Lush Greenery: Biophilic Design Ideas

With hashtags such as #urbanjungle, #jungalowstyle and #indoorjungle collectively racking up several million posts on Instagram, it’s fair to say the ‘jungle’ aesthetic is in full swing. But how do you add a bit of wilderness to your space while still maintaining its functionality?

While we don’t all have the creative scope (and budget!) of a company like Amazon, who recently took the jungle vibe to the next level with the opening of the Spheres, a mini-rainforest inside their Seattle headquarters, we can all benefit from the inclusion of plants in our workspace. In a recent article, HR specialists CIPHR list seven key benefits to office greenery, including reduced stress, increased productivity, and cleaner office air. One study cited in the article noted a 37% fall in reported tension and anxiety when plants are introduced to a work environment – with figures like that, it’s a wonder that all of our offices aren’t brimming with plants!

for the jungle look, you can opt for potted or hanging plants (the bushier the better). Alternatively, a living wall system is a great way to get in on the jungle trend and make your spaces lush and inspiring. Getting the right combination of plants is key – here are our top picks for plants that will bring out your inner George of the Jungle.

Also known as Spider Plant, this little number is native to South Africa. Widely known for its air-filtering super powers, this is one plant that will really amp up productivity and positivity.

More affectionately known as the Button Fern, the Rotundifolia is an evergreen that will add depth to a living wall with its dark, textured fronds. Unlike other ferns, it’s not a fan of moisture and humidity so can survive on minimal watering.

This is an evergreen with a twist – their leaves fold during the evening which has led to the moniker ‘prayer plant’. Native to Central and South America as well as the West Indies, the Maranta is great at creating a tropical look.

Easily recognised by its glossy, heart-shaped leaves, this evergreen is a climber and will tie sections of your urban jungle together aesthetically while also adding some diversity to the display.

This guy is a grower, perfect for adding fullness to your display. Not just that, but its silvery hues help create a varied colour palette without introducing too many overpowering shades.

In the urban jungle trend, more is more (is more). Offering more plants, more coverage, and more variety, living walls provide an excellent addition to conventional office plants. Even better, because they’re planted vertically you can maximise your greenery without losing valuable floor space.

There are a lot of great ways to create this look, but maintenance is key. The most common misconception is thinking that a living wall will look after itself – sadly, they don’t! Like all plants they still need a lot of TLC to keep brown leaves at bay, and indeed, given the variety of species at play getting their care right can be tricky. That’s where our expert team of horticulturists come in – after installing your wall with minimal disruption, we will visit to make sure it’s looking its best. Jungle lovers, rejoice!

Feeling inspired? If you’re interested in finding out how we can introduce a touch of the jungle look to your workspace, get in touch and we’d be happy to help.