With work-from-home becoming the new normal, experts suggest how urban gardening can help release stress and make intimate spaces more relaxing. By Team Viva

The rising sensitivity towards the environment has seen the smooth slipping in of urban gardening. With city life being alienated from the calmness of countryside, it can help recreate the lush oasis by altering the interiors of one’s house.

Well, this is becoming a global trend. Plants inside the home don’t just lend a new dimension to the interior design but also instill a sense of ecological consciousness in the modern city development. It creates a whole new space enabling people to break free from the stress and fatigue of busy schedules and fast-paced lives. Humans do find rescue in nature by smoothly adjusting to mindful living and striking the right balance between architecture and interior. And given the current normal of working from home, one certainly needs the interior spaces to be relaxing.

“The consciousness of creating natural zones and realising the soothing essence of greenery, colour, fragrance, light and texture have driven the popularity of urban gardening. Going beyond hobby, people seek advice from experts for which the IFFCO Kisan Urban Gardening sector have witnessed a promising wave of city dwellers reaching out for professional guidance to create the natural landscape,” says IFFCO Kisan MD Sandeep Malhotra.

He believes that the urban indoor gardening comes with an entourage of benefits. It adds on to the aesthetic beauty of the house radiating attractive features of the residence. Offering a good range of colour and pattern, it is also a feast for the eye.

Experts says that while we focus on the visual grandeur, we generally lose out on the healthy impact it can have on one’s mind. Plants can purify the air quality, eliminating the air pollutants coming from adhesives, furnishings, clothing and solvents which can cause illness. Aradhana Dalmia, founder of The Artemist, suggests, “Adding the natural element brings a breadth of fresh air into any interior or exterior space. Introducing a beautiful sculptural element will always enhance the urban landscape and add a creative touch to the aesthetics. Such features elevate the space and are always in line with the designers and the clients’ vision.”

She adds it greatly impacts our subjective perception by enhancing the concentration capacity, imparting a sense of satisfaction to one’s soul. This in turn “can hugely affect the output, increasing the productivity that remains overshadowed in the chaos of the daily life. Overcoming the sedentary lifestyle, it has the vibrancy to boost the mood and bring the creativity buried deep down within oneself.”

The overall spatial design — the blooms along with the foliage — can act as an extension of indoor space showcasing the magnificence of managed indoor plants. One can use bonsai, ferns, jade plant, bonsai and other tiny-potted plants for indoors. Good luck plants are also an option as they are popular in their own ways for attracting wealth and positive vibes. The Pachira money tree, lucky bamboo, money plant, green climber, palm plant, potted orchids and others can serve the purpose well. “With an increasing desire for multi-functional and green spaces, urban gardens have become an extension of all man-made structures, channeling the dynamism, fluidity and softness of natural foliage. These are decorative and edible plants, mixed with individualistic design elements like woven upholstery, metallic accents and artisanal ware. They are made for individualistic and immersive spaces. They blur the lines between the inside and the outside,” says interior designer Punam Kalra, creative director of I’m The Centre for Applied Arts.

The lush green ecosystem crafted out of various structures and layout of plant offers a relaxing zone for social gathering. Brimming with decorative plants, vibrant flower beds, micro-green farming, it also opens up doors for healthy interaction with greens while realising entertainment to the full extent. “Urban gardening is a great company to always keep you involved, leaving no space idle. It is just like taking care of a pet or baby, surrounding the space with positivity,” adds Kalra.

Experts point out towards kitchen gardening, which has become another trend to benefit from. From organic food like bright red chilli bushes, neat rows of beetroot, fruit bearing trees in patio to purple, flowering eggplants — they enhance the texture of the garden and add depth to the structure. It makes the garden look more visually appealing.

Well, some do it for recreation, some for organic food and some for entertainment. However, Malhotra points out, “Irrespective of the passion driving one to do urban gardening, it is evident that the greenery imparts a pleasant place to relax. It brings the contrasting line of solid, man-made structures and the raw nature flowing with foliage in the same plane — a combination required for healthy lifestyle.”