Commercial spaces are rarely quiet. From the hustle and bustle of guests arriving at an ambient restaurant, to overlapping conversations in compact meeting rooms, to the constant movement of travellers through busy hotels, sound is an unavoidable part of shared spaces. When left unmanaged, noise can quickly become overwhelming and distracting, negatively affecting comfort, focus and the overall experience of popular venues.

But what if one of the most effective acoustic solutions was also one of the most natural?

Dense, leafy foliage, doesn’t just draw the eye – it acts as a natural sound absorber, helping to reflect and diffuse disruptive noise. When selected and positioned with intention, they provide the perfect sound-buffering solution.

Think of a forest floor: rough bark, fleshy and textured leaves… These natural elements foster a sense of calm and serenity, and they work in much the same way indoors. Plants absorb sound through their steams, leaves and branches. Thanks to the large surface area of their foliage, sound waves are dispersed on impact, vibrating through the plant structure and transforming sound energy into other forms.

This process of absorbing, reflecting and filtering sound reduces both the volume and impact of ambient noise. Known as botanical acoustics, the concept draws from plant bioacoustics – an emerging field that shows how plants interact with sound in remarkable ways. While they don’t have ears or vocal cords, plants can emit and detect vibrations, often in ultrasonic frequencies beyond human hearing. Though imperceptible to us, these interactions reveal how deeply plants are connected to their environment.

By offering a response to sound challenges that feels intuitive rather than intrusive, plants offer many advantages to both interior and exterior spaces. And when strategically placed, greenery such as planting along the perimeter of a space, can block unwanted noise from traffic or surrounding urban activity, while simultaneously enhancing visual appeal.

While some may seek complete silence, we believe in creating intentional calm. From busy kitchens in hospitality venues, to reducing echo in large office environments, and contributing to spaces that feel more balanced and inviting, cohesive planting schemes provide a dynamic solution.

With over 30 years of experience, our roots to nature run deep and we bring extensive knowledge of diverse plant species and their acoustic benefits, particularly in high-traffic commercial settings. Plants with dense foliage, layered leaves, and textured surfaces help break up sound waves, preventing them from reflecting off hard architectural surfaces. When positioned along walls, in corners, or used as living dividers, plants function as natural sound barriers to gently deflect noise while enhancing spatial flow.

The result is an interior that feels calm, more welcoming and intentionally designed for comfort and ease. Botanical acoustics allows designers to harmonise function and aesthetics, transforming plants into purposeful noise absorbers.

In busy commercial settings, where guest or employee experience matters as much as design, greenery becomes a quiet contributor to comfort and wellbeing.