by Holly Chapman | 08 Jun 26 | Nature & Biodiversity, News
This year, plants@work is not only celebrating its 25th anniversary, but it solidifies its commitment to inclusivity by taking part in London’s Pride event on 4 July 2026.
Earlier this year, plants@work launched its Pride network, spearheaded by ambassador and equality and diversity secretary, Ian Drummond. He comments on the announcement:
“As we celebrate 25 years of plants@work, it is vital that we look forward to the next 25 with a clear focus on the people who make this industry.
“Our industry has always been a place of creativity and growth, and by formalising this network, we are ensuring that every individual—regardless of how they identify—feels seen, supported, and celebrated. Today we’ve planted something truly special. Together we grow.
Those wishing to join plants@work in its march across the streets of London do not have to be a member or even work within the interior landscaping industry. “We believe that when we come together, our voice is stronger, and we would be honoured to have you by our side,” says the organisation.
Marchers are also encouraged to wear botanical symbols that have played a significant role in gay and queer history, such as pansies, lavender, the green carnation and violets. All of which are listed here.
To join the plants@work march, contact info@plantsatwork.org.uk by 15 June to get registered.
by Bethany Vann | 03 Feb 26 | News
UK association, plants@work celebrates 25th anniversary with the unveiling of a new commemorative logo.
Designed to represent a quarter-century of leadership and evolution, says the association – the new logo is a representation of stability, vitality, and the professional green standard plants@work members represent.
Still keeping its signature logo and traditional colour palette, the new logo includes several new key features, these include:
An arch designed to symbolise the bridge of time, connecting the association with its founding in 20011 – as efig – to now.
At the heart of the logo a new contemporary human design adorned in plant life represents the connection between people and nature – its circular design a symbol of movement and continued evolution.
Kenneth Freeman, plants@work chairman, comments:
“Our 25th-anniversary logo is more than just a celebratory badge; it is a tribute to the professionals who have turned the ‘office plant’ into an essential architectural component. It celebrates where we’ve been and, more importantly, the green future we are still building.”
The logo’s unveiling marks the start of a year of celebrations for association, with its first 25th anniversary event to be held at Provender Nurseries in Swanley on Friday, 27 February 2026.
The event’s itinerary includes a behind-the-scenes tour of Provender’s Control Point, which opened in 2024 – marking the first trade nursery to do so.
As well as a look into planting importing updates in the context of a shift in the global market; topped with a look into what the next 25 years will bring for the interior landscaping sector.
All plants@work members, selected industry peers and the press members are invited to attend.
Find out more information here.
by Bethany Vann | 28 Oct 25 | News
Interior landscape consultant Ian Drummond has published a new edition of his guide to house plants, co-authored with interiors journalist Kara O’Reilly, At Home with Plants.
First published in 2017 and then updated in 2022, the book offers accessible inspiration for how to transform interiors with plants and how to give them a starring role in designs.
Offering an in-depth guide to which plants work best in different rooms and environments—and how to care for them properly.
Now printed in eight languages, published by Octopus Books, the new edition will also come with an updated directory, as well as sharing the health benefits of having plants in the home.
Author and plants@work ambassador, Ian Drummond comments on the launch:
“I am so happy that the book has sold so well globally and hope that this new edition will bring in a new audience and they too will fall in love with house plants just as I did as a child. I think that plants are such an incredible way to bring nature and joy into the home.”
For further information on the book contact Jean@jeanegbunike.com.
by Holly Chapman | 13 Oct 25 | Landscape Architecture, News
plants@work has announced the celebration of the 21st edition of the Leaf Awards, which took place on 9 October at The Rembrandt Hotel in Kensington during the annual ceremony.
Honouring excellence in interior landscaping, design and innovation, the 2025 Leaf Awards presented 14 Gold, eight Silver and one Bronze.
The Best Project 2025 Award was given to Nurture Landscapes for its work at Virgin Media O2’s new Paddington office. Praised for its creative and sustainable plant installations, the workspace also embodied biophilic design.
Best Project 2025
Other categories celebrated excellence in areas including Christmas Events, Maintenance and Design and Installation.
Kenneth Freeman, chairman of plants@work comments on the occasion:
“As we celebrate our Leaf Awards, it is clear that our mission to bring nature into the heart of the workplace is more important than ever.”
View the full list of Leaf Award winners here.
by Holly Chapman | 08 Jul 25 | Nature & Biodiversity, News
Strelitzia nicolai
From a selection of five houseplants, the strelitzia nicolai claimed plants@work Favourite Houseplant of the Year 2025 after receiving a total of eight votes from the press, industry members and the plants@work committee.
The judges had to choose between monstera epipremnoides, strelitzia nicolai, scindapsus pictus ‘Exotica’, alocasia ‘Frydek’ aka elephant ears and ficus benghalensis ‘Audrey’.
Alocasia ‘Frydek’ picks up second place with a total of five votes, followed by the monstera epipremnoides with four votes.
Shirley Ann Marshall from Ambius and joint chair of plants@work says the reason she voted for the winning strelitzia nicolai “due to its large leaves and how it’s amazing to watch them grow so large and thrive”.
Bethany Vann, deputy editor of Pro Landscaper chose alocasia as her top choice, contributing to its second place win.
Other names involved in the voting process included Mr Plant Geek, also known as Michael Perry and editor of Hort Week; Matthew Appleby.
The Favourite Houseplant of the Year 2025 competition has taken place during National Plants@Work Week, running from 7 – 11 July.
by Bethany Vann | 07 Jul 25 | News
National Plants@Work Week returns with a nostalgic ‘wish you were here’ holiday postcard, inviting you to explore the benefits of houseplants and interior landscaping.
Championed by the plants@work association, the annual week-long campaign aims to highlight the role houseplants and interior landscaping play in supporting our health and wellbeing.
The focal image for this year’s campaign is a riverbank adorned with lush greenery, which envelopes a singular desk.
Plants@work says this year’s image blends “the idea of an inviting work environment with an idyllic, unexpected setting.”
Ambassador, Ian Drummond, who was behind the workspace design, comments:
“The ‘Wish You Were Here …’ campaign is inspired by the classic holiday postcard. Inviting us to celebrate the role of plants in interior spaces by showcasing environments people genuinely want to be in.”
The scene was brought to life by Drummond and fellow committee members, Stephen Dieppe, managing director of phs Greenleaf, Craig Edser, regional manager of Nurture Landscapes and Shirley Smith, director of Botanica Nurseries.
“At its heart, [the campaign] is about the emotional and practical impact of greenery in the workplace”, adds Stephen.
“Being surrounded by plants is more than just beautiful – it supports wellbeing and productivity.”
National Plants@Work Week takes place from 7 – 11 July. For the 2025 campaign use #PlantsAtWorkWeek #WishYouWereHere to join in the conversation or create your own ‘wish you were here‘ moment.
by Holly Chapman | 16 Apr 25 | News
International Interior Landscaper Day encourages the celebration of individual contributions by plants@work.
For its third year, International Interior Landscaper Day was marked on Wednesday 16 April. plants@work sent badges to team members nominated by their employers for hard work and special services.
Six companies nominated 13 members to be recognised, as plants@work encouraged them to celebrate alongside a badge presentation.
Kenneth Freeman, plants@work Chairman comments:
“Some companies chose to celebrate their ‘winning’ members with a special badge presentation and refreshments. However they chose to celebrate this achievement is up to the individual companies, but we’re sure they all wanted to mark the occasion.”
According to Gallup Institute, public or private recognition of performance are bigger motivational perks than a promotion or bonus.
by Bethany Vann | 08 Jul 24 | News
plants@work kick off National plants@work Week with a new pop-up stall highlighting the five benefits houseplants bring to the working environment.
The association’s market stall, located at Theale Business Park, features all five plants in the running for 2024’s Favourite Houseplant.
On top of providing clean air, research shows that incorporating houseplants into the working environment can have a positive impact on people’s moods.
As well as the ability to reduce headaches by 45%, tiredness by over 30% and stress levels by 50%.
The stalls designer and plants@work diversity and inclusion secretary, Ian Drummond of Ian Drummond Botanical Designs comments on the five plants in the running for the top spot.
“Ficus elastica, Strelitzia, Dracaena marginata, Croton and Scindapsus are our choice for 5 a Day – to ‘Embrace Vitamin Plant for a Balanced Life’. These plants offer a great selection for the various office, restaurant and hotel spaces that our members are asked to decorate.”
National plants@work Week runs from 8 – 12 July, celebrating the benefits of houseplants, with the top voted houseplant to be announced later this week.
by Bethany Vann | 24 Jun 24 | News
A committee reshuffle has been confirmed by plants@work, following the association’s annual general meeting (AGM).
Kenneth Freeman will retain his position as chair, he comments on his continuation in the role;
“I am pleased to remain as Chair to help steer plants@work through another busy year with our new range of membership categories and more events attended in person rather than by Zoom.”
Shirley Anne Marshall and Prettpal Somel, both of Ambius, will be sharing the supporting role of deputy chair.
The newly appointed role of membership and diversity secretary has been taken on by ambassador Ian Drummond, of Ian Drummond Botanical Designs, while Shirley Smith of Botanica Nurseries will be the new social secretary.
Drummond shares his excitement for the new role, saying;
“I think it really highlights the importance plants@work put upon diversity and inclusion and I look forward to welcoming all members new and old into the plants@work family”
They will be supported by Bhudia of Lechuza, Craig Edser, regional manager at Nurture Landscapes Ltd and Stephen Dieppe, managing director of phsGreenleaf.
These changes to the committee come after the association confirms a new range of membership categories and accompanying fees.
Its first event in this ‘new year’ will be National Plants at Work Week, taking place 8 -12 July, following the organisations Awards Gala in October.
The association also confirms its attendance at this year’s FutureScape, which takes place 15-16 October at ExCeL London.
by Bethany Vann | 08 Jan 24 | Nature & Biodiversity, News
In honour of Houseplant Appreciation Week 2024 (8 – 13 January), plants@work have kicked off the celebrations with a list of reasons why houseplants are an essential part of any work space.
Help alleviate stress
A number of studies show that including houseplants in your decor can help alleviate stress and bring about positivity.
Air cleanliness
Plants refresh the air providing a cleaner atmosphere and air to breath, particularly beneficial in a closed window office space.
Improved productivity
It is shown that having plants in your space helps to improve productivity and creativity.
Plants@work will be celebrating the beauty and benefits of houseplants throughout the week across its social media.
Join in on the celebrations by using the hashtags #HouseplantWeekUK and #LetsTalkAboutHouseplants
by Bethany Vann | 04 Sep 23 | News, Supplier News
plants@work is introducing a new Equality, Diversity and Inclusion Policy for all its members and teams, in a bid to eliminate unlawful discrimination and support fair representation to all sectors.
The policy includes commitments to provide equality and respect to all members of the team, protect against unlawful discrimination as referred to in the Equality Act 2010, and encourage fair and professional practice.
plants@work ambassador Ian Drummond, says: “I am so pleased to see this important policy launched at plants@work, supporting equality for everyone no matter what their gender, beliefs leanings or skin colour.”
The full policy can be found here.
by Bethany Vann | 27 Jun 23 | News, Topics
The association plants@work made minimal changes to its committee at its AGM, held on 22 June. Only two new representatives were added, whilst the existing team retained their positions.
Chair Kenneth Freeman says: “I’m happy to remain as chair for another year. I feel there are a number of things we are trying to get started and it would be good to see them through.”
Shirley Anne Marshall and Prettpal Somel, both of office plant and landscaping service Ambius, will share the role of deputy chair, to support Kenneth in the committee’s near-future agenda.
Arvin Bhudia of plant growth solution providers Lechuza will continue her role of membership secretary, while Ruscha Mars, owner of the Good Plan Company, retains her position as social secretary.
Newly elected members Craig Edser, regional manager at Nurture Landscapes Ltd, and Stephen Dieppe, managing director of phsGreenleaf, will work with existing member Shirley Smith, a joint owner of Botanica Nurseries, to support Bhudia and Mars in their roles.
Ambassador Ian Drummond of Ian Drummond Botanical Design will remain a supporting committee member.
The organisation’s first event in this ‘new year’ post AGM will be National Plants at Work Week from 10 – 14 July followed by the organisation’s Award Gala in September.
by Nina Mason | 19 Apr 23 | Commercial Landscaping, Domestic Landscaping, News, Topics
Association plants@work has launched a new initiative to celebrate interior landscaping professionals. In cooperation with American and Australian partners, the International Interior Landscaper Day takes place today, 19 April, and on the third Wednesday in April each year going forward.
“Feeling appreciated and valued can uplift moods, affect our performance and make us feel more connected to our work, and bring out the very best in us,” says plants@work. “Knowing that others value what we do can encourage us to improve our performance even more. According to the Gallup Institute, both meaningful public and private recognition are bigger motivational perks than being given a promotion, bonus, or raise. So, we’re shouting about people working in the interior landscaping industry.”
Members of plants@work were asked to nominate those in their teams who they felt should be acknowledged on the day, with 29 nominations being received. A badge has been sent out to each “to acknowledge their dedication”.
To follow or join the conversation today, use the hashtag #InteriorLandscaperDay.
