Discover the Best Clients for Your Interiorscape Company

Having owned two interiorscape companies, I’ve learned firsthand which businesses make the best clients and which ones can quickly disappear when the economy shifts. Early in my career, I purchased an existing interiorscape company that serviced only commercial accounts. The client list included car dealerships, restaurants, mortgage brokers, national banks, law firms, and a variety of professional offices. Within a year, I doubled the company’s revenue without making a single cold call. Business was steady, the client base looked strong, and horticultural life felt pretty secure.

Then the market changed.

As economic conditions shifted, I began to see how vulnerable certain industries could be. Entire categories of clients that once seemed stable started downsizing or closing their doors altogether. It became clear that not all accounts offer the same level of long-term reliability, and that the clients you focus on can shape the future of an interiorscape company more than any marketing strategy ever could.

Understanding Which Clients Offer Long-Term Stability

Mortgage lenders were among the most unpredictable clients I encountered. One by one, smaller local brokers began closing, followed by larger national firms, until eventually every mortgage company account I had was gone. During that time, I vividly remember something a senior executive at one firm once told me: their industry was “feast or famine.” One day they could be hiring hundreds of employees, and the next they might be laying off even more. His words stayed with me. I had several of their buildings under contract and never imagined plant services would be eliminated, but when I began noticing cost-cutting measures throughout their offices, I knew the plants would be next. Unfortunately, I was right, and it then became clear that some industries are far more sensitive to economic swings than others.

When I later launched my second interiorscape company, I approached growth very differently. Instead of trying to sign every possible account, I focused on securing clients in industries that valued professional plant care and were more likely to maintain those services regardless of economic fluctuations. If you’ve ever spent weeks pursuing a single contract, you already know how much time, money, and energy go into winning a client. Targeting the right industries from the start makes that effort far more worthwhile.

I didn’t even try selling to mortgage companies the second time around. Banks had also become so tight that it felt like trying to get inside Fort Knox to win an account. Experiences like these taught me that the clients you pursue can shape your long-term success, and over the years, certain types of businesses have consistently proven to be reliable, rewarding interiorscape clients. Below are some of the industries that have offered the greatest stability and opportunity.

Car Dealerships

Car dealerships can be valuable interiorscape clients because vehicles are a necessity for most consumers regardless of economic shifts. Showrooms typically have strong natural light, which helps plants thrive and keeps replacement costs lower. Interior greenery also enhances the customer environment and reinforces the polished, professional image that dealerships work hard to maintain.

From my experience, mid-range dealerships can be more sensitive to market fluctuations, while luxury brands tend to remain steadier and are often willing to invest in maintaining a high-end appearance. Dealerships that focus heavily on used vehicles may also perform well during slower economic periods, making them more likely to continue professional plant care.

When considering a dealership as a potential client, pay attention to how much pride they take in their showroom and customer areas. Businesses that invest in presentation and atmosphere are more likely to see the value in professional interiorscape services and keep them in place.

Hotels and Hospitality Spaces

High-end hotels are often a great source of interiorscape opportunities because of their focus on the guest experience. From lobbies and reception areas to restaurants and conference spaces, live plants help create a welcoming atmosphere and are often considered part of the overall environment rather than an optional extra. In my experience, hotels with strong brand standards and a reputation to uphold are usually the most consistent when it comes to maintaining their plant care.

It’s also important to pay attention to how a property is being managed. If a hotel has changed ownership several times or shows signs of cutting corners, I would proceed cautiously. I once created an elaborate design for a hotel featuring a dramatic indoor water feature surrounded by tropical foliage. When I returned to follow up, I discovered the design had been replicated using store-bought plants and assigned to janitorial staff for maintenance. It was frustrating, but it reinforced the importance of evaluating a property’s long-term potential before investing too much time in the design process.

High Rise and Office Park Clients

High-rise buildings and office parks have consistently been some of the steadiest interiorscape accounts for me. They are focused on attracting and keeping quality tenants, and well-maintained plants in lobbies and shared spaces help create a strong first impression and contribute to a professional atmosphere throughout.

Buildings with large atriums, interior courtyards, or prominent common areas almost always benefit from professional plant care and are more likely to maintain those services long term. When building management sees interior landscaping as part of the overall environment they provide for tenants and visitors, plants tend to remain a priority. Even when budgets tighten, these properties usually keep plants in main lobbies and central gathering areas. Secondary spaces may occasionally be reduced, but the primary focal points generally remain under contract.

Employee-Focused and Top Workplace Companies

In many cities, local business journals and organizations publish annual lists of top employers. Over the years, I found that some of my strongest long-term accounts came from companies on those lists. It makes sense—many of these businesses understand that creating a positive environment for employees plays an important role in attracting and retaining talent, and they’re usually willing to invest in maintaining comfortable workspaces. Live plants naturally become part of that environment.

Law firms, engineering businesses, technology companies, and public relations agencies often fall into this category. These organizations typically recognize the role interior landscaping plays in supporting both employee morale and the impression they make on clients. When a company sees its workspace as a reflection of its culture, professional plant care becomes part of that long-term investment.

If your city has a list of the best places to work, pursuing those companies can lead to some of the most stable and rewarding interiorscape clients.

A Smarter Approach to Building Your Client Base

After many years in the interiorscape industry, I learned that approaching the right clients is just as important as providing quality plant care. Some accounts will come and go, but others will value what you do and continue investing in their spaces year after year. Focusing on businesses that appreciate professional interiorscape services and take pride in their environments can make all the difference in building a company that is both successful and sustainable.