Tags: Announcement, Biophilia, Biophilic design, Facilities Management, Office, Planteria Group

We’ve Landed: Planteria Launches in the United States

We’ve got exciting news to share – after two years of behind-the-scenes work, we’ve officially launched in the United States.

Our new headquarters at 460 Park Avenue South in New York marks a major milestone for Planteria Group. But this isn’t just an expansion. It’s a response to something far more meaningful: client demand.

Why We're Here

Our move across the Atlantic wasn’t part of a grand plan for global conquest. In fact, it started with a request from some of our most valued clients:

“We want you to bring the Planteria experience here too.”

And so, we did. We listened. We planned. We built. Now, we’re proud to say that Planteria is officially operating across the Northeast Corridor – from Boston to Washington DC – bringing the same trusted service that our UK clients already know.

What We're Bringing to the Table

Our US launch introduces the same signature service model that’s made us the UK’s leading office planting partner:

Biophilic design embedded seamlessly into workplace environments
Reliable, worry-free plant maintenance
Cost-efficient innovation with our Ecoponic substrate system
Enhanced employee engagement through our Engage & Bloom workplace experience program

We already maintain over 90,000 plants in UK workplaces, and now we’re bringing that experience to American businesses seeking consistency, simplicity, and results.

What's Next?

This is just the beginning. While we’re currently focused on the Northeast Corridor, our next destination is already on the horizon: California.

We’re excited about what’s to come – and we’re grateful to the clients who’ve trusted us to take this step with them.

Let's Grow Together

Want to learn more about our US services, innovations, or how Planteria can transform your workplace?

Discover ways to enhance your office environment with our expert insights on biophilic design, wellbeing, sustainability and the world of plants.

Planteria Group

We’ve Landed: Planteria Launches in the United States

Green wall in an office setting. Ans living green wall with lights and office chairs and table

Biophilic design

The Complete Guide to Green Walls

Planteria Group

London’s Biodiversity Hotspots

Tags: Advice, Biophilia, Biophilic design, green walls, Office, Planteria Group

The Complete Guide to Green Walls

Green walls (also called living walls or vertical gardens) are installations of plants on vertical surfaces. They appear indoors or outdoors, from office feature walls to full building facades.

Green walls bring several benefits. They improve air quality, reduce noise, and add visual interest.

Inside, they can soften acoustics and lift staff mood. Research links greenery with lower stress and faster recovery.

On exteriors, they help cool buildings by shading and evaporative cooling – cutting wall temperatures by up to 14°C (25°F).

This guide covers every type of green wall: indoor and outdoor, living and artificial.

It includes design tips, light level advice, maintenance needs, costs, and common questions.

Interior Green Wall Systems

Interior green walls add vegetation to indoor spaces like lobbies, conference rooms, and offices. Below are the main categories of interior walls, each with its features, uses, pros, cons, and care notes.

Living Walls

Living walls are truly “living” vertical gardens with irrigation. These come in various system types:

Modular Panels: Panels or frames that attach to the wall. Each panel contains plants in a substrate or media with built-in drip irrigation. These modules clip together or mount side-by-side.
Felt-Pocket Systems: Fabric “pockets” or pouches hung on a frame. Plants are inserted into pockets of synthetic felt, and irrigation wets the entire pocket panel.
Mobile Living walls: Freestanding units on wheels, often double-sided. They include irrigation and work well as green room dividers in flexible or rented spaces.
Custom-Built Green Walls: Bespoke structures (e.g. troughs, framework of planters) built on-site. These may combine soil and hydroponic techniques to fit unique spaces or designs.

Regardless of type, living walls work by supplying plants with water and nutrients via an irrigation system. Green walls transform sterile interiors into biophilic spaces, boost air humidity slightly, and serve as living artwork.

Pros of Living Walls

Biophilic Impact: Actual plants and foliage. They can include a wide variety of species (ferns, pothos, philodendron, bromeliads, etc.) to create a rich texture and even seasonal interest.
Air Quality: Living walls consume CO₂ and some VOCs, improving indoor air.
Aesthetics: Greenery is dynamic, growing and changing over time (better visual effect than static art).
Customization: Choose plant mix for color, pollination, or function (e.g. air-purifying plants). Soil systems allow bulbs and flowering plants, hydroponic can support air-purifying or even edible plants.
Space-Saving: Adds greenery without using floor space – ideal where space is tight.
Visual Impact: Creates a striking impression. Often used in entrance atriums with signage to make a bold statement

Cons of Living Walls

Maintenance: Require ongoing care. Hydroponic and felt systems need constant monitoring (nutrient levels, pH, pump operation); soil walls are lower-maintenance by comparison.
Cost: Higher upfront and ongoing costs (installation and maintenance contracts).
Weight & Water: Heavy when saturated (up to ~75 kg/m² for dense modular systems) and potential for water leakage if not sealed.
Light Requirements: Plants need enough light; some systems in dim areas may fail without supplemental grow lights.

Design & Maintenance

Irrigation: Living walls incorporate drip or capillary irrigation. Hydroponic systems need precisely balanced water and nutrients; soil-based walls retain moisture better, so watering can be less frequent. In all cases, a pump/reservoir or tap connection is required, and drainage must be planned.
Plant Selection: Shade-tolerant houseplants (pothos, ferns, mosses) suit low-light walls; brighter walls can support flowering species. Soil-based media allow bulbs and a greater plant range. Many designers use evergreen plants for year-round coverage, adding a few seasonal bloomers for interest.
Growth & Pruning: Plants will eventually outgrow modules. Regular pruning and trimming prevent overcrowding. Expect periodic plant replacements.
Structural Load: Verify wall load capacity. Many panel systems weigh 30–80 kg/m² when wet. An engineer should approve the mounts.
Access: Ensure installers have safe access (scaffolding or lifts) and that the finished wall can be serviced (platforms, catwalks, or permanent walkways).

Artificial Walls (Interior)

Artificial green walls use faux foliage to achieve a “green” look without living plants. They normally consist of artificial leaves and stems attached to rigid panels or mats.

How it works: Realistic fake plants (such as vinyl or silk plants) are mounted on panels that clip onto the wall or frame. They are designed to look like living walls but require no soil or irrigation.
Ideal uses: Indoor lobbies, offices or retail spaces where maintenance resources are limited, or where water damage is a concern. They are also used to add greenery to areas with no natural light or poor humidity control.

Pros:

Artificial walls require virtually no upkeep – no watering, no pruning, and no pest control. They stay green year-round and are allergy-friendly (no pollen or mold).

High-quality panels are durable and hold their appearance indefinitely. Installation is straightforward (lightweight panels mount easily) and they incur no irrigation or lighting costs.

Cons:

Artificial plants offer few of the benefits of live ones. While they can still support a sense of biophilia by mimicking natural forms, they don’t improve air quality or produce oxygen.

Over time, they can collect dust – though a quick dusting now and then keeps them looking fresh. Up close, even high-quality faux plants may appear less convincing than real foliage.

Design & Maintenance:

Artificial panels come in many styles and textures, so design flexibility is high. Mounting requirements are minimal (normally requires a level surface and secure fixings).

Maintenance is limited to occasional dusting or gentle cleaning of the foliage.

Preserved Moss Walls

Preserved moss walls use real moss that has been harvested and treated so it remains soft and green without growing. The moss can then be glued or attached to panels, frames or direct to the wall.

How it works: Natural forest moss (often reindeer or sheet moss) is treated with glycerin or other preservatives to lock in moisture and color. Panels of this preserved moss are then mounted on walls. No watering or light is needed, since the moss is “frozen” in its preserved state.
Ideal uses: Great for locations with no or low daylight (e.g. interior corridors) where live plants would struggle. Also used for acoustic decoration – preserved moss is highly sound-absorbent.

Pros:

These walls are very low-maintenance. They never need water or sunlight, and they don’t dry out or turn brown under typical indoor conditions.

A preserved moss wall can remain lush for years with just occasional gentle dusting. Moss panels also provide acoustic dampening (up to ~90% absorption of mid/high sound frequencies), so they reduce echo and noise.

The natural texture of real moss is attractive and soothing.

Cons:

Preserved moss is not alive – it doesn’t grow or change. While it mimics nature and offers some visual biophilic value, it brings none of the air quality benefits of living plants. It can’t recover from damage (people do like to touch it) and is best suited for dry indoor areas.

High humidity or outdoor exposure will cause it to break down.

Moss walls also have a strong scent for a week or two after installation, but this fades completely and doesn’t linger.

Design & Maintenance:

Preserved moss panels are sometimes framed and installed like artwork or else cover entire walls.

They can be cut into shapes or integrated with logos for creative designs. No irrigation is needed, but keep humidity in a moderate range (extreme dryness or humidity can affect the moss texture).

Living Pictures

A “living picture” is essentially a framed or contained living wall – a shallow planter that hangs on a wall like a piece of art.

How it works: The system is a flat, rectangular container (often just a few inches deep) with a modular front and a plant-able growing medium inside it. Small plants are placed in the modular sections. The entire frame then hangs on the wall – hence the name “Living Picture”.
Ideal uses: Because they are relatively small and self-contained, living pictures are used like botanical artwork to green up small spaces without a full wall installation.

Pros:

Living pictures create a striking visual centerpiece – a patch of real plants in a frame. They allow a mix of plants (for colour or texture) in a compact footprint. They require much less infrastructure than a large wall.

Cons:

Because the planter is shallow, plant selection is limited. They still need some care: periodic watering (keeping the water reservoir topped up) and plant maintenance.

These frames can be heavy when filled, so wall mounting must be secure.

Design & Maintenance:

Treat a living picture like any hanging garden. Keep the water topped up. Trim or replace plants that outgrow the frame or die. Hang the frame in bright, indirect light if possible.

Movable Green Dividers

Movable green dividers (or green furniture) are portable or freestanding plant panels used as room partitions. They are like potted plant walls on wheels or with a stable base. Examples include living office screens with wheels or planters with tall plants (e.g. the Naava or LiveDivider type systems).

How it works: These units integrate plants into a mobile structure. They may have shelves or pockets filled with plants on one or both sides. Some include features like magnetic whiteboards or even built-in lighting. Many are self-watering: a hidden water tank supplies the plants, and only occasional refill is needed.

Ideal uses: Open offices, coworking spaces, schools, and events. When flexible space partitioning is needed (for privacy, to define zones, or as movable décor), green dividers provide a living barrier. They are often used to subtly segment an area without hard walls.

Pros:

Mobility is the key benefit – you can reconfigure them or roll them to cleaning stations. They green both sides of the partition, maximizing impact.

They are generally easier to install (no drilling into a wall, just position them where needed).

Cons:

They can be heavy (especially when watered) and require a flat floor to roll smoothly.

These dividers still need watering and sunlight (or built-in grow lights), and roots can outgrow the container over time. They often cost more due to their mechanical features.

Design & Maintenance:

Choose sturdy, tipped-resistant bases. These units need an occasional refill of water/nutrients and some basic plant care (trimming, plant replacement). If integrated, irrigation technology may alert you when water is low.

Exterior Green Wall Systems

Exterior green walls and facades bring plant life to the outside of buildings. They must withstand weather and often provide building insulation and habitat.

Living Walls (Exterior)

Exterior living walls are similar in concept to interior ones but built for outdoors. They typically have robust construction, drainage, and choice of hardy plants.

How it works: These systems attach to building exteriors or freestanding structures. They often use modular panels with soil or hydroponic media, or large troughs/boxes. A complete irrigation system is mandatory (usually with drainage into the ground or a reservoir). Typical systems include a structural backing (drip tray or substrate box), waterproofing, and irrigation at the top feeding down.
Ideal uses: Building facades (new or retrofits), screening parking structures, covering blank walls, insulating glass buildings, or on fences. Also used on construction hoardings (temporary installation) or inside courtyards. Exterior walls can support taller vegetation and even vines under a trellis.

Pros:

Exterior living walls can significantly affect microclimate.

By shading walls and through evapotranspiration, they cool surfaces – one study recorded wall surface drops of ~14°C compared to bare wall. This reduces AC demand. They capture rainwater and slow runoff, improving stormwater management.

Facade plants trap particulates and absorb CO₂, enhancing air quality. They provide habitat and connectivity for wildlife: native wildflowers and grasses on walls can feed bees and insects.

Aesthetic and branding benefits are high (e.g. covering unsightly elements with gardens).

Cons:

These systems are expensive to install and maintain. The plantings face full sun, wind, and cold, so plant mortality can be high if not chosen well.

Structural concerns are critical: saturated green walls can weigh 50–100 kg/m² (e.g. ~75 kg/m²) plus wind loads.

Design & Maintenance:

Location: Orientation matters. South or west-facing walls get the most sun, allowing flowering, sun-loving species; north-facing walls require shade-tolerant plants. Wind and exposure must be checked.
Irrigation: A fully engineered irrigation system is needed. This often includes a pump, filter, and controller in a “plant room” or outdoor cabinet. Overflow drains must be directed safely. In freezing climates, use frost-protected water lines and timers.
Support Structure: Engage a structural engineer to verify that the wall or frame can bear the load. Anchor points must be compatible with the facade material.
Plant Selection: Use hardy, low-maintenance perennials, shrubs and grasses suited to the local climate. Incorporate many evergreens for year-round cover; include flowering plants or habitat boxes to support pollinators. Native species are preferred for biodiversity.
Access: Plan scaffolding or maintenance access from the start. Facades may require rope access, catwalks, or lifts for pruning and repairs.
Regulations: Check local building codes (e.g. wind load, fire rating of panels) and standards (CWCT, BREEAM, etc.). Green facades can contribute to sustainability credits but may need planning approval.

Artificial Green Walls (Exterior)

Exterior artificial walls use UV-stable faux plants for outdoor greenery. These panels mimic a living wall but are made of plastic or polyester foliage designed for sunlight and weather.

How it works: Artificial leaves are affixed to rigid panels or lattices, which mount on a wall or fence. Outdoor variants are treated to resist fading and can include materials like preserved preserved moss combined with synthetic greenery.
Ideal uses: Facades of buildings, fences, rooftop screens, or any outdoor wall where you want greenery but want to avoid irrigation or where real plants won’t thrive (e.g. very high walls or shady areas). They’re also popular for décor in outdoor restaurants or events, and for covering construction hoardings.

Pros:

No watering, no seasonal die-off – the wall stays green and dense year-round. They require virtually no maintenance (just rinse off dust or pollen occasionally). There is no risk of structural damage from roots or moisture.

Artificial walls can be installed quickly and instantly transform an area.

Cons:

Artificial walls offer none of the ecological services of living walls. They do not insulate, cool, or support wildlife; they may even contribute to microplastics if not high quality.

Sunlight will eventually fade the colours (though quality, UV rated products resist this). The look can appear plastic or repetitive up close, so selection of realistic panels is important.

Wildflower Walls (Exterior)

A wildflower wall is a green wall sown or planted with native wildflower and grass species, creating a vertical “meadow.”

How it works: These systems use panels or seed mats filled with a soil/gravel blend and seeded with wildflowers and native grasses. The installation captures rain or is irrigated until plants establish. As the plants grow, they bloom and attract pollinators. Systems like Vertical Meadow use a mix of native grasses and flowers to create a lush vertical habitat.
Ideal uses: Site hoardings, construction facades, sustainable building projects, or urban infill walls where biodiversity is a goal. They can be temporary (e.g. covering scaffolding for a season) or permanent features of eco-friendly developments.

Pros:

Wildflower walls boost urban biodiversity. They become a year-round habitat for bees, butterflies and birds, effectively “stepping stones” between green spaces.

They offer seasonal colour and a dynamic look. During growth they improve public view (greening an otherwise bare wall or scaffold) and damp dust and noise a bit.

Cons:

These walls are seasonal in appearance. Many wildflower species die back in winter, so the wall can look sparse or brown in off-season.

They require more maintenance than a simple vine wall – you may need irrigation for germination, weeding of invasive species, and periodic reseeding or patching. The structure must hold soil and may require deeper panels for root depth.

Design & Maintenance:

Use locally appropriate seed mixes, often including perennials (clovers, knapweeds) and annuals (poppies, marigolds) to ensure blooms throughout the growing season. Provide irrigation at first (wildflower plants need water to establish).

In late autumn, the old stems can remain as nesting habitat or be trimmed to recycle nutrients. These walls usually start blooming in late spring and continue into summer.

Ivy Walls

Ivy screens (or vine screens) use climbing plants (often evergreen vines) trained on a trellis or frame to create a living wall or privacy screen.

How it works: Vines such as English ivy (Hedera), Boston ivy (Parthenocissus tricuspidata), Virginia creeper (P. quinquefolia), and others are grown up a trellis or directly over a wall. Alternatively, panels of ivy plugs (often with roots embedded in coir matting) can be attached to walls. The plants cling or wrap as they grow, covering the surface.
Ideal uses: Exterior fences, garden walls, unsightly structures, or for privacy/coverage in outdoor spaces. Ivy screens provide evergreen cover in mild climates, creating a natural green fence.

Pros:

Once established, many vines are low-maintenance (just periodic trimming). They provide year-round leaf cover (English ivy stays green) or vibrant fall colour (Boston ivy).

Ivy can quickly cover large areas, and as it matures it insulates and shades the wall. Screens are often used for privacy or to hide blank walls.

Ivy also dampens noise somewhat and improves air quality slightly by trapping particulates.

Cons:

Climbing vines can damage buildings if not managed carefully. Clinging roots (like those of English Ivy or Virginia Creeper) can penetrate mortar or wood, widening cracks and trapping moisture.

Over time, heavy ivy can compromise brick walls or sidings. Ivy can also be invasive; English ivy is non-native in many areas and can out-compete native plants. Furthermore, ivy screens lose leaves in winter if deciduous, or can mat up gutters.

Design & Maintenance:

Use a supportive structure: install a trellis or cable system so vines do not attach directly to sensitive surfaces.

Prefer vine species that twine or have tendrils (like grapes or clematis) rather than ones with adhesive rootlets. Regular trimming is needed to keep growth in check. Inspect the wall periodically: if cracks form, vines may need to be cut back. On buildings, skip climbing vines altogether unless the material (e.g. concrete) tolerates them.

Lighting Requirements

Interior living walls need adequate light. Most wall plants require at least 1000 lux at the leaf surface to thrive. In practical terms, this often means installing full-spectrum LED grow lights above the wall. The lights should provide both blue (∼430–440 nm) and red (∼640–660 nm) wavelengths for photosynthesis, though the lighting can be tuned to emit a pleasing white light (for good colour rendering and aesthetics). Light uniformity is important: designers aim for a ratio of minimum/maximum illuminance ≥0.33 so that all plants receive some light.

In technical terms, lighting is measured by Photosynthetic Photon Flux Density (PPFD). A target PPFD of about 35 μmol·m⁻²·s⁻¹ on the foliage is recommended for green walls. Over a full day, plants often need a Daily Light Integral (DLI) of roughly 1.5–4 mol·m⁻²·d⁻¹ (the exact need depends on the plant species). In many offices, natural daylight (even from windows) falls short of this, so supplemental LEDs are used. Work with a lighting engineer or horticultural lighting specialist to calculate lamp power and placement.

Lighting Checklist:

Provide LED fixtures rated for plant growth (or use high-CRI white LEDs).
Mount lights 1–2 m from the wall for even coverage.
Avoid UV-heavy lighting indoors (green wall plants don’t need UV and extra UV can cause fast, ungainly growth).
Use timers to give plants ~10–14 hours of light per day (mimicking natural days).
In daylight zones, choose plants suited to the light level (shade-loving ferns versus sun-loving bromeliads)

Planning and Installation Considerations

Before installing any green wall, careful planning is crucial. Key considerations include:

Structural Support: Assess the load-bearing capacity of the wall or support structure. A fully saturated green wall can weigh at least 50–100 kg/m² . A structural engineer should verify that the wall and anchorage can handle this weight plus wind or seismic loads. For light planters, ground-anchored frames may suffice; for heavy cladding systems, special hangers and infill panels are used.
Waterproofing and Drainage: Any irrigation leaks can damage the building. Install a waterproof membrane or gutter behind the green wall to collect overflow. Provide proper drainage lines to carry excess water safely away. In exterior walls, plan for stormwater connection or soakaway (for interior, a drip tray and drain to plumbing).
Irrigation System: Most living walls require an irrigation pump and control unit. The pump, pipes, and possibly a nutrient reservoir often live in a nearby cabinet or “plant room”. Ensure you have space and access for this equipment. Plan piping routes from a water source and to the wall, and include backflow prevention as needed. In cold climates, winterize exposed pipes.
Orientation and Environment: Consider sunlight, wind, and heat. South/west walls receive intense sun and can support more sun-loving plants, whereas north walls need shade-tolerant species. Also note any heat sources (e.g. windows, HVAC vents) that might stress plants. Plan for microclimate: walls under eaves get rain, exposed facades dry out quickly.
Access for Maintenance: Life safety is key – plan how gardeners will reach the wall. Include scaffolding anchors, permanent catwalks, or ensure space for lifts. Design for occasional removal of panels or trimming from a platform.
Safety and Codes: Check fire codes (some panels must meet Class B-s3,d2 ratings for cladding). Use materials rated for interior use if inside, or UV/weather-resistant products outside. In some jurisdictions, green facades or certain heights may require permits or consultations.
Electrical and Other Services: Indoor green walls may need lighting or pumps – plan electrical circuits. Ensure any electrical equipment is rated for the damp environment of a green wall.
Integration: Coordinate with other building systems. For example, make sure irrigation water can connect to building plumbing. Avoid routing irrigation over electrical fixtures. Incorporate the green wall into the architectural design (e.g. make irrigation controls accessible, integrate base planters as furniture).

By addressing these factors up front, you ensure the green wall will perform reliably.

Maintenance and Aftercare

Ongoing care is essential for long-term success. Living walls require routine inspections and horticultural upkeep similar to a garden or greenhouse. Below are the typical maintenance tasks:

Regular Watering/Irrigation Checks: Verify that drip tubes or hydroponic lines are flowing. Check timers and sensors. In hydroponic systems, replenish nutrient solution and monitor pH. In soil systems, ensure the medium remains moist (but not waterlogged). If the wall is outdoors, adjust watering for season (more in summer, less in winter).
Pruning and Trimming: Trim back any overgrown plants to maintain design shape and light exposure. Remove dead or diseased foliage promptly. In high-growth species, monthly pruning is common.
Plant Replacement: Replace plants that die or fail to thrive. A good plant company will include free plants replacement in their maintenance contract.
Cleaning Filters and Drippers: Clean or replace filters, flush lines to prevent algae or mineral buildup (especially in hydroponic or hard-water areas). This prevents clogs and root rot.
Fertilization: Depending on the system, add fertilizer to the irrigation water or apply to soil periodically. Many green wall plants are light feeders, but replenishing nutrients ensures vigor.
Inspect Structure: Check that panels and supports remain securely attached. Look for leaks, eroded support brackets, or corrosion. Repair any membrane damage immediately to prevent water ingress.
Pest and Disease Control: Watch for insects (aphids, scale) and fungal issues. Since plant density is high, infestations can spread rapidly if unchecked.
Seasonal Tasks: In climates with cold winters, plants may need some protection (e.g. remove sensitive species or use temporary covers). In summer heat, increase irrigation frequency. Remove leaf litter or debris that accumulates on the wall.

Overall, consistency is key. The long-term success of a living wall is dependent upon a robust maintenance and care program. Neglecting maintenance will quickly lead to plant loss and system problems.

Inspiration and Gallery

Explore what’s possible with green walls – real projects, real impact.

Discover ways to enhance your office environment with our expert insights on biophilic design, wellbeing, sustainability and the world of plants.

Planteria Group

We’ve Landed: Planteria Launches in the United States

Biophilic design

The Complete Guide to Green Walls

Planteria Group

London’s Biodiversity Hotspots

Tags: Bees, Nature, Nature & Environment, Office, Planteria Group, Sustainability

The Most Sustainable Planting Scheme

At Planteria, sustainability isn’t just words on paper – it’s built into everything we do.

From the way we transport our technicians to the materials we use in our planting schemes, we’re committed to reducing environmental impact at every stage.

Here’s how we’re leading the industry with the most sustainable planting scheme available today.

The Most Sustainable Planting Scheme

whats included

Click on the titles below to jump directly to that section:

Walking Technicians
UK Grown Plants
Peat-free Substrate
Eco-friendly Planters
Supporting the Community
Ecovardis Gold
Zero Waste to Landfill
Planting for the Planet
Habitats for Nature

Walking Plant Technicians

100% Public Transport

While electric and hybrid vehicles are a step forward, we believe there’s an even smarter way to cut emissions and ease congestion.

That’s why we introduced our ‘walking technicians’—a team that travels entirely on foot or by public transport. No vans. No traffic. Just a more efficient and sustainable way to work.

They’re backed by one central shuttle, which delivers any replacement plants or equipment needed for the day. The result? We save more than 25,000 miles of van travel every year. That’s fewer emissions, less fuel, and cleaner air for everyone.

It’s a simple idea, but one that’s making a real difference.

UK Grown Plants

Less Road MIles

The majority of indoor plants sold across Europe are grown in the Netherlands. It’s a long-standing supply chain – but one we’re working to shift.

By growing plants here in the UK, we cut down on transport miles, reduce emissions, and create local jobs. It means fresher plants, faster delivery, and better support for the British economy.

We believe the future of indoor planting should be greener in every sense of the word – and more rooted in local soil.

Ecoponic Substrate

Saving our vulnerable peat-lands

Regular compost used for growing plants can contain up to 90% peat.

This peat is dug up from peatlands. These natural wetlands are absolute vital for not only plants and wildlife, but also storing carbon. It takes 1,000 years for one metre of peat to form! But over 80% of the UK peatlands are already damaged.

Our vulnerable peatlands are being excavated at the expense of our fragile environment.

Peatlands cover only around 3% of the world’s land area, but they store 30% of soil carbon.

A loss of only 5% of UK peatland carbon would be equal to the UK’s annual greenhouse gas emissions.

At Planteria we knew we had to do our bit to protect our vulnerable peatlands and the wildlife that call them home. We can now offer a zero-peat alternative to soil.

We call it Ecoponic.

what is ecoponic?

Officially classified as a Vulcaponic Substrate – it’s a recipe of pumice, zeolite and the perfect mixture of fertiliser for optimum plant growth.

Now almost 100% of the plant displays that go through our warehouse are planted in Ecoponic.

Peat Free

Peat is commonly found in compost due to its water retention and nutritional qualities. The natural wetlands where Peat is found is critical to the survival of plants and wildlife. Not only that, but peat bogs store huge amounts of carbon which must be kept in the ground to avoid contributing to climate change.

Ecoponic is 100% soil free. This helps to protect our vulnerable peatlands – protecting wildlife and reducing carbon emissions.

Reduced Water use

Ecoponic is very efficient at storing water. It can absorb up to 44% of it’s weight in water. During the watering, the grains absorbed it and no water remains in the pot. The roots slowly absorb the moisture from the substrate. This not only benefits the plant, it also reduces the amount of water used.

Less chance of flies or pests

Flies and pests can be an incredibly annoying problem in an office environment. As Ecoponic contains no organic material, there is almost no chance of soil-borne pests.

Infinite Lifecycle

It is permanently structurally stable (it will not break down or compact) this keeps the soil more airy and allows the roots to absorb enough oxygen.

Ecoponic can be reused and recycled infinitely.

Recycled & Sustainable Planting Containers

We offer a wide range of planting containers designed with sustainability in mind—each one made using recycled or low-impact materials to reduce waste and lower your carbon footprint.

Pots made 100% from recycled waste

Pots made from recycled materials including marine debris, artificial grass, textiles and more

Pots produced using 100% wind energy

Living wall system largely made from recycled clothing

Planters made from upcycled pallets

Plants donated to the local community

We regularly donate surplus plants and flowers to local groups, schools, and those who need them most. Over the years, we’ve supported several schools by helping them green their classrooms and create outdoor nature areas for pupils to enjoy.

Our plants and pots are also popular in the community. Locals often give old containers a new life, reusing and repurposing them so the plants can keep growing in new homes. It’s a simple way to share the benefits of greenery while reducing waste.

Ecovardis Gold

We are committed to running our business responsibly and have been working through the EcoVadis accreditation process to measure our progress. EcoVadis is a recognised system that assesses companies on sustainability, covering areas like environmental impact, labour practices, ethics, and supply chain standards.

We recently submitted our accreditation and we’re aiming to achieve a Gold rating. This reflects the work we’ve already done and our focus on continual improvement.

plant grow pots 100% recycled

Zero waste to landfill

We are a zero waste to landfill company, and we take that seriously at every stage of our work.

In the Netherlands alone, over 3 billion plastic plant grow pots are used each year. Most planting companies send these pots to general waste, claiming they are too difficult to recycle due to mixed materials or contamination.

At Planteria, we do things differently. Every single grow pot that comes through our nursery is sorted and recycled properly. We work with specialist recycling partners to make sure these plastics stay out of landfill and are given a new purpose.

It takes more effort, but it’s the right thing to do. And it’s one more way we reduce waste across our supply chain.

pollinator friendly planting

Planting for the planet

Planting to support biodiversity is more than just good for the environment — it’s a great way to bring people together. It offers a hands-on opportunity for staff to get involved, whether by helping choose the plants, taking part in planting days, or simply enjoying the wildlife that follows.

We’ve seen it spark real interest and conversation across teams. It brings life to terraces and outdoor areas, turning them into spaces people want to spend time in. The result is not just a boost for nature, but a lift in staff engagement and well-being too

habitats for nature

making the office a destination (for nature)

Make your site a destination for pollinators with our bespoke pollinator habitats. Handcrafted, bespoke made here in the UK with sustainably grown wood from managed forests. Custom made in the shape of your logo, name or nearly any shape you chose!

We can also craft the perfect design for you, incorporating sustainable and nature supporting products such as bee baths, bird boxes, worm buffets, bird feeders and more.

This is the perfect pairing for our bee friendly planting schemes.

Discover ways to enhance your office environment with our expert insights on biophilic design, wellbeing, sustainability and the world of plants.

Planteria Group

We’ve Landed: Planteria Launches in the United States

Biophilic design

The Complete Guide to Green Walls

Planteria Group

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Tags: Biophilic design, Facilities Management, Nature & Environment, Office, Planteria Group, White Paper

The Science and Strategies Behind Engage & Bloom

Harnessing nature for workplace wellness and engagement

This resource explores the science and strategies behind Planteria Group’s Engage & Bloom workplace experience programme. It will show how the programme provides employees, organisations and facilities managers with several key benefits from both a commercial and wellbeing standpoint.

Key theories and frameworks are identified, demonstrating the scientific and strategic theory that underpins the Engage & Bloom programme.

An Introduction to Engage & Bloom

Engage & Bloom is a science-backed employee experience
programme that is centred on the principles of biophilia and its scientifically
proven benefits in terms of productivity and wellbeing. Such benefits are
achieved through harnessing the power of nature to create inspirational spaces.

The Engage & Bloom programme teaches clients how to look
after their plants at home, as well as inspiring them in the world of planting
and nature through a range of engaging experiences, including workshops,
interactive QR codes, and educational pieces.

The Modern Workplace Challenge

The modern workplace presents numerous challenges to ensure employees are working at an optimal level that benefits both the individual and the wider organisation. Since 1950, research suggests that we have gradually become more disconnected from nature and the benefits it provides.

A 2023 study by the UK Government identified that people spend 80-90% of their time indoors. To make matters worse research suggests that on average an office worker spends 12 hours per day looking at a screen.

Offices commonly experience a disconnect from nature, due to urban environments and sterile interior settings, as well as the growing importance of technology that has often acted as a substitute for nature as a source of recreation and entertainment.

Increasing Importance of Well-being and Engagement for Productivity

Engage & Bloom is based on the concept of biophilia, which refers to a human being’s innate desire to connect with nature. This is further reinforced by numerous scientific findings, notably an experiment conducted by the Chelsea Flower Show.

This experiment invited participants to take part in a study that measured their creativity, happiness, and productivity across a variety of different workplace designs. The results found that allowing staff to make design decisions in a workspace enhanced with office plants can:

· Increase well-being by 47%

· Increase creativity by 45%

· Increase productivity by 38%

These findings highlight the significant benefits that simply being around plants can have on employees. However, the interactivity of the Engage & Bloom programme enables organisations and their employees to harness these benefits to an even more powerful extent.

The Innate Human Connection to Nature: Biophilia

Biophilia is described as ‘an innate love for the natural world, supposed to be felt universally by humankind.’ The biophilia hypothesis is based upon the belief that humans have an inbuilt tendency to seek connection with nature and other forms of life.

In fact, the word biophilia is a combination of two ancient Greek words: bio (meaning life) and philia (meaning love). The term was first used by German social psychologist Erich Fromm, who claimed that biophilia manifests as the ‘wish to further growth, whether in a person, plant, idea, or social group.’

The growing awareness and popularity of biophilic design is indicated in the below graph, which demonstrates how the word biophilia, along with related keywords, has seen a significant spike in how frequently it is mentioned in publications, particularly from 2008 onwards.

Engage & Bloom is a solution that combines both science and strategy through engaging workplace activities. As well as improving productivity and wellbeing, Engage & Bloom also promotes teamwork and fosters connections with nature and one another.

The Engage & Bloom programme applies Fromm’s concept of growth in terms of people, plants, and social groups by giving individuals the opportunity to enjoy a shared experience that connects them with plants and nature both on an individual and group level.

The Science of Wellness in the Workplace

Workplace wellbeing encompasses how employees feel at work and about work, with a focus on developing and displaying healthy behaviours.

More specifically, it can include some of the following elements:

A positive working environment
Job satisfaction and purposefulness
Good leadership and management
Pay and reward
Personal development
Physical and mental health

Impact of Stress, Poor Air Quality and Sterile Environments on Staff

Factors such as stress, poor air quality, and sterile environments can all have a negative impact on workplace wellbeing. Poor workplace mental health has been estimated to cost UK businesses an incredible £45bn each year. Furthermore, Lumien data reveals how wellbeing impacts employees 27% of the time, and as a result, companies are losing 17% productivity.

Annually, this equates to £5,318.45 per employee, representing a significant organisational cost that could be mitigated through the implementation of wellbeing-focused initiatives.

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Scientific Evidence Supporting Biophilia

Taking an evidence-based approach to workplace wellbeing allows employers to understand their employees wants and needs, along with areas of improvement.

According to the Mental Health Foundation, 45% of people reported that visiting green spaces helped them to cope. Likewise, Harvard research finds that spending 20 to 30 minutes in an outdoor setting where people feel they are interacting with nature can lower stress hormone levels.

Cognitive and Productivity Benefits of Greenery in Offices

The concept of biophilia is supported by various studies and frameworks, including Kaplan’s Attention Restoration Theory which found that exposure to nature reduces mental fatigue, as well as helping improve focus and our ability to concentrate.

Likewise, Ulrech’s 1981 Stress Reduction Theory claims that natural environments promote recovery from stress, while urban environments tend to hinder it.

The Psychological Basis of Nature Engagement

According to the National Library of Medicine, individuals have less mental distress, less anxiety and depression, greater wellbeing and healthier cortisol profiles when living in areas with more greenspace.

This is reinforced by NHS research, which found that people who spend at least two hours a week in nature experience better health and higher psychological wellbeing than those who do not visit nature at all during an average week.

Sensory Benefits of Plant Interaction

Sensory planting encourages an increasingly engaging and
meaningful experience with plants, stimulating senses, including smell, sound,
touch, and sight.

According to the RHS, selecting plants that are particularly
good for your senses can improve mood and general wellbeing.

Examples of plants with sensory benefits include:

· Fragrant flowers, such as lavender, jasmine, and rose

· Herbs, including mint, basil, and rosemary

· Plants with a particularly textural appearance include lamb’s ear, ferns, and ornamental grasses.

· Vibrantly coloured plants that satisfy the visual sense

· Edible plants such as strawberry plants

Employee Engagement: Why it Matters

In their 2023 State of the Global Workplace Report, analytics and advisory firm Gallup found that nearly 6 in 10 employees are feeling disengaged at work. Traits of disengaged employees can include demotivation, missed deadlines, disinterest in team activities, and avoidance in taking initiative.

Such behaviours have also been described by the term ‘quiet quitting,’ whereby a disengaged employee only fulfils the bare minimum of their duties.

The Impact of Disengagement

Employee disengagement can result in several issues, both for an individual’s wellbeing and the organisation. Decreased productivity is a key risk of disengaged employees, along with high absenteeism and turnover rates and the subsequent recruitment and training costs.

The 2023 State of the Global Workplace report found that disengaged employees are estimated to cost the global economy $8.8 trillion dollars, which represents 9% of global GDP. As well as the financial implications, employee disengagement also results in an adverse impact on team morale, which may cause an overall reduction in workplace productivity and innovation due to an unfavourable working environment.

The Role of Nature in Engagement

Biophilic design can be classified into six key principles illustrated below:

The last two principles provide a clear insight into how biophilic design can foster a sense of purpose and belonging. Place-based relationships refer to the link between culture and ecology. This is based upon a human’s sense of connection with familiar surroundings and feelings of protection or stewardship towards such places, known as Place Attachment Theory.

A study published in the Journal of Environmental Psychology investigated the connection between green buildings and place attachment. It found that biophilic design and opportunities for connection to nature were amongst the most important aspects for supporting Place Attachment Theory and can enhance individual wellbeing, quality of life, as well as increase pro-environmental behaviours and community resilience.

When coupled with the attachment to nature and health and wellbeing benefits that biophilic design provides, it is clear to see the powerful impact that spaces with a strong biophilic element can have on an individual’s sense of belonging within that space.

How Interactive Experiences with Plants Create Meaningful Connections

Direct contact with vegetation represents one of the most successful ways of promoting human connection in design. Dr. Stephen Kellert claims that human evolution and survival require the management of natural environments, particularly with regards to sensory elements. Moreover, DelSesto highlights the variety of often overlooked ways that we interact with plants in daily life.

From clothing to writing materials, plants are used to produce essential daily items. What’s more, the exchange of plants as a mark of celebration or condolence highlights their powerful role in landmark events in our lives.

DelSesto’s below spectrum categorises people-plant interactions into key groupings: physical exertion, tactile immersion, and peaceful abiding. Different aspects can align particularly strongly with some of the identified benefits of biophilia. For example, interactions classified under the ‘peaceful abiding’ grouping are likely to be closely aligned to the benefits of stress reduction, while those classed as ‘tactile immersion’ may be particularly effective at boosting engagement and concentration.

Strategies Behind Engage & Bloom: Tailored Solutions for Every Workplace

Engage & Bloom comprises three modular packages, allowing tailored solutions for every workplace. In addition to an informative biophilic webinar, employees can dial in live and speak to our ‘Plant Doctor’ who will advise on care and maintenance of specific plants.

Furthermore, there is the opportunity to identify and learn about plant species simply by scanning a plant’s QR code, which brings up the relevant page of the Plantopedia. Silver and gold packages also include interactive and engaging biophilic-based workshops, which can encompass activities such as wreath making, floristry, and orchid arrangement.

Flexible Solutions to Suit Workplace Needs

Engage & Bloom is focused on creating tailored solutions for every workplace. The flexibility of several key offerings within the programme allows employers to implement activities in accordance with their workplace’s needs and schedules.

Plant giveaways, biophilic webinars, and workshops can be scheduled at a convenient time and location for the business, whether it is on-site or at a separate location as part of an out-of-office event.

Engagement Through Experience

According to Michigan State University, there are many activities workplaces can implement to improve group cohesion and build trust.

Such activities often give employees the chance to interact with colleagues in a different way and reveal different aspects of their personalities that may not come out during normal work interactions.

Other advantages of team building include:

Boosting employee engagement
Encouraging communication
Mitigating conflict
Increasing collaboration

Engage & Bloom workshops provide an opportunity for employees to experience these benefits, whether working directly together or enjoying a shared experience alongside each other to produce wreaths, orchid displays, and floristry bouquets.

As noted by McKinsey & Company, being amongst nature helps with attention span, creativity, well-being, and happiness and should act as a foundational resource for both individual and team development.

How Interactive Learning Builds Deeper Connection

Referring to DelSesto’s spectrum of people-plant interactions, the different activities within the Engage & Bloom programme can be classified within this framework. Floristry bouquets, moss art, orchid and wreath making workshops are categorised under the ‘tactile immersion’ category due to employees’ physical interaction with plant materials.

Other aspects of the Engage & Bloom programme, such as plant giveaways, dial-in plant clinics, and identifying plant species using a QR code and Plantopedia are categorised under the ‘peaceful abiding’ category, due to their focus on sensory engagement with plant environments and representations of plant environments. Such interactive and informative activities can promote deeper connections within the workplace.

The social element of a shared workplace activity can help employees to feel connected to one another and the activity. According to Times Higher Education, feeling connected to what is being learnt and the people one is learning alongside is what underpins engagement. They go on to state that feeling socially connected enhances an individual’s sense of belonging, which is essential to maintain motivation and feelings of safety and comfort.

Employee Satisfaction Surveys

Employee satisfaction following increased interaction with biophilia can be measured in several ways. Heightened creativity may be evident in subsequent projects and brainstorming sessions, while reported increases in productivity can also be observed.

Organisations may find that outlined objectives are being reached increasingly quickly and projects are completed ahead of schedule. In terms of wellbeing, employers may observe a positive change in the overall mood and atmosphere within the workplace

Client Success Stories

Recently, we brought the Engage & Bloom program to a leading social media platform’s London office. Employees fully embraced the experience, from learning about plant care to taking home their own plant, the event left lasting impressions and fostered stronger connections with nature in the workplace.

The client shared the following feedback after the event: “I’m so happy that you shared some beautiful pictures with me today. The plants look amazing, and I was extremely happy to see the engagement with our members; they looked happy. Well done to the Planteria team!”.

Case Studies

Engage & Bloom activities have been successfully implemented in a diverse range of workplaces and industries.

Wreath making makes a particularly popular seasonal workshop that can be adapted to the season, whether it is over the festive period, autumn, or spring. As such, materials can also be adapted to suit the season, theme, and even the organisation’s brand colours, creating a truly personalised experience for each individual workplace.

Quantifiable Benefits for Staff Engagement and Wellness

Awareness and application of biophilia within the workplace, through biophilic design elements in the office and Engage & Bloom engagement activities can be quantifiably measured using numerous metrics.

The outlined body of scientific research strongly suggests that organisations would see a reduction in absenteeism and the number of cases of reported stress and wellbeing-related issues when biophilic design and activities are regularly implemented within the workplace.

Implementing Engage & Bloom

According to the KPMG 2024 CEO Outlook Report, the majority of UK CEOs expect companies to shift towards a full return to office work within the next three years. As such, it is important for facilities professionals to look at ways to create calming and inviting workplaces.

The implementation of biophilic design principles is a key way to achieve this and demonstrate the facilities manager’s commitment to wellbeing and engagement. Introducing new and innovative biophilic initiatives can help facilities managers to further strengthen their client relationships and demonstrate proactive awareness of scientific and strategically backed initiatives that benefit their clients.

Preparing for an Engage & Bloom Rollout

The Engage & Bloom team will contact you to book in your events on a date that is convenient to your team. They will talk through the options with you and help you choose the best event type to suit your team, goals and/or the time of year.

For example, the wreath building workshop is most popular in Quarter 4 – as staff get to take home their own handcrafted wreath ready to decorate their home for Christmas.The Engage & Bloom team will identify what sort of space they need to hold the workshop or activities.

We recommend sending out company-wide communications for the larger events or specific invitations to the workshops. Allow staff enough time to ensure they are in the office on the specific days. The anticipation of a fun and engaging event can be a engagement piece in itself – reminding them that the company is committed to their wellbeing and have them looking forward to the event.

Partnership with Planteria Group

Planteria Group is committed to delivering tailored solutions for each individual workplace. With three packages available, employers can choose the one that is best aligned to their budgetary and organisational needs, with each package consisting of several Engage & Bloom initiatives. Silver and Gold packages also let organisations choose between 2-4 yearly workshops, with the opportunity to pick from several different workshop options and tailor them to suit their organisation’s needs.

Conclusion

Engage & Bloom is rooted in a scientific foundation. It’s based upon the key principles identified in Kaplan’s Attention Restoration Theory regarding nature exposure reducing mental fatigue. It is also based on Ulrech’s 1981 Stress Reduction Theory and its belief that natural environments promote recovery from stress.

Engage & Bloom harnesses the power of nature in the form of interactive initiatives that improve cohesion, build trust, and encourage enhanced team relationships.

As highlighted, the implementation of an Engage & Bloom workplace experience programme provides several key benefits, both in terms of individual employee wellbeing, productivity, and creativity. Additionally, there are a multitude of wider organisational benefits, including reduced absenteeism, labour turnover, and heightened team morale.

Discover tailored solutions that provide organisational, individual, and team benefits. Let us help you transform your workplace today.

About Planteria Group

Planteria is the UK’s leading office plant company, operating as an independent, family-run business of experts for more than 40 years and maintaining over 90,000 plant displays nationwide. We are committed to creating best-in-class biophilic design and have worked on some of the UK’s most prestigious projects.

You’ll find our work in offices, showrooms, and public buildings across the UK. Our Services: Design, installation and maintenance of planting for workplaces. Interior and exterior biophilic design, living walls and moss walls. We also offer corporate floristry and seasonal decorations, including orchids, Christmas trees and more workplace experience services via our Engage & Bloom Programme.

Contact Information

ENGAGE & BLOOM TEAM

T: 0345 505 3333

E: engageandbloom@planteriagroup.com

Discover ways to enhance your office environment with our expert insights on biophilic design, wellbeing, sustainability and the world of plants.

Planteria Group

We’ve Landed: Planteria Launches in the United States

Biophilic design

The Complete Guide to Green Walls

Planteria Group

London’s Biodiversity Hotspots

Tags: Biophilic design, Office, Plant care tips, Planteria Group, Plants, Workplace

15 Things to Consider When Choosing Plants for Your New Office

It can be difficult to know where to begin when deciding which plants to choose for your office, so we’ve put together 15 essential factors to keep in mind.

Whether you’re moving into a new building or refurbishing your existing space, introducing greenery is a simple yet impactful way of enhancing your office. Plus, plants are scientifically proven to provide plenty of other important benefits.

For business owners they increase the value of your property and help attract talent. For your staff they increase wellbeing, creativity, and increase productivity by up to 15%.

1. Lighting Conditions

Lighting is one of the most important factors in determining which plants will thrive in your office. Before you decide which plants to go for, we like to establish the light you have available in your office, particularly the amount of natural light. You can then choose plants that are a good match for your lighting conditions.

For example, pothos, philodendron, rubber plants, and fiddle-leaf figs are all ideal for well-lit spaces, while in darker environments options will be more limited. However plants like the ZZ plants (Zamioculcas zamiifolia) and snake plant (Sansevieria) can thrive in low-light. There are also important considerations such as the colour of the light (very important for plant growth) and light schedules (some plants need periods of darkness).

2. Space Availability

Make the most of your office planting by considering all aspects of the space. While floorstanding plants can be an obvious starting point, consider other alternatives, including hanging planting and small desktop plants that add an uplifting feel to workstations.

You may also like to choose a trailing plant that will cascade down from shelves, creating an eye-catching feature. At Planteria, our team enjoys developing innovative and bespoke planting solutions. For the below project we added planters to the tops of lockers, transforming a practical office essential into a decorative feature.

A moss wall can create true wow factor in your office. As well as looking incredibly impressive, moss walls reduce noise levels- perfect for loud office environments. Similarly, a living wall is an impactful office planting solution that won’t take up any floorspace. Consider a professionally designed and installed living wall that reflects your company and brand, even potentially incorporating your logo. Installing a living wall in a customer-facing area also creates a memorable first impression for guests.

As well as plants, introducing fresh flowers into your office will have an undoubtedly uplifting effect on your employees. Assemble bouquets yourself or make it a team bonding activity. If you’d prefer to leave it to a professional, the Planteria floristry team can assemble and deliver regular bouquets to your office.

As well as creating an inviting and vibrant workspace for staff, they also help build a positive first impression for guests. For a simple yet striking option, choose an orchid. When combined with moss and flowers, they make an elegant addition to any office and are available in various sizes.

3. Sustainability

Sustainability is an important consideration with almost any purchase, and office plants are no different. Consider ways to make your office planting scheme more environmentally friendly. For example, Ecoponic is a pure mineral mixture of pumice and zeolite that acts as an alternative to soil. Ecoponic offers numerous benefits, including:

Permanent structural stability that keeps soil airy and enables root absorption
Optimal air pore volume, creating ideal conditions for growing
Circular, allowing it to be re-used and recycled infinitely
Peat-free, protecting vulnerable peatlands, wildlife and reducing emissions
Efficiency in water storage and absorption
Reduced likelihood of flies or pests due to a lack of organic material

As well as planting material, pots also provide an opportunity to make a more sustainable choice. Elho pots are made from 100% recycled plastic using wind energy. Plus, they’re recyclable. Likewise, Capi produces various sustainable planting solutions. Capi Waste Line products are made from recycled cork and marine debris.

Capi’s Nature range includes beige pots made from recycled sawdust, green designs made from recycled artificial grass and black options made from recycled textiles. When it comes to maintenance, Planteria also have a team of Walking Plant Technicians who visit client offices on foot to reduce emissions.

4. Creating a Story

Adding plants to your office space gives you an opportunity to be creative and incorporate meaningful links and references to your business. Our design team will create a planting scheme that matches your brand’s colours for a cohesive look and feel.

The below example shows how our Planteria design team took inspiration from Experian’s branding guidelines:

Shades of purple and pink were infused into the cabinet top planting, naturally blending the company’s branding with the greenery. Most of the pots were chosen in neutral colours, accented with hints of blue tones to link back into Experian’s branding.

You may also wish to draw inspiration from your logo or product/service offering when planning your planting scheme.

For example, when designing a scheme for a Legal & General whose logo featured an umbrella, we installed umbrella trees as a subtle yet clever nod to their brand.

Wanting to boost biodiversity?

Talk to us about planting that supports the planet.

5. Maintenance Requirements

While it’s natural to think about how your plants initially look, it’s crucial to consider how much maintenance they will require on an ongoing basis. Keeping your plants healthy and safe from pests can be a big task.

Most businesses opt to appoint a plant maintenance contractor where specialist plant technicians will visit and tend to your plants. These services normally offer free replacements for plants that are unwell, dead or growing too tall.

If you’re short on time and prefer to take care of your plants in-house, it makes sense to consider low-maintenance options, including ZZ plants, aloe vera, or philodendrons, which are great choices for those with busy schedules.

6. Size of the Plant

Before you go ahead and purchase your plants, it’s important to consider their size. Not just at the time you’re buying them, but the size they may potentially grow to. Larger plants can help to fill empty and expansive spaces but may overwhelm smaller rooms.

Likewise, a very small plant in a large space can look disproportionate. If you have limited space, consider smaller plants or even desk-sized options such as succulents or air plants.

TRANSFORM YOUR OFFICE

Ask us about our biophilic design services.

7. Air Quality Benefits

One of the most advantages of office plants is their ability to improve air quality. Some plants, like the philodendron selloum, dracaena warneckei, ficus benjamina and aglaonema greyound are known for their air-purifying properties, helping to remove toxins.

If you are wanting to make a significant difference to the air quality, it will require a large number of plants. A living wall is a brilliant way of naturally increasing oxygen levels and air quality.

8. Employee Preference

Why not share the process of choosing your office plants with your employees? Ask their preferences and get them involved in the process. After all, they will be surrounded by the plants every day. Involving employees in the process can also make them feel more accountable for the plants when it comes to taking care of them.

Plus, it demonstrates your commitment to their wellbeing and creating an office space that they will enjoy working in.

9. Cost and Budget

Plants come in a variety of price ranges, depending on their size, rarity, and species. Be sure to set a budget before you begin choosing your plants so you can select your plants in alignment with your budget.

While more affordable plants like snake plants and spider plants are great budget-friendly options, if you’re working with a larger project, you may wish to opt for larger or more exotic plants that add a unique focal point to your space, especially when they’re positioned in a key area, such as centrally in the office or in the reception area.

10. Safety Considerations

If you regularly have young children or pets in your office, it’s important to choose plants that are non-toxic. Some common office plants, like the aloe vera plant, are safe, while others, such as dieffenbachia or poinsettias, can be toxic if ingested.

Always check if a plant is pet-friendly before introducing it to the office if you know animals are going to be around.

11. Aesthetic Appeal

Looks aren’t everything when it comes to plants, but they do play a very important part. Consider the colour, leaf shapes, and sizes and how they will fit in with your office décor. If you’d like to create a minimalistic and contemporary office space, opt for sleek, modern plants like snake plants or bonsais.

For a vibrant or tropical aesthetic, choose plants with large, bold foliage such as monstera or fiddle-leaf figs. If adding plants is part of an office-wide refurbishment, consider making a moodboard beforehand so you can get a clear idea of the aesthetic you’re aiming for and which plants have been used in similar spaces.

12. Growth Rate

The growth rate of a plant will impact how often you need to repot it or trim it. If you prefer a more contained plant, choose slow-growing options that require minimal maintenance. For example, blue star fern, calathea and philodendron.

Some plants, like the ficus benjamina grow quickly and may require more frequent attention. Knowing the growth rate helps prevent your plant from outgrowing its space too quickly and allows you to stay on top of whatever maintenance is needed.

13. Temperature Tolereance

Plants have varying tolerances to temperature, so it’s essential to match them to your office’s climate. Remember to check the temperature and humidity levels in your office before choosing plants.

Always got the heating on? opt for cacti and succulents that generally prefer warm, dry conditions. If your office is a cooler climate, choose ZZ plants, aspidistra and Phoenix date palms that can thrive, even in cooler, more humid environments.

14. Pots and Containers

It’s not just the plant you need to consider; pots and containers have an important part to play in enhancing the visual appeal of your plant while also promoting healthy growth. Choose pots with proper drainage to prevent root rot.

Additionally, consider how the container fits with the overall aesthetic of the office. Ceramic, concrete, and modern metallic pots can provide a sleek look, while wooden or woven baskets create a natural and laidback feel. Likewise, square and rectangular planters and pots have a modern and streamlined appearance, while round shapes give an organic feel.

15. Seasonal Changes

Finally, it’s worth considering the impact that the different seasons will have on the plants you choose. Some plants may require additional maintenance during certain times of the year. Seasonality is also a consideration in terms of how your plants look too, with potential changes in leaf colour, volume and flowers across the different seasons.

As well as considering planting inside your office, don’t forget about the exterior. Whether it’s at the front entrance or a terrace an exterior planting scheme allows you to enjoy greenery and seasonal blooms in your outdoor environment.

Conclusion

Picking the right plants for your office can depend on several features, in terms of both visual appearance and practical considerations. Keeping these 15 factors in mind allows you to choose a selection of plants that will suit your space and be suitably maintained, creating a healthier, more enjoyable workspace for all.

If you’re short on time or would prefer to leave it to a professional, consider contacting the friendly Planteria team. We can take care of everything from coming up with a design that suits your space to installation and ongoing maintenance.

Get in touch today to see how we can transform your office space.

Discover ways to enhance your office environment with our expert insights on biophilic design, wellbeing, sustainability and the world of plants.

Planteria Group

We’ve Landed: Planteria Launches in the United States

Biophilic design

The Complete Guide to Green Walls

Planteria Group

London’s Biodiversity Hotspots

Tags: Planteria Group

Prepare for The New Normal With Illona Hands-Free Sanitiser

As the country’s workforce starts to make its way back to factories, shops and offices throughout the UK, we do so with one overriding question on our minds – what will the ‘new normal’ look like?

Just about every organisation across the country has been affected by the recent Covid-19 outbreak, and whilst it’s true that life around the office won’t return to normal overnight, there’s a lot we can do to make our working environment feel safer and more comfortable for those returning from furlough or from home-working back to the workplace.

Planning Our Workspaces for The New-Normal

So, let’s take a quick look at some of the things we should be thinking about when re-introducing our workforce back into the office.

Cleanliness is Key

Government guidelines advise that workplaces should be cleaned more frequently, paying attention to high-contact objects like door handles and keyboards. Employers should provide handwashing facilities or hand sanitisers at entry and exit points.

We’ve all become acutely aware of is the number things we touch every day, usually without even realising it. Just think about how many items you might touch during a normal day in the office before you even get to your desk. Maybe your commute starts on public transport? Then, there are the doors, maybe there’s a turnstile, an elevator button, or did you take the stairs and grab the rail? Did you nip into the coffee shop to pick up some breakfast? Did you pay cash, or tap the buttons on the debit card keypad?

If we then consider that a 2015 study carried out by The National Library of Medicine showed that on average, we touch our faces around 23 times per hour, it’s easy to see why the simple act of regularly sanitising our hands can make such a big difference.

“On average, each of the 26 observed students touched their face 23 times per hour. Of all face touches, 44% (1,024/2,346) involved contact with a mucous membrane, whereas 56% (1,322/2,346) of contacts involved nonmucosal areas.”

Yes, it sounds fairly unpleasant when it’s put in those terms, but it’s the reason why one of the most important messages throughout this pandemic has been for the public to frequently and thoroughly wash their hands.

So, to help reduce the risk of infection in our customer’s offices and workspaces (as well as our own), we’ve developed the Ilona Touch-free Hand Sanitiser Dispenser.

Employees Should Be Re-Introduced Gradually

This is something that replicates our overall approach to bringing the lockdown to an end; re-opening gradually. The same goes for our office spaces. It’s a good idea to start with a limited number of people, for example those who are unable to work from home.

If you have multiple teams working in the same area, you might want to consider arranging alternate days for them to be in the office. Split team working is also a good idea; this simply means that a percentage of the team works from the office while their counterparts work from home, then they switch.

Think About Your Home-Working Policy

One thing that recent months has taught many of us is that thanks to technology, we have the ability to be just as effective at home as we are in the office. If your team members are able to work from home, then putting a fixed rota in place will help to reduce any potential infection risks, whilst allowing your team to enjoy team work and social interaction again in doses.

Plan Your Workspace with Social Distancing in Mind

One thing’s for certain, we’ll need to change the way we interact with our colleagues at work. This means that people shouldn’t be seated too close together, if you have a hot-desking policy, a fixed desk policy would be more sensible, at least for the short term.

You’ll need to think about how people move around the office too. Using signs and barriers will help people pass each other without getting too close. If you have a lift, it’s a good idea to limit that to 1 or 2 people at a time, or just to those who need it. If you are re-configuring offices, be creative by adding plants which can be used to mark our separate areas, or incorporated into barriers and cabinet tops, to create a sense of well-being and calm as well as looking beautiful.

Improve the Wellbeing of Your Teams with Plants and PPE packs

Making sure employees feel comfortable about returning to the workplace goes beyond simply making sure their environment is safe. With lockdown taking its toll on many of us, getting back into the outside world can feel pretty daunting. The prospect of using public transport and heading back to the office will be a cause of anxiety for many – that’s where office plants can bring real benefits to your team’s wellbeing.

It’s currently mandatory that those of us who rely on public transport for our daily commute are required to wear some kind of face-covering while we travel.

Consider having a supply of PPE in the office for teams to use as they need. Planteria offer a ‘Sani-pac’ which contains everything you may need to help keep you safe including 3-ply masks, hand sanitiser for your personal work area, anti bacterial spray and wipes for your desks and keyboards, as well as disposable gloves, and tissues.

Make your office a welcoming, calm and relaxing place to return to, by adding some office plants. Plants are known to produce oxygen and remove carbon dioxide from the air, actually making the air in your workplace cleaner, and are shown to reduce anxiety and fatigue.

So, while it might not sound like much, investing in a few office plants can make all the difference to your team.

Get in touch with us, we are ready to help you create the best return for your team.

Tags: About us, Planteria Group

Planteria Group Growing Staff

Introducing two of our newest employees at Planteria Group: Bronwyn Anderson and Casey Gill.

Please join us in welcoming them to our growing team! To get to know Bronwyn and Casey a bit better, we asked a few questions and we’ve included their answers below.

Bronwyn Anderson:

Bronwyn’s role at Planteria Group is Executive Assistant and she joined our team in March 2017.

Q: What is your home town?

A: Buckhurst Hill

Q: What are 3 things people might not know about you?

A: 1) I wear Versace perfume

2) I love playing volleyball!

3) Worst food: peas!

Q: What is your favourite plant?

A: Ficus Ginseng

Q: What are your favourite flowers?

A: Hydrangeas

Q: What is your favourite thing so far about working at Planteria Group?

A: There is a good work ethic and culture!

Casey Gill:

Casey has also been with Planteria Group since March 2017 in her role as Social Media Coordinator.

Q: What is your home town?

A: Houston, Texas

Q: What are 3 things people might not know about you?

A: 1) I’ve lived in 3 different countries, including the United Arab Emirates.

2) I’m a certified yoga teacher and run a small yoga studio nearby.

3) Favourite colour: green! How fitting!

Q: What is your favourite plant?

A: Anything to do with succulents! I love all different types of succulents for their unique shapes and easy-care.

Q: What are your favourite flowers?

A: Lilies – particularly Stagazer Lilies for their gorgeous colour and powerful fragrance.

Q: What is your favourite thing so far about working at Planteria Group?

A: Everyone is so friendly and there is a great atmosphere in the office, it’s also a pleasure being surrounded by so much greenery!

Thanks Bronwyn and Casey! Welcome to our family.

Our team is growing like a Kentia Palm (aka: Big Ken) and we are proud of our core values. If you are interested in a career with Planteria Group, please see our job openings and apply within.

Tags: Planteria Group, Service, Workplace wellness

Core Values Demonstrated with a Smile

At Planteria Group we are proud of our core values and our big smiles which drive our approach to providing you with reliable quality service and the most stunning planting & floristry services you’ll find in the UK. We believe that with great values comes great service.

As a family-run business for the past 40 years we hold our values close to our hearts, and believe that this is one (very important) thing that makes us stand above other companies out there. Our values embody our personality and our dedication to service whilst shaping every aspect of our business to ensure we always give our best.

Outlined below are our principle values:

– Integrity

– Dedicated to Care

– Always Smart

– Committed to Excellence

– Relentless to Improve

Integrity – Our business was founded on integrity from day one and we continue to do what is right, acting responsibly and always following through on our commitments. We are honest and hard-working and will always work to achieve the high standards you have come to expect.

Dedicated to Care – we are in the business of nurturing and nothing feels better than the sense of achievement that comes with a job well done. There’s nothing we can’t handle and we thrive on attention to detail from the initial consultation through to the design process, planting and after-care maintenance. Nurturing plants, flowers and clients since 1977 – that’s something we are quite proud to announce!

Always Smart – Image isn’t everything but it is a big part of good business and it goes a long way in promoting loyalty & professionalism. Whether you visit us at our head office or if you use our services and view the results you will find us smart, tidy, professional and efficient.

Committed to Excellence – Anything less is not an option. We won’t settle for second-best and nor should you. We believe a job is only worth doing if it is done properly and professionally. All of our staff receive rigorous training and everyone at Planteria Group is an expert in their own field giving you the best possible experience.

Relentless to Improve – We are constantly challenging our designers and pushing boundaries above and beyond industry standards, driving innovation, design and execution of our services. We continue to explore and innovate using new concepts and technologies bringing you the best possible results.

Whether you’re a new client or an existing client (or perhaps a future client) we are confident that you will love our services and the benefits they bring to your business.

If you’d like further information about what we can do for your business or workspace, please contact us or request a FREE QUOTE online.

Planteria Group provides stunning planting & floristry for businesses & offices since 1977. Not only attractive to the eyes but other health benefits of greening your space include cleaner air, increased productivity & creativity as well as reducing stress & sickness creating an overall happier place to be. Interior & Exterior planting & flower designs available.

Tags: About us, Planteria Group, Service

In Safe Hands Across The UK

Proud to be a national provider of corporate planting and floristry services

We often tell our clients that we are a National Provider and we do so with some pride, but why does that matter, who does it matter to and what does it really mean?

We are currently 65 staff strong including a team of 31 technicians and florists covering 1700 client sites for both planting and floristry services. We cover the whole of the UK which currently means Dundee to Exeter, though we’ll happily go further. Our technicians are directly employed by us, they are not contractors. We see this as important to providing the very best service and accountability to our clients. Our team receive full in-house training working to the Planteria standard. We have long lasting relationships with our technicians who are part of the Planteria family. Many of our technicians hold long service awards with Planteria, for more than five years continuous employment, and the majority have impressive knowledge of, and experience in the horticulture industry. One has even published a book on the subject. Our technicians are the face of Planteria Group and we know that they, in turn, build lasting relationships with our clients who sing their praises, some have also won industry recognised awards for their work. Furthermore, our team are incentivised on a customer feedback score. We use a tried and tested scoring system, the Net Promoter Score -read more about it here NPS and customer service. Many of our clients have multiple sites. For them, having one provider for plants and plant maintenance is a sensible move. The benefits include having one point of contact and having one invoice if required. We provide them with a client web portal to view visits to all sites in one place. They also get consistent maintenance and consistent plant designs and styles, if that is something that is important to them. We take the time to understand our clients, who conversely could have a completely different requirement for corporate planting and floristry at each location and need a bespoke approach. Consolidation of contracts eases admin, simplifies life and creates cost savings. To mention just a few examples, we are currently serving 57 locations for a well-known brewery, 12 locations for a luxury hotel chain, 66 client locations for a leading Facilities Management Company and 25 buildings for a property management company with our services for plants and flowers. What can we do for you? – Please get in touch with us for a free quotation or when you are next putting your contract out to tender. Contact us today.

Tags: About us, Planteria Group

Press Release: Planteria Group Acquires Jungleworld

Planteria Group Acquires Jungleworld

In a move that makes them one of the largest privately-owned plant services companies in the UK.

Planteria Group, nationwide corporate planting and floristry experts, and provider to the FM industry,has acquired competitor Jungleworld, a specialist in the hospitality floristry sector. Both companies have a wealth of experience and a strong client base, which will combine to greatly benefit both customers and companies.

Family run Planteria Group established in 1977, made the strategic decision to buy Jungleworld. Planteria’s Managing Director Matt Anderson said, “The acquisition complements Planteria Group’s current operations, increasing our staff by 20% at our head office near Stansted with easy transport links across the UK. The move allows for an increased offering geographically for our floristry services, strengthens our buying power and sees us increasing our presence in the hospitality market sector. The coming together of the two companies has been seamless, we purchased our head office in 1996, with ambitious stretch goals in mind and had ample space for the expansion of our business.”

Both companies will run under their existing names for the current time.

Tags: Charity, Planteria Group

GOSH Fundraising Donation

Fundraising through charity events at our office is one of the ways that we work together to support those in need. Most recently, we supported Great Ormond Street Hospital for Children with a bake sale, raffle and table tennis tournament. Following our fundraising event and after counting all of the donations, we were incredibly honoured to see the grand total of £700 on an offical cheque to GOSH. Matt Anderson, Managing Director of Planteria Group presented the cheque in person at Great Ormond Street Hospital in London. Our donation helps seriously ill children and their familes when they need it most. Donations can help contribute to the building and refurbishment of the hospital, support ground-breaking research and development of new treatments, fund the most up-to-date equipment and also provide support and accommodation to children and families in need. We are proud to support Great Ormond Street Hospital and the excellent and meaningful work they do. Each quarter our employees help select a meaningful charity to support and we work together to plan events and make donations that make a difference. This quarter we will be supporting Meningitis Now, a charity that is close to the hearts of our employees.

Tags: About us, NPS, Planteria Group, Service

NPS & The Importance of Customer Service

‘Our customers are at the heart of all we do. We enjoy the feel good factor and sense of achievement in a job well done and we like to think there is no circumstance that we cannot handle.’

‘Nurturing is natural to us: plants, flowers, clients. It’s all in the attention to detail. This is why people who choose Planteria, stay with Planteria.’

This is reflected not only in our core values but also in the care we offer to all of our clients no matter how large or small, new or old. We always strive to go above and beyond what is expected and we’re so committed to excellence that we select a number of clients each week and ask directly for feedback.

At Planteria, we measure our performance using a simple, non-biased survey to measure customer satisfaction and also understand whether our clients like us enough to recommend us to others. This is pretty powerful stuff.

Our customer satisfaction is measured with something called Net Promoter Score®, or NPS® for short.

NPS measures customer experience and also reveals how likely our clients are to suggest our services to others. This proven metric provides the core measurement for customer experience and the surveys are not only straightforward, they are also easy to understand and complete without taking too much time from our clients.

The most important question asked is: “How likely is it that you would recommend our company’s product and services to a friend or colleague?”

In other words, the question asks what is the likelihood of promotion? As such, the question not only gives an indication of customer satisfaction with the brand, but also the level of customer loyalty.

Respondents answer by choosing a number from 0-10, with 10 being the most likely to recommend.

Depending on the score our customers give, they are then classified as promoters (score 9-10), passives (score 7-8) and detractors (score 0-6).

The scores from all customers are then aggregated into one single number, which is our overall Net Promoter Score. Here’s the formula for calculating the NPS score:

NPS = (% of Promoters) – (% of Detractors)

NPS score can range from -100—if all customers are Detractors—to 100—if all customers are Promoters.

So why do we care about this so much? According to npsbenchmarks.com, the key benefits of NPS are:

· NPS scores can be used as a predictor of future customer actions

· Higher response rate due to the simplicity of the survey

· Ease of use – NPS practitioners can conduct the survey via various channels – phone, SMS, or Web.

· Quick follow-up – NPS practitioners can quickly share the customer feedback with frontline employees or managers, who can follow up with detractors and address their concerns. LEGO®, for example, address low NPS feedback in as little as 24 minutes.

At Planteria Group, our current NPS Score is 65 and we are proud to be in the top percentage of companies with strong customer loyalty. (Update: as of September 2017 our latest NPS score was an impressive 91).

For comparison, below is a snapshot of NPS scores from other companies you may be familiar with. Planteria Group rank exceptionally well by comparison. (Below data correct at time of publishing.)And for comparison by industry, it’s nice to see that we are well above the various averages shown below:(Above data correct at time of publishing July 2017)

Although our NPS scores are incredibly valuable, perhaps the most valuable aspect of the NPS surveys is the written feedback we receive from our clients. It’s hugely beneficial and rewarding to see the positive feedback and if ever there is a problem or a comment that strikes us as needing attention we can quickly respond.

Planteria Group are committed to excellence. Anything less is not an option. We believe a job is only worth doing if it’s done properly. We employ rigorous training and procedures to ensure everyone at Planteria is an expert in their field. This culture of excellence ensures our clients are consistently satisfied.

In addition to our commitment to excellence, we are also relentless to improve. We love to challenge the status quo and constantly push the boundaries of industry standards. We explore and innovate to discover new concepts, and diligently fight the resistance to change. This forward-looking, enthusiastic approach keeps us ahead of the game.

Image credits: all visual charts shown come from npsbenchmarks.com

We’ve Landed: Planteria Launches in the United States

Why We're Here

What We're Bringing to the Table

What's Next?

Let's Grow Together

Read More

The Complete Guide to Green Walls

Interior Green Wall Systems

Living Walls

Pros of Living Walls

Cons of Living Walls

Design & Maintenance

Artificial Walls (Interior)

Preserved Moss Walls

Living Pictures

Movable Green Dividers

Exterior Green Wall Systems

Living Walls (Exterior)

Artificial Green Walls (Exterior)

Wildflower Walls (Exterior)

Ivy Walls

Lighting Requirements

Planning and Installation Considerations

Maintenance and Aftercare

Inspiration and Gallery

Read More

The Most Sustainable Planting Scheme

The Most Sustainable Planting Scheme

whats included

Walking Plant Technicians

100% Public Transport

UK Grown Plants

Less Road MIles

Ecoponic Substrate

Saving our vulnerable peat-lands

what is ecoponic?

Peat Free

Reduced Water use

Less chance of flies or pests

Infinite Lifecycle

Recycled & Sustainable Planting Containers

Plants donated to the local community

Ecovardis Gold

plant grow pots 100% recycled

Zero waste to landfill

pollinator friendly planting

Planting for the planet

habitats for nature

making the office a destination (for nature)

Read More

The Science and Strategies Behind Engage & Bloom

Harnessing nature for workplace wellness and engagement

An Introduction to Engage & Bloom

The Modern Workplace Challenge

Increasing Importance of Well-being and Engagement for Productivity

The Innate Human Connection to Nature: Biophilia

The Science of Wellness in the Workplace

Impact of Stress, Poor Air Quality and Sterile Environments on Staff

DISCOVER WORKPLACE EXPERIENCE PROGRAMMES

Scientific Evidence Supporting Biophilia

Cognitive and Productivity Benefits of Greenery in Offices

The Psychological Basis of Nature Engagement

Sensory Benefits of Plant Interaction

Employee Engagement: Why it Matters

The Impact of Disengagement

The Role of Nature in Engagement

How Interactive Experiences with Plants Create Meaningful Connections

Strategies Behind Engage & Bloom: Tailored Solutions for Every Workplace

Flexible Solutions to Suit Workplace Needs

Engagement Through Experience

How Interactive Learning Builds Deeper Connection

Employee Satisfaction Surveys

Client Success Stories

Case Studies

Quantifiable Benefits for Staff Engagement and Wellness

Implementing Engage & Bloom

Preparing for an Engage & Bloom Rollout

Partnership with Planteria Group

Conclusion

About Planteria Group