Charleston, South Carolina
Frequently Asked Questions
Here are the most common questions we get from couples, planners, and agents about renting living plants in Charleston.
Weddings & Events
What does The Borrowed Garden do?
We rent living plants for weddings, events, and real estate staging across Charleston, South Carolina and the surrounding Lowcountry. Every rental includes delivery, placement, and pickup. Just tell us what you're envisioning, and we'll take care of the heavy lifting.
Are you a florist?
No. We are a plant rental company, and we work alongside your florist rather than in their place. Florists carry the artistry of cut arrangements. We supply the living landscape around them: palms, figs, grasses, and statement greenery that fill a room.
How does wedding pricing work?
We keep pricing flexible and stress-free! We offer convenient, pre-designed wedding packages with upfront pricing that our team fully styles for you, no extra planning required. Looking for something bespoke? We also build custom quotes tailored to your venue and date. Tell us about your day, and we'll send over a free quote covering all plants, delivery, styling, and pickup.
How far in advance should we book?
We recommend booking as early as possible, especially for peak spring and fall dates in Charleston. Since our living inventory can only be at one event at a time, reservations are first-come, first-served. Plus, planning ahead gives us enough buffer to source extra plants if you have a custom or large-scale design in mind.
Do you deliver, set up, and remove everything?
Yes. We deliver to your venue, place and style every plant, and return to collect them after your event. Your venue is cleared on time, every time, leaving no cleanup or hassle behind for you or your guests.
Can we see the plants before we decide?
Yes! Head over to our Greenhouse page to explore our complete live plant inventory. From there, you can choose and reserve your plants a la carte, or send us your event details and we'll put together a custom quote for you.
What happens if a plant is damaged during the event?
Every quote includes a 10% damage waiver that covers typical accidental bumps or spills, because life happens at a good party! The waiver just doesn't cover things like theft, loss, or intentional damage. For those situations, you'd be responsible for the replacement, and fair replacement values for each item are listed right in your agreement so there are never any surprises.
Real Estate Staging
Why real plants instead of silk?
Real plants read as alive in person and in listing photos, where silk reads as staging. At the top of the Charleston market, that difference shows. We keep every plant healthy for the life of the listing, so you get the look without the upkeep.
Who waters the plants?
We do. Staging rentals include care through the staging period, and we swap out any plant that stops looking its best. Agents and homeowners never touch a watering can.
How long can a staging rental run?
Our staging packages cover a set period at one flat price, with delivery and pickup included. Photo day rentals run one day, and launch week rentals run ten days, covering photo day through listing day and the first open house.
Can I rent plants just for listing photos or an open house?
Yes. Short rentals for photo days and open houses are one of the most common ways agents use us. The plants arrive before the shoot and are gone when it wraps.
Delivery & Service Area
Where do you deliver?
We deliver throughout the greater Charleston area, organized into three zones by distance from our Lowcountry home base: downtown Charleston and West Ashley in our closest zone, out through James Island, Johns Island, Folly Beach, Mount Pleasant, Daniel Island, Sullivan's Island, and North Charleston, and as far as Isle of Palms, Goose Creek, and Summerville. Delivery starts at $45, $65, and $95 by zone. Check your zip code on our Delivery Zones page for the exact fee.
Is setup included in delivery?
Yes. All deliveries include setup and pickup. Homes and venues with stairs add $25 per flight above the ground floor.
When do you deliver for a wedding?
We coordinate with your venue and planner, typically placing plants during your setup window on the day of the event, and we return for pickup at the end of the event or by the venue's deadline.
The Plants
What plants do you carry?
Majesty Palms, Fiddle Leaf Figs, Birds of Paradise, Monstera, Snake Plants, Rubber Plants, soft grasses like Muhly and Bushy Bluestem, Sky Pencil Holly, and more. The collection rotates with the season, so the Greenhouse page always shows what's currently growing.
Are the plants event-ready?
Yes. Every plant arrives groomed, healthy, and dressed in a clean planter. They are tended year-round by us, so they show up looking like they belong in your photos.
Still have questions?
Don't see what you're looking for? Drop us a line and tell us about your vision! Whether you know exactly what you want or just need some advice on plant styling, we're here to help make it happen.