Green offices increase well-being, improve air quality, and promote productivity – this is now well established. But how do you actually bring plants into the company permanently? Should companies buy or rent plants? What is more sustainable, cheaper, or more practical?
In this article, we compare both models – and show who benefits most from plant rental.
Buying plants – classic, but maintenance-intensive
Buying plants is usually the first impulse: You choose suitable plants, buy them, and place them in the office. Sounds simple – but it also has its pitfalls.
Advantages
- One-time acquisition costs
- Wide selection in retail or online trade
- Ownership = free use & no contractual relationship
Disadvantages
- No professional advice or placement
- Maintenance effort lies with the company itself
- Dried out or over-fertilized plants → Additional costs
- No replacement in case of pest infestation or disease
- Repurchase and replacement often uncoordinated
> Buying plants is especially worthwhile when there is internal time & know-how for care – or with very small, manageable quantities of plants.
Rent plants – sustainable, flexible & low-maintenance
The rental of plants works similarly to a leasing model:
A provider supplies selected plants including planting containers – and takes care of maintenance, replacement & consultation.
A special advantage of modern planting systems: They are significantly easier to care for than traditional potted plants. Thanks to integrated water tanks like those in AIRY systems, it is often sufficient to water every few weeks – daily or weekly watering intervals are unnecessary. This saves not only time but also costs for external watering services or elaborate plant care.
Advantages
- No acquisition costs
- Full service possible – but not necessarily required
- Easy care through long-term irrigation systems
- Flexible scalable (z. B. in case of office expansion)
- Monthly calculable costs (tax deductible)
- Sustainable: Plants are cared for instead of replaced
Possible disadvantages
- Long-term commitment (depending on the contract)
- No ownership of the plants
- Monthly costs (instead of one-time payment)
> Plant rental is especially worthwhile for companies that want to improve well-being, indoor climate, and aesthetics – without much maintenance effort or ongoing external service costs.
Comparison: Plant Purchase vs. Plant Rental
| Criterion | purchase | Rent |
|---|
| Costs | Unique, variable | Monthly, schedulable |
| Care | Self-organize | Minimal when water tank |
| Flexibility | Small amount | High (scalable, interchangeable) |
| Need expertise? | Yes | No |
| Risk of failure | High (in case of care errors) | Gering (exchange options) |
| Room air purification | Slight to accidental | Possible with suitable systems |
When is something worth it?
| Situation | Recommendation |
|---|
| Small team, plant care possible | purchase |
| Open-plan office without care capacities | Rent |
| Flexible workstations / desk sharing | Rent |
| Focus on Employer Branding & Atmosphere | Rent |
| Unique presentation / event | Rent (short-term) |
Green in the office is not a matter of taste – but of health, concentration, and employee satisfaction.
Whether buying or renting: Those who use plants strategically benefit.
Plant rental offers many advantages, especially for dynamic or fast-growing companies. Low-maintenance systems with integrated water tanks reduce effort to a minimum – without the need for expensive external maintenance services. This creates a green atmosphere with minimal effort – long-term and reliable.
