The right plants can do more than decorate your restaurant. They can shape the atmosphere, strengthen your first impression and make your space feel more welcoming.
For restaurants, the environment is part of the experience. Research has found that indoor plants can influence how customers perceive a restaurant and respond to the space.
One study involving 335 participants found that restaurants designed with indoor plants received more positive evaluations in relation to customers’ shopping decisions than restaurants without plants.
Another experimental study, conducted with 119 customers in a real restaurant, found that natural indoor plants had positive effects on customer satisfaction and loyalty, linked to factors such as aesthetics and the overall experience.
This doesn't mean that adding plants automatically increases sales or customer numbers. It does show that the environment you create can influence the way customers experience your restaurant.
So, how can restaurant owners in Malta choose greenery that actually works for their space?
Start with the space, not the plant
At Derek Garden, we don't believe in simply choosing a plant because it looks good.
Every restaurant has different conditions. Before recommending plants, we consider:
- Natural and artificial light
- Air conditioning and temperature
- Available space
- Customer and staff movement
- Interior design and colour palette
- Maintenance requirements
- Where plants can be safely positioned
The goal is to choose plants that are attractive and suited to the environment in which they will live.
Which indoor plants can work in restaurants?
If you're looking for non-toxic options, suitable choices may include:
Areca Palm
A statement plant that works well in entrances, corners and larger dining areas.
Chamaedorea Elegans
A more compact palm with an elegant appearance, suitable for reception areas and dining spaces.
Spider Plant
A versatile option for shelves, hanging displays and smaller areas. Derek's product information identifies Chlorophytum comosum as non-toxic to humans, cats and dogs.
Peperomia
Compact and adaptable, making it useful for counters, shelves and smaller decorative arrangements.
Calathea
A foliage-focused choice that can introduce texture and colour without overwhelming the interior.
Plant safety should always be assessed according to the exact species, placement and who may have access to it.
How Derek can transform your restaurant with greenery
Adding a few plants is easy. Creating a cohesive planting concept requires more planning.
At Derek Garden, we can help restaurants develop an indoor planting solution around their space, style and practical requirements.
1. Plant selection
We identify species that suit the restaurant's lighting, temperature, humidity and maintenance conditions.
2. Green space design
We create combinations of plants and planters that complement the architecture and interior design, from individual statement plants to coordinated displays.
3. Professional installation
Our team positions and installs the plants with both aesthetics and everyday restaurant operations in mind, ensuring greenery enhances the space without interfering with customers or staff.
4. Ongoing maintenance
Keeping plants looking healthy is just as important as choosing them. Derek's indoor plant maintenance services include watering, pruning, cleaning, pest and disease control and fertilisation.
This means your team can focus on running the restaurant while we take care of the greenery.
Bringing greenery into hospitality
Derek has already applied this approach in hospitality.
At Ramla Bay Resort, we transformed the interior of a new building into an indoor green space designed to blend nature, architecture and guest experience. The project included strategic plant selection and custom design, with species chosen for indoor conditions, durability and low maintenance.
The same approach can be adapted for restaurants, cafés, hotels and other hospitality spaces across Malta.
Your restaurant. Your style. Your greenery.
Whether you want a statement plant at the entrance, greenery around the dining area or a complete indoor planting concept, Derek Garden can help you create a solution designed specifically for your space.
You don't need more plants. You need the right plants, in the right places, cared for properly.
Ready to make your restaurant greener?
