Modern interiors: plants and flowers that feel right at home

What is a modern interior?

A modern interior is all about simplicity. Clean lines, neutral base colours, quality materials and very little clutter. Think concrete floors, marble worktops, black steel and light plasterwork. The colour palette also stays well away from a messy rainbow: think off-white, sand, anthracite, olive green or a single bold accent colour such as cobalt blue or terracotta. In interiors like these, plants are not decoration added as an afterthought, but a deliberate design choice. Sometimes even a statement piece.

Big green plants in a modern interior

With a few large plants, you can be done in one go. Perfect if your interior is modern, sleek and extremely tidy.

• The Philodendron has deeply cut, glossy leaves that work almost like sculpture in a modern space, and that is exactly why it fits so well. Its graphic shape holds its own among clean lines and sleek furniture. Pair it with a coarse ceramic pot on a plant stand and you can bet it will steal the show.
  
• The Fiddle-leaf Fig (Ficus Lyrata) is large, broad and not easily ignored. Its leathery leaves have a distinctive shape that works very well in a modern interior, bringing character without clutter. Put it in a fixed, bright spot and let it do its thing.
  
• The Monstera Deliciosa is graphic, strong and basically impossible to kill. A real case of: you do not need much more. Its holey leaves are a classic in modern living, and for good reason, they bring structure and movement in one. It grows like mad, and if you forget to water it once, it will forgive you too.

Small green plants in a modern interior

Not every plant needs to be bold or big.

• The Boston Fern stands out because of its wavy, curled leaf tips, a soft counterpoint to the straight lines that often define a modern interior. That very contrast makes it interesting, for example placed casually on a tightly curated shelf full of books and other lovely things.
  
• The Blue Star Fern (Phlebodium) has leaves in a cool blue-green shade that fits seamlessly into grey or white interiors. It blends in without shouting, and that is exactly its strength in a sleek home.
  
• The Asparagus Fern is so fine and airy in structure that it almost seems to float above the pot. In an otherwise sleek space, it provides the organic counterbalance that stops an interior from feeling too clinical.
  
• The Spider Plant (Chlorophytum) is the hanging plant that never gets boring. Hang it high enough so its shoots can trail nicely into the room and give your sleek interior a playful lift.
  
• The Chinese Money Plant (Pilea Peperomioides) is compact, graphic and cheerful all at once. Its round, coin-shaped leaves on straight stems have something pleasingly geometric about them, which fits perfectly with the clean shapes of a modern interior.

Colourful plants in a modern interior

A modern interior can definitely use a bit of colour, as long as it has been thought through. The following plants will get you well on your way:

• The Calathea looks almost painted: dark purple undersides, pink veins and a graphic upper leaf that looks slightly different every day. It brings colour into your sleek living space in a way that never feels too much.
  
• The Velvet Plant has deep purple leaves with a soft, velvety sheen that you will probably want to touch all the time. In an interior with modern accent colours such as cobalt blue or anthracite, it feels like a logical choice: striking, but never out of place.
  
• The Bromeliad needs hardly any care and more than makes up for it with its colourful bloom. One useful thing to remember: its leaves form a natural funnel, pour the water in there, not into the pot itself.

Plants that suit a modern interior

In short, these are the plants that naturally belong in a sleek, contemporary living style:

• Philodendron
• Monstera Deliciosa
• Calathea
• Spider Plant
• Asparagus Fern
• Velvet Plant
• Bromeliad
• Fiddle-leaf Fig
• Boston Fern
• Blue Star Fern
• Chinese Money Plant

Cut flowers in a modern interior

For cut flowers, choose graphic varieties such as Celosia, Allium or Iris, or go for the contrast of a lush Ranunculus in a simple, dark vase. One Amaryllis in a tall glass vase is a statement in itself. Feel like going all out with arranging a modern flower creation? You will find good inspiration here.

Tips for colour and material in a modern interior

In a modern interior, choose pots made from ceramic with a matt or ribbed texture, smooth concrete, satin-finished metal or black glazed earthenware. Work with a fixed, minimalist colour palette as your base and repeat one and the same accent colour in both plants and accessories. Cobalt blue with deep green, terracotta with olive or black with light green all work, as long as you are consistent.

More inspiration on interior trends with plants and flowers

A modern interior is one way to give greenery a leading role in your home. Here you can read all about the latest interior trends: from retro-futurism, which combines the past and the future, to a nostalgic style that feels familiar yet still surprises. You will also find articles about the four major style trends that shift each season. Prefer warmth and natural materials? Then read our article about country-style interiors too.