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Choosing Container Colors for Indoor Plants

Indoor plants are a fantastic way to add to your home’s decoration. Their foliage color, leaf shape, and texture can help soften the hard lines of furniture and add brightness to a space. Containers can also be an important part of your decor.

You can add to the aesthetic of your home using your potted plants in many different ways:

Opt for Monochrome Color Themes

One way to decorate is by staying with a monochromatic color scheme. A monochrome color combination is where you take a single hue and use it for everything, or you take one and choose different variations in tones, shades, and tints of the color.

For example, you can choose dark blue, royal blue, and sky blue containers. Or, if your wall color is dark blue, use the other two shades for containers. This combination helps to simplify busy designs in a room and creates a harmonious look that is visually appealing.

Choose Complementary Colors

Choosing complementary colors is where you take the color wheel and create color combinations with specific spatial relationships. These colors highly contrast and make a bold design, yet they are also cohesive.

Using the traditional red, yellow, and blue color wheel, the complementary pairs of colors are directly across the wheel from one another: red-green, blue-orange, and yellow-purple. If you want to use three colors, choose a main color from the wheel and then use the colors on either side of its complement. Or, you could always go the tried-and-true route and stick with the traditional pairing of black and white.

When using multiple color containers, pick one of the hues as the main color and then highlight it with its complementary color. The main color like this helps keep the color scheme from becoming too overwhelming.

Metallic Containers as a Neutral Accent

Metal containers are also a fantastic way to add to your decor. They are available in various finishes and meld seamlessly into a space, regardless of your decorating style.

At one time, fashion “rules” were against mixing different metals, keeping one finish or type of metal consistent throughout your decor. That meant that you chose brass, copper, chrome, silver, or gold and carried it throughout the home. The trend today is to break this old design standard and mix and match finishes. So go ahead and incorporate more than one type of metal in a room, as long as you enjoy the look.

Other Options to Consider

How to Accent Different Rooms with Indoor Plants

There are many different ways to incorporate plants into your home, accenting your decor and bringing greenery inside. Whether in the bedroom, kitchen, living room, or bathroom, you can get creative with plant placement.

Bedroom Nightstand

Your nightstand or end table is a great spot to add a small plant like a succulent, African violet, or cyclamen. Place potted plants in various sizes and colors at the sides of a large window, balcony door, or a reading bench where they can access plenty of sunlight. Huge monstera plants can add drama when tucked in an empty corner or next to a dresser.

If you’re having trouble sleeping, add a lavender plant, jasmine, or gardenia close to your bed. Their calming scent will help improve your sleep.

On Top of Kitchen Cabinets

Vining plants like philodendron, pothos, or something with a graceful, arching shape like a peace lily or spider plant make a great addition to your kitchen. If you’re short on space, hang them from the ceiling or put them on top of a kitchen cabinet or the refrigerator so they can drape over the side.

Living Room Corners or Shelves

If your living room has a stark, empty corner, fill the space with a tall, narrow plant like a ficus, bamboo, indoor pine, or palm. Their simple, upright structure will keep them from taking over and overwhelming the room while introducing color and texture.

Another idea for your living room is to hang geometric shelves in metal or wood to hold smaller plants. The foliage color against the shelf texture is stunning.

Bathroom Counters or Edge of the Bathtub

Putting plants in your bathroom will instantly give it a more luxurious and spa-like feel. If space permits, you can stage houseplants around a large soaking tub to create a relaxing oasis or hang a basket with a vining plant in the shower.

Smaller bathrooms with less open space benefit from a potted plant or two on the sink vanity or hang floating shelves on an empty wall for extra space.

Benefits of Putting Plants in Specific Rooms

One of the great things about plants is they can be beneficial in different rooms of your house. Many people use them strictly for decor without realizing their other benefits:

Better Sleep at Night

Having plants in your bedroom helps you sleep better, so you get a more restful sleep.

Fresh Herbs in the Kitchen

Growing plants indoors has many benefits beyond having fresh herbs within reach.

Air Purification in the Main Living Space

The air quality around us dramatically impacts our overall health and how we feel daily. Indoor air quality is considerably lower than the air outdoors, especially when it isn’t mixed with fresh air. Adding houseplants to your space can significantly improve the air in your home.

Reduce noise distractions: Plants have the natural ability to absorb sounds, buffering some of the background noise that occurs in many homes and reducing distractions.
Boost creativity: Studies have shown approximately a 15% increase in creativity when people have natural elements like plants in their workspace.
Better memory retention: Stress and anxiety impact both short- and long-term memory. Memory retention improves up to 20% when research subjects are close to plants.
Increased ability to concentrate: There is a direct correlation between carbon dioxide levels and your brain’s ability to think clearly. When plants reduce the carbon dioxide in the air, you can focus better on your work for extended periods.

Improved Mental Focus in the Home Office

It can be challenging to achieve the same productivity working at home as you do in a typical office setting. Adding houseplants to your office space can help.

Filter toxins: NASA research has proven that plants play a pivotal role in improving air quality. They help reduce carbon dioxide and filter harmful volatile organic compounds (VOCs) like benzene, carbon monoxide, ammonia, formaldehyde, and xylem out of the air.
Increase oxygen levels: During photosynthesis, plants use their leaves to absorb carbon dioxide from the air to create food. They then release oxygen that living organisms breathe.

How to Improve the Lifespan of Floral Arrangements

All good things must come to an end, and that includes your floral display. But that doesn’t mean you have to say goodbye before it’s time. There are steps you can take to promote the lifespan of cut flowers to make them last days, even weeks, longer than you would otherwise expect.

1. Clean the Vase

Long-lasting flowers start with clean storage space. Wash each vase with diluted bleach water before beginning to remove bacteria that could quickly turn the water scummy. A drop or two of chlorine bleach in the water can help keep it microbe-free.

2. Remove the Lowest Leaves

Leaves submerged in water will rot quickly, so it’s best to trim them before setting up the display. However, keep thorns intact on roses, as removing them creates wounds that leak sugar and provide an access point for bacteria.

Immediately before placing stems in water, cut off the bottom inch at a 45-degree angle. This maximizes the amount of water they can take in to help them stay as fresh as possible.

3. Choose Your Display Space Carefully

Where you put cut flowers will dramatically affect their lifespan. Ideally, you want them in a cool, dark place that’s away from drafts and direct sunlight. Keep them several feet from windows and out of direct contact with AC or heating vents.

4. Water Immediately and Frequently

Keep cut flowers in water as much as possible, both while you’re arranging them and immediately after they make it into the vase. Warm (but not hot!) water works best, as it encourages quicker intake up the stem.

Replace all the water in your vase every three days, or whenever it starts to look cloudy. You may want to reclean the vase at this point as well. If you’re using flower food, make sure you add some back into the fresh water.

Floral foam requires a slightly different treatment. Pour water over the foam every few days to keep it moist, or let it soak in a basin of water.

5. Keep the Stem Clean

When you’re changing out the water, inspect each stem and make a fresh diagonal cut an inch from the bottom. This ensures it can draw in plenty of water and keeps the stems looking their best.

6. Remove Wilted Flowers

Some flowers will start to show their age sooner than others. Remove wilting blooms as soon as you see them, as they will release a ripening hormone known as ethylene gas. This will speed up the life cycle for your other blooms and cause them to wilt just as quickly.

Note: Fresh fruit also produces ethylene gas and causes the same effect. Keep floral arrangements away from the kitchen (or at least fruit on the kitchen counter) to ensure it doesn’t get affected.

By following these six tips, you’ll get as much time with your cut flower display as possible. By the time it finally wilts, you’ll likely feel inspired to start designing a new one.

Design Elements for Flower Arrangements

Place a bunch of flowers in a vase, and they are almost guaranteed to look lovely. That’s because plants on their own are beautiful to look at. But is it art? If you want to elevate your arrangement to professional status, then it’s essential to follow these design elements.

Line

With floral arrangements, “line” is the visual path your eye follows along the design. They don’t need to be tall and straight — floral lines are often curving or zigzagging and may include a single stem or a variety bunched together. You want the line of the arrangement to link the spaces between two points to guide the eye over the design in pleasing ways. It helps the piece feel cohesive.

Color

Color is one of the most essential elements for setting the mood of your arrangement. It provides life and personality to each piece, and the right colors can make even poorly arranged flowers seem visually pleasing.

As you plan an arrangement, think through colors that work together within the bouquet and in the larger space. This will help the display look grounded and cohesive.

Form

Defined as the shape of the individual components within an arrangement, the forms within it need to combine in interesting ways to have a successful bouquet. You want them to look cohesive without being monotonous.

Flowers should stand out on their own while still appearing to be part of one or more prominent designs. It’s a tricky balance, but getting it right will elevate your arrangements to professional levels.

Space

Florists need to think through both positive and negative space within their designs. Oftentimes, the areas without materials can have just as much of a visual impact as the parts with plant material. Ikebana designs are a classic example of utilizing negative space.

Texture

Memorable floral arrangements will highlight textures that either contrast or complement each other. Think about the surface quality of each element. Rose petals offer a luxurious velvety texture, while zinnia and marigolds give off soft, fuzzy vibes. Adding some greenery will further boost the texture range.

Pattern

Defined as a repeated combination of line, form, color, texture, or other design elements, patterns can add a sense of intentionality to a floral arrangement.

Size

As the measurement of the amount of space an arrangement takes up, size is a design element that’s often an afterthought. However, the wrong scale between elements in a bouquet, or worse yet, the arrangement and the space where it’s displayed, will make it look out of place. You need to think through the size and proportions of each element to ensure everything is visually pleasing at a glance.

Fragrance

Finally, scent is an underrated element in floral design. Choosing blooms with powerful fragrances ensures the arrangement will impact two of the five senses and create a more powerful impression on those who experience it.

The 6 Flower Types for Floral Arrangements

Floral arrangements may differ from each other, but most are made from the same basic elements. Each type of flower or foliage falls into a specific category that serves a purpose within the arrangement. These categories include line, form, mass, focal, filler, and greenery.

Line Flowers

These tall, noticeable blooms are made up of single stems with many blossoms in a row. They add shape and a vertical element to the arrangement, and they tend to draw your eyes upward to create a flowing movement throughout the arrangement. Larkspur, snapdragons, and delphinium are all popular choices.

Form Flowers

Typically large, colorful, and visually distinctive, form flowers draw your eye to the arrangement and keep your attention. Irises, calla lilies, and orchids are all popular examples. Since they tend to be high impact, it’s best to follow a “less is more” approach to ensure they stay balanced with the other elements in the arrangement.

Mass Flowers

Big, bold, and beautiful, mass flowers add weight to the arrangement. Most are round and full-faced, with a single large bloom on the stem. In fact, these flowers have enough standalone impact that they are often used on their own. Popular choices include roses, sunflowers, lilies, tulips, carnations, zinnia, and many more.

Filler Flowers

As the name implies, filler flowers fill in the gaps in arrangements to keep them looking lush and finished. They tend to be small, with clusters of blooms on each stem, and add volume, texture, and color. Think of filler flowers as background characters that offset and enhance the flowers taking center stage. Some top choices include baby’s breath, Queen Anne’s lace, carnations, thistle, spray roses, and more.

Focal Flowers

Similar to mass and form flowers, focal flowers immediately draw your attention. They tend to be large and on a single stem. Most arrangements need only two to three types of focal flowers. Choose from traditional choices like mums, anemones, peonies, and dahlias.

Greenery

Using only flowers can make an arrangement feel uninspired. To add extra visual interest, consider adding some greenery. Not only will this plant material add a lushness to the bouquet, but it helps support the larger blossoms and gives the eye a calming place to rest, so you don’t become visually overwhelmed. You can add as much greenery to the arrangement as you want — in fact, some consist entirely of it.

Take time to appreciate the understated elegance of fresh foliage, and you won’t miss the flowers. Some classic choices include eucalyptus, dusty miller, myrtle, ivy, ferns, and more.

Where to Source Your Flowers

Determining where to source your flowers for homemade arrangements can be a challenge. Few people have a massive garden at their disposal for picking them fresh. That means you’ll need to make a plan for securing the blooms you need. Otherwise, you’ll find your arrangements are severely limited.

The good news is there are likely multiple options available to you for getting fresh flowers, no matter where you live. One or more of these strategies will surely be a winner to ensure you get what you need.

1. A Local Nursery

By far, the best place to get fresh flowers you aren’t growing yourself is from a local nursery. Not only will this save on shipping costs, but it ensures that every bloom is fresh and likely to withstand the rigors of setting up your flower arrangements.

Many nurseries will offer deals for regular or bulk orders, and you’ll likely be able to inspect all the merchandise before ordering to get exactly what you want.

2. Order Online

If you have a preference for exotic flowers or need specific varieties on a regular basis, then buying flowers online is the easiest option. Just note that you’ll pay a premium for rush shipping to ensure they arrive in decent shape, and even then, their lifespan will be limited.

3. Your Own Garden!

For the ultimate convenience, consider growing your own cut-flower garden filled with your favorite varieties. Starting a flower garden takes less space and effort than most people believe. With regular maintenance, you can guarantee you have a steady crop of flowers throughout the growing season.

We have an entire book dedicated to growing cut flowers. That’s an excellent resource for starting your personal garden. In the meantime, here are some main points to keep in mind:

Grow a mix of annuals and perennials to ensure there’s always something coming up.
Keep the beds well weeded to limit competition for nutrients.
Deadhead spent flower blossoms to keep plants blooming all summer.
Grow a variety of colors, textures, and sizes to maximize visual interest in your arrangements.

4. Grow Them Indoors or in a Greenhouse

If you have the space available, it’s possible to grow a few varieties of cut flowers indoors. Marigolds, geraniums, and African violets tend to respond well to indoor conditions, and they provide blooms for weeks at a time.

Make sure you keep them under plenty of light. South-facing windows work well for most varieties, but adding supplemental grow lights is always a good idea.

5. Consider Foraging

For those willing to get creative, the natural world offers ample inspiration for flower arrangements. In fact, some arrangement styles, like ikebana, rely on found objects for their free-form design and lack of rigid structure.

So get creative with what’s around you! Evergreen boughs, bare stems, wildflowers, and even weeds can add lots of visual complexity to your arrangements, and the materials are available for free.

What Tools Do You Need?

When it comes to making beautiful bouquets, flowers are only part of the equation. To make your best floral arrangements, you must have the right tools. Here’s a shortlist of what you should have on hand as you start.

Floral Clippers

All floral stylists know how necessary sharp tools are. You’ll want to secure a pair of floral clippers for trimming stems, removing excess foliage, and taking off spent blossoms to keep the bouquet looking its best. Skip standard household scissors for this task, as you’ll quickly dull the blade and cramp your fingers.

Flower Frog

Also known as kenzan, flower frogs are a traditional way to hold stems in place for ikebana flower arrangements. These “frogs” look like little pincushions with pins facing upward that secure the flower stems in place. This makes it possible to get precise angles with every stem, even when you aren’t using enough for them to support each other.

Gardener’s Gloves

Many of the most beautiful blooms come with stems covered in thorns. Protect your hands from potential irritation by wearing quality garden gloves. They can also prevent you from accidentally snipping your fingers with your pruners.

Watering Can

All floral arrangements will benefit from frequent watering, so why not make a watering can part of the display? Consider a polished metal design that will look at home on your bookshelf when not in use.

Chicken Wire

This simple tool is surprisingly versatile for flower arrangements. Chicken wire is flexible and easy to bend into whatever shape you need to add extra structure to your arrangement, especially when using irregularly shaped containers.

It’s also worth keeping regular wire on hand, as it’s useful for strengthening and lengthening weak stems. Many florists use it as their secret weapon to prevent premature drooping.

Ties

Keep some floral wire, twine, and rubber bands on hand to tie up any loose ends on your bouquets. You’ll find dozens of ways to put them to work, and they can make the difference in achieving a more put-together final look.

Floral Picks

If you have heavy flowers that need some extra support, floral picks can provide the necessary structure. Most are made from wood or plastic and are dyed green to blend in with the stems. You simply wrap the picks to the flowers that need a little more lift, and no one will be the wiser.

Thorn Stripper

If you tend to deal with roses and other prickly plants, a thorn stripper is well worth having. Designed to travel along a flower’s entire stem, this device removes everything from thorns to leaves for an elegant (and painless) look.

Note: Removing thorns can reduce the lifespan of some cut flowers by creating a wound for bacteria to enter.

Floral Tape

A sturdy, waterproof floral tape is a versatile tool for flower arranging. It remains sticky in wet and cold conditions, making it ideal for keeping plants in place. Use it to create grids across the top of your vase and to secure the bases of delicate stems that might start splitting in the water.

Floral Foam

Typically green, floral foam is the modern equivalent of a flower frog. It works to keep flowers in place and helps them stay hydrated over the life of the bouquet. One negative: Most floral foam is single-use.

Flower Food

For really long-lasting bouquets, regular water won’t cut it. Sprinkle some flower food into the water to increase their lifespan by days, even weeks. Most contain three main components: a biocide to prevent fungus, water-soluble nutrients, and an acidifier to balance the pH of the water.

Styles of Floral Arrangements

As with other art forms, there are distinct styles of floral design, each of which pulls from different points in history. The popularity of specific techniques can ebb and flow with time, but a well-trained florist can pull from many design elements to get the right aesthetic.

This list of floral-arrangement styles is far from comprehensive, but it will give you an idea of the different styles that exist today.

Linear or Ikebana

As mentioned before, ikebana originated in Japan centuries ago as a minimalist approach to flower design. The term, which translates to “making flowers come alive,” refers to the practice of carefully selecting each element in an arrangement to convey a specific feeling for the viewer.

Ikebana has Buddhist roots in Japan, as it originated with the practice of offering floral arrangements at temples. By the 19(th) century, making floral arrangements went from a religious activity to one enjoyed by the upper class for artistic expression.

Most ikebana compositions today form a rough triangle with three main elements that represent heaven (high), earth (low), and human (middle). Ideally, the arrangements should acknowledge the season you’re in to act as a reflection of this specific moment in time. Bare stems are the material of choice in winter months when greenery is rare.

To make an ikebana arrangement, start by taking a walk through your garden or neighborhood to see what plant materials inspire you. Nothing is off-limits, so be willing to get creative. From this collection, you can use between five and 13 items for each arrangement. Resist the temptation to go overboard — less is usually more.

Traditionally, ikebana containers are shallow and rely on a kenzan (flower frog) to keep the base of each stem in place. There’s typically minimal room for water, so expect the arrangement to last about 24 hours before wilting.

Mass Arrangement

Mass arrangement is a classic European floral design style that adds as many flowers and foliage as possible to each vase. Rather than drawing attention to individual blossoms, the focus is on all of the flowers together, creating a thick, full-bodied shape. Mass arrangements tend to create a closed form with minimal open space.

Color tends to be the primary way you create dramatic impact with mass arrangements. Most will feature three or more flower varieties and colors combined with several types of foliage, with one color dominating the others.

Most mass arrangements are rounded to form circles, domes, or crescents. While they are typically designed for viewing from all sides, some people prefer to save flowers by focusing the blooms all in one direction.

It’s the classic flower design for special events, such as weddings and church services. The best flower varieties for mass floral bouquets will have a single stem with a large, rounded flower head. Top choices include carnations, roses, daisies, and chrysanthemums.

When designing a mass arrangement, keep the flowers packed together, so the eye is drawn to the entire bouquet rather than the individual elements.

Line-Mass (Contemporary American)

This relatively new floral design style came to be in America in the 1930s. It’s a blend of European and Asian décor elements where both the arrangement’s shape and scale matter. Most are based on geometric forms (often triangles) and have one clear focal point. And while balance is important, symmetry is frowned upon, meaning most arrangements will feature odd numbers of each flower variety.

Many line-mass arrangements will have two distinct elements: a higher part consisting of lines and a well-integrated lower portion that forms the mass. This creates a sense of weight to the arrangement that makes it seem well placed while still leaving space for lines to add definition.

A line-mass arrangement’s overall look should be clean and simple, with definite visual lines and a distinct shape. The arrangement’s dominant line should be blended with most of the plant material to add bulk while enhancing and distinguishing it. Its overall width shouldn’t be equal to the height, and most of these arrangements are meant to be viewed from just one angle.

High Style (Formal Linear)

This dramatic form of floral design is the right choice when you want to impress. It draws inspiration from traditional Japanese techniques and elevates the overall effect to ensure the arrangement is a showstopper no matter where it’s displayed.

More than most forms of floral design, high style or formal linear focuses on negative space as much as the elements in the arrangement itself. You’ll want to choose from just a few bold materials to make a big statement.

Formal linear arrangements tend to be tall and asymmetric, with an emphasis on stems and greenery to create clean lines and complement the relatively large flower blooms.

Pavé

Though the term is most often used with jewelry, pavé offers plenty of value for floral design as well. French for paved, pavé jewelry is made from a series of gems set so close together that minimal metal shows up. Picture a cobblestone road, and you’ll understand the look.

In the same way, pavé floral arrangements are built with flower heads set as close together as possible. The designer will trim off all leaves and cut each stem short so that there’s maximum space available for adding flowers.

The final result will be a relatively flat flower display that gives off a lush, luxurious look, almost like a cushion of flowers. Pavé arrangements have a clean, rich aesthetic that makes them the perfect fit for elegant occasions. They are well suited to tabletop displays and even bridal bouquets.

Traditional pavé arrangements tend to feature just one flower variety presented in various colors. Flowers with dense heads seem to work best, including roses, hydrangeas, carnations, and peonies. Avoid varieties that grow on tall stalks like snapdragons and gladiolus, as they will give the final arrangement a spiky appearance instead of the smooth, even surface you’re looking for.

When making a pavé arrangement, focus on using short flower stems in a shallow container, and arrange the flowers from the outside in so you can pack them in a grid formation. For the most aesthetically pleasing design, create a gentle dome shape by making each layer stand out slightly higher from the ones next to it.

Bespoke Garden Style

A word that means “unique” or “one of a kind,” bespoke is a floral term for made-to-order arrangements. It refers to a casual, relaxed arrangement style that has an old-fashioned look to it. Any bespoke garden arrangement today should look like it came off the canvas of an old-world master’s painting. The focus on individuality means it’s almost impossible to create two identical bespoke arrangements.

Almost any variety of flowers will work for bespoke designs, though it’s best to stick with one color palette. Seek out a variety of shapes and textures, ideally from plants that would seem well suited to a grandma’s garden.

Traditionally, bespoke arrangements are made in shallow containers with wide openings. Floral foam isn’t typically used. Instead, designers use a chicken wire base tapped in place within the dish to add structure. Start with the most significant pieces in the arrangement, which should be a series of draping greenery around the outside. Work your way toward the center with stiffer, upright flowers to add structure.

Generally, beginner flower designers love this style, while experienced artists tend to struggle more with it. That’s partly because it relies on old-school techniques and an ability to let the flowers make the calls rather than wrangling them into your preferred shape.

Botanical Style

A style made popular in the late 20(th) century in America, botanical arrangements focus on showcasing more of each plant than just the flower portion. To technically qualify as a botanical arrangement, the display must feature at least three distinct types of plant material, which can include stems, leaves, seeds, bulbs, buds, blossoms, roots, and more.

Crescent Floral Arrangement

As the name implies, this style of arrangement always takes the shape of a half-moon “crescent” shape. The traditionally shallow vase itself may lend to this shape, but the primary structure will come from how you arrange the plant material.

Most crescent arrangements will be asymmetrical, meaning they are taller on one side than the other. They pull inspiration from Japanese ikebana arrangements in that every part of the design must be chosen intentionally.

Setting up a crescent arrangement requires careful precision for achieving a balanced look within a somewhat unstable structure. This makes it less than ideal for beginners, although it’s still achievable for those who love a challenge.

Look for plant material with sturdy stems or branches to achieve the necessary height. You can carefully bend elastic material to enhance the natural curve. Negative space plays an essential role in these arrangements because they encourage the eye to travel up the high point of the crescent and over the entire display. Either a flower frog or chicken-wire frame works well to add structure to the flowers at the base of the arrangement.

Pot et Fleur

Popular in the Victorian era, “ot et fleur” floral arrangement combines cut flowers with living plants for a versatile, long-lasting centerpiece. Today, this arrangement style is earning praise for its sustainability and long-lasting results, as the potted plant in the center eliminates the need for flower foam or other disposable materials.

Succulents make popular choices, but you can use any living plant that fits the scale of the arrangement. You can replace the cut flowers as often as necessary while leaving the center plant intact to add some permanence to the design.

For a long-lasting display, choose a large, shallow pot that many other containers can fit within. Arrange the living plant first, and place glass jars filled with water around it to add support. Some florists will remove the living plant from its pot and put the root ball in a plastic bag to conserve space. Place cut flowers within the jars, and refill or replace them as necessary.

Note that pot et fleur arrangements must be kept in a sunny, warm location to ensure the potted plant gets what it needs to thrive.

Mille de Fleur

French for “a thousand flowers,” mille de fleur floral arrangements are known for their rounded shape, tall green foliage, and tightly packed, tiny blooms. The overall effect is of a wildflower meadow or other natural space where flowers bloom throughout tall grasses. The style first gained prominence in the Middle Ages and went through a revival in 19(th) century England.

These bouquets tend to be symmetrical and can be viewed from multiple angles.

Biedermeier

Created in Germany in the early 1800s, the Biedermeier style of flower design can be compared to creating a floral bull’s eye. The bouquets are often compact with a rounded or conical form.

Traditional arrangements will feature concentric rings of flowers, foliage, and even fruit or nuts, with the same colors and textures within each ring. Each ring is set up to contrast with the ones next to it for a visually striking design. In fact, many of these arrangements more closely resemble cakes than traditional bouquets.

Kokedama

Though they’re technically made of living plants, kokedama floral arrangements make this list due to their fairly short lifespan (just one to two years). Also known as Japanese moss balls, these distinctive plant arrangements channel the look of a bonsai tree planted in a ball of moss.

They are essentially small plants encased in balls of soil that are swaddled in moss and either displayed on a shallow container or hung from the ceiling in a macrame sling.

Kokedama arrangements can be incredibly distinctive and are sure to create a talking point in your space. However, they can be tricky to manage, as the entire moss ball must be regularly submerged in water to keep it moist. Likewise, plants frequently outgrow the soil ball and either die or need to be repotted into a larger space.

You’ll have the best luck with slow-growing, shade-tolerant plants. Too much sun exposure will burn the moss ball and turn it brown.

Ideal Penjing Plant Species

By now, you know that plants are a critical part of nearly every penjing display. However, some plants are better suited and more popular for penjing than others. Below, you can find a few of the best plant species that you should consider using in your penjing designs.

Pine (Pinus spp.)

Pines are among the most popular plants to use for both penjing and bonsai. The pines you can use for these practices can be one of many different species within the Pinus genus, including Japanese black pine, mugo pine, and Scots pine.

Japanese Flowering Cherry (Prunus serrulata)

If you want to enjoy flowers as a part of your penjing display, you may want to use a Japanese flowering cherry as your tree of choice. Known botanically as Prunus serrulata, this plant is sure to impress you with its many blooms each year.

Cedar (Cedrus spp.)

Cedar is another plant group that offers several species that are well suited to penjing. These coniferous plants have attractive evergreen foliage and lovely bark. Both of those features can show varying shades, which make for a captivating evergreen penjing design.

Japanese Maple (Acer palmatum)

Japanese maple trees are not only popular landscape plants in residential yards, but they also are one of the most beautiful plant options for penjing displays. The main ornamental feature that makes Japanese maple so popular is its foliage. These leaves are unmistakable, with their distinct shape and lovely reddish hues.

Juniper (Juniperus spp.)

Juniper is another evergreen tree genus that gives penjing artists plenty of options. As is true of other evergreens, junipers can come in varying shades of blue and green. Juniper plants also give off a recognizable scent that many gardeners love and hold sets of small berry fruits.

Weeping Fig (Ficus benjamina)

Weeping fig may be one of the most interesting plants you can include in a penjing display. Weeping figs have leaves that are somewhat broad and have a glossy texture. As the name implies, these plants take on a weeping form as well. Despite that, the weeping fig can also respond well to training and can create many interesting shapes in your penjing design.