Garden trend 2026: Balinese garden

Bali, Island of the Gods, is a unique place in Indonesian archipelago. A paradisiacal vision of distant horizons, it has inspired many landscapers seeking exoticism and refinement in the garden. The Balinese garden is one of the current trends to explore for gardeners looking for paradise on earth!
By opting for plants that withstand climatic conditions of our northern-hemisphere gardens, the Balinese garden becomes an atypical inspiration to adapt at home, interesting for dedicated, sheltered areas. Let’s see how to deploy lush foliage that transports us to the ends of the earth, from water garden to enclosed garden and poolside areas.

Design codes of Balinese garden: colours and decorative elements

Anyone who has visited Bali knows this tiny Hindu enclave within vast Indonesia gathers architectural and natural treasures that have made it an extremely popular destination in recent years.

It can be described as a concentrate of nature, impressive rice terraces, but also a pervasive mineral quality due to its volcanic character, and a spirituality combined with a unique aesthetic. Everything here is refinement, and gardens hide, behind lush greenery, stone statues, omnipresent deities receiving daily offerings. Decorative elements also come from dark stone, local basalt, and polished black pebbles. Water in ponds or fountains, wooden terraces, rattan, bamboo or exotic wood furniture, carved Indian doors are all invitations to simulate, at home, entrance to a second imaginary garden. Lava stone and basalt can easily be replaced by slate, schist or suitable ceramics. Large pots and basins punctuate the spaces, and where possible a canopy adds an Asian spirit. The contrast between green foliage and dark mineral is often enhanced by a brightly coloured Balinese parasol with fringes. Finally, a mobile evoking sound of local gamelan (traditional Balinese orchestra) completes Balinese atmosphere.

Balinese garden trend — *Rattan furniture, terracotta pots, Balinese parasol, antique Indian doors and statues are characteristic elements of Balinese garden*

The jungle garden

This garden, essentially made up of foliage, fits perfectly with Balinese garden where lush foliage takes precedence over flowering, which is present but remains secondary to plant abundance.

The Balinese garden integrates perfectly into an exotic or jungle garden: choose a sheltered part of the garden to transform into a Balinese green lounge, where hardy palm trees, giant ferns, Tetrapanax and other plants suited to our harsher climates will take place, planted en masse, around a few perennials chosen for their XXL foliage or dissected leaves: evergreen ferns such as Asplenium scolopendrium and Matteuccia struthiopteris, Cyathea medullaris, variegated Arundo donax 'Variegata', and Petasites with large leaves. Here and there plant some Crinum asiaticum bulbs in damp soil to add delicate blooms.

Bali garden trend — Cyathea medularis, *Matteuccia struthiopteris* and Petasites, *Arundo donax 'Variegata'* and *Asplenium scolopendrium*

Around a pool in a seaside garden

Framing a reserved garden area such as a pool is a great way to imagine being in Bali. Tropical plants from the island are too tender for our climate, so choose substitutes to recreate Balinese postcard. In our example, simplicity is expressed with evergreen plants required around pool, and splendid foliage.
Banana trees, cordylines, bamboo palm provide the structure, enhanced by Coleus in aniseed tones such as 'Copinto Caipirinha' or 'Margarita' and a black-leaved Colocasia.
Be sparing in contemporary layouts with three or four plants maximum, slightly more generous in a denser garden. Here, Balinese parasol and wooden sun lounger become must-have accessories for hot summer days.

exotic tropical plants pool Bali — *Banana trees and bamboo palms surround pool. Can add black foliage of Alocasias, golden tones of Coleus, and tiger-striped flowering of some cannas*.

In a sheltered garden with mild climate

This is certainly the most suitable place to establish a Balinese garden, especially if you live on Brittany and Atlantic coast benefiting from sufficient humidity to approach island’s humid tropical climate, or around Mediterranean basin by adapting some plants. You can enjoy plants with beautiful foliage, a little tender but that will survive mild winters in these regions or that can be planted in large pots: Alpinia zerumbet 'Variegata', showy variegated gingers, replacing colours of local Cordylines. A queen palm (Syagrus romanzoffiana), a frangipani (Plumeria obtusa) chosen for its delicacy and intoxicating fragrance can join the scene.
In Mediterranean areas, a traveller's tree and tropical palm trees can even be considered! Also think of a beautiful exotic climber such as pink bignonia and some ismenes for an extra exotic touch.

By planting densely, you recover the jungle effect described above. Decorative elements complete scene such as an ornate door or a painted shutter, and a bamboo chime.

Balinese inspired garden plants — *Alpinia zerumbet 'Variegata',* *Ismene festalis 'Zwanenburg'*, *Plumeria obtusa and Syagrus romanzoffiana*

Water garden in Balinese style

Water is omnipresent in Bali and in its finest gardens. You can easily imagine a Balinese garden centred on a water scene, whether a mini-pond or larger wet area. Plant species that like damp soil or can be partly submerged such as papyrus, lotus (Nelumbo nucifera) and water lilies are perfect. Arums, rodgersias and ligularias work well with their large foliage to infuse tropical atmosphere beyond their white or yellow blooms. For a larger area add a Gunnera, Brazilian rhubarb, impressive once established, or Astilboides tabularis. Here we like variegated foliage of Fatsia japonica 'Spider Web' near the water to add more exceptional foliage.
Decor is important here too: a single Hindu statuette, some pebbles or black paving and a rain chain are perfect!

Balinese water garden idea — Lotus, *Cyperus papyrus*, arums and *Fatsia 'Spider Web'*

Tropical escape in a courtyard, patio or enclosed garden

These very sheltered spots allow installation of plants that would not survive elsewhere. Presence of walls creates microclimate beneficial to Balinese garden. Selection below suits a sunny spot, and all these plants also grow well in pots and can be overwintered if necessary.

By replacing Cordyline fruticosa found in Bali with Cordyline banksii, equally colourful but hardier, you bring maximum colour, enhanced for example by bright red or pink of a common Rose mallow that performs well in a pot when substrate is kept moist. Beside them an essential banana, Musa 'Basjoo', interesting for cold tolerance and eventual size, or large unicolour cannas that also bring exotic feel. A compact climber can also slip in, such as Gloriosa rothschildiana. Bring out a Monstera or bird of paradise from the living room for summer and install a small temporary fountain to perfect tropical ambience.