Vietnam CDM Helps You Supply Planters To Cafes
Cafes have been using planters as a way to add greenery and life to their spaces for decades, if not longer. They are an important part of the cafe experience and, if chosen and placed correctly, can help to create a more inviting and relaxed atmosphere.
As prospective suppliers, it’s important to understand the cafe planter market, and its previous and current trends, styles, and materials. By looking at these, we aim to increase the understanding of cafe planters from the buyers’ perspective so their needs are met and so suppliers stay competitive. Fortunately, by supplying cafes with Vietnam CDM planters, you can do this.
Let’s get right into it!
Why Do Cafes Need Commercial Planters?
Cafes have to worry about much more than just the quality of their coffee and beverages. Nowadays, the customer demands not only quality drinks, but also an experience. Standard commercial planters are an ideal way to help do this, and they can improve cafes in the following ways:
Planters help to create a bright garden area and a warm and inviting atmosphere that will draw customers in and make them want to stay a while. In fact, the National Restaurant Association’s 2021 Industry report showed that 56% of casual dining and 62% of fine dining businesses expanded outdoor space since the pandemic started to draw in more foot traffic, and planters are an ideal way to help do this.
Whether used to make a big impression or as an understated accent, planters can be used in multiple ways to improve your space. A few well-chosen planters can make transform a space. They can provide a splash of color and life to an otherwise dull or dreary space.
A study in 2015 discovered that products and services were deemed up to 25% more valuable when paired with elements of nature. Planters can provide a green and inviting space for customers to enjoy their food and drinks and help cafe owners to charge more, upsell, and ensure customers return time and time again.
By adding planters to a cafe, owners can also help improve the mood and productivity of their staff and anyone who wishes to use the cafe as a workspace.
This is supported by a 2021 study from Human Spaces on The Global Impact of Biophilic Design in the Workplace. It found that workers in offices with natural elements, such as greenery and sunlight achieve;
- 6% more productivity
- 15% more creativity
- 15% higher levels of well-being
Planters can also help to purify the air by filtering out harmful toxins and providing much-needed oxygen to the environment.
With all these benefits, it’s no wonder that the planter market is growing!
If you’re set on investing in a planter, your next step is to choose the right planter. Read on to find out how to make sure you make the right choice for your cafe and how Vietnam CDM can make this happen!
Modern Cafe Planter Trends
The covid pandemic has turned the cafe industry on its head in just a few years. It has created a demand for alfresco areas filled with nature and, since reopening, cafes very quickly became a hot spot for people seeking food, coffee, and social activity.
Many restaurants and cafes with alfresco areas and separate tables have provided a welcome relief from staying at home, especially for people who live in an urban environment.
Nowadays, it’s not rare to find cafes and restaurants with an alfresco area, external area or bright garden area full of customers enjoying themselves under the sun. Cafe owners quickly took note and shifted their sight from the standard commercial planters shown to completely bespoke cafe planters so they could differentiate themselves and create a quality dining experience. Often, many cafe owners would pair different types of planter boxes to create a unique contemporary mix as well.
On the other hand, cafes without an external area have a similarly high demand for cafe planters as cafe owners create a quality dining experience inside. Most cafe owners also look for planters that are maintenance-free or have a lifetime structural warranty.
In a nutshell, planters not only add colour but also add commercial value to draw in potential customers and help your client’s business stand out from the crowd.
Today, there are a whole host of planter trends cafes are using. Here’s a look at some of them:
1. Railing and Wall Planters
With less space for chairs and tables, many restaurants with limited space have opted for wall planters to save space without sacrificing style, giving diners an enhanced dining experience. When buying plant pots make sure you:
- Place the planters at an appropriate height, we recommend around 1.5 metres above the ground
- Select plants that are easy to care for and do not require too much water
Our Wall planters including our railing planters offer the space and stability to grow a host of hanging plants and add decor to the vertical space.
2. Succulent Planters
Succulents are all the rage right now and for good reason! They require very little maintenance and can thrive in a variety of climates. They also come in a wide range of shapes and sizes, making them perfect for any type of planter. When buying, keep in mind:
- The size of the space. Generally, smaller space, smaller planter, and vice versa.
- Place your pots in the middle of the table to create symmetry.
- Choose a plant that doesn’t need too much water, but make sure your planter has drainage, is durable, and complements your succulents.
Our River Rock Planters are attractive and small, perfect for drawing in customers and decorating small spaces!
3. Round Planters
These commercial planters are perfect for cafe counters, tables, or floor standing in alfresco areas due to their sleek appearance and presentation, and range of sizes.
Models like our Round Tapered Planter look stunning and can be used in interior lobbies, seating areas, and outside on patios too.
4. Square Planters
Square planters are one of the most versatile tools that cafes can use to boost their foot traffic and the perceived value of their property and services. Placing square planters in parallel leading to entranceways is a classic example of good commercial container decor that promises eye-catching results.
The most popular choice for many restaurants and cafes? Our Cube Planter.
5. Rectangular Planters
These planters are longer than square planters, making them ideal for larger spaces and making areas more private when used as barriers.
Vietnam CDM also offers a range of linear planters that fit together perfectly to create a seamless divider or barrier of botanical beauty. Cafes will use these planters to carve out seating areas or cordon off the street from the cafe.
6. Bowl Planters
These planters are short and wide making them ideal for smaller spaces than need a touch of design.
Models such as our 69465 Focus Bowl Planter are designed for plants with short rooting systems which makes them great for growing fresh herbs in situ allowing easy access for cooks and adding pops of colour and vibrance to an alfresco area.
Our bowl planters can also be scaled up to impressive sizes for larger cafe landscapes.
Vietnam CDM’s Most Popular Cafe Planters
How Cafe Owners Choose Commercial Planters
No two cafe owners are the same and all requirement differs slightly, so these steps for choosing planters are generic. But let’s take a look at what most owners today look for in a planter:
Most owners start by considering the type of plants they want to grow. If they’re growing delicate plants, they’ll want to use materials that won’t damage them. If they’re growing larger plants, they might want to use materials that are lightweight.
Cafe owners then need to think about the budget they have for the planters. They need to make sure that they find planters that are within their budget and that will still look good in their cafe. In fact, there is no point in purchasing cheaply manufactured planter products as the aesthetics will degrade quickly and have a negative visual effect.
Next, owners might determine the size of the planter/s needed and make them appropriate for the space available. Many cafes with limited space might opt for herbs or other small plants that can be easily maintained indoors, whereas larger cafes might have a contemporary mix of planters with different-sized plants.
Then, they might choose materials that match their décor, are low maintenance, and are easy to move around. The perfect material? Fiberglass. While food safe, relatively maintenance-free, and can last a lifetime. Fiberglass is a popular choice with cafe owners.
They’ll also consider the color of the planter, making sure that it complements the other colors in the space.
Popular Planter Materials For Cafe Planters
Cafe planters in the past were typically made from materials like stone or fired clay and ceramic. As charming as these are, however, they lack functionality. Often heavy and designed with poor drainage, they are cumbersome to move around. Of course, many cafe planters are still made from the same materials used in the past like ceramic, but there are also many expertly manufactured and handcrafted options available in other materials.
A planter’s material can affect:
- how the planter looks
- how the planter fits with the cafe’s décor
- how long the planter lasts
- how easy the planter is to clean and maintain
- how plants will grow
Let’s take a look at some of the materials in demand at cafes:
1. Terracotta Planters: Classic terracotta planters are always in style. They offer a rustic look that can be dressed up or down, depending on your needs.
They look great in homes but don’t work well in high-traffic areas and can be very fragile.
2. Wooden Planters: Wooden planters are a good way to add a natural element to any space.
They can be left natural or stained to match the cafe’s decor but can rot quite quickly and are not good for customer-facing situations where presentation is key.
3. Glass Planters: Glass planters offer a clean, modern look that works for some types of cafes and applications.
However, glass planters are not good as hardscape features such as barriers and large glass planters are very risky to move around.
4. Plastic Planters: Plastic is cheap, easily molded, and lightweight. However due to plastic’s negative environmental impact; it’s not renewable, non-biodegradable, and has a short lifespan, plastic is not ideal for commercial use.
Most people use plastic planters for seedlings and upgrade to a substantial pot when it’s time to present their plants.
The Best Planter Material For Cafes: Fiberglass Planters
Fiberglass planters are Lightweight, durable, maintenance-free, and easy to clean. Fiberglass planters are the best choice for those looking for long-term use and durability.
Read more about CDM’s superior planter materials and finishes.
Vietnam CDM Custom Built Planters
In addition to our standard range, we also offer custom planters for clients that want a particular length or height. We also offer ODM and OEM services for brands that want to launch their own range of planters. This is particularly effective when targeting niche industries.
Learn more about our custom planter capabilities and manufacturing expertise.
Get More Cafe Customers By Supplying Our Cafe Planters!
Cafe planters have perhaps never been as important to cafes as they are today. With the newfound appreciation and demand for cafe experiences, as opposed to just coffee, investing in planters is a must.
For something that ticks all the style and substance boxes, here at Vietnam CDM we offer the best-manufactured fiberglass pots available in a large range of styles and colours. If you need something specific, we also offer completely bespoke cafe planters.
If you’re still looking for more information, head to our dedicated blog for tips on global planter sourcing and design.
Alternatively, feel free to contact us to find out how we can transform your business and reach your target market with our fantastic range of planters.
Prefer to speak over the phone? Give us a call and we’ll be right on hand with a free quote, or to talk you through any concerns or requests you may have.