Over the last few years, office designers have specified cabinet-top planters (sometimes called furniture-based planters). They are rectangular troughs that are designed to hold several small plants – often a mixture of species.

These planters are often, they are rather shallow: 150mm to 200mm depth is quite common. They can look great, but they can also have some issues – especially if you have to maintain the plants in them.

I have seen increasing numbers of this type of planting not looking their best after a relatively short time. Sometimes, this is down to having a mix of plants that are incompatible with each other. (I have a training course about that, by the way – please get in touch). However, more often, it seems to be because the planters are very shallow. Office furniture designers – get in touch with a horticulturist (me, for example) before you design your planters. Some of your work is very sub-optimal. Why do you think 150mm depth is adequate?

Most of these planters take large numbers of small plants in a relatively small volume of growing medium. As a result, they tend get through water quite quickly. Because they are quite high (often above shoulder height), they are also tricky to water and groom.

Vulcaponics can work very well with furniture-based planters, but even they can struggle when the planter is especially shallow.

Most commercial interior landscaping companies have a service cycle of two weeks or more (three weeks is common in Europe). This is fine for larger, solo plants displayed in decent-sized planters. Three or even four week watering intervals are no problem, but this is a stretch for such small plants.

It strikes me that the best way to think of these planters is as a horizontal green wall. Green walls have large volumes of small plants in a relatively small space. They work because the watering element of plant care is managed by having an irrigation system, or hydroponic set-up.

Interior landscapers: you have options

First, you can shorten your service cycles. This will work, but will be costly. It might make planning of service schedules quite difficult if you have a mix of 2-week and 3-week cycles.

Second, try using more succulents and other low-water plants. This will also work, but you will need to check to make sure the light levels are high enough.

Next, do nothing but make sure you price in much higher plant replacement costs.

Finally, consider using hydro-culture for this type of plant display. This will enable you to stretch your service intervals back to three weeks. You will also solve many of the plant incompatibility issues that would arise from the species having different water requirements when grown in compost. This is the closest to a green wall in terms of care and maintenance.

Get in touch for advice, training or consultancy, whether you are an interior landscaper, designer or furniture supplier – I can help you get it right. Please also sign up to get my emails about my services and training programmes.