Essential Plants for Your Contemporary Indoor Garden

The following is a guest blog post by Lana Hawkins, a student of architecture from Sydney,
Australia, who writes about landscaping and green architecture and is a regular contributor to
Smooth Decorator.
Edgy. Clean. Bold. Vast. Empty. These are all features of a modern design. A modern and
somewhat trendy garden design is gaining admirers worldwide and just may overtake the
traditional garden look. Given the fact that a clean and contemporary approach is more focused
on the architecture rather than the actual plant life, many people have difficulty combining the
two opposites into a cohesive whole.
So how do you devise a pleasing mixture of artificial surrounded by a touch of nature? Here
you’ll find some ideas for creating a powerful and captivating mix of artificial surroundings
highlighted by nature.
Potted Plants
Container and potted plants represent an essential part of any garden design, and
contemporary garden design is no different. Pay attention to your choice of planters. Opt for
hanging pots, cylinders and round containers with geometrical patterns. For plants, adaptable
ferns are always a good choice, as are dracaena and potted palms. For a more exotic vibe,
consider various sized cacti.
Succulents
One of the best choices for indoor plants are succulents, as there is a smorgasbord of different
kinds from which to choose in order to create astonishing arrangements in your home.
Succulents are also quite easy to maintain indoors. There are various planter choices when it
comes to succulents, as they are quite adaptable and can be planted almost anywhere.
Depending on your personal preference, you could create a green succulent wall, a potted
arrangement or even a miniature succulent garden.
Terrariums
Miniature gardens are a valuable component of a clean, contemporary garden design.
Representing a small world in a glass container, they emit a bold vibe perfect for the
contemporary indoor garden design. Terrariums also offer the opportunity to introduce plant
diversity, as terrarium plant choices are many. Use any glass container you wish to create your
terrarium, including old jars, bowls, bottles and even light bulbs.
Vertical Gardens

Living or hanging walls create an enchanting setting in your home. Although they are more
demanding in the maintenance sense, they are completely worth it. This design has grown in
popularity all over the globe. As a matter of fact, many high-class hotels have adopted the living
wall arrangement. Plant choice for the vertical garden can vary quite a bit, as the whole concept
of this design is to showcase diverse and different. The system can be made from recycled
palettes, or you can install a mesh wiring system onto which vines, such as English Ivy Vine,
crawl and cover a wall.
Bonsai
The Japanese garden design has enticed the world with its astonishing and bold arrangements.
This art form of training miniature trees in small pots and containers is definitely one of the
true features of a modern indoor garden. Bonsai can be created from nearly any perennial
woody-stemmed tree or shrub species. Japanese white pine or junipers are popular choices,
but there are no limits when it comes to this art design.
Indoor Greenhouse
For those who have a majority of unused space, some money saved up and a desire to create
something unusual and extraordinary in their home, an indoor greenhouse is the best possible
choice. This design will never fail to impress and represents a true masterpiece of garden
design.
Green. Lively. Vivid. Expressive. Distinctive. Who says that natural and artificial can’t be
combined into something beautiful? The sky (or the ceiling) is the limit they say, so be
courageous and surpass the borders of innovation with your contemporary indoor garden
design.