Space saving plant displays

The benefits of using plants are well known and explained in some depth elsewhere on this web site.  But what if you don't have much space to use?  Office floor space in some cities is very expensive, so it makes sense to get the most productivity out of it.  Where can the plants go?

Small footprints

The latest fashion in plant displays is for tall, narrow containers with shorter plants. Often displayed in pairs, these complement the sleek lines of modern interior furnishings. Typically, these containers have a footprint of less than 30 cm X 30 cm (1 ft X 1 ft), which is similar to that of a waste paper basket. Other examples include narrow troughs with a width of less than 20 cm (8”).

The relatively small opening for the plants limits the sizes of plants that can be used. However, displays where the container is taller than the plant still look pleasing, as these examples show.

Cabinet-top plants

Every office has filing cabinets and cupboards, the tops of which are ideal places for plants. They will help soften the edges of the cabinets and can make the space seem bigger. This is achieved by leading the eye away from the hard top edge of the cabinet and taking it to view the space beyond. In a large office with several ranks of cabinets, the effects can be quite dramatic.

Plant displays for such locations do have their own particular maintenance requirements. Access is not always straightforward and a stepladder may be required. However, irrigation systems built into the plant displays allow watering intervals to be extended to upwards of three weeks.

Cubicle-top plants

Cubicle offices are very common in some parts of the World, especially in North America. Whilst they make efficient use of space and provide a limited amount of privacy for office workers, they can be dull and monotonous. The only view from a cubicle is of the ceiling or through a doorway to another cubicle wall. The spaces between the ranks of cubicles form corridors.  These are narrow and do not lend themselves to having floor-standing plant displays, which in any case would not be visible to the vast majority of the occupants of the office space.

The alternative is to use specially made cubicle-top plant containers. A good example is the ‘Topsiders’ range from the USA. These allow plants to be placed on the edges or corners of cubicle walls and provide all cubicle occupants with a plant to call their own. Trailing plants are often used, but there is no reason why a full range of small plants can’t be used, including coloured and flowering plants.

As with cabinet-top plants, maintenance of the displays may require the use of a set of steps. However, modern care techniques mean that disruption can be minimized as maintenance intervals can be extended.

Wall-mounted displays

Wall-mounted plant displays are common in corridors and hallways, but also in offices and in places such as restaurants and cafeterias. The most common shape of container is a half-moon and is similar in shape to a lot of uplighters used for illumination. However, more interesting shapes are now available, such as this wall sconce from Australia.

Such plant containers have a limited volume. There is little room for compost and only small plants are appropriate. Another factor to consider is the load bearing capability of the wall. Usually, if the wall is strong enough for a light unit or a picture, then there should not be a problem. However, it is a factor that must always be considered.

Desktop displays

Desktops are often the only personal space office workers can claim and customize to their own preferences.  Many people bring in their own 'pet plants' but there is no reason why professionally installed and maintained displays can't be accommodated.  There is now a wide range of good quality plants and containers that are ideal for desktops that will complement corporate colour schemes and design styles as well as providing a benefit to the staff in the building.

By the way, there is some evidence that office staff will take greater pride in their workspace if they are given a greater say in the choice of furnishings, fittings and decoration (including plants).

Plant screens and room dividers

The space in open plan offices is frequently divided by screens, either to provide a limited amount of privacy or to segregate different functions within the space.  These screens are often ugly and can be expensive.  Some screens are available that incorporate plants into their design, such as the examples shown below.

Office partition using replica wheat grass plants

The 'Eco-Wall' ™ - A living plant screen marketed by Rentokil Tropical Plants South Africa.

Planted screens are also beneficial in noisy offices as some are able to absorb some sounds.  See our article on the acoustic benefits of plants.

Views into atriums

If there really is no room for plants in the office, then try to ensure that everyone has a view of some greenery.  Atriums are often overlooked by offices and these spaces are ideal for plant displays.