake plant | Sansevieria
If there were a prize for the plant most likely to survive a school holiday, the snake plant would be a serious contender. It copes with lower light, infrequent watering and the dry air that comes with central heating, making it particularly useful for classrooms where plant care might not always make it to the top of the to-do list.
Its upright, architectural leaves also mean it does not take up much floor or desk space. Place one on a windowsill, shelf or in an unused corner where it can quietly get on with things. It is worth keeping snake plants somewhere younger children cannot easily reach, particularly as the leaves can be tempting to grab.
ZZ plant | Zamioculcas
The ZZ plant is another excellent choice for rooms that are not blessed with abundant natural light. Its thick stems and fleshy rhizomes allow it to store water, meaning it can cope with periods of neglect far better than many other houseplants.
The 'Raven' variety has deep green, almost black foliage, which works particularly well in more grown-up spaces such as staff rooms, reception areas and libraries. Keep it somewhere with indirect light and allow the compost to dry between waterings.
It is a good option for schools looking for something that can survive the summer break with minimal fuss, although no plant should be expected to thrive in complete darkness.
Golden pothos (Epipremnum aureum 'Aureum')
Golden pothos is a useful choice when you want a little more movement and colour. Its trailing stems can be allowed to spill over a high shelf or cupboard, keeping the plant out of the way while adding greenery to otherwise forgotten spaces.
It is fast-growing, adaptable and relatively forgiving, although it will grow more strongly with brighter indirect light. In a classroom, it can also provide an opportunity to demonstrate how plants respond to light as its growth naturally follows the brightest available direction.
Place it somewhere secure and out of reach rather than allowing the trailing stems to hang where children can pull on them.
Spider plant | Chlorophytum
There is a reason spider plants have been a classroom staple for generations. They are adaptable, relatively easy to care for and produce little plantlets on long stems, giving children something much more interesting to observe than a plant simply sitting on a windowsill.
Those baby plants can also be rooted and potted up, making spider plants particularly useful for school gardening projects and simple lessons about propagation. They cope with a range of indoor conditions, although brighter indirect light will help maintain their attractive variegation.
For younger pupils, a spider plant can be an easy introduction to looking after a living thing without requiring a complicated care routine.
Parlour palm | Chamaedorea
For larger communal spaces, the parlour palm brings a softer look without demanding the bright light that many larger plants need. Its fine, arching foliage works well in reception areas, libraries and school offices where a taller plant can help fill an empty corner.
It is more tolerant of lower light than many other palms and prefers its compost to dry slightly between waterings. It is also considered non-toxic to cats and dogs, although that does not necessarily mean every plant is suitable for every child-accessible area.
Keep it away from radiators and draughty doors where possible, and give it enough room for its foliage to spread naturally.
Peace lily | Spathiphyllum
Peace lilies are useful when you want a plant that does more than provide foliage. With enough indirect light, they can produce their distinctive white flowers, while their lush leaves bring plenty of greenery to a room.
They also have a rather useful habit of drooping when they need water. Give a thirsty peace lily a drink and it will often perk back up, making it a good visual lesson in what happens when a plant is thirsty. Just do not make a habit of leaving it dramatically wilted for the sake of the lesson.
Peace lilies are best placed somewhere out of reach of young children, and they should not be chosen for areas where children are likely to handle or chew the leaves.
Looking for houseplants for your school or educational space?
Whether you’re looking for a few easy-care plants for classrooms, larger specimens for a reception area or houseplants for an entire college or educational building, our team can help.
Tell us a little about your space, including the type of area you’re planting and the amount of natural light available, and we can help you find plants that are suited to the conditions and easy for staff to care for.
Get in touch with our team if you’re in need of houseplants for your school, college or educational space. We’ll be happy to help you put together a selection that works for your space and budget.