Off to the side of a black desk at the China External Trade and Development Council's furniture exhibit sits a flourishing Chinese evergreen, its lush leaves lending the scene life and energy. An ivy plant sits on top of the desk, and in the contrast of colors, somehow the blacks become blacker, the greens greener.

On entering the China Commercial Bank, the visitor's eye first lights on the three sturdy yellow coconut trees standing sentry-like between the teller windows and the customers' sofa. One employee says, "Our office is very big and felt empty. Bringing in the plants brought some life in here. Late in the day when you're tired, you look up and see that green, and it makes you feel much better."

"Plants can also serve to divide space," says a restaurant employee, pointing at a row of passion fruit plants. "Originally we used screens, but now we have plants. The change was definitely for the better."

The above places and individuals did not own their plants, but rented them. As city-dwellers lead lives increasingly cut off from nature, they come to appreciate the beauty and benefits of house plants. However, owing to limited time and expertise, they frequently are unable to care properly for their plants, leaving them to fade and wilt. Responding to this need, plant rental services will gladly take care of the problems of positioning, feeding and watering, and switch plants to retain a feeling of freshness in the office. This line has bloomed in Taipei over the past five years, and now the phone book counts between 30 to 40 businesses.

Rented plants can be found in offices, banks, hotels, coffee shops and even private homes. They also have been known to make cameo appearances at store openings, movie premieres and exhibits.

Plant rental services can be divided into two types. The first operates on a fairly large scale and purchases young trees and seedlings from central and south Taiwan. The second kind is smaller and tends to buy its plants from nurseries in the outskirts of Taipei.

Rented plants must be unusually durable and adaptable, for their indoor environment is noticeably inferior to that out of doors. They must be able to withstand different temperatures and levels of light and humidity, as well as air conditioning and general neglect. "Rented plants must be brave," says one vendor at the Chienkuo flower market. As a result, evergreens, which stay attractive the year round, are used much more often than deciduous plants.

Plants are usually rented by the month, with prices ranging from NT$100 $250 (US$2.50-$6.25). "Gardeners" come every week to water and trim the plants, and change them every two weeks. Large dealers cultivate their wares for about three months before rental, while smaller ones prefer to buy their plants and lease them immediately.

Many services put their plants through a transition stage to prepare them for life indoors. They are removed from the sunshine and given reduced amounts of light and water. Often they temporarily stop growing and even lose their leaves, but after about ten days, usually regain their health and then are trimmed and dusted for service.

Plants usually "rest" ten days a month, during which their owners transplant them to especially fertile soil to restore their spirits. After a year, they usually grow to the point of requiring a bigger pot and space, and need more nutritious soil to live in. If a plant is well cared for and meets with no accidents, it may enjoy a life of well over ten years.

Most plants take usually a year of work to recover their initial investment cost and earn a profit for the rental service. Injured plants, whether they are hurt by carelessness, cigarette smoke or mice, are an owner's greatest worry. Says one, "Plant care actually is quite simple. Besides daily watering and trimming, just make sure cigarette butts and other things don't fall in the pot. Plants must be well watered, both for their benefit and for the soil. Ideally there should be enough water to fill the pot liner."

Competition among rental services is intense in Taipei, but some still prosper quite well. One business rents over 2000 plants a month, using a completely integrated operation.

Rental services previously only used their experience and instincts regarding plant selection and placement, but now the whole process is becoming a part of interior decoration. Customers have raised their standards, and many services find themselves helping to design office environments, meaning it will take more than just a green thumb to succeed in the future.

(Mark Halperin)

[Picture Caption]

Gladium and ivy are among the many different types of plants that are rented.

Cold modern structures can be given a softer feeling through greenery.

Well chosen and positioned plants can raise efficiency at the office.

Rental services sometimes have large nurseries to give their plants tender loving care.

Before and after. One coconut palm and the room comes alive.

Gladium and ivy are among the many different types of plants that are rented.

Cold modern structures can be given a softer feeling through greenery.

Well chosen and positioned plants can raise efficiency at the office.

Rental services sometimes have large nurseries to give their plants tender loving care.

Before and after. One coconut palm and the room comes alive.

Before and after. One coconut palm and the room comes alive.

Before and after. One coconut palm and the room comes alive.