When plants become works of art
Those who follow living trends on Instagram will have noticed a growing interest, especially among younger generations, in the arrangement and display of houseplants. This phenomenon was named by Bob Vila’s blog – the beloved TV host of “home improvement” programs – as the plant gallery.
Let’s see what it’s about.
- What it is and why it appeals
- New generations and plant collecting
- How to set up a living gallery at home
- Like in a museum
- The most suitable décor styles
- The extra touch with Rio Verde paints
What it is and why it appeals
The plant gallery – or living gallery – is not just a simple collection of plants scattered around the house, but a true artistic arrangement in which plants are displayed as if they were paintings or sculptures. This approach is appealing because it reflects the contemporary desire to create more vital, regenerating, and unique living spaces.
Unlike the classic “green corner,” the living gallery places plants center stage, arranging them in compositions on shelves, fitted walls, or even bookcases designed as if they were museum galleries.
The attraction also lies in its psychological impact: observing a sequence of well-cared-for plants arranged with aesthetic logic conveys balance, harmony, and a sense of continuity with nature. It’s no coincidence that this trend is winning over not only gardening enthusiasts but also those looking for a way to make their spaces more welcoming and distinctive.
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New generations and plant collecting
One of the most interesting aspects of the phenomenon is its collecting dimension. Younger generations, particularly millennials and Gen Z, experience plant care as a creative and identity-defining activity. They don’t just buy a houseplant but seek rare varieties, with variegated leaves or unique colors, to add to their “living collection.”
This trend is not new in history: it recalls the gardening boom that swept across the UK in the 19th century, when greenhouses and botanical gardens became symbols of status and knowledge. A famous example was the so-called pteridomania (fern craze) that fully marked the Victorian era.
As in the past, rarity confers status and storytelling, but in today’s world plant collecting is enriched by a digital dimension. Each new plant becomes content to share on Instagram or TikTok, turning into an object of desire not only for its real beauty but also for its “instagrammability.” The photography of leaves, the choice of pots, the arrangement in the room – everything is designed to be scenic, to the point that the aesthetic experience often overlaps with the botanical one.
>It’s no coincidence that hashtags related to “plant styling” have many views: proof that plants are no longer just a green hobby but real tools of personal and social storytelling.
How to set up a living gallery at home
Setting up a plant gallery requires few tricks but great attention to detail.
It starts with the choice of a focal point – a free wall, a bright corridor, a bookshelf – to turn into a green stage.
Plants should be arranged to create a visual rhythm: alternating broad-leaf species with hanging plants, playing with different vase heights, and adding touches of color with seasonal flowers.
It’s important to create homogeneous groups: pairing plants with similar water/humidity needs.
Another key element is light: the most striking compositions are achieved by using natural light filtered through sheer curtains or with lamps dedicated to plant well-being.
The goal is to achieve a harmonious whole that conveys the same feeling as a permanent art exhibition but in continuous transformation.
Like in a museum
Creating a plant gallery also requires a curator’s mindset. Many enthusiasts choose to organize their plants into visual families, focusing for example on rare variegated species or sculptural succulents, often at such high prices that they alone illustrate the phenomenon’s scale.
The collection may also be accompanied by true documentation: printed labels, QR codes linking to detailed care sheets, or small handwritten diaries left in plain sight on a shelf, almost as if they were part of the arrangement.
Like in an art gallery, not everything has to be displayed at once: seasonal rotations allow the composition to breathe and keep the surprise alive.
To complete the picture, attention to ethics is key: choosing reliable nurseries and rejecting illegally collected species becomes an act of responsibility in a market where rare plants are increasingly in demand.
The most suitable décor styles
The plant gallery adapts to different styles but finds its fullest expression in those that enhance natural materials and enveloping atmospheres.
Obviously, the urban jungle style: the most natural one, with layers of greenery, XL leaves (monstera, alocasia), vertical supports, and diffused light.
The Scandinavian style, with its neutral tones and pursuit of brightness, is perfect for enhancing the bright green of leaves.
In boho-chic or eclectic interiors, plants become part of a rich decorative language, blending with fabrics, rugs, and artisanal objects.
In industrial style, on the other hand, the freshness of greenery softens metal surfaces and dark colors, creating a balance between rigor and vitality.
Finally, in Japandi interiors, the plant gallery helps reinforce the idea of essentiality and spiritual connection with nature.
The extra touch with Rio Verde paints
To truly make a plant gallery unique, the secret also lies in the details surrounding the plants: pots, shelves, small pieces of furniture. Here, Rio Verde paints come into play, allowing customization of furniture elements and harmonization with the chosen style.
With Vintage Prestige, you can achieve shabby chic or patinated effects, ideal for wooden pots and crates that recall romantic or artisanal atmospheres.
The Golden Prestige line, with its metallic finishes, is perfect for adding a glamorous and contemporary touch to shelves or frames hosting plants.
Those who want more resistant solutions for support furniture or walkable surfaces (but also for the pots themselves) can rely on Floor Prestige, available in neutral and sophisticated shades such as Taupe, Cement, or Lead.
Finally, by combining Vintage and Golden Prestige, surprising contrasts can be achieved, turning plant supports into small works of art that interact with greenery and enhance its scenic presence. For example, using the dry-brush technique with metallic paint on the edges of a pot painted with Vintage Prestige creates a “noble wear” effect.
Those with technical doubts (on bases, adhesion, combined cycles) can write to us through Ask the expert or look for the nearest Rio Verde decorator.
