Commercial & Retail Growers: Know the Difference!

When choosing a planter, there is a big difference between commercial planters and retail planters. Choosing the wrong equipment for your facility may mean having to replace it later, costing more in the long run. Commercial planters are designed for businesses and public facilities. They are usually larger and more durable, and may come in muted tones like brown, tan, or white to match any location. Due to their size and heavy duty design, such as large outdoor corten steel planters.



Retail planters can be found at your local hardware store. They are smaller and designed for use around the house. While some offices, parks, or stores may use retail planters in their facilities, these are not actually designed for this purpose. Guests can easily bump into POTS, and small retail POTS can quickly chip, crack, tip over, or snap. For this reason, retail growers may even be a liability, as they may hurt tourists - especially those with little children who don't know any better. If you need a pot suitable for your location, use a sturdy commercial pot. They are safer, more financially robust, and designed for public use. Don't leave your planter empty! Flower and Plant Tips Once you've chosen the perfect pot for your facility, it's time to start planting! Some plants are easier to maintain than others, and you will need to choose a variety of plants carefully to make your facility look colorful, bright, and professional.

Some popular plant choices include:

 Spider Plants: This is popular indoors because of its low maintenance and slim, casual appearance.

 Sedum: This low-maintenance perennial attracts butterflies and appears rapidly each spring.

 Peace Lilies: These are common houseplants that require very little water and are easy to grow in shade.

 Lantana: Blooming colorful flowers that usually grow only in warm climates. In colder climates, simply plant them in containers and move them indoors during the winter.

 Quartz rose verbena: When planted in full sun, they will flourish throughout the season.

 Hanging plants: If space is limited, consider hanging plants in the corners of the room to add depth and space.

 Blue Lime Grass: Cool-season grasses like blue lime are dormant during the winter, but return each spring to add some low-maintenance color and height to your plants.

 Jules Verne Peony: Add colorful, fragrant flowers to your facility. This low-maintenance peony will add rich color to your facility with only a small amount of spring fertilization.

 Endless Summer hydrangea: The flowers of this shrub change from lime green to bright pink. If your facility has deer, please do not plant these - they will be eaten!

When filling POTS, try to follow the following rules:

 Balance your plants. In a seed drill, you need to plant flowers from both ends of the color wheel. Orange and blue work well together, as do greens and reds or pinks. Texture is also a consideration - including soft and rough plants, or grasses and velvety plants. Also be sure to balance the height and shape of the planter by including shorter and taller plants.

 Includes thrillers, fillers, and spills. Along the same lines, make sure your commercial seed drill has thrillers, fillers, and spills for the ultimate look. Thrillers are tall plants that increase in height like poppies. Fillers are daisies or similar flowers that add horizontal depth and give the plant a plump appearance. Spillage lands on the edge of the plant, making it look floral - ferns are good spillage.

 Do not ignore growing conditions. It's easy to get creative by combining thrillers, fillers and spills of all varieties, but it's crucial to keep in mind the basics of successful planting. Combine only plants with complementary growing conditions and sunlight requirements - some require full sunlight, while others require shade.

 Use appropriate drainage techniques - Make sure your planter is on a solid base, such as concrete or gravel, and is kept level so that all water can drain through the drain holes.

 Add Gravel - A wise practice for a planter is to add about 8 inches of gravel, about 1 inch in size, to the bottom of the planter and then cover it with a permeable mesh or fabric. This allows water to drain from the bottom, reducing the chance of overwatering. This also prevents water from entering the planter in winter, as freeze-thaw cycles can cause cracking. Fill the rest of the planter with soil, perlite or a large amount, depending on the plant involved.

Keep in mind that the type of planter you choose will also add color, shape, and style to your facility. Short ovals or tall squares, as well as black, white, tan, patterned or minimal designs, can have a significant impact on the ambience of your facility. Plan ahead to ensure that your POTS match existing and future designs.