Office plant potted 15 years ago grows more than 300ft long

The massive 300ft long ivy plant is on display in the office of Protective Solutions in Stonehouse, Gloucestershire.

Watch: Office plant potted 15 years ago grows into 300ft beast

Sometimes it takes a bit of time to grow into your office environment.

That is not a problem for this mammoth plant, which is now more than 300ft (90m) long and takes up an entire workplace.

The office plant, an ivy, was potted 15 years ago and is now so large it is nicknamed "Audrey II" after the character from the 1986 movie Little Shop Of Horrors.

The plant was originally bought by Allie Brennan, 52, and her husband, Des, 58, from B&Q in 2005.

The 15 year old ivy growing at Protective Solutions UK Ltd offices in Stonehouse, Gloucestershire. Nicole Grist,22, sales administrator. Photo released July 22 2024. An office plant that was potted 15 years ago has grown into a 300ft beast - and is now dubbed 'Audrey II' from Little Shop of Horrors. Bosses Allie Brennan, 52, and husband, Des, 58, initially bought the ivy from B&Q for their bathroom at home. But due to the plant's 'rapid growth' they were left with 'no other option' but to take it to work. Now, more than 15 years later, the plant has grown to 'well-over' 300 feet long - sprouting new shoots to pin up across the office walls and ceiling
Nicole Grist, sales administrator, holds the ivy growing at Protective Solutions in Stonehouse, Gloucestershire. (SWNS)
The 15 year old ivy growing at Protective Solutions UK Ltd offices in Stonehouse, Gloucestershire. Photo released July 22 2024. An office plant that was potted 15 years ago has grown into a 300ft beast - and is now dubbed 'Audrey II' from Little Shop of Horrors. Bosses Allie Brennan, 52, and husband, Des, 58, initially bought the ivy from B&Q for their bathroom at home. But due to the plant's 'rapid growth' they were left with 'no other option' but to take it to work. Now, more than 15 years later, the plant has grown to 'well-over' 300 feet long - sprouting new shoots to pin up across the office walls and ceiling
The 15 year old ivy growing at Protective Solutions in Stonehouse, Gloucestershire. (SWNS)

They had planned to keep it in their bathroom at home but it started to grow so much they had to bring it into their business, packaging company Protective Solutions in Stonehouse, Gloucestershire, which Des founded in 2006.

ADVERTISEMENT

After 15 years, they say they plant has grown to "well over" 300ft long, sprouting new shoots "every day" that must be pinned up across the office walls and ceiling.

The ivy grows at a rate of six inches per month and even has its own sponsor - garden centre Gardening Naturally, based in Highworth, Swindon.

"The ivy goes wherever it wants to," said managing director Des. "It even dips down on to our desks before it returns back to the ceiling."

The 15 year old ivy growing at Protective Solutions UK Ltd offices in Stonehouse, Gloucestershire. Charlotte Nutman,45, account manager. Photo released July 22 2024. An office plant that was potted 15 years ago has grown into a 300ft beast - and is now dubbed 'Audrey II' from Little Shop of Horrors. Bosses Allie Brennan, 52, and husband, Des, 58, initially bought the ivy from B&Q for their bathroom at home. But due to the plant's 'rapid growth' they were left with 'no other option' but to take it to work. Now, more than 15 years later, the plant has grown to 'well-over' 300 feet long - sprouting new shoots to pin up across the office walls and ceiling
Account manager Charlotte Nutman with the ivy that covers the office. (SWNS)

Workers must share their office space with the plant, as it hangs from the ceiling and dangles in front of computer monitors and on to employees' desks.

The company provides everything the plant needs to thrive, including food, water and extra pots.

Des said the ivy helps showcase what the company represents as it focuses on being an environmentally friendly business.

ADVERTISEMENT

Click below to see the latest South West headlines

"Where possible we are always keen to offer recycled or biodegradable products to all our customers," he said.

"When we have customers visit our premises to talk about their packaging and the impact to the environment, and the the damage their current packaging is causing - our ivy shows them we care.

The 15 year old ivy growing at Protective Solutions UK Ltd offices in Stonehouse, Gloucestershire. Photo released July 22 2024. An office plant that was potted 15 years ago has grown into a 300ft beast - and is now dubbed 'Audrey II' from Little Shop of Horrors. Bosses Allie Brennan, 52, and husband, Des, 58, initially bought the ivy from B&Q for their bathroom at home. But due to the plant's 'rapid growth' they were left with 'no other option' but to take it to work. Now, more than 15 years later, the plant has grown to 'well-over' 300 feet long - sprouting new shoots to pin up across the office walls and ceiling
The ivy growing in the office is 15 years old and more than 300ft long. (SWNS)
The 15 year old ivy growing at Protective Solutions UK Ltd offices in Stonehouse, Gloucestershire.Holly Wright,25, office manager. Photo released July 22 2024. An office plant that was potted 15 years ago has grown into a 300ft beast - and is now dubbed 'Audrey II' from Little Shop of Horrors. Bosses Allie Brennan, 52, and husband, Des, 58, initially bought the ivy from B&Q for their bathroom at home. But due to the plant's 'rapid growth' they were left with 'no other option' but to take it to work. Now, more than 15 years later, the plant has grown to 'well-over' 300 feet long - sprouting new shoots to pin up across the office walls and ceiling
Office manager Holly Wright pictured with part of the 300ft long plant. (SWNS)

"The ivy is a great talking point which normally brings us on to our electric company cars and our 100% zero to landfill."

He added: "The ivy is quite a celebrity and well-known by our regular customers who come into the office."

It also makes for a handy festive feature.

"At Christmas we hung 3,500 lights from it plus decorations," he said.

There are all kinds of benefits of having plants in the office, including their ability to boost the air quality.

ADVERTISEMENT

Plants can remove toxins from the air and release oxygen, making the air in the room cleaner to breathe, and hopefully resulting in fewer illnesses among staff and subsequent sick days.

In 2022, the Royal Horticultural Society and the University of Birmingham said putting just five house plants in an office can cut the amount of nitrogen dioxide in the air by 20%.

In 2014, the University of Exeter found that plants in the office help boost staff productivity by 15%. Researchers found the presence of plants in the room helped increase workplace satisfaction and concentration levels.