What decoration for my exotic plants?

Feeling like traveling! Nothing says exotic like a few exotic plants to add a touch of the exotic to your home or garden. Paired with ethnic decor, they transport you to Central America, the heart of the desert, or Asia.

There are hundreds of them: flowering ones, green ones, large ones, tiny ones, prickly ones, edible ones, magnificent ones, and very bizarre ones. Some thrive in apartments, while others require a greenhouse or veranda. There are even some that are perfectly suited to growing outdoors year-round. Incorporating exotic plants into your environment means going far away while staying at home!

1. What is called an exotic plant?

Generally speaking, all plants that are not historically native to Europe are considered exotic. Most of them were discovered and brought back in the 15th century by the great navigators, then imported more systematically in the 17th century, a period that saw the development of trade.

They experienced a significant boom in the 19th century, when European courts and the aristocracy developed a passion for botany and competed in ways to create exotic atmospheres. This was the time when many gardens had their own heated greenhouses, which were unfortunately abandoned in the following century, mainly due to the energy crisis.

But with the popularity of plants and gardens having returned in force in the 2000s, exotic plants have benefited. They have even become fashionable again in recent years with ethnic decor trends . Tropical plants and succulents , which are part of this, are once again very fashionable.

2. Give your interior some personality

Exotic plants are highly prized for adding a touch of originality to any interior, regardless of its style. Generally speaking, they have a graphic appearance that decor enthusiasts adore. Some of them are also relatively easy to care for, making them ideal for beginners.

We immediately think of the Yucca , the Calathea , the False Zamio , the Ficus or the Beaucarnea which are very easy to maintain. But be careful though: easy maintenance does not mean that you can leave your plant completely autonomous! You will need to water it as soon as the soil is dry, spray it from time to time in case of strong heat and make sure to provide it with light.

Cacti and succulents are even less demanding, and their novice owners often forget about them! Some plants, such as bananas and azaleas, require more attention and experience, but most plants are fairly easy to care for. The most important factor is light. All will need light, but be careful with direct exposure: some will not tolerate it. The same goes for excessive heat , not more than 20C ° if possible. Humidification of the air will be an essential factor .

Exotic plants fit into any decor , but the best thing is to combine them with so-called "ethnic" accessories . These can echo the origin of the plant if you want to highlight a territory or mix them together without worrying about consistency.

Examples of some plant/accessory/color associations consistent with a continent.

The Wild Wild West style (West and Central America)

• Plants : cacti and succulents , yuccas

• Colors : Natural colors like sand, earth, leather brown, creamy white, and terra cotta red to recall the rocks of Colorado

• The objects : fake animal trophies, feathers, cushion covers and throws with “fur”, leather armchairs

• Materials : wood, leather, weavings

• Floor and wall : favor wood and rugs with graphic patterns



Jungle Chic style (South America, Amazon)

• Plants : Alocasia , Monstera deliciosa , Banana tree

• Themes for objects and paintings : pineapples, parrots, monkeys and other wild animals, large foliage

• The colors : warm, lush and vibrant: yellow, green, duck blue, gold.

• Furniture & materials : rattan armchairs, tables in raw or driftwood,

• On the floor and walls : woven straw rugs, large leaf wallpaper strips

The Trendy Tribal Style (Africa)

• Plants : coffee tree , sansevieria , zamia , ficus , aloe vera

• Objects : Berber wool or kilim rugs, fur cushion covers, wooden masks and beaded wall plates, bronze animal statues, horn or terracotta objects, "archaic" furniture, raw wood stools. Our favorites are the woven baskets and wicker baskets !

• Colors : Rather than the bright colors of boubous and the classic Pan-African colors (bright red, green, yellow), we recommend authentic, warm colors that reflect the earth and wild nature: brown, matte yellow, earthy green, and the brick red of the ferruginous soil.

• On the floor and walls : polished concrete effects and mosaic tiles.

But it is not necessary to choose a specific style and one can mix genres and exotic plants. This is called ethnic style .

3. Dare to go exotic outdoors

While we naturally think of exotic plants to beautify our interiors and verandas, it is rarer to find them in gardens... and for good reason: our temperatures are far from those of their countries of origin. And yet, with a little know-how and passion, it is possible to grow exotic plants in our countries and create graphic and luxuriant atmospheres in our European gardens.

• The unmissable Bésignoles Garden

Have you ever heard of the wonderful Bésignoles garden in Privas? It is a highly structured concentration of more than 450 species of exotic plants in the heart of the Ardèche where temperatures can reach around -10°C in winter. Anthony Bazin , its creator and owner, has designed a unique place there, a must-see from May to the end of October (link to the site) .

A garden that started from nothing...

For the record, in 2000 he acquired a 19th century house, typical of the region, surrounded by a closed space of 300m2, without charm, with little vegetation and a lot of concrete. To highlight the building and to make people forget the smallness of the garden, he will imagine different universes mixing materials such as stone, travertine, colored glass, ballast stones and marble with a multitude of exotic species planted very densely but in a very organized way.

After 20 years, Anthony still manages to plant and develop his garden . The temperature is a constraint that he takes into account, but it does not prevent him from enjoying his garden all year round and if there is one thing he refuses, it is to pack his plants in winter. There have been a few failures (according to Anthony), certainly, but generally speaking, plants in pots or in the ground thrive in his garden: Chinese palm , dwarf palm , sabal , Japanese horsetail , nandinas , mahonias ... and even a yuzu ! Objects tastefully picked up over time, or brought back from travels, are integrated among the plants and bring notes of color (like the blue of the pots for example) and a real extra soul.

A concept that quickly spread...

It must be said that Anthony is a professional landscaper and passionate about decoration, that helps! But don't be discouraged, because the most extraordinary thing in this story is that he was able to pass on his passion and gave his neighbors, as well as many people in the region, the desire to do the same. By starting by laying out 100 m of rockery in the street to beautify its surroundings, he has inspired others. His neighbors, too, began to take care of the section of street that bordered their properties and today, the Boulevard de Bésignoles has a crazy charm. Under the impetus and instructions of Anthony, a group of neighbors was formed and transformed the insignificant Boulevard de Bésignoles into Boulevard-Jardin , a collective work .

Up to you !

While all plants are a source of well-being and an extraordinary decorative accessory for our living spaces, exotic plants, with their colors and graphic shapes, are also an inexhaustible source of inspiration. Be careful, they're easy to get addicted to!