Interiorscape Hacks: Four Ways to Save Time and Money

In a world where every penny and minute counts, finding solutions to everyday problems has become my mantra. And anything I can do to save money or time for myself and my plant techs, I’m willing to try. From repurposing plant cuttings to streamlining watering routines, the interiorscape hacks discussed below are about working smarter, not harder. Join me as we dive into these simple yet effective strategies I have learned over the years to help your interiorscape business run more efficiently.  

Interiorscape Hacks #1: Reuse Cuttings

One of my favorite money-saving tricks is repurposing cuttings, especially from plants that root easily. I manage several buildings that receive abundant natural light that allows their atriums to thrive. The main task here? Keeping the lush foliage in check. Rather than tossing those cuttings or composting them, I save and repot resilient types like pothos, sansevieria, dracaena, and zz plants, which quickly take root again in either soil or water.

Often, I’ll use these regrown pieces to fill in bare spots at that same location or elsewhere, creating a fuller look without the expense of new plants. Other times, I bring the cuttings back to my shop and replant them in spare pots to use for future installations or replacements. A good example of this hack in action was when one of my downtown clients decided to add twenty lengthy planters to a remodeled cubicle space. Though I bought the planters, filling them with sansevieria was virtually cost-free, thanks to my stash of cuttings from a well-endowed atrium and a surplus of six-inch pots from dead poinsettias. This move alone saved me over four hundred and fifty dollars on plants, not to mention the savings on shipping.

Interiorscape Hacks #2: Reduce Dead Time

One of the sneakiest time-suckers is the endless wait for the watering can to fill up at the faucet—what I like to call “dead time.” This is prime time for distractions as employees text, scroll through social media, or get lost in addictive games. For smaller accounts where you don’t have access to a deep sink, or the larger ones where there’s just no room for a watering machine, I suggest carrying recycled water jugs in your vehicle. This way, you’re not stuck waiting several minutes to fill up in a bathroom sink or breakroom faucet.

With jugs pre-filled via hose in mere seconds, my watering can is ready to go instantly. Plus, I’ve got these nifty cloth carts that fold up and slide right into any vehicle, making it a breeze for techs to transport water and supplies without making unnecessary trips back to fill up, cutting down on dead time. At one three-story location, this simple change has cut down service time by about thirty minutes for each visit. Add that up over a year, and I save three hundred and sixty dollars in labor for just one account.

Interiorscape Hacks #3: The Lone Plant

When your accounts have plants conveniently located in one spot, maintenance is much more efficient and convenient. But, there are those outliers—like that one office a couple of floors up or the secluded executive suites. Waiting for elevators or trekking down long hallways for just a handful of plants is a serious time drain.

That’s where choosing hardy, low-maintenance plants comes into play because I can afford to skip these lone plants every other service day. An areca palm, for example, is not a great fit for this scenario, but a Janet Craig or a succulent? Perfect. They’re tough, disease-resistant, and don’t shed leaves all over the place, making them ideal for those out-of-the-way spots.

Interiorscape Hacks #4: Two for One

There’s hardly anything more frustrating than spotting spider mite webs covering a palm or layers of dust on a line of fiddle-leaf fig trees. These problems are not just tedious to deal with but are also major time killers, especially those pesky spider mites that require attention from both sides of the leaf.

Misting leaves with a spray bottle is quick but inefficient. It’s a challenge to cover all angles without making a mess—water spots on nearby windows, slippery floors, or the occasional misting of an unsuspecting passerby. My go-to solution? A pair of oversized cleaning mittens saturated with soapy water. For severe mite infestations, I use a pesticide instead of soapy water and wear latex gloves underneath the mittens for a layer of protection. 

With the two damp mittens, I gently run my hands along each leaf or frond from both sides. This method not only removes hidden mites and their webs but also protects the delicate foliage from damage. It’s a game changer, especially for those fragile leaves that can tear so easily. Trust me, your plants will thank you for the gentle touch.

Creative Solutions for Efficient and Resourceful Plant Management

These interiorscape hacks have not only saved me time and money but also transformed the way I approach plant care and maintenance. By rethinking our routines and making the most of our available resources, we can achieve more with less, benefiting our businesses and clients. I hope these hacks inspire you to use similar strategies or develop your own. After all, in the adaptable world of plant care, there’s always room for innovation and improvement.