Nature’s impact on kids — interior landscaping aids in child development

7 May | Architecture, Content, Design & Installation

Children were made for the outdoors. They learn by touching, climbing, exploring, and imagining in wide-open spaces. But in today’s world, kids are spending more time indoors than ever before. Schools, daycare, libraries, and homes are often designed for efficiency rather than sensory experience. The results? Rising stress levels, shortened attention spans, and less physical movement.

That’s where interior landscaping comes in. We believe every indoor environment—whether it’s a classroom, pediatric clinic, or children’s museum—should support growth, health, and imagination. And research shows that integrating natural elements into these spaces can have profound benefits for child development.

Four young children sit on a floor indoors with an adult, surrounded by numerous large potted plants and natural craft materials.
Thoughtful interior landscaping can create an engaging and calming environment for children’s activities.

What science says about nature and child development

The evidence is clear: access to nature helps children thrive in every area of development. A study from the University of California, Davis found that nature-based environments improve children’s social-emotional skills, supporting self-regulation, confidence, and empathy. Meanwhile, Virginia Tech research shows that outdoor play in green spaces enhances motor development, cooperation, and focus.

But perhaps most striking are the cognitive benefits. This Minnesota study discovered that nature-based learning improves children’s sustained attention, especially in upper elementary grades. This is echoed by researchers in Iowa, who found that nature play increases creative thinking, problem-solving, and overall curiosity. In short, children are wired to respond positively to living systems. And interior landscaping is one of the most powerful ways to bring those systems indoors.

Left: Children in winter hats run towards a den made of sticks in a wooded area. Right: Two young children closely examine a twig with a magnifying glass outdoors.
Children thrive when they have opportunities to explore and learn in nature, whether outdoors or through nature-inspired indoor spaces.

Interior landscaping brings nature inside

When natural play isn’t available, interior landscaping offers a powerful alternative. It connects children with greenery in the very places they spend most of their time: schools, healthcare clinics, community centers, and homes.

What does that look like in action? Here are some possibilities:

  • A lush green wall in a school hallway provides visual calm and natural color
  • Potted indoor trees in a daycare reading nook spark imaginative play
  • Hanging plants in a library clean the air and soften acoustics
  • MossWallArt™ in therapy rooms helps children self-regulate

When placed intentionally, interior landscaping doesn’t just decorate a space—it transforms the experience of being inside it.

A remedy for the setbacks of indoor childhoods

Grand Valley research shows that children who regularly interact with nature experience less anxiety, fewer behavioral issues, and more robust physical health. But in desert cities like Phoenix, extreme heat and sprawling development often limit access to outdoor nature. This makes interior landscaping especially valuable.

Because we human beings are derived from nature, recreating aspects of the natural world indoors offers us:

  • Sensory experiences that calm overstimulated nervous systems
  • Opportunities for movement and engagement through plant care activities
  • Visual and tactile variety that reduces environmental monotony
  • Biophilic design elements that promote belonging and comfort

In a world of screens and sterile surfaces, interior landscaping helps children feel grounded and alive.

Interior landscaping in schools and educational spaces

From preschool classrooms to university study lounges, interior landscaping supports the kind of learning that sticks. It’s been proven that children learn best in environments where nature is part of the daily routine (Illinois State University study). Natural elements boost focus and memory retention, particularly for students who struggle in traditional settings.

At Plant Solutions, we can work with school designers, educators, and architects to implement interior landscaping that:

  • Improves indoor air quality and reduces illness-related absences
  • Introduces plant-based learning opportunities and responsibility
  • Reduces noise and supports quiet, focused study areas
  • Reinforces sustainability lessons through real-life greenery

When learning environments include interior landscaping, students don’t just perform better—their bodies and minds feel better.

A young child in a straw hat and overalls waters a row of plants by a windowsill.
Engaging children in plant care is a wonderful aspect of interior landscaping, teaching responsibility and connection to nature.

How interior landscaping supports children in healthcare settings

Medical spaces can be stressful, especially for children. The unfamiliar smells, bright lighting, and long waits create a sense of unease. But with thoughtfully placed interior landscaping, we can shift the emotional tone of these spaces.

Aside from visual beauty, pediatric clinics and therapy offices use greenery for three common purposes:

The presence of nature soothes anxiety before appointments
Nature can serve as a tool to support attention and behavior regulation during therapy
Natural elements offer a sensory anchor for neurodivergent children

This isn’t a theory; it’s backed by science. A 2022 study by California State found that green indoor spaces promote emotional well-being and physical movement, both essential in child development. We believe every healthcare environment deserves interior landscaping that makes children feel safe, curious, and empowered.

The role of adults in rewilding children — better childhoods with biophilic design

As leaders in biophilic design, our mission is to use interior landscaping not as filler, but as function. We understand how deeply children are affected by their surroundings, and understand that every planter, every vine, every living wall should serve a purpose. In our most recent projects, we’ve installed moss wall art in hospitals to support sensory processing and created lobby plant installations that reduce anxiety for families waiting for service. It’s about creating more than beauty — it’s about designing for well-being.

The benefits of nature aren’t limited to children. When we invest in interior landscaping for kids, we improve the emotional tone of everyone in the room, from parents and teachers to therapists and administrators. As adults, we shape the spaces children inhabit. When we prioritize living, breathing systems over synthetic ones, we send a message: you matter, and this place is meant to support you. That’s what interior landscaping does. It tells a story of care, presence, and hope.

Left: A young girl waters potted plants on a wooden table outdoors. Right: Three children run happily along an outdoor wooden boardwalk, surrounded by greenery.
Children’s joy in interacting with plants and natural environments highlights the importance of these elements in their lives.

We know that kids don’t need perfection—they need places where they can connect, imagine, and grow. Children benefit more from supportive and engaging environments than from overly polished or pristine ones. Luckily, our interior landscaping expertise allows us to create places that are nurturing, meaningful and beautifully designed.

A child who grows up surrounded by nature—even indoors—grows up more grounded, more attentive, and more connected to the world around them. If you’re ready to bring nature back into the spaces where children learn, heal, and play, we’re here to help. Let’s transform your interior space so kids can flourish from the ground up.

Ready to cultivate an environment where children thrive?

Let’s discuss how our interior landscaping solutions can bring the benefits of nature to your space.

Schedule Your Consultation

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