If you’re looking to add interior plants to your office environment, you’ve got several options. And one of those options is to participate in an interior plant program. But many people aren’t clear about how these programs work and their potential advantages.
In order to help you better understand the basics of interior plant programs, we’ve created this handy guide with answers to frequently asked questions:
What is an interior plant program?
An interior plant program involves the design, installation, and ongoing maintenance of plants that are part of an interior landscape. These plants can be leased or purchased, and the plant arrangements will be customized to your preference and to the needs of your office environment.
How does an interior plant program work?
The first step is usually a consultation. At Engledow, this step is very important to us because it helps our designers and horticultural specialists understand your company’s unique culture, design intent, and it helps us identify optimal locations for plant material in your environment. It’s also something we offer for free. After the consultation, we will provide you with plant design recommendations. Once you’re comfortable with our recommendations, we install and maintain the plants according to the mutually agreed upon contract.
Why would I want to consider an interior plant program for my office?
Plants provide many proven benefits in a work environment. They improve air quality, stabilize humidity levels, lessen noise and distractions, increase productivity, improve employee attitudes, and reduce employee absenteeism. And by participating in an interior plant program, you can rest assured that your plants will remain appealing, healthy, and vibrant—all while allowing you to focus on more important tasks. Plants also create a positive impression and a welcoming environment for guests. And if you want plants around your office, an interior plant program can save you money because you won’t have to worry about costly replacements as they are included in our maintenance guarantee.
What if I want to do interior landscaping myself?
In the short term, this approach may save you money. But we don’t recommend it. Here are a few reasons why:
Experienced designers go a long way. At Engledow, our designers are always looking to maximize your return on investment by making sure you’re getting the most out of your plants and arrangements.
Horticultural experts maintain plants for a living. They know what they’re doing, what to look for, and can usually identify issues before you even notice them.
We can’t speak for other companies, but over the past 30 years we’ve been able to build great relationships with some of the best growers in the industry—growers that specialize in high-quality plants. Our plants are consistently of a better quality than you can find at “big box” stores such as Lowe’s and Home Depot. And they’ve been acclimated specifically for indoor use.
Interior landscaping companies offer various guarantees regarding their work—although some don’t live up to their promises. The Engledow Guarantee means we always stand behind our work. Any concern, problem, or dissatisfaction regarding the plants we’ve provided will be addressed in a timely manner.
What is the difference between leasing and purchasing plants?
When leasing plants, there are no upfront fees except for a small installation and materials fee. The cost of the plants, containers, and maintenance program are then spread over time through monthly payments. This is a good direction to go if you think you might redesign, remodel, or otherwise change your space in the future. In other words, you aren’t tied to the design.
Purchasing plants is a better idea if you have the upfront capital. This reduces your monthly payment since you will only be paying for maintenance and the guarantee. The downside to purchasing is that you own the plants and containers, so if you want to change the design, you have to start over. If you expect to be in your space for more than two years, purchasing may be a good option for you.
Leasing and purchasing are the two standard options for any interior plant program. At Engledow, it doesn’t matter if you lease or purchase—our commitment to ongoing maintenance and our guarantee remains the same.
What if a plant becomes sick or dies? Is there any type of guarantee?
This depends on the company you’re working with. At Engledow, if we maintain the plants, we guarantee them. Our goal is always to identify issues with a sick or dying plant before you do as part of ongoing maintenance. If one of our technicians recognizes a plant declining, they will write it up and get a prompt replacement. We will always honor this agreement as part of the Engledow Guarantee, so long as the plant isn’t damaged by forces outside of our control. Examples of this would be vandalism or leaving a plant next to an open window for an extended period during freezing-cold weather.
What is the cost for an interior plant program?
An interior plant program can cost anywhere from $9 to $600 a month. That’s a wide range, but it’s impossible to pinpoint a price without taking into account the many variables that are a part of any interior plant program. Some of these variables include the size of the plants, variety of plants, size and style of containers, the nature of the office environment, and whether you want to lease or purchase the plants and containers.
Where is your interior plant service offered?
We serve clients in many cities throughout Central Indiana including Muncie, Anderson, Columbus, Terre Haute, Kokomo, Richmond, Lafayette, Greenwood, and Indianapolis, among others. Since we’re probably working in your area already, you can expect the same level of service from Engledow no matter the location or size of your contract.
I want to do an interior plant program, but I’d like to change plant arrangements throughout the year. Can I do this?
Yes, most companies are happy to do this. At Engledow, we work with clients on changing seasonal color rotations anywhere from 4 to 17 times a year. This of course impacts the price of the maintenance contract.
I have a very large office building and/or multiple properties. Can you handle it?
Our team at Engledow can handle it. Several of our clients have large office buildings and multiple properties, and we maintain plant arrangements in all of them.
I have more questions about interior plant programs. Who can I talk to?
Feel free to give us a call at 317.575.1100, or simply fill out the form below, and we’ll be happy to answer any additional questions you might have.
