As we head into 2025, interior greening has deepened its roots, embracing sustainable practices, aesthetic versatility and an ever-growing appreciation for the natural world, says garden editor Heidi Bertish. From lush indoor jungles to tech- enhanced care and sustainable choices the House & Garden team go to ground to get you the trends poised to shake up the scene in 2025.
Biophilic Design: More than a buzzword
Biophilic design is all about connecting our inside spaces with the natural world. It’s a philosophy that elevates both design and our experience of an indoor space. In 2025 it continues to become an enduring influence, deeply integrated into how we live, work and design spaces. We’d even go so far as to call it a cultural shift, indicating a change in collective values and priorities. ‘We have a rich botanical heritage in South Africa and surrounded by enormous natural beauty,’ says garden editor, Heidi Bertish, ‘it makes sense that we breathe life and tranquillity into our everyday by bringing the natural world indoors.’ We’re seeing organic, nature-inspired shapes - whether in furniture, sculpture or lighting - that mimic the forms, textures and materials of local flora and fauna and connect a space to the wild beauty of South Africa’s natural environment,’ she says. ‘Water as a gentle, calming element inside the home is growing too. We’re seeing water fountains, water walls and indoor ponds adding a spa-like zen to our interiors,’ she says. Lush, green sanctuaries are upping the ante too. Rooms dedicated to plants alone, much like the plant collectors’ conservatoires of old. ‘What we’re seeing is fully grown trees in living rooms and expansive greenhouses that double as indoor gardens. In 2025 this trend pushes a harmonious agenda - between us, the built environment and nature - with the result reducing stress and boosting mind-body wellness. Hear, hear!
Sustainable and Ethical Choices
As climate awareness grows, so does the demand for ethically sourced plants and sustainable practices. In 2025, plant enthusiasts will be making more conscientious choices, preferring those grown without harmful pesticides and sourced from responsible nurseries. ‘In addition to the ethical concerns surrounding artificial cultivation methods, plants grown under these conditions often struggle when we bring them home, she says, ‘as artificial growing conditions fail to provide the resilience that natural growing practices do," she says. To support the transition, use a natural plant food watered into the soil or sprayed onto the leaves as a foliar feed.
2025 sees a surge in upcycled and reclaimed materials used for plant stands and indoor plant display units, creating unique and eco-conscious pieces that resonate with both plant lovers and environmental advocates.
Tech-Enhanced Plant Care
The digital age continues to intertwine with our love for greenery, with technology enhancing how we nurture our leafy friends. In 2025, smart plant care devices will be an essential part of urban gardening. From self-watering planters to apps that provide tailored watering schedules, light analysis, and soil health monitoring, tech will be pivotal in keeping plants healthy. These innovations are particularly appealing for busy urbanites, making it easier than ever to keep indoor gardens thriving with minimal effort.
Rare and Exotic Plants Gain Popularity
Plant collectors have long pursued rare and exotic species, but in 2025, these plants become more mainstream. With the rise of specialized plant nurseries and online communities, the hunt for unique and unusual plants will expand beyond the traditional enthusiast and into the realm of mainstream home decorating. The allure of a one-of-a-kind houseplant that turns heads will drive more people to learn about propagation and nurturing rare species at home.
Miniature Indoor Jungles
Size isn’t everything in the world of houseplants. While large, statement-making plants like fiddle leaf figs and bird-of-paradise have been popular, 2025 sees the rise of small-scale ecosystems that give us plant lovers opportunity to create tiny indoor jungles on any indoor surface. Our recommendation for the new year is moss terrariums, miniature fruit trees, curated clusters of succulents and bulbs grown in glass containers to show off their intricate root systems to the max. Go forth and multiply your shelves, desks and window ledges.
The Return of the Fern
Fuelled by a desire for low-maintenance plants that are adaptable and forgiving of our indoor microclimates, the often-overlooked fern is poised to make a strong comeback in 2025. From the delicate, frilly fronds of the maidenhair to the more robust and tropical staghorn variety, these plants are perfect for creating depth and texture in an indoor space. ‘Pimp the lush aesthetic and pot yours into an oversized urn or low, elegant open vessel in the bathroom or kitchen,’ says Heidi.
Curated combinations
2025 tosses monochrome indoor plant combinations to the curb and brings with it curated combinations of textures and colours. Pots and planters reflect this trend, with designers moving toward hand-painted, textural surface detail and pattern. To create a cohesive combination of plants, the golden rule is to group those that enjoy a similar climate and have water. We’re loving delicious monsters paired with maidenhair ferns, silver- inch plant (Tradescantia zebrina) and Cape primrose (Streptocarpus), which come in a variety of jewel-like colours- or white.
Healing and Therapeutic Plants
As more information comes to light about the health properties of various plants, growing plants for healing and wellness is 2025 is a big one. Plants such as lavender, eucalyptus and jasmine known for their calming and therapeutic properties become even more sought after as indoor varieties. In 2025, we begin to see plant spaces curated for relaxation and mindfulness with plants that purify the air and offer calming fragrance, teas and tinctures. The focus is on creating oases that support emotional and mental well-being.
