Taking a leaf out of Vitamin Plant 

The Ficus elastica Burgundy wins the title of Favourite Office Plant this year from a shortlist of five plants.

Ficus elastica Burgundy

A selected panel of celebrities in the plant world considered five plants to take this title. The selection for consideration was

• Ficus elastica Burgundy
• Croton
• Scindapsus
• Strelitzia
• Dracaena marginata

You might recognise these plants as part of the content from the pop-up stall which appeared in the Theale Park Business Park hosting our pop-up Market Stall for National Plants at Work Week.

Our panel of judges made their choices clear:

Matt Appleby, editor of Horticulture Week chose Ficus elastic Burgundy as his top choice because of its ‘retro charm’ and how it can fill ‘a space with some architectural nobility’. Brilliantly said Matt.

Claudia de Yong, award winning garden designer, chose Ficus elastica Burgundy too, for its ‘gorgeous dark glossy leaves which turn from a rich burgundy red to dark green as they unfurl. It is an easy to care for plant, which doesn’t require frequent watering. It is best growing in indirect light and has powerful air purifying properties.’ Claudia confirmed.

Coming in a close second, the Croton was considered ‘tropical in nature’ with ‘autumnal colourings that can bring a sense of warmth to any room.’

Though a little fussy and needing higher maintenance than most, it is certainly worth the extra work were Claudia’s thoughts.

Croton

Bethany Vann from Pro Landscaper chose the Croton for her second choice, ‘Tropical in nature, Croton’s autumnal colourings bring a sense of warmth to any room. Though fussy in nature and higher maintenance than most, it is certainly worth the extra work.’

And third in this group of five was Scindapsus also getting a vote from Bethany at Pro Landscaper: ‘It’s also referred to as Devil’s Ivy for its hardy nature, this low maintenance trailing plant is a wonderful space filler, with unique patterns atop its heart shaped leaves. Its stems can be used to propagate new plants or to help make the plant bushier, revealing more of its beauty.’

Scindapsus

While Claudia suggested that Scindapsus as ‘this is an easy going plant which is happy in almost any light. It’s a great plant for beginners as it grows rapidly with lovely heart shaped foliage and will look lovely on a shelf.’

Michael Perry aka Mr Plant Geek joined the team with a choice of Croton which gave it a positive position in the favourites and Strelitzia although the latter didn’t make the top three.

Strelitzia

So Strelitzia and Dracaena marginata which are gorgeous plants even though they didn’t make the cut above into the top three.

Dracaena marginata

Don’t forget, to take a leaf out of nature’s book and indulge in your daily dose of Vitamin Plant – your mind, body and spirit will thank you for it! We shouldn’t forget that the five a day reasons that research has shown plants can offer and that doesn’t even include their beauty! They can

• Improve your mood
• Reduce headaches by 45%
• Reduce tiredness by 32%:
• Reduce stress levels by 50%
• And clean the air

All of these plants were found on the Market Stall created for National ‘PlantsatWorkWeek’.

Read the release in Pro Landscaper