The innovative use of plants in a commercial setting can significantly enhance the environment, aesthetics, and even productivity of the space. From improving air quality and aesthetics to promoting well-being and sustainability, businesses that integrate plants thoughtfully into their operations can create healthier, more appealing environments for employees, customers, and visitors. This article will explore twelve creative ways to use plants in business environments and commercial spaces.
- Living Walls: Living walls, or vertical gardens, are an innovative way to utilize plants in a commercial setting. They can be installed indoors or outdoors and provide numerous benefits, such as improved air quality, noise reduction, and aesthetic appeal. Living walls can be customized with a variety of plant species and irrigation systems to suit the specific environment. (Read More about Living Walls)
- Biophilic Design Elements: Incorporating biophilic design principles involves bringing elements of nature into indoor spaces. This could include using natural materials like wood and stone alongside plants to create a more natural and calming environment. Biophilic design is one of the most popular ways to use plants in business, as it has been shown to boost productivity and creativity.
- Edible Landscaping: In settings such as restaurants, hotels, or corporate campuses, incorporating edible plants into landscaping can serve both decorative and functional purposes. Herbs, fruits, and vegetables can be integrated into gardens or planters, providing fresh produce for culinary use while enhancing the aesthetic appeal of the space. Food doesn’t get any fresher than grown on-site!
- Air Purification Systems: Certain plants are highly effective at purifying indoor air by removing toxins and pollutants. Using these plants strategically in commercial settings such as offices, healthcare facilities, or retail spaces can contribute to a healthier indoor environment for employees and customers alike. (Read More about Air-Purifying Plants)
- Green Roofs: Installing green roofs on commercial buildings offers numerous benefits, including insulation, stormwater management, and habitat creation. Plants used on green roofs are selected for their ability to thrive in rooftop environments and can range from sedums to native grasses and wildflowers.
- Plant-Based Art Installations: Businesses can create visually stunning art installations using plants as the primary medium. This could involve sculpting with living plants, creating intricate patterns with succulents, or using plants as part of larger artistic displays. Plant-based art can serve as a focal point in lobbies, atriums, or public spaces.
- Collaborative Workspaces: Try integrating plants into collaborative workspaces to enhance creativity and well-being. Using plants in business settings may involve placing greenery strategically around meeting areas, using plant partitions to create private spaces, or incorporating plants into modular furniture designs.
- Therapeutic Gardens: Designing therapeutic gardens within healthcare facilities or senior living communities can provide patients and residents with access to nature, promoting relaxation and healing. These gardens may include sensory plants, wheelchair-accessible pathways, and seating areas for outdoor therapy sessions. (Read more about Therapeutic Gardens)
- Retail Displays: Plants can be used creatively in retail settings to enhance product displays and attract customers. Living plants can be integrated into shelving units, used as backdrops for merchandise, or incorporated into window displays to create a welcoming and natural ambiance.
- Event Spaces: By incorporating plants into event spaces such as conference centers, hotels, or banquet halls, hosts can create a memorable atmosphere for guests. This could involve using potted plants as centerpieces, hanging plants as decorative elements, or creating green walls as backdrops for stages or photo opportunities.
- Employee Wellness Programs: Executives can promote employee well-being by incorporating plants into workplace wellness programs. Consider providing employees with desktop plants or small potted plants for their workstations, offering workshops on plant care, or establishing communal gardening areas where employees can relax and unwind.
- Go Native: Companies can embrace sustainability by incorporating Florida native plants, using drought-resistant species, and implementing water-efficient irrigation systems. By choosing plants that require minimal maintenance and resources, businesses can reduce their environmental footprint while enhancing the overall aesthetic of their spaces.
Tropex is the Florida Gulf Coast’s trusted provider of plant leasing services for commercial spaces and residential homes. Call us today to learn more about the benefits of using plants in business.
