Green Wedding Ideas: Styling Indoor Plants for Events

Planning a wedding is all about the details — the mood, the message, the memories you want to leave behind. But as more couples seek to align their celebrations with their values, sustainability has become more than a trend — it’s a heartfelt priority. Enter: wedding plant décor.

Using indoor plants for event styling not only brings your venue to life but also gives your big day a greener, more meaningful footprint. Unlike cut flowers that fade overnight, potted plants last, thrive, and can even be gifted or replanted — a living reminder of your love story.

Whether you’re planning a chic city ceremony or a rustic indoor gathering, this guide will walk you through creative, beautiful, and eco-friendly wedding ideas using indoor plants. From centrepieces to backdrops, favours to photo corners — your green wedding starts here.

Why choose indoor plants for wedding styling?

Before diving into the styling specifics, let’s consider why indoor plant décor is such a smart choice for weddings:

1. Sustainability without sacrificing beauty

Unlike floral arrangements that end up in the bin, potted plants keep growing. You can reuse them, gift them, or repurpose them in your home or garden after the wedding.

2. Cost-effective over time

While initial costs may be similar to floral décor, you get more value — especially if plants double as favours or home décor.

3. Personal and symbolic

Plants represent growth, commitment, and rootedness — fitting metaphors for a marriage. Choosing your favourite species adds a personal layer to your celebration.

4. Air-purifying and mood-enhancing

Yes, your plants will also clean the air and bring natural calm to your venue. Helpful, especially if nerves are running high.

Types of indoor plants ideal for weddings

You don’t need to be a plant expert to choose the right greenery. Look for options that are easy to transport, visually appealing, and low maintenance.

Small and decorative

These work well for table décor, favours, or clustered displays.

• Succulents: Symbolise resilience and require minimal care.
• Pilea (Chinese Money Plant): Great for favour pots — adds a modern, cheerful touch.
• Miniature ferns: Soft and delicate, perfect for boho or woodland themes.
• Herbs (rosemary, thyme): Practical, fragrant, and rustic.

Statement plants

Ideal for ceremony spaces, backdrops, or entrances.

• Fiddle Leaf Fig: Tall and dramatic — ideal for anchoring spaces.
• Areca Palm or Kentia Palm: Brings tropical elegance to large, open indoor venues.
• Olive Tree: Symbol of peace and unity. Perfect for Mediterranean or minimalist themes.
• Rubber Plant: Deep green, structured foliage adds modern sophistication.

For layering these with style, see how to create visual balance using plant heights.

Creative ways to style indoor plants at your wedding

1. Ceremony backdrop

Replace the traditional flower arch with a lush living display of large potted plants. Group together Fiddle Leaf Figs, ferns, and palms to frame your vows in greenery.

Styling Tip: Layer heights and mix textures. Use white pots for a clean look, or baskets for a more rustic aesthetic.

2. Table centrepieces

Rather than floral arrangements, cluster potted plants in groups of three down each table. Mix sizes and species to keep it dynamic.

Plant pairings to try:

• Snake Plant + moss terrarium + mini succulents
• Aloe Vera + Rosemary + trailing Ivy
• Peace Lily + lavender + pebbles

For more inspiration on designing impactful centrepieces, explore indoor plant centrepiece ideas for dinner parties that transition beautifully into wedding settings.

3. Guest favours

Send guests home with a small plant — a gift that keeps on growing. Wrap pots in linen, tie with twine, and add a custom tag (“Let love grow” is a classic).

Great options:

• Mini succulents in clay pots
• Tiny Pilea plants in pastel ceramic
• Lavender seedlings in recycled paper wrap

4. Aisle décor

Line the aisle with medium-sized potted plants rather than floral petals. Ferns, Snake Plants, or ZZ Plants work well here — they stand tall without obstructing views.

Bonus: After the ceremony, reuse them to frame the cake table or dance floor.

5. Photo booth backdrop

Create a wall of greenery for photos using hanging planters, trellises, or a shelf wall filled with potted plants. It’s Instagram-ready, sustainable, and unique.

Want an intimate alternative? A single potted tree with fairy lights and a velvet bench makes for a magical photo corner.

6. Cake or drinks table accents

Add small plants or herb arrangements around the dessert or cocktail station. Rosemary and basil double as garnish and décor — and smell divine.

Coordinating plant décor with your wedding theme

Bohemian / Rustic

• Use trailing Ivy, Ferns, and mismatched pots
• Add macramé plant hangers or woven baskets
• Accent with driftwood, pebbles, and linen napkins

Modern Minimalist

• Stick to sleek planters (black, white, concrete)
• Use structured plants like Rubber Plant, ZZ Plant, or Monstera
• Limit colour palette to green and neutrals

Romantic Garden Party

• Incorporate soft-leafed plants like ferns and Peace Lilies
• Use pastel ceramic or vintage-inspired pots
• Complement with fairy lights or lanterns

Urban Chic

• Pair industrial planters with glossy foliage
• Use lighting to highlight key plant displays
• Keep it monochrome with pops of deep green

Practical tips for styling indoor plants at events

• Plan transport and placement carefully: Plants can be fragile or heavy. Label pots and make a list of where each plant goes.
• Water them in advance: Do this 1–2 days before the wedding to avoid drips and overwatering.
• Use protective saucers or trays: Prevent water stains on surfaces, especially for centrepieces.
• Hide soil with moss or pebbles: This gives a polished look and prevents a mess.
• Light matters: Ensure your venue has enough natural light if the plants will be there for long hours. Most indoor plants don’t love dark corners.
• Assign a helper: Have a friend or planner in charge of setting up and relocating the plants during the day.

What to do with the plants after the wedding

The beauty of eco-friendly wedding décor is its second life. Don’t let your plants go to waste!

Here’s what you can do:

• Take them home: Use them to decorate your shared space — they’re meaningful mementoes.
• Gift them: Give to close family or bridal party members.
• Donate: Drop off unused plants to local schools, care homes, or community centres.
• Sell or swap: If you don’t have space, consider plant swap groups or marketplaces.

You could even turn this into a small post-wedding event — a “plant party” where guests choose their plant to take home.

Conclusion: Let your love grow — literally

Indoor plant styling is more than a design choice — it’s a reflection of values. Choosing eco-friendly wedding décor doesn’t mean compromising on beauty or personality. In fact, plants bring more warmth, intention, and long-lasting joy than many traditional options.

They root your celebration in something living, growing, and ongoing — much like your marriage. So whether you’re saying “I do” under a canopy of potted palms or lighting your cake table with tiny ferns, know that every leaf adds meaning.

Thinking of a green wedding? Start by selecting one plant that speaks to your story — and let the rest grow from there. If you’ve styled your own wedding with greenery, we’d love to hear your ideas — drop them in the comments or tag us with your plant-filled photos.