Interiorscaping is a way to bring the outdoors, in, to naturally clean the air, and to provide a more pleasing environment for large municipal buildings. To achieve the multi-layer goals of interiorscaping, selecting the right plants is key.

First Consider Light

Light is the most important factor to consider when selecting indoor plants. A pretty plant placed in an area with too much or not enough light will decline rapidly. The leaves will turn yellow and fall off, the stems will weaken and flop, and the plant won’t grow. Before specifying plants for interior containers, visit the site or consult with the architects to learn the light conditions where the plant will be placed.

Plants for Low Light

Most public interior spaces have fairly low light. If the location of the interiorscaping containers is away from uncoated windows, specify these plants:

• Pothos
• Peace lily
• Cast iron plant
• Snake plant
• Schefflera
• Lady palm
• Dracaena
• Prayer plant

Medium Light

These plants thrive in medium light, which would be a bright area of the building but just out of a direct sunbeam.

• Anthurium
• Bird’s nest fern
• Alocasia
• Ivy
• Moth orchid
• Spider plant

Bright Light

These plants need to be in the brightest areas of the building, right next to a window, or in an area with multi-spectrum artificial lights.

• Palms
• Croton
• Bromeliad
• Cactus
• Rubber plant
• Ficus tree

Selecting Based on Water Needs

Is the building manager planning to hire an interiorscaping company? Will someone water and groom the plants on a routine basis? Some plants need less maintenance than others.

Plants That Have High Water Needs:

• Peace lily
• Prayer plant
• Alocacia
• Pothos

Plants That Can Be Neglected and Still Thrive:

• Rubber plant
• Spider plant
• Cacti
• Succulents
• Dracaena

Messy Plants

These plants drop a lot of leaves if they’re not perfectly happy.

• Ficus tree
• Croton

Selecting Plants Based on Location

Some plants provide a strong vertical accent, while others are trailing and well-suited for overhangs. Golden pothos is a favorite for balcony planters. Dracaena plants are strongly vertical, but relatively short. Palms are ideal for adding height to interior gardens.

By selecting the right plant for its eventual place in the interior garden, you can make a match of container, plants, and location that enhances the architectural details and the visitor experience.

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