Lavish displays of thriving foliage plants have changed thousands of offices into more pleasant places to work. Properly air-conditioned buildings no longer chill plants in summer, or dry them to a crisp in winter. Usually this year-round temperature comfort is maintained even on weekends.

   Plant enthusiasts bud in every office; in fact, plants are more likely to be overpampered than neglected. It's a good idea in such a situation to leave the care of the plants to one person at a time; otherwise overfeeding and overwatering may result. Where masses of plants cover a major area of an office, a professional gardener can be hired to take regular care of the planting.

   Many offices have no windows, and living plant material is out of the question unless artificial lights can be recessed into a ceiling or wall to keep plants in good growth. For more information about gardening indoors under lights, see Chapter 11.