Biophilic Gardening: 11 Ways to Bring the Benefits of Nature to Your Space

Have you ever walked through a shopping mall that used plants and other natural features to create a calming atmosphere? You know the place, with the large overhead skylights that make you feel like you could be indoors or out. If the answer is yes, then you—my fellow nature lover—already know what biophilic garden design is. 

There are many iterations of this design theory, and they serve an interesting and valuable purpose. Through much study and observation, this method of connecting our living spaces to nature has proven to have some wonderful effects on humans and wildlife. Let’s go over some basics of biophilic gardening. Then, I’ll fill you in on some steps you can take to utilize this design theory in your own space. 

What is It?

Biophilic garden design is not new; in fact, records of this method go back nearly 3,000 years to the hanging gardens of Babylon. If you’re a gardener unfamiliar with this historic marvel, it’s worth reading about. 

In summary, these extensive gardens were the commission of King Nebuchadnezzar II. They have long been included on the list as one of the Seven Wonders of the World. Historians believe he commissioned these gardens to make his new wife more comfortable in her palatial home. 

Coming from a decidedly more rural background, the queen was homesick for her home’s mountains and green spaces. To ease her homesickness, her husband installed extensive terraced and hanging gardens. 

The theory behind this form of design has been studied extensively and shown to provide humans with a host of benefits. Biophilic garden design incorporates nature into living spaces, blurring the line between the two. It involves creating wild spaces, supporting wildlife, and using elements like natural light to blend our non-natural spaces with the outdoors. 

The term biophilia goes back to 1973 when German social psychologist Erich Fromm first used it. The word’s root comes from the Greek words bio, meaning ‘life,’ and philia, meaning ‘love.’ A love for nature is where the concept originates, and the desire to incorporate more nature into man-made spaces. 

This design theory has shown promise in reducing stress and improving productivity. It’s also great for mental health and inducing feelings of general well-being. It contributes positively to creativity and improved cognitive function. Not to mention, it improves air quality and, in many cases, benefits the environment. 

Here are some great ways to integrate biophilic design into your home and garden space. 

Create a Green Wall

If you’re ready to dive headfirst into biophilic design, a green wall or living wall is a spectacular way to do it. An entire wall covered in plant life inside the home is a spectacular and soothing sight. 

Growing a green wall is not a low-maintenance way to implement this type of garden design. It can mean a significant up-front investment of time and money, as both the plants and the support system they need can be costly.

You can cut back on costs by planting seeds rather than live plants. This will take longer to achieve the purpose but will create significant savings. If you’re handy, constructing the panel will be labor-intensive, but you’ll likely save money. However, paying for professional installation is a significant expense. 

If you love the look of a green wall but rent your home or want to ease into the process, just scale down. A green wall is a ton of work, but a framed green space is less so. You can create a green statement piece over a sofa or beside the dining room table. 

Use Organic Materials and Shapes

Natural materials and organic shapes are soothing and easy on the eyes. Consider this when choosing furnishings, flooring, and accents. Soft, irregular, and curving lines are more organic than angular, symmetrical shapes. 

When choosing flooring, consider walking outdoors. Real wood floors are beautiful, but you have other options if you’re not looking to replace your flooring. A natural fiber rug made from sisal makes a lovely floor covering. It incorporates an organic color and texture, initiating two senses. 

I will gingerly make this next suggestion because I recognize that many folks have strong feelings about using animal products. I respect that and encourage you to consider synthetic items that mimic the beauty of wildlife. Faux fur and animal prints mesh well with this type of design. 

If you prefer genuine animal hides and similar items, these can make your design more dynamic. Wildlife is an important aspect of achieving this aesthetic. 

Add a Water Feature

The historic use of water in interior design is extensive and far-flung. A water feature in your space contributes to overall feelings of well-being and stress relief. There are visual, auditory, and tactile engagements to have with these elements. 

Studies on this form of design, including water elements, show considerable improvements in the human experience. Significant improvements in physical, behavioral, and emotional symptoms are clear and well documented. 

Water is soothing and calming, and the sound of water falling can instantly transport you. A reflecting pool, a fountain, or a waterfall wall are all impressive and effective ways to integrate water into your biophilic garden. 

Integrate More Plants

You probably read that heading and thought, well, that’s obvious! And you are right! It absolutely is, but that’s what we’re about here. Plants, plants, and more plants! If there is one aspect of biophilic gardening that you can’t do without, it’s the gardening part!

Integrating live plants into your indoor spaces requires some forethought and consideration of the light. This shouldn’t be a surprise if you’re already a houseplant expert. Natural light is very important to plants. 

However, if you don’t have as much light as you’d like, you don’t have to miss out altogether. There are ways to integrate artificial grow lights into your design. These mimic sun exposure and are surprisingly effective at keeping plants happy in spaces with little natural light. 

If you’re a houseplant novice, take stock of your space and the type and amount of natural light you have. Then, select plants that will thrive in your environment. 

Another element to account for with indoor plants is humidity. Many common indoor plants are tropical. They like temperate to warm temperatures and high humidity. 

The interior of your house may not be quite as happy about elevated humidity. If you live in a humid climate, the humidity inside your house will already be a bit higher than average. Otherwise, you’ll need to adjust the humidity in the home or the type of plants you utilize. 

If you live in a naturally arid climate, capitalize on that. Use plants that grow in your climate, like cacti and succulents, and don’t mind dry air. Many succulents are easy to care for, tolerate lower light, and make great houseplants. 

Create Natural Transitions

Although the term wasn’t coined until the 1970s, the use of biophilic design in Mid-Century Modern architecture is extensive. Frank Lloyd Wright’s ‘Fallingwater’ design is the quintessential example. Both the interior and exterior of the home blend organically with nature. A striking feature is the house’s structural integrity, contrasting its precarious location. 

Large, horizontal windows from the interior showcase layers of forest and water. These views mingle with natural materials like vast stone accent walls. Natural wood floors and paneling abound. The prevailing theme is seamless and harmonious transitions between indoors and out. 

Follow this master architect’s philosophy by using as much natural light as possible. If you have any large windows, leave them unobstructed. Use them as a focal point, surrounded or accented by plants on both sides, to create an illusion of openness. You can also use natural materials that mimic your view. 

Use Organic Colors and Textures

This lines up with creating those natural transitions. Textures, colors, and organic materials are a great way to meld home and garden. Now, when it comes to determining what colors are organic, I tend to err on the wild side. After all, what colors don’t occur in nature? There aren’t many. 

So, natural colors are open to interpretation when we talk about color. Here is another area where I feel animal prints come into play. The patterns occurring in an animal’s fur, feathers, and skin can bring a new dimension to your design. 

Consider using dried plants, bamboo, and rattan furnishings to incorporate texture and organic material. Natural fibers and those that mimic are also great additions. Use an organic element to create a lighting focal point and cast interesting shadows. 

Create an Indoor-Outdoor Shower

The bathroom is perfect for starting a biophilic garden project, especially if you have a large window. A large, brightly lit window, paired with the humidity from a daily shower, creates a wonderful space to grow tropical plants. 

If you want to take this to another level, consider installing a built-in bed connected to your shower. You’ll see this space daily, so plants will be easy to tend to. Tropicals will thrive in this situation. This is a great place to incorporate orchids, too. Just ensure they don’t always stay wet, or you will have fungal issues. 

Utilize a Balcony

Ideally, biophilic design should create a feeling of seamlessness between indoor and outdoor life. If you live in an urban setting, this doesn’t always translate. However, if you have a balcony or porch, you can use that space to create an outdoor garden.

Exciting biophilic properties are springing up all over the world. These buildings are designed to create semi-wild spaces in urban settings. It would be amazing if more people did this, solely because it is good for the environment. 

If you don’t live in one of these places but would love to get a similar look to your space, you can transform your own porch or balcony. A large raised bed makes a great addition to these areas of the home. Add all the plant life you can to your balcony, which will help create a feeling of living in a more natural setting. 

Create a Rooftop Garden

This can be a bit trickier and more involved than a balcony garden. But if you have access to a roof that will structurally support a garden, a rooftop garden is wonderful! Not only does it create a lovely garden for you to relax in, but it also benefits the environment and some wildlife. 

A rooftop garden is an oasis for birds in an urban setting. Biophilic design involves creating spaces where people can interact with the wild world, and there are few opportunities for that in urban spaces. 

Rooftop gardens can also lower your heating and cooling bills. Plant life acts as insulation, so everyone in the building benefits. Before you start ordering beds and hauling soil to your roof, make sure that it is structurally able to support what you add and that you can set up an adequate drainage and irrigation system. 

Add Images of Nature

Studies show that even looking at videos or images of nature can benefit our moods and mental health. In rooms where you don’t have adequate light, simply adding nature images can help link your space to the garden. Better yet, go on a hike or a walk and take your own photos of nature to use in the home.

Utilize Natural Light

A key to mastering this garden design is using natural light. Natural light sources change the way our eyes see nature. Artificial light tries to mimic this, but there really is no replacement for sunlight. Use the light in your space to create a feeling of openness. Mirrors are great for this because they reflect and intensify light. 

Don’t forget that there is more than one type of natural light. The sun is the most necessary for the growth of indoor plants. However, biophilic design is about more than just keeping plants alive. The moon, the stars, and fire are all organic light sources.