The Plant Company is one of the leading producers of indoor tropical houseplants in the United States. Recently, the company has undergone significant growth, expanding its existing ErfGoed WaterSystem. This expansion includes additional pump units and advanced water treatment systems to ensure young plants get the best start while reducing the use of chemicals. ErfGoed was responsible for installing these systems.
The Plant Company, now approaching its fourth year, was founded in 2021 by entrepreneurs Frank Paul and Jason van Wingerden. They deliberately chose to establish their new facility in Stuarts Draft, Virginia. “We are located in a valley with a climate that is ideal for growing tropical houseplants,” says Frank Paul. “Autumn and winter are dry with plenty of light, while summers are warm and more humid. At our altitude, the nights cool off sufficiently, creating excellent growing conditions. Additionally, the location is strategic, close to several major highways, enabling us to efficiently supply our customers—mainly independent garden centers and home improvement stores. To serve the entirety of North America, we also collaborate with growers in other regions who produce our product line.”
The Plant Company focuses exclusively on growing tropical houseplants with a goal to deliver exceptional quality and a broad assortment. “That’s why we grow around 150 different varieties,” Paul explains. “We are also the only tropical houseplant grower in the U.S. authorized to carry the Proven Winners brand, a concept synonymous with top-tier quality in American retail.”
The company’s first phase, completed in 2021, included more than two hectares of greenhouse space, with ErfGoed playing a crucial role in the development. They installed water technology systems and an ErfGoedFloor. “Flood floors are not typically standard for our type of crop,” says Steven Bryant, the company’s crop manager. “However, we believed the ErfGoedFloor would provide optimal growing conditions for our plants. That has proven to be the case; our expectations have absolutely been met.”
Last year, an additional 1.6 hectares of state-of-the-art greenhouse space was added, dedicated to young plants. This expansion also included a specialized climate chamber designed for rooting cuttings. “Here, we can create the perfect climate for young plants, giving them an excellent start,” explains Frank Paul.
Given the sensitivity of young plants and the desire to reduce chemical use, the entrepreneurs invested in advanced water treatment systems during this second development phase. The Plant Company sources its irrigation water from wells. “We installed a reverse osmosis system to remove salts from the water and lower its pH, making it suitable for misting, cooling the greenhouse, and maintaining optimal humidity levels.”
Additionally, the company invested in irrigation water disinfection. In collaboration with the Van der Ende Group, ErfGoed installed an ultrafiltration system, which uses membrane technology to remove fungi, bacteria, and viruses from the water. “This method eliminates all pathogens while retaining valuable nutrients,” says Paul. “It filters out the bad while keeping the good—this was a key reason we chose ultrafiltration.”
The ultrafiltration unit can disinfect 45 cubic meters of water per hour. Steven Bryant is very satisfied with its performance. “The system runs seamlessly. Especially for young plants, we need to ensure high-quality water to minimize disease pressure in the greenhouse. We do still add a small amount of hydrogen peroxide to the irrigation water to prevent biofilm buildup in the pipes, but the dosage is much lower than before.”
Frank Paul, The Plant Company (Virginia, USA):
"ErfGoed is our go-to solution provider for water technology."
ErfGoed has become a trusted partner for The Plant Company, particularly in water technology. “In the first phase, ErfGoed installed the entire water management system. Their collaborative approach, including clear design presentations with flowcharts and 3D drawings, kept us informed about the system’s design and installation at every step,” says Frank Paul. “We wanted a single solution provider for all water-related needs—someone who could ensure that the water infrastructure in the first, second, and future phases would align seamlessly, manage the entire system, and handle maintenance. We found that in ErfGoed. They’re experts in water technology, know our operations, and ensure everything runs smoothly. Issues are rare, but when they do occur, ErfGoed provides swift and effective solutions. Knowing everything will be taken care of is incredibly valuable.”
The entrepreneurs have ambitious plans for the future. “Our site offers ample room for expansion—we can grow up to 12 hectares,” Paul says. “The speed of this expansion will depend on market demand. However, it’s clear to us that the market for our products and tropical houseplants is growing. The potential is vast!”