Greenery and brick form a duo that is hard to beat. The rough, warm texture of the brickwork makes the leaves appear more luscious, and the silhouettes of the plants are drawn more clearly. The right juxtaposition can optically widen a room, quiet the acoustics and build a conservatory feel – even if you only have a piece of wall.
Why do plants “like” brick?
A wall covered with decorative brick acts as a stage set: it provides a neutral but characterful backdrop, on which the fine drawing of the fern as well as the expressive slits of the monstera can be seen well. The warm tones of the brick conquer the greenery, while the irregular texture introduces a touch of “nature” without artificiality.
It’s important not to cover the wall with a haphazard jungle – a set of plants of varying heights and leaf sizes, positioned with light in mind, is better.
How to choose plants for brick in the house?
With red or sandy brick, plants with a clear contour go well: monstera, zamiokulkas, sansevieria, spring ficus.
Finer texture will be introduced by ferns and ivy, but it is worth controlling them so that they do not dominate the composition.
When the brick is whitewashed, you can afford darker greenery or plants with maroon accents – the contrast will remain mild. Instead of many small pots gathered haphazardly, it is better to set three-four larger specimens, and add one low accent at their feet.
Pots, coasters and wall protection
The choice of casing matters. By the brick , clay and stoneware pots and simple, matte covers in beiges and grays look good. In the kitchen or corridor, where splashing is easy, it is worth using saucers with a light rim, and move the plants a few centimeters away from the wall.
If you plan vines, guide them on an independent trellis or ropes – this way the shoots do not enter the joints, and the brick remains safe.
Light and setting
Plants need light, and the brick benefits when softly lit. Warm-colored lamps, positioned so that the light falls diagonally, work best.
In the evening, the leaves cast subtle shadows on the wall, which add depth to the interior. During the day, try not to stick the plants to the wall – a few centimeters of distance will allow air circulation and prevent dampness.
Watering and protecting the brick
Brick “gives up” and “accepts” moisture (which is good for plants), but it is bad for long-term staining. It’s a good idea to water from the top, but precisely, not pouring over the wall, and control the drainage from the pots. Once in a while, wipe the brick with a dry, soft brush and remove equally dust that settles on the leaves.
If the material is very absorbent and the plants stand close to the wall, it is worth using a matte vapor-permeable impregnator, which will reduce moisture penetration and make cleaning easier. With whitewashed brick, the impregnator helps maintain an even shade, especially when a humidifier is running nearby.
Compositions that work well in different rooms
- In the living room, a single, prominent potted tree against a brick background and two lower accents on the sides look good.
- In the dining room, plants can house the table: on one side a tall, narrow specimen, on the other a cascading greenery on a shelf.
- In the bedroom, a finer, softer greenery – fern, asparagus, undersized zamiokulkas – is enough to maintain a soothing character.
- In a loggia or conservatory, brick creates a natural backdrop for lavender, herbs and vines, as long as you shield the wall from direct contact with moisture and provide adequate drainage.
For the arrangement of greenery in the interior we recommend brick in shades of red (preferably the light and delicate ones) and sandy. Their natural texture beautifully “holds” the light, and impregnant selected in our store protects the wall from stains without changing the color.
