Take This Survey on the Use of Plant Containers in Floriculture
The Association of Professional Landscape Designers (APLD) is asking green industry professionals to participate in a brief survey as part of its sustainability initiative, Healthy Pots, Healthy Planet (HPHP). The survey takes approximately five minutes to complete and aims to gather insight into the current use of alternative plant containers and the market demand for non-plastic options.
Through its advocacy initiative, Healthy Pots, Healthy Planet, APLD has invested significant effort into researching and sharing information about the environmental impact of plastic horticultural containers. Now, the organization is working to move the conversation forward by better understanding the industry’s awareness, and real-world adoption, alternative plant pot options.
“Through our Healthy Pots, Healthy Planet initiative, we are working to better understand how the industry is approaching alternatives to plastic plant containers,” says Denise Calabrese, CAE, Executive Director of APLD. “This survey will provide valuable insight into the products professionals are currently using, the challenges they face, and the innovations the market truly needs.”
The survey asks participants about their familiarity with alternative plant pot materials and whether their operations currently use them. Respondents will also be asked under what circumstances alternative containers are being used — such as propagation, short-term growing, retail-ready plants, premium product lines, or pilot projects.
Additional questions explore the factors that influence container choices, including environmental impact, cost compared to plastic, performance in growing conditions, automation compatibility, consumer perception, and supply availability.
“We want to understand both awareness, and real-world adoption,” Calabrese said. “Are alternative containers being used in production at scale, or are most companies still testing them in limited applications? This feedback will help us identify both opportunities and barriers.”
Participants will also have the opportunity to share their perspectives on challenges that may limit broader adoption, such as higher costs, limited availability, performance concerns, or operational complexity. The survey further asks respondents how they see demand for alternative containers evolving and what conditions would encourage wider use in the future.
“Every response helps us build a clearer picture of where the market is today and where it may be headed,” Calabrese said. “Because the survey only takes about five minutes, we hope industry professionals will take a moment to share their experiences and help move the conversation forward.”
APLD encourages growers, landscape professionals, retailers, and other horticulture stakeholders to participate and contribute their perspectives to the Healthy Pots, Healthy Planet initiative.
Click here to take the survey. For more information about APLD, visit www.apld.org.
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