Industrial-style interiors are characterized by their raw, unfinished look, often featuring exposed brick walls, metal elements, and a neutral color palette. With its minimalist approach, the industrial aesthetic blends functionality with edgy, urban charm. However, when it comes to adding life to this type of interior, selecting the right plants is crucial. Plants bring a touch of nature to balance the harshness of industrial spaces and create a welcoming atmosphere.
In this article, we’ll explore how to choose plants that complement the industrial style, helping you achieve a striking and harmonious look in your home or office.
Why Plants Are Perfect for Industrial-Style Interiors
Plants are an ideal addition to any industrial-style space for several reasons:
- Contrast to Raw Materials: The industrial style typically features materials like exposed concrete, metal, and wood, which can feel cold and sterile. Plants, with their natural textures and vibrant greenery, provide a warm, inviting contrast.
- Softening the Aesthetic: Industrial spaces can sometimes feel a bit harsh or too stark. Adding plants softens the look, making the space feel more comfortable and lived-in.
- Air Quality Improvement: Plants naturally purify the air, which is especially valuable in indoor spaces where ventilation might not be ideal.
- Versatility: Whether you prefer large statement plants or small tabletop greenery, plants come in various shapes and sizes, making them adaptable to any space, from loft apartments to office settings.
Now that we know why plants are a great fit for industrial interiors, let’s discuss how to select the right plants for this design style.
1. Opt for Bold, Statement Plants
In an industrial setting, larger plants with architectural qualities work beautifully. These plants can fill corners, create visual focal points, and add a touch of boldness that matches the industrial style’s edgy vibe.
Recommended Plants:
- Fiddle Leaf Fig (Ficus lyrata): With its large, glossy leaves and dramatic look, the fiddle leaf fig makes a strong statement. It thrives in bright, indirect light and works well in large spaces where it can spread out.
- Rubber Plant (Ficus elastica): The rubber plant is another bold choice with its large, glossy green leaves. It can adapt to lower light levels and adds a touch of tropical flair to your industrial space.
- Bird of Paradise (Strelitzia reginae): Known for its tall stature and large, banana-like leaves, the Bird of Paradise adds an exotic feel to an industrial-style room. It requires bright, indirect light and can grow quite large if well cared for.
- Snake Plant (Sansevieria trifasciata): For a more architectural feel, the snake plant offers tall, upright leaves with unique patterns. It’s a low-maintenance plant that tolerates lower light and infrequent watering, making it perfect for a low-effort option in an industrial setting.
2. Choose Plants with Sculptural Forms
Plants with sculptural, geometric, or minimalist forms complement the clean lines and industrial feel of the space. These plants can stand out as design elements on their own, contributing to the overall aesthetic without overpowering the space.
Recommended Plants:
- Cactus: Cacti, particularly those with tall, cylindrical stems, fit the industrial style perfectly. They have a sculptural quality that suits the minimalism of industrial design. Varieties such as the Saguaro or Barrel Cactus bring unique texture and a modern look.
- Aloe Vera: Aloe vera, with its thick, spiky leaves, provides a contemporary, geometric look. Its low-maintenance needs make it ideal for busy, functional spaces like an industrial-style living room or office.
- ZZ Plant (Zamioculcas zamiifolia): The ZZ plant is known for its sleek, shiny leaves that grow from thick, upright stems. This plant thrives in low light and requires minimal attention, making it a perfect choice for any space with a minimalist vibe.
- Jade Plant (Crassula ovata): With its thick, rounded leaves, the jade plant has a sculptural quality that pairs well with industrial interiors. It is easy to care for and grows slowly, making it a great long-term investment.
3. Incorporate Hanging or Cascading Plants
Industrial spaces often feature high ceilings and open areas that benefit from vertical space. Hanging or cascading plants can add dimension and help fill vertical space, making the room feel more lush and inviting.
Recommended Plants:
- Pothos (Epipremnum aureum): Known for its trailing vines, pothos is perfect for hanging planters or shelves. It’s versatile and can thrive in low light, making it an excellent choice for rooms with limited natural sunlight.
- English Ivy (Hedera helix): With its cascading, trailing vines, English ivy works well in industrial interiors when placed in hanging pots or atop tall shelves. It’s ideal for creating a natural, flowing look in otherwise rigid spaces.
- String of Pearls (Senecio rowleyanus): This unique plant features long, drooping stems adorned with bead-like leaves. Its unusual appearance adds an artistic, almost whimsical touch to an industrial space.
- Spider Plant (Chlorophytum comosum): Known for its spiky, arching leaves, the spider plant is a great option for creating cascading greenery in industrial interiors. It’s easy to care for and thrives in various lighting conditions.
4. Use Plants with Bold, Dark Foliage
Industrial-style interiors often feature neutral tones such as greys, blacks, and whites, so plants with bold, dark foliage can provide a striking contrast. Dark-leaved plants add depth and drama to your space while maintaining a sleek and modern feel.
Recommended Plants:
- Calathea: Known for its stunning, deep green, and patterned leaves, the calathea brings a pop of color and texture to an industrial setting. It prefers indirect light and high humidity, so it works best in spaces like bathrooms or kitchens.
- Coleus: Coleus comes in a variety of colors, but those with dark, rich purple or burgundy tones can add a bold contrast to industrial interiors. These plants work well in bright, indirect light and are great for adding a touch of vibrancy.
- Black Bamboo (Phyllostachys nigra): Black bamboo has striking dark stems that make a bold visual statement. It works well in large, open spaces where it can be allowed to grow tall.
- Purple Heart (Tradescantia pallida): Known for its vibrant purple leaves, the purple heart plant adds an unexpected pop of color. It grows well in indirect light and can be used as a trailing plant or in tabletop arrangements.
5. Pair Plants with Industrial Containers
The containers you choose for your plants are just as important as the plants themselves when it comes to an industrial-style interior. Industrial containers often feature materials like metal, concrete, or clay, which complement the raw, utilitarian elements of the design.
Recommended Containers:
- Metal Pots: Choose sleek, galvanized metal or matte black metal containers for a clean, modern look. These can hold larger plants like fiddle leaf figs or rubber plants.
- Concrete Planters: Concrete is a quintessential material in industrial design. Opt for minimalistic, concrete planters that can suit a variety of plant sizes. Their raw, unfinished look pairs perfectly with plants that have bold or sculptural forms.
- Wire Baskets: For a more casual industrial vibe, consider using wire baskets to house your plants. These work well with trailing plants like pothos or ivy, allowing the vines to spill out and create a natural, organic look.
- Clay or Terracotta Pots: If you want to add a bit of rustic charm to your industrial space, terracotta pots offer a natural, earthy contrast to the metal and concrete materials. Choose muted tones that blend with the overall color scheme of the room.
6. Consider Plant Care Requirements
Finally, when selecting plants for your industrial-style interior, it’s important to consider the care requirements of each plant. Some industrial spaces have lower light levels or less humidity, so choose plants that can thrive under these conditions.
Low-Light Plants:
- Snake plant
- ZZ plant
- Pothos
- Spider plant
High-Light Plants:
- Fiddle leaf fig
- Bird of paradise
- Rubber plant
Low-Humidity Plants:
- Cactus
- Aloe vera
- Snake plant
High-Humidity Plants:
- Calathea
- Ferns
- Peace lily
Conclusion
Choosing the right plants for an industrial-style interior can enhance the raw, minimalistic beauty of your space while adding a touch of life and vibrancy. From large statement plants like fiddle leaf figs and rubber plants to trailing vines and dark-foliaged varieties, the possibilities are endless. Pair your plants with industrial containers such as metal, concrete, or terracotta pots to complete the look. With the right plant selection, you can create a harmonious and stylish indoor space that embraces both nature and industrial design.