Please note the reference to using plants as fillers versus feature plants. Based upon size and plant type, you can get a lot of mileage from fillers (ferns, anyone?), helping to stretch the budget for the more eye-catching leaves and blooms.
PHOTOS COURTESY OF VARIEGATED DESIGNS

By Amy Meadows

How to Incorporate Plants in Your Shop

I know we often talk about going green, but let’s give it a twist in this issue.

While I am a vowed black thumb, I delight in the many ways plants (real and artificial) are used in stores, restaurants, and offices to add color, texture, and visual impact. And this was a perfect opportunity to ask professionals for details about their planning processes, material consideration, maintenance, and more.

We can agree that a windowsill of crowded houseplants in mismatched pots is a big NO. While we often think it might add a homey touch or mask a distraction, that is usually not the case, especially from the outside looking in!

Rather, we must consider plant placement with the same intentionality used for props, fixtures, and signage — potted trees, hanging baskets, succulents, and decorative arrangements become part of your store’s landscape (literally). In typical fashion, I am asking you to also ensure your plants have adequate sunlight and that you can maintain (i.e., water, trim, dust) the greenery easily and safely, while not creating problems for shoppers (including pets!) — no needles or allergens.

Whether you are leaning toward philodendrons or ferns, it is worth the time to research installations. And do not forget the experts at your local nursery or greenhouse.

They know which plants travel easily versus those that tend to be a bit more dramatic as they settle in. We have all seen that attention-seeking greenery — no thank you!

As you survey the spaces or surfaces in your shop that could benefit from a touch of green, let’s look at three specific areas:

Consider the Ceilings

I asked Stephanie Williams, owner of Variegated Designs (variegateddesigns.com), what some of her favorite projects have been and why. She said, “Some of our favorite projects are the ones that challenge us to try new things or use new products or even incorporate plants in a new way. For instance, the black ceiling trays were a lot of fun because we were able to create pockets of green over a large space. With most hanging projects, we have to find just the right plant that hangs naturally. It needs to have the correct drop for it to look realistic. Same with the hanging black grate, we had to work with plants that were used as fillers and others that would hang down to create the gardens of Babylon feel.”

And what is one thing she wants you to know about the value of greenery in your business? “Whether the plant is alive or faux, the style/type of plant can tie the whole space together. Certain plants can offer a calm, cozy environment, while other plants can add energy and movement in the space,” Williams said. “Adding plants and greenery to the space helps invite and elevate the overall atmosphere. It can sound silly, but plants bring life into a display or vignette and help to further tell the story you are trying to portray.”

Johnny Pham of The Moss Shop said, “Clients can choose to integrate their logo into a custom moss wall or simply use our art pieces to bring natural warmth and texture into their business spaces.” PHOTO COURTESY OF THE MOSS SHOP
I love this! How often have the surfaces underneath stairs, balconies, upper floors, and more been left alone — perhaps in hope of disappearing? This is a brilliant, artistic way to camouflage otherwise empty space and structural elements.
PHOTO COURTESY OF THE MOSS SHOP

Use Your Walls

The available floor space in a shop is typically quite unusual. Plants in a corner or on a table or at checkout are essentially displacing opportunities for merchandise, and I do not see that as a plus.

But what about wall space? Empty areas above cabinets or shelves? Or maybe some can’t miss signage near the cash register?

Green walls, especially those made with preserved moss, are becoming increasingly popular. I had the opportunity to speak with Johnny Pham, owner of The Moss Shop (themossshop.com), about ideas for store owners. While we have seen moss walls for a while, the design options continue to increase.

I asked Pham why shop owners should consider moss art pieces or panels for their already crowded interiors. He said, “Our specialty is preserved moss art — from custom frames to large-scale installations, we design pieces that blend natural textures with modern craftsmanship, creating a connection to nature. Because preserved moss requires no watering or sunlight, it remains vibrant and beautiful year-round without any maintenance.”

This is a win, win! You get the calming, creative power of biophilic design with the bonus of zero maintenance.

Ideas for Windows

Finally, I spoke with Zahra Falasiri, owner of Sizzle Design London (sizzledesignlondon.co.uk), and asked how shop owners can use plants and plant materials in their windows — noting there has been a steady increase in the use of interior green walls.

“In many of my projects, I tend to move beyond traditional greenery arrangements and focus on sculptural composi­tions combining natural tree trunks, preserved branches, and high-quality foliage,” Falasiri said. “There’s something grounding about these organic forms; they bring character and authenticity while staying practical for commercial interiors. This mix works beautifully in restaurants, boutiques, and window displays defining zones and creating a welcoming atmosphere.”

Happy planning — and planting!

This richly textured valance features not only a mixture of branches and greenery but also preserved oranges for a pop of color — and a hint of citrus!
PHOTO COURTESY OF SIZZLE DESIGN LONDON