Patch Plants

How ethical is Patch Plants?

Patch Plants is an online plant retailer which has achieved The GOOD Shopping Guide’s ethical benchmark on our Ethical Garden Suppliers Ratings Table. With a score of 89 out of 100, Patch Plants demonstrates a strong commitment to ethical and sustainable business practices, achieving good ratings across the majority of criteria assessed by The GOOD Shopping Guide and earning recognition as an Ethical Innovator.

Patch Plants has not yet received The GOOD Shopping Guide’s Ethical Accreditation, an editorial endorsement awarded to brands which achieve a high ethical score across our multi-criteria assessment. Receiving this endorsement would further strengthen the brand’s standing as a recognised ethical choice for consumers in the garden suppliers sector.

What does Patch Plants do?

Patch Plants was founded in London in 2015 and is now operated by Arena Online Ltd, an online flowers and gifts company. The brand supplies indoor and outdoor plants, pots, and plant care accessories directly to consumers across the UK, with a particular focus on making plants accessible to urban dwellers and those new to gardening. Patch operates on a just-in-time model, sourcing plants from a network of growers after each customer order is placed, so that plants arrive as fresh as possible. The range includes options specifically curated for beginners, including unkillable varieties and pet-friendly selections, supported by a plant doctor consultation service.

Why does Patch Plants perform well ethically?

Patch Plants achieves good ratings across the majority of criteria assessed by The GOOD Shopping Guide. The brand receives good ratings for environmental reporting, fossil fuels, and packaging, reflecting its commitment to environmental transparency and responsible practices. Patch Plants receives good ratings for animal welfare, armaments, irresponsible marketing, and political donations, and has no documented public record criticisms. The brand has achieved recognition as an Ethical Innovator, reflecting its approach to making plant ownership accessible to a broader range of consumers and its just-in-time sourcing model that reduces unnecessary plant waste.

What could improve Patch Plants’ ethical positioning?

Patch Plants receives a poor rating for peat free status. Transitioning to peat-free growing media across its grower network would address this gap and align the brand’s sourcing practices with the strong environmental performance demonstrated across other criteria.

Obtaining The GOOD Shopping Guide’s Ethical Accreditation would provide editorial recognition of Patch Plants’ ethical standards and make it easier for consumers to identify the brand as an editorially endorsed choice in the garden suppliers sector.

Patch Plants is a strong choice for consumers seeking an accessible, well-curated range of plants delivered directly to their door. Consumers can explore how it compares to other brands on our Ethical Garden Suppliers Ratings Table and learn more about how we rate brands on ethical criteria.