The members of plants@work, the interior landscaping association, gathered at Provender Nurseries to mark a quarter-century of growth, innovation, and advocacy. The plants@work 25th Anniversary Day of Celebrations served as both a retrospective of the association’s humble beginnings and a bold look toward a biophilic future.
The Association’s roots trace back to 22 February 2001, when it was established as the European Federation of Interior-Landscaping Groups (eFIG). Its inaugural meeting at Pirbright Hall set in motion a movement to professionalise and champion the use of plants in built environments. This initiative followed widespread media criticism over the fit-out costs of Portcullis House—particularly the installation of 12 large Ficus trees in its atrium. The trees were widely portrayed as an extravagant and purely decorative expense, prompting a coalition of businesses led by Tony Sawyer of Clarks and Spears (now Living Green) to unite and establish a formal body to represent and advocate for the interior landscaping industry.
Since that first meeting, plants@work has evolved from a defensive voice against "decorative over-spending" into a proactive force for workplace wellness. Twenty-five years later, the Day of Celebrations at Provender Nurseries brought together industry pioneers and new voices for a day of learning, networking, and reflection. To honour the leadership that guided the association through decades of change, several past and present Chairmen were presented with commemorative trophies, recognising their dedication to the cause.
In a significant move toward fostering a more inclusive industry, the event also marked the official launch of the plants@work Pride Network. This initiative aims to support LGBTQ+ professionals within the horticultural and interior landscaping sectors, ensuring that as the industry grows, it remains a diverse and welcoming space for all.
Kenneth Freeman, the current Chair of plants@work, delivered a poignant address reflecting on the industry’s evolution.
"Twenty-five years. In the life of a Ficus, that’s just reaching maturity. In the life of an industry, it is an era of radical transformation. In 2001, we were often the 'afterthought'—the decorative finishing touch brought in once the 'real' construction was done. We fought for floor space, for light, and for a seat at the design table.
But today, in 2026, the world looks different. We are no longer just 'beautifying' spaces; we are engineering wellness, cooling urban heat islands, and providing the lungs for the modern workplace. We have moved from 'plants as furniture' to 'nature as infrastructure.'"
As sustainability and mental health take centre stage in architectural design, plants@work continues to lead the charge in demonstrating that indoor nature is not a luxury, but a fundamental necessity for the modern built environment.
