It’s no secret that with today’s urban majority spending more and more time indoors (over 90% in some cases) and away from nature, there is a growing desire to have internal spaces mirror the natural world. This sense of nature can be achieved through clever interior design choices including using natural and neutral paint colours, raw wood and stone finishes, as well as including both natural and artificial interior landscaping installations.
While live plants can be great in certain situations, oftentimes artificial plants are simply the best way to go…
Interior landscaping is the practice of designing, installing, and maintaining greenery and biophilic elements inside buildings.
Professionals in the trade commonly refer to this service as interior plantscaping or interiorscaping, which is the strategic use of plants within indoor spaces (commercial or residential) to enhance aesthetics and create a more inviting atmosphere. This can include live plants, artificial plants, or a combination of both, depending on maintenance requirements and environmental conditions.
Typical Approaches to Interior Landscaping;
Plantscaping can add interest to small and large spaces – from a desktop to an office entryway. Tall container trees, for example, can be used in massive areas to create focal hierarchies. Mixing different types of plants in planters and on living walls can create a tapestry of color, beauty, and health. Depending on the structure and form of the plant, there are plenty of interior landscape phenomena and effects.
- Potted Plant & Tree Arrangements – Free-standing pots or planters filled with lush greenery create focal points in lobbies, offices, and common areas.
- Green Walls & Vertical Gardens – Living or artificial plant walls add a striking design element while maximising greenery in limited spaces.
- Tabletop & Shelf Displays – Small plants or floral arrangements enhance desks, reception areas, and retail displays.
- Hanging & Suspended Plants – Perfect for high ceilings, hanging baskets or trailing plants add dimension to a space.
- Built-In Planter Boxes – Integrated planters within furniture or along walkways create seamless, modern green designs.
Almost maintenance-free
While it’s said that there is no such thing as a free lunch, maintaining artificial plants is just about as close as it gets when it comes to interior landscaping. Not only is the cost of maintaining an artificial garden extremely low, it also requires very little effort with only occasional dusting and cleaning required.
Look great all year round
Artificial plants have one great advantage over their live counterparts, and that is simply their longevity. Interior live plants usually look great for the first few weeks (or days) after they have been planted, but it usually doesn’t take long for this initial honeymoon period to wear off, particularly if the plants are located in an area with poor light or ventilation or where it is difficult to properly service.
And even if an interior garden is well maintained and survives for a few months, it’s usually only a matter of time or the changing of the seasons before certain plants begin to wither & die.
Don’t attract pests or cause allergies
Because artificial plants are made of synthetic material, the chances of them attracting pests and vermin are much lower than with live plants. Furthermore, artificial plants are great for areas where allergies may be an issue, particularly public spaces.
So if you are looking to redesign or redecorate your home, office, or hotel lobby, and are thinking of doing some interior landscaping, why not consider artificial trees and plants and go green all year long.
At Silk by Design we carry a wide range of artificial trees, plants, and flowers and would be happy to quote you for a bespoke design. Contact us at info@silkbydesign.co.za or shop our catalogue at www.silkbydesign.com for more.
