Photography by EDGE Studios/Sean Kilgore-Han
Whether you're in a cubicle, corner office, or a sunny loft space with an open floor plan, bringing in some choice plant-life is the ultimate in functional decorating. Some well-placed greenery can not only brighten up a space with a little color, but they can also purify the air around you—and a little extra O2 goes a long way in creating a more relaxing, peaceful workspace. We know that spending time in nature is linked to reduced stress levels, so we've asked Bess Wyrick, founder of Celadon & Celery, and the mastermind behind many of Create & Cultivate's floral arrangements, to round up a few beautiful houseplants that are easy to care for (green thumb or not), and effective at increasing oxygen and clearing out toxins for a little breathing room.
1. Magnolias
(above, center) Fresh magnolias are total stunners in a vase (or even an empty coke bottle) at your desk. They'll brown and wilt quickly if not kept in water, and will only last a couple days, but since they're in season, you can easily pick one on a lunchtime walk (they're especially easy to find blooming around trees in Los Angeles) and impress everyone in the office with a fancier bloom.
2. Philodendron
The heart-shaped philodendron is a popular plant choice for indoor areas, as they're easy to care for (they're just fine in low-medium light), smell divine, and make you feel like a queen. Like the English Ivy, they are particularly good at absorbing airborne toxins and formaldehyde. Pick them up at your local nursery or get a starter plant for under $5 on Amazon.
"Cubicle or open floorplan—a little extra O2 can go a long way."
3. Cacti + Succulents
(above, left) Desert plant-life is having a major moment. You'd be hard-pressed to scroll through any California-girls Instagram feed without spotting some cacti—they're even Create + Cultivate's unofficial mascot (here's proof). These low-maintenance plants are a powerful toxin eliminator and air purifier, and they're one of the easiest plants to grow, as they thrive even in dim lighting and cooler climates, and as you know, they won't require too much water. You can get 20 gorgeous succulents in 2" pots for under $25 and pass them around the office. Everyone will love you.
4. Ruby Ball Cactus
(above, right) We hate to play favorites, but we love the Gymnocalycium Cultivar—sometimes called Ruby Ball cactus or Moon cactus—it's actually two cacti in one. A pure red cactus seedling lacks the ability to produce chlorophyll and will die unless it is grafted onto a green one. The green feeds its mutant-mate sugar molecules produced from water and carbon dioxide. Once established, the two parts grow together so you can't even see the seam. These cacti typically live only a few years and do not grow appreciably, making them ideal for small spaces, and apartment dwellers.
For a breath of fresh air and some truly epic floral-porn, follow Bess and Celadon & Celery on Instagram @celadoncelery.
Not your average flower child, bicoastal designer-slash-stylist-slash-floral goddess Bess Wyrick is a force to be reckoned with. Founder of Celadon & Celery, a NYC and LA-based event and floral design company, she’s a style guru with an affinity for peony tattoos and rich life stories that run deep. An adopted child from a family of eight siblings, Wyrick straddles the earthy and the ethereal, exploring the continents (she’s frolicked through flower fields on every single one) and spending mornings with her fiancé and feline friends in the serenity of her new Culver City studio. Follow Bess @celadoncelery.
