Artificial Plants for Care Homes & Healthcare

Why care settings use artificial planting

Greenery makes lounges, dining rooms, corridors and bedrooms feel more homely, and it gives residents and visitors something pleasant to look at. Living plants in care settings bring problems of their own: soil and standing water, pollen, dropped leaves that become a trip or hygiene issue, and staff time spent watering. Artificial planting has no soil, no standing water and no pollen, needs no watering, and stays the same from one inspection to the next. It still needs cleaning, sensible placement and, in many areas, fire-retardant material.

Fire-retardant lines for corridors and communal areas

Care homes are sleeping-risk premises, so the fire risk assessment will look closely at anything placed in corridors, stairwells and escape routes. Our 36 fire-retardant lines, shown in the finder below, include trees up to 210cm, bushes such as the 80cm fire-retardant aglaonema bush, a 75cm fire-retardant Boston fern in a pot, the 45cm fire-retardant mini ficus topiary ball, stems sold individually, and 15 hanging trailing plants.

Our fire-retardant lines are made from fully tested fire-retardant materials. Testing is carried out at material level to EN 13501-1 (reaction to fire, classification B-s2, d0) and NFPA 701, and the same tested material is used across the range's styles. Test reports are available to trade customers on request, and your venue's fire risk assessment decides what is acceptable in a given location. Only lines flagged fire-retardant carry this material. Whatever you specify, keep all planting clear of heaters, candles, cooking equipment and naked flames.

If a line you like is not flagged fire-retardant, use it only where your fire risk assessment allows, or ask us for a flagged alternative of similar size.

Placement for residents' safety

How planting is placed matters as much as what it is made of:

• Keep routes clear. Nothing should narrow a corridor, sit where a walking frame or wheelchair turns, or block a handrail. Wall-mounted shelves, high-level trailing plants and corners are better than floor-standing pieces in corridors.
• Stable, weighted bases. Choose weighted pots and heavy planters that will not tip if someone leans on them, and avoid tall, light trees in busy areas.
• Small parts. Some residents, particularly people living with dementia, may handle or try to eat small decorative items. Small berries, stones, moss and loose flowers are best kept out of reach in those units; choose plants with larger leaves and no loose top dressing.
• Heat sources. Keep all planting clear of radiators, heaters, candles and kitchen equipment.

Cleaning and infection control

Artificial plants collect dust like any other surface, so they should sit on your cleaning schedule. Choose forms that are easy to clean: larger leaves wipe faster than fine fronds, and pieces that can be lifted and taken to a sink are easier than fixed displays. Dust weekly with a soft brush or a vacuum on low suction, and wipe or rinse leaves with warm water and a mild detergent when needed, letting them dry fully. Avoid bleach and strong solvents, which can mark and fade the leaves; if your infection control policy needs a specific disinfectant, test it on one leaf first. Our care and maintenance page has more detail.

What to put where

• Lounges and dining rooms: a few larger pieces rather than many small ones. Potted plants of 60cm to 120cm in heavy planters, and flowering plants for colour.
• Entrances and receptions: a statement tree, or a pair, from the tree finder, clear of the door swing.
• Corridors: fire-retardant trailing plants at high level, or small fire-retardant potted plants on secure shelves.
• Bedrooms: one small potted plant chosen with the resident or family, where it cannot be knocked over.
• Gardens and courtyards: UV-stabilised topiary and grasses. UV-stabilised lines contain UV inhibitors that slow colour fade, but all artificial foliage fades gradually in prolonged sun and we don't publish a lifespan.

Buying for a group of homes

The finder shows exact live stock. For a group, count every position across all homes, choose lines with stock comfortably above that total, and order together where possible. Record the SKU against each room or area so replacements match. We do not reserve stock or publish restock dates, so email us the SKUs and quantities for a phased programme before you commit.

Register online, log in to see trade prices. The minimum order is £150 ex VAT and UK mainland delivery is free on orders of £300 ex VAT or more; full terms are on ordering and delivery. Register online to see trade prices, or email sales@leafdesignwholesale.co.uk to book a visit to our Louth trade showroom (by appointment).