Indigenus was founded in 2014 by Peter van der Post, whose background in rotational moulding and production led to the evolution of Indigenus from a company that made polyethene planters and industrial products, into the brand it is today.
Image credit: Indigenus
The most exciting and challenging aspect of Indigenus is that planters have traditionally been overlooked. They do not have the same elevated design status as tables, chairs, side lamps, and other furnishings. This is also due to the lack of high-design planters worldwide. Indigenus decided to create the most beautiful planters in the world.
The saying goes, once you see something, you can’t unsee it. Peter believes that once you see how beautiful, high-design planters transform a space, you can no longer see beautiful spaces without including them in the curation.
Image credit: Indigenus / Mark Williams
The team at Indigenus collaborates with the world’s best designers and artists to create beautiful sculptural planters. The planters are robust, yet lightweight and easy to manoeuvre, and their scale and design complement the finest interior and exterior furniture and décor available. The drainage systems and soft-touch feet are designed with luxurious carpets and high-end flooring in mind. And the proprietary ‘self-watering’ liners make them ideal for hospitality projects, and ease of use.
All materials are sustainably sourced, and the planters are handcrafted. This craftsmanship places Indigenus in a league of its own. Each range of planters is unique and demonstrates the impact that sculptural planters have on architecture and landscapes.
Image credit: Indigenus
When Indigenus was first established, the production of the planters was outsourced. However, it was quickly realised that to create a world-class product and achieve the necessary quality, we would need to set up our factory and take charge of all manufacturing. The factory was established in 2019, just in time for the COVID-19 pandemic!
Sustainability is essential to the brand, and believing that buying fewer, better things is at the heart of the company’s contribution to creating a sustainable future. This is also one of the reasons production of all planters is in its own factory where constant improvements can be made regarding quality, working towards creating planters for life. Moving away from trends or ‘fast fashion’ is the essence of moving forward sustainably.
Image credit: Indigenus / Mark Williams
Indigenus planters are crafted from glass-reinforced concrete (GRC). GRC production is VOC-free. Moreover, GRC is 20 times stronger and more durable than regular concrete, ensuring our planters stand the test of time. The company is dedicated to minimising its carbon footprint by selecting sustainable materials and processes, such as incorporating naturally occurring earth oxides into almost 50% of its GRC formulation and using FSC-certified wood. Packaging is also 50% recycled and fully recyclable.
Image credit: Indigenus
The heart and soul of the business is its team of artisans. The company employs 20 people and is a small, focused team. The factory is positioned within a nature conservation area in Muizenberg, Cape Town. It is built around a large central wetland and is home to an incredible array of fauna and flora, while the team frequently has a family of otters, watching curiously from the banks.
Indigenus planters are made by a slow, handmade process, with all planters and raw materials, sourced and manufactured in South Africa . Some of the planters that use both wood and stone require up to 20 man-hours each to manufacture.
Indigenus supplies its home South African market, but has bigger export markets primarily in North America, Europe and the Middle East. With a network of over 35 high-end international distributors and warehouses in New York and The Netherlands, Indigenus reaches a global market
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