All About Interior Plant Design and How It Can Transform a Space

a room filled with plants — Getty Images

Interior plant design is an essential aspect of modern interior decorating. More than just adornment, it’s a way of bringing nature’s relaxing and soothing elements indoors. Greenery can transform any space, adding colour, improving air quality and creating a tranquil atmosphere. But where do you start? We asked Tara Soloway, Plant Designer and Founder of Plantd Life, about incorporating more plants into your home and the benefits of doing so.

What is interior plant design, and how can it transform your space?

Interior plant design brings nature indoors by thoughtfully incorporating plants and other natural elements into living and working spaces. The principles of biophilic design are also incorporated into interior plant design, which stems from our natural human connection to nature. A beautifully designed space is not complete without plants — they help breathe life into spaces, can be styled as live art and they warm up the feel of any room.

What are the health and productivity benefits of having plants in your home?

Plants have many wellness benefits when brought into the home. Air purification is a good example. Plants convert CO2 to oxygen, which can help reduce pollutants in the air through photosynthesis. Also, just being around plants and observing them can help create a calm environment and reduce stress levels. In office spaces, studies have shown that having interior plants helps increase concentration, productivity and absenteeism.

Are there any limitations to interior design with plants?

Plant design can weave easily into any design aesthetic to further enhance the style of an interior space. Plants and planters are carefully selected to complement the overall decor or house style. For example, with a bohemian, Nosara-esque beachy vibe, you can bring in textured baskets for floor plants and macrame hangers with hanging plants, whereas in a modern, minimalist Scandinavian style home, incorporating ceramic planters with clean lines or perhaps a rustic terracotta finish to contrast. Also, deliberately shaped plants will play into the style of the space. Plants make a huge life difference.

What practical considerations do I need to consider when picking plants for my home?

This is the most important part of the selection process! If you put the wrong plant in the wrong place, nothing will help it thrive. I have many clients who request beautiful olive trees and other specific sun-loving plants for spaces that do not nearly get the light they need, particularly because we live in the northern hemisphere. But the good news is that there are so many plants that do suit the right space. During a site visit, I measure lighting (at all times of the day and also seasonally) and then make suggestions based on finding the optimal plant for the space.

What are some considerations when using large decorative pots for indoor plants?

Large floor planters are my favourite to work with as they have lots of room for trees to grow. It is really important to assess drainage in large planters as they are really heavy and hard to move once planted. If you find a decorative vessel, make sure it has a drainage hole and saucer underneath.

What are some of the current trends in interior plant design?

Shaped Trees: Instead of just placing your plants down and hoping for the best, the art of bonsai has come back into fashion. While proper bonsai is a learned art form, shaping your houseplants and trees can add to plant design. Shaping trees and plants adds serious flare to them, and as long as you’re cutting in the right places, the plant doesn’t mind.

Sensory Gardens: Senses are a huge component of design, particularly because you are living in a space. The idea is to stimulate the five senses by having a hands-on plant garden.

Indoor Gardens: Different from placing a few houseplants inside, people are now planning out indoor gardens as part of their house or office design. You can turn a boring nook into a green oasis. If you have a home office for example, consider how you can make it feel healthier and more alive with plants — you’ll be surprised how happy you feel sitting in that room!

I want to do more than put a few random plants around my home. What’s the process of working with an interior plant designer?

It starts with an in-person visit — seeing the space is paramount to creating a beautiful and practical game plan. As lighting is the most critical element in plant design, we need to assess the lighting to determine where and what plants we will install. Then, we look at your aesthetic preferences, select the right pots, consider other natural materials like moss or pebbles and then go from there. If you are serious about plants and creating a green, natural indoor environment, it’s worth getting the elements right.

Whether you’re a seasoned plant enthusiast or a curious beginner, if you’re looking to transform your home into a lush, green oasis, you’ll find a lots of inspiring indoor plants design ideas on the Plantd Life website and here on HGTV. Your interior space transformation awaits.