LIFESTYLE PLANTS

You’ve no doubt read or heard about how traditional gardening is ever changing, and what we in the industry can do about it. When you consider our lifestyles have undergone a major transition over a few short decades, it’s important to be able to respond to those changes by continuing to offer new and different programs that will keep consumer interest in plants and gardens alive.

Consider the following information that has come from industry market research:
• The main reason why consumers garden is to add beauty to their home and enjoyment to their life.
• The main reason why consumers don’t garden more is lack of time.
• Women purchase more than 80 percent of all retail goods in the United States. They dominate as consumers in purchasing horticultural products.
• They are less prone to shop for themselves and are more motivated to buy for others. They like to shop for gifts more than anything else.
• 87 percent of consumers surveyed said they would be more likely to shop at a store that provided gardening ideas and backyard projects.

How can we react to these trends? With consumers more inclined to purchase finished products than ever before, consider adding ‘Lifestyle’ plants to your product line. These are decorative items that are ‘ready to go’, complete with finished plants in stylish decorative pots and plant care information. Lifestyle plants can be used inside in both home and office, and are also suitable for outdoor living areas such as porches, decks and patios. Research has found that consumers gravitate to this kind of complete package where the plant lasts for at least 21 days, after which they replace it with a fresh new plant and pot.

Here some ideas of how you can incorporate Lifestyle plants into your product offering.

OFFER traditional pot crops such as Primula in stylish decorative pots, and watch them sail out the door!

BE CREATIVE! Don’t be shy about adding some additional accessories to create an artistic effect.

CONSIDER arranging a combination of different types of plants and containers in your retail area for maximum decorating effect.

ORNAMENTAL PEPPERS are unusual, and add an attractive burst of color that can be used to decorate home or patio tables or office desks.

SHADE LOVING Coleus is highly suitable for indoor decorating. Kong Mosaic represents a more unusual form of Coleus, but even the more traditional types such as the Wizard and Rainbow varieties are also work well.