Artificial Plants for Offices & Workplaces

Why workplaces choose artificial planting

Offices want greenery for how a space looks and feels, but living plants in offices have a hard time: air conditioning, low light away from windows, weekends and holidays without watering, and no one whose job it is to look after them. The usual outcome is a maintenance contract or a row of dying plants. Artificial planting gives a consistent, finished look with no watering, feeding, soil or leaf drop, and the only upkeep is dusting. It is also easy to move when teams and layouts change.

Specify by area

• Reception: this is the first impression, so it is worth a statement tree at 150cm to 180cm, or a matched pair either side of the desk, in a planter that suits the interior. A 180cm fiddle leaf fig or a 150cm twisted-trunk fruticosa ficus gives height without much width. A small arrangement or orchid on the desk finishes it. See commercial specification for reception and lobby guidance.
• Open-plan floors: use trees of 120cm to 180cm and troughs of bamboo or grasses to zone teams and soften long runs of desks. Keep bases clear of walkways and cable routes.
• Meeting rooms: one or two medium plants in corners, kept below eye level across the table.
• Breakout and kitchen areas: trailing plants on shelving and hanging plants above seating save floor space. Keep them away from kettles, toasters and other heat sources.
• Desks: small plants that do not get in the way of screens. See desktop and small plants.

Choosing trees for offices

Our artificial tree range runs from 40cm to 260cm. For most office positions three families do the work:

• Ficus: bushy or twisted-trunk forms that read as classic office trees.
• Bamboo: tall and narrow, good for screening and corners.
• Palms: wider canopies for larger receptions and atriums.

Check height against ceiling height and sight lines, and check width against the space you have. The finder shows both. Trees come in weighted plastic pots, which are designed to sit inside a decorative planter; allow a planter whose inner opening is a few centimetres wider than the pot. The plant and planter fit finder helps match them, and some lines are sold already in a metal planter, such as the 130cm variegated ficus in a copper planter.

Glazed and sunny spaces

Planting pressed against south-facing glass fades faster than planting deeper in the room. For those positions, and for roof terraces, use UV-stabilised lines.

UV-stabilised lines contain UV inhibitors that slow colour fade in bright and outdoor positions. All artificial foliage fades gradually in prolonged direct sun; UV-stabilised stock fades far more slowly than untreated stock. We don't publish a lifespan, so plan to inspect exposed pieces each season and rotate or replace them when the colour drops.

Fire performance

If your building's fire risk assessment requires fire-retardant planting in escape routes, stairwells or reception, choose from the lines flagged fire-retardant, shown in the fire-retardant finder. They include tall palms, bamboo, ficus and olive trees and 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.

Multi-floor and multi-site rollouts

The 50-unit stock filter on the finder is a starting point. Count every position across all floors, add a few spares for damage and future moves, and choose lines whose live stock is comfortably above that total. Order the same SKU for every site in one order where possible, and record the SKU against each position so replacements match. We do not reserve stock; for a phased programme, email us your SKUs and quantities before you commit.

Upkeep

Dust monthly (weekly in reception) with a soft brush or low-suction vacuum, wipe larger leaves with a damp cloth when needed, and check trees are stable after office moves. Full guidance is on care and maintenance.

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).