About the garden

Award: Gold Medal

This innovative Indoor Plant Garden displayed a thoughtful reflection between an outdoor tropical space and an indoor living area, where the growth habits of plants were mirrored across environments. Epiphytic plants growing on trees outside were mounted on cork and bogwood branches inside. Aquatic plants found in low-lying water were featured in an aquarium, while terrestrial species were potted in unique and creative ways.

The indoor space closely echoed the layout of the outdoor world, making it easy for visitors to see how inspiration from nature can inform indoor plant care and design. The display helped visitors understand the needs of different plant types and how to replicate their natural conditions at home.

Topical Themes & Collaborative Innovation

The garden celebrated a unique collaboration between three well-established brands in the indoor gardening community:

• GrowTropicals (Otto Mercer)
• Worcester Terrariums (Ben Newell)
• The Jungle Haven (Claire Lowrie)

This partnership brought together expertise in rare and unusual plants, terrarium design, and indoor plant care, offering a fresh and inspiring perspective on how enthusiasts can curate their indoor spaces by drawing directly from the natural habitats of their plants.

Plant Selection & Display

The garden featured between 50 and 70 species, each chosen for its distinctive growth habit and aesthetic appeal. Key plants included:

• Bromeliads & Staghorn Ferns – mounted on driftwood and cork to mimic native epiphytic growth.
• Hoya linearis – displayed both hanging from outdoor trees and in indoor baskets to show its trailing elegance.
• Monstera dubia – climbing a tree trunk outside and a moss pole inside, showcasing its changing foliage and climbing nature.
• Bucephalandra – featured in outdoor water pools and an indoor aquarium, demonstrating its adaptability to immersed and emersed growth.
• Dracaena goldieana – a striking terrestrial species with bold foliage, adding architectural interest.

These plants illustrated how diverse growth habits can be harmoniously integrated into indoor environments, creating visually dynamic and easy-to-care-for displays.

Plant lists were provided by the designer as a guide, based on the time of year, location, and client brief. Final plant selections depended on growing conditions and availability, and while updates were made where possible, accuracy could not be guaranteed.

Unsung Plant Heroes & Sourcing

GrowTropicals showcased rare and unfamiliar species from well-known genera, adding intrigue and wonder to the display. Many of the plants were propagated and grown at GrowTropicals HQ in Leeds, with additional specimens sourced from trusted sustainable growers in the Netherlands.

Environmental Responsibility

While not overtly focused on environmental themes, the design promoted sustainable indoor gardening by encouraging:

• Smaller, curated plant collections over mass acquisition
• Thoughtful plant selection suited to specific environments
• Long-term care and appreciation of individual specimens

This approach fostered a mindful, sustainable way of enjoying plants at home, advocating for quality over quantity and reducing the impulse to over-collect.