With the popularity of houseplants hitting stratospheric levels and three million new gardeners* embracing their green fingers for the first time in 2020, it’s safe to say that gardening has become mainstream once again. One brand that is helping gardeners – and retailers – to maximise the many benefits of this pastime is the multi-award winning German brand, LECHUZA, which is bringing to market an exciting new range of recyclable plastic pots and planters which will help retailers offer something different for the discerning buyer.
Backed by 20 years’ experience designing planters and bringing them to life via an environmentally friendly production process, and with a supply network spanning 70 countries, Lechuza is a brand with a proven track record. Relatively new to the UK market, Lechuza is reaching out to retailers to share information on what makes its offering so unique, starting with the fact that Lechuza forms part of the Playmobil family. This means the Lechuza company has access to the same plastic molding and manufacturing as the world-renowned brand; a legacy which can be seen in the quality and build of every Lechuza pot.
One of the biggest turn-offs for new (and established!) gardeners is the worry that planting will fail. Whether it’s a houseplant, GYO project or shrubs, getting the watering right is so often the cause of plant expiration. Central to Lechuza customer success is the innovative self-watering system which ensures optimum water supply to any kind of cultivated plant. The water reservoir is hidden in the underside of every planter and can hold up to 26 litres, depending on the model, allowing plants to take up the exact amount of moisture and nutrients they need. It is this innovation – so easy to install – that is winning Lechuza legions of new fans and helping to drive repeat sales within the retail setting.
As we look ahead to 2021 its clear from social media that houseplant sales will continue to thrive, echoing the events of 2020 where sales were reported to be up in the region of 60 – 81% according to the RHS and Garden Centre Association. On Instagram, the hashtag #houseplants currently has over 5.5million tags whilst #urbanjungle and #growyourown have 5.6million and 6.3million tags respectively. With so much opportunity, now is the time for retailers to ensure that their planter offering meets the needs of the modern shopper, including contemporary design which complements interior design trends, and solutions which give even the most amateur gardener the confidence to grow more. All of this, plus so much more, is highly achievable with the 2021 offering from Lechuza. Here we dig a little deeper into what is on offer from this exciting new brand.
The Pila collection is the shining beacon in Lechuza’s 2021 portfolio. Perfect for when space is at a premium, or simply for consumers that enjoy multi-functional products, the Pila range combines a shapely planter – complete with irrigation system – and practical storage to create a planter with a unique talking point. The stackable design means that consumers can create their own look, combining colours and creating different height units to match their interior and exterior design needs. Available in six matte colour ways including coral red, petrol blue, pastel blue, and grey, the PILA collection fits perfectly into current interior trends, helping the planters to take centre stage whilst providing practical solutions.
A new offering for the grow-your-own category is Lechuza’s Trio Stone 30 range. These mini ‘beds’ come complete with three plantable inserts and are compatible with Lechuza’s matching vine trellis, making them a top choice for tomatoes, chillies and other vertical growers, whilst also creating a great natural screening option for balconies and patios. Each insert benefits from Lechuza’s irrigation system, helping to direct four litres of water to each plant for maximum and continued growth.
With urban gardening on the rise, or simply to update your window box offering, Lechuza’s Balconera Colour range offers a superb contemporary alternative to traditional designs. Benefiting from the same colour palette as the Pila range, giving consumers even more choice, these planters come complete with wall brackets so they can be quickly mounted to railings or walls to encourage vertical planting schemes.
Contemporary designs continue throughout Lechuza’s other new-for-2021 ranges, including the sleek lines of the Stone collection, and the Canto Stone 80 wide – perfect for dividing outdoor spaces and creating zones with its 56 litre planter.
Retailers looking for more traditional styles will be interested to learn that Lechuza has also turned its material innovation into classically designed planters which will not be out of place in an English country garden. The new Sand Brown designs, introduced across the ‘Colour’ range, offer a natural colourway reminiscent of natural stone planters without the excessive weight that is associated with planters of this construction.
Braided rattan-style can be found in the Cottage Collection, available in granite, graphite black, light grey and sand brown. The soft lines of this design complements perfectly both traditional and contemporary planting schemes and can be found in a range of planter sizes from six litres to the trio style with three 31 litre plantable inserts.
Lechuza’s Arvin Bhudia said: “From truly contemporary planters that help urban gardeners to take their home-growing to another level, to traditional gardeners looking for new material innovation and planters which withstand the ravages of the weather and human impact, the Lechuza offering really does have something for everyone. What’s more, our unique irrigation system offers a real point of difference, helping to give consumers the confidence to grow more plants, safe in the knowledge that their plants will be receiving water when it is needed most. It is this confidence that is seeing consumers become loyal Lechuza buyers, sharing their experiences via social media and helping to drive others to the brand and ultimately into store.”
