Presenting

Extra Features and Video Online FloristsReview.com R E A D O N L I N E 19 the outside world for a small amount of time. is break allows people to rest and recuperate so that they can feel rested and ready to go about their daily lives more efficiently and with greater engagement." Nature Experiences and Nurtured Environments When considering the gift-giving preferences of millennial-aged consumers, Justin Hancock, brand marketing manager at Costa Farms in Miami, Fla., points out, "Many of today's consumers—especially millennials—appreciate plants as gifts. ere's something of a 'perfect storm,' with younger generations preferring 'experiential over stuff,' and what's more experiential than a plant you nurture and watch grow and mature over time?" He continues, "Millennials want to better connect with the natural world, and they put a greater value on their health and wellness. More and more studies have been published about how houseplants offer a wealth of physical and psychological benefits, from air purification to stress reduction. And plants are fabulous on social media, especially Instagram; it's astounding how houseplants have taken off on that platform." Hancock says, "Some of the houseplants we're seeing consumers flock to are 'Raven' ZZ [Zamioculcas zamiifolia 'Raven'], sterling silver Scindapsus [Scindapsus treubii 'Moonlight'], polka-dot Begonia [Begonia maculata], and Philodendron 'Birkin'. ese plants are popular now, and we see no sign of them slowing down, in part because they're new and they have colored or variegated foliage, which gives them a different and dramatic look. ey're all big hits on Instagram right now. We've also seen a lot more interest in climbing/trailing plants, like Scindapsus 'Moonlight', from consumers lately." Sustainable Practices and Succulent Space As an easy gift-giving way to bring people closer to nature, Plant the Future, a biophilic design studio, plant boutique and botanical art gallery in Miami, Fla., asserts that plants are the best option, for many reasons. Lucia Abuin, marketing assistant, says, "At Plant the Future, our mission is to bring people closer to nature through art and design using sustainable practices. For that reason, we believe that plants are the way to go for consumers who want to give gifts that will stand the test of time, satisfy consumer demands for sustainable products and make beautiful additions to any home. When gifting a plant, low-maintenance selections win the race. For this reason, cacti and succulents—especially succulent and cacti gardens and terrariums in artful containers— make for elegant, easy-to-care-for, novice-friendly gifts." Another biophilic design store experiencing increased consumer demand for indoor plants is Andromeda District, in Coral Gables, Fla. Julio Villamediana, marketing coordinator, agrees with Abuin about the importance of bringing people closer to nature with products such as succulents. "For the past nine years, Andromeda District has provided innovative alternatives for clients who are looking to own indoor plants," Villamediana says. "ese include our signature vertical garden system. Made from recycled plastic and built like construction blocks, consumers can now build living walls in their homes with succulents, indoor plants, flowers and even edible plants, as a way of maximizing their spaces." He adds, "Among our new collection of plants, succulents and dramatic colorful plants—like Calathea and the 'Black Velvet' elephant's ear (Alocasia reginula)—are extremely desired by consumers. ey add touches of color and texture to any space." Looking to the future, Villamediana assures, "New generations are becoming more aware of the importance of nature in our environments, and they understand that sustainability is the future. For this reason, 'gifting' plants for special occasions, such as holidays and birthdays, has become increasingly attractive to consumers." Plant the Future Plant the Future

• Cover