Creating Room Dividers with Houseplants

Whether a room is very large or relatively small, there are times that you might want to section off parts of the room for different purposes. For example, you may want to separate your living room from your dining room. You might have a small office area in a corner of a family room that you would really like to hide from view. You may think that the only solution is some type of room divider, made from either wood or some other material. There is another option, however. You can use houseplants to create a room divider.

Individual plants
The easiest and most obvious way to create a room divider with houseplants is to create a grouping of individual plants. The advantage to this method is that the plants can be easily moved if necessary. Choose plants of varying heights and with different types of foliage to create a more solid screen. I prefer plants that are more sculptural in appearance, such as palms, yuccas, and even weeping fig trees. Consider grouping a tall Chinese fan palm with a schefflera [see: Houseplants: Schefflera] and a colorful dieffenbachia. [For more information, see my article Houseplants - Dieffenbachia or Dumb Cane. For photos of different varieties, see my slideshow.] Experiment with foliage color, texture, and shape. I have, for instance, a tall dracaena [see: Houseplants - Dracaena] that has a relatively bare trunk and spear-shaped leaves grouped with a shorter, bushier schefflera.

You should also pay attention to your choice of containers. They do not have to necessarily match exactly; although, that is fine. They should, nevertheless, coordinate well together and suit your decor. You have a lot of different types of containers from which to pick, too, such as plastic, clay, ceramic, and even woven basket sleeves.

Trellis
If you like vines and climbing plants, an indoor trellis may be the way to go. (Note: The main disadvantage to this type of room divider is that it is much harder to move than one designed with individual plants.) You can build your own trellis using lattice work, thin strips of wood, or bamboo. Actually, you can use whatever type of material works best with your decor. Set the finished trellis in a tray, which will protect your floor, and build horizontal struts for support. Another option is to use planters in which you can place your trellis. I particularly like the wicker and rattan planters that are set on four legs. You can then plant something like an asparagus fern in the planter(s) for a contrast to a vine like a pothos or something with larger, more colorful leaves, such as a Philodendron 'Burgundy.' Once again, play with textures and colors.

Houseplants need not be something you set on a table or on the floor in some corner. Put them to work as an active and living part of your decor.

Tip: Consider including some flowering plants in your houseplant room divider.

References:

Horan, Anne, and Robert G. Mason. Flowering Houseplants. Alexandria, VA: Time-Life Books, 1990.

Huxley, Anthony, ed. Success with House Plants. Pleasantville, NY: The Reader's Digest Association, Inc., 1979.