The reality of office life

You buy beautiful plants, plan to care for them — and then projects, meetings and holidays hit. Three months later, half of them are dead. This is very common: surveys show that almost 70% of office plants purchased by companies die within a year due to inadequate care.

There are several approaches to minimise this risk.

Strategy 1: Choose the right species

The simplest protection against neglect is choosing the right species. Plants resilient to neglect:

ZZ Plant (Zamioculcas) — water every 3–4 weeks, survives a month without water
Snake Plant (Sansevieria) — water every 2–3 weeks, tolerates drought and low light
Pothos — water every 10 days, signals thirst itself (leaves droop slightly)
Cactus/succulents — water once a month, minimal care
Dracaena — water every 2 weeks, tolerates temperature fluctuations

Avoid orchids, ficus and other demanding species unless you can guarantee regular care.

Strategy 2: Automate watering

Modern automated watering systems are cheap and reliable. Capillary watering stakes (30–80 CZK each) absorb water from a reservoir and maintain even substrate moisture for up to 2–4 weeks. Automatic drip systems with a timer can cover more plants for 500–2,000 CZK.

Want a smart solution? Substrate moisture sensors with Wi-Fi connectivity (Xiaomi, Parrot Flower Power) send alerts to your phone when plants need watering — no more guessing.

Strategy 3: Assign a responsible person

A rotation system or naming a "plant ambassador" works best in offices. Just 10 minutes per week for a walkthrough and watering — but it must be one specific person's responsibility, not "everyone's". Add a calendar reminder — Friday watering as a ritual.

Strategy 4: Hydroponics and self-watering substrates

Hydroponic containers with a water reservoir extend the time between waterings to 2–6 weeks depending on the species. They are aesthetic, clean and eliminate overflow. Modern hydroponic kits are suitable for the vast majority of office plant species.

Strategy 5: Switch to rental

If none of the above strategies work — and plants repeatedly suffer over summer, holidays or busy project periods — rental from a professional gardener is the most rational solution.

Renting plants through Verdino includes regular gardener care (bi-monthly or weekly), automatic replacement of dead plants and seasonal rotation. You deal with nothing — plants are always in good condition. Read about how much rental costs or our comparison of rental vs. buying.

What to do during extended absence (holidays)

Move plants away from direct sun (reduces evapotranspiration)
Use reservoir stakes or capillary mats
Group plants together — increases surrounding air humidity
Water before leaving (without overwatering) and wrap the most sensitive ones in clear film

If your plants are on a Verdino rental — no worries. Care is included; the gardener comes even during holidays.

Conclusion

The smartest choice for a busy office is a combination of resilient species plus professional rental for the statement pieces. Contact Verdino for a free consultation.