Your Plants Are Basically Living Art. Here’s How to Turn Your House into a Botanical Gallery.

Late winter is the perfect moment to dream indoors. While Western gardeners are sketching out spring plans outside, many of us are craving inspiration within our walls. Houseplants, long relegated to corners or windowsills, are stepping into the spotlight as living art—and Jenny Yi, founder of Chloe + Mint, is leading the charge. Her studio blends design, art, and botany to craft lush, statement-making interiors for homes, restaurants, and hotels. And the best part? You don’t need a commercial space to bring that energy home.

Plants as Sculptural Statements

Beatrice Howell

Yi approaches greenery as more than decor—it’s living sculpture. “I graduated with a fine arts degree in sculpture and installation,” she says. “My senior thesis explored merging live plants with functional furniture to challenge how people bring nature indoors.” That foundation, paired with years as an event and floral designer, taught her to see plants as intentional, expressive elements.

In practice, this means asking yourself: What’s your lifestyle, your aesthetic? Are you home every day, or often on the road? Do you crave minimalism, or bold, risk-taking design? Plants should reflect those answers, transforming a home into a sanctuary that’s both artful and practical.

Statement Picks That Wow

Big impact doesn’t have to mean high maintenance. One of Yi’s favorites is the Freestyle Marginata—architectural, striking, and relatively low-maintenance when paired with a sculptural planter. She also admires bottle trees and black olive trees, though she notes that what thrives in Southern California may not survive in Las Vegas or Chicago. A true statement plant balances beauty with environmental suitability, a harmony that’s crucial for longevity.

Planters and Placement Matter

Courtesy of Jenny Yi

A plant isn’t complete without a thoughtful vessel. At projects like Etta in Scottsdale, Yi pairs dramatic greenery with sculptural planters, turning the two into a seamless design element. “Planters aren’t just vessels, they’re statements that can completely transform how a plant is perceived,” she explains. Placement is equally critical: Treating plants like furniture can shorten their lifespan, while thoughtful positioning—considering light, irrigation, and foot traffic—ensures both aesthetic and long-term success.

Grouping and Layering

Groupings are where plants truly feel curated. Yi likens them to storytelling: Anchor greenery with meaningful objects, vary textures, and avoid scattering small plants randomly. Begin with a tall tree, soften its base with trailing vines, and fill in with medium- and low-height plants to mimic natural growth. “Texture matters too. Pair glossy with matte, sculptural with airy. The interplay creates depth, lushness, and harmony.”

Hanging Gardens and Overhead Drama

Overhead greenery adds an immersive, luxe dimension. At Bad Roman in New York City, Chloe + Mint used high-quality faux greenery to create a romantic, Italian-inspired cascade. Both live and faux plants can work overhead—vines are ideal for trailing impact, while well-chosen faux elements provide drama where live plants might not survive or be practical.

Indoor and Patio Oases

Beatrice Howell

For tropical vibes, light and climate are everything. Indoors, with sufficient natural light or grow lights, even darker corners can feel lush and transportive. “Even plants labeled ‘low-light’ won’t truly thrive in dark corners. Photosynthesis requires light—there’s no way around it,” Yi stresses. Outdoor patios can capture the same layered, abundant feel, but results depend on sun, temperature, and exposure; planning matters.

Practical Refresh for Late Winter

Beatrice Howell

Late winter is the perfect moment to refresh your indoor garden. Think of it as a plant-centric spring cleaning: Wipe leaves, trim dead growth, repot crowded roots, and refresh soil. For renters or people who live in small spaces, Yi suggests choosing one bold statement piece. “A single statement plant draws the eye upward, creates openness, and becomes a true focal point,” she says. Even in limited space, one well-chosen tree or large plant can feel monumental.

From dramatic statement trees to layered vignettes and suspended greenery, Jenny Yi shows us that houseplants can be much more than decoration—they are living, breathing art. With careful planning, strategic placement, and a little risk-taking, any space can be transformed into a gallery of green.