Plan the move before the room is cleared
As desks are moved and the old carpet comes up, the plants by reception and the windows need a place to go. A note saying “put them in storage” leaves their light, watering and eventual return unresolved. Agree a suitable temporary position, a named care contact and the conditions for bringing each plant back.
Begin with the plants already in the office. For rented plants, confirm permission to move them, who will handle transport and how care continues. Check any additional work against the agreed service scope before it is arranged.
Give every plant and pot a reference
Give each arrangement a simple identifier, such as P01 or P02, before the room is cleared. Record its original position, plant name, outer and inner pots, tray and supports. Photograph the visible condition for comparison at handover; a single photograph is not a complete basis for assigning responsibility later.
Record ownership separately from care responsibility. Company purchases, rental plants and staff members’ own plants may need different arrangements. Place removable identification on a suitable part of the container, avoiding foliage, stems and vulnerable finishes.
A position image only needs enough detail for the team to locate the plant. Remove names, computer displays and unrelated office information before sharing it externally.
Choose a temporary home with growing conditions
Check light, ventilation, access and a safe place to water. A two-week programme still needs a position with suitable light; a windowless storeroom may leave plants without it. A sunny terrace presents the opposite problem for an indoor plant unaccustomed to direct exposure.
The University of Georgia’s acclimatisation guidance explains that outdoor relocation changes light, wind and water use. Temporary accommodation also requires reassessment rather than continuation of a fixed watering timetable.
Separate plants from construction work, dust and material storage. Long-term sealing in plastic is not a care arrangement: protection for a journey and accommodation for several weeks are different requirements.
Keep someone responsible while the doors are closed
Name a main contact and agree backup cover. The person providing care needs authorised, workable access, a water source, a drainage method and a contact for problems. If the temporary space belongs to another department, do not assume its staff will take over.
A brief record is sufficient: date, potting-mix condition, whether water was given, any collected water and new visible concerns. The priority is completed care and a usable handover, not an elaborate form. Extend the care arrangement if the building work is delayed.
Confirm availability and terms separately for professional moving, storage or extra visits. A plant’s retail price does not establish that these services are included.
A temporary-care and handover sheet
| Item | Information to record | Confirmed by / date |
|---|---|---|
| Plant identifier and owner | Name, original position, company / rental / personal | ＿＿＿＿ |
| Equipment | Inner and outer pots, trays, supports and quantities | ＿＿＿＿ |
| Temporary position | Light, air outlets, watering and drainage | ＿＿＿＿ |
| Movement | Date, route, responsible person and assistance | ＿＿＿＿ |
| Routine care | Main and backup contacts, access arrangements | ＿＿＿＿ |
| Delay to the works | Who communicates it and how care continues | ＿＿＿＿ |
| Return to the office | Site readiness, position and condition checks | ＿＿＿＿ |
Bring plants back to the room as it is now
Before returning plants, ask the person responsible for the works or premises to confirm that the relevant work and cleaning are complete and the route is safe to use. Plants are not a test of post-refurbishment air safety and should not replace ventilation or control of pollution sources.
Match each plant and its equipment to the inventory, then check for visible damage, pest signs and the condition of the potting mix. The window may be in the same place, but new blinds, lights and air-conditioning settings can change the conditions around it. Check them before arranging gradual acclimatisation.
For help reorganising existing plants, share the inventory and revised layout when enquiring about corporate plant services, and confirm the scope. End the temporary arrangement with a clear transfer of care responsibility.
Plan around the leaves, as well as the pot
Compare these forms with the plants on your inventory when planning clearances and temporary positions. Any decision to replace a plant comes separately, after inspection.
- Areca Palm: Outward-spreading foliage needs lateral clearance at doors and in the temporary position.
- Madagascar Dragon Tree: Include the height of branches and the upper canopy, not only the container and main stem.
- Burgundy Rubber Plant: Protect broad leaves and branches from repeated contact, while retaining access to inspect every side.
Areca Palm
Areca Palm — Feathery, arching fronds that soften a living room, studio or office corner.
- Light: Bright light indoors, protected from sudden intense western sun.
- Watering: Water as the surface dries, maintaining even moisture with drainage.
- Ships in its original nursery pot; decorative planters are available as an upgrade.
Keep away from pets and children that chew leaves, and wash your hands after contact with the sap.
Hong Kong care guide: Areca Palm (light, watering & common issues)
Before & after purchase · Plantshop Care Encyclopedia
Madagascar Dragon Tree
Madagascar Dragon Tree — Slender canes topped with narrow, deep green leaves edged in red.
- Ships in its original nursery pot; decorative planters are available as an upgrade.
Pet safety is not confirmed for this plant. Keep it out of reach of cats, dogs and children.
Hong Kong care guide: Madagascar Dragon Tree (light, watering & common issues)
Before & after purchase · Plantshop Care Encyclopedia
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Burgundy Rubber Plant
Burgundy Rubber Plant — glossy dark foliage and a distinct branching form for your living room or workspace. Choose a position with bright, indirect light.
A nursery pot is included. Decorative pots are available as an upgrade. Check the specifications, choose your pot and add to your basket.
Hong Kong care guide: Burgundy Rubber Plant (light, watering & common issues)
Before & after purchase · Plantshop Care Encyclopedia