Lianas, the ‘bad boys’ of the jungle?

Lianas (or Jungle Vines) are one of the natural, sustainable materials used to make some of our beautiful lamps. Their fantastic shapes and shades provide really unique effects that are, essentially, ‘designed by nature’. However, did you know that Lianas, in some ways, are the ‘bad boys’ of the jungle? Here’s why …..

Lianas begin their lives as small shrubs that yearn to reach the light-rich environment of the upper elements of the jungle canopy. To do this, they rely on other plants to reach there. Grasping, clinging, twisting and forcing their way upwards. As they do so, they become a huge problem for rainforest trees. Some species of tree have developed mechanisms to rid themselves of Lianas, including losing their own fronds and branches to uncouple themselves from the Lianas. 

Lianas aren’t parasitic in nature, but simply use the trees in their surroundings for support. The problem is that this can seriously affect tree growth and development. This is not only caused by the physical impact of the Lianas as they cling to the tree, but also because the Lianas can create a cover in the canopy, which reduces the amount of sunlight reaching the trees. Another area of impact is that Lianas also compete with the trees for water and soil nutrients.

However, the negative impact of Lianas on the rainforest as ‘the bad boys of the jungle’, doesn’t alter their exquisite beauty.

  

Where Does Liana Vine Come From?

Liana vines are found across tropical forests worldwide, but the finest specimens — the ones with the density, grain, and natural geometry that make them suitable for furniture and lighting — grow predominantly across SE Asia. The warm, humid climate and forest canopy conditions produce lianas that are structurally hardened over decades of growth, resulting in a material that is simultaneously lightweight and remarkably robust.

Unlike plantation timber, liana vine is never farmed. It grows wild, in its own time, in its own direction. That is precisely what makes each stem different from every other — and why no two liana vine lamps ever look the same.

Harvesting is done by hand, by people who have worked in and around these forests their entire lives. The vine is cut — not uprooted — which allows regrowth and causes minimal disruption to the surrounding forest floor. It is, in the truest sense, a material that gives more than it takes.

Why Liana Vine Makes Exceptional Floor Lamps

Most floor lamp bases are either turned on a lathe from uniform timber, cast from resin, or fabricated from metal. The result is predictable — identical units, produced at volume, designed to be inoffensive. Liana vine works entirely differently.

Because each stem has grown under its own conditions — twisting toward light, competing for space, hardening over time — the resulting form is already sculptural before a craftsperson touches it. The artisan's skill lies not in imposing a shape, but in recognising the shape that is already there and working with it.

The material properties make it well suited to indoor use:

• Density. Mature liana vine is dense and hard — it does not flex, warp, or splinter under normal indoor conditions.
• Natural surface texture. The outer surface of liana vine is tactile and warm — closer to the feel of weathered driftwood than polished timber.
• Organic geometry. The twists, curves and joints formed during growth create a base that casts genuinely irregular shadows — something no manufactured lamp can replicate.
• Stability over time. Once dried and sealed, liana vine is dimensionally stable. It does not react to central heating or seasonal humidity changes the way softer woods do.

The Floralia Floor Lamp is built entirely on these principles. The base is formed from reclaimed liana vine — no two pieces alike — paired with a soft linen shade that diffuses light rather than directing it, allowing the sculptural base to remain the visual anchor of the room.

👉 View the Floralia Floor Lamp

How to Care for a Liana Vine Lamp

Liana vine is a low-maintenance material, but a few simple habits will keep it looking its best for many years.

• Wipe the base with a soft, dry cloth to remove dust — avoid damp cloths or liquid cleaners directly on the vine
• Keep out of prolonged direct sunlight — UV exposure over time can fade and dry the surface fibres
• Avoid high-moisture environments such as bathrooms or kitchens — the vine performs best in normal living room or bedroom conditions
• The linen shade can be cleaned with a soft brush or lint roller
• No oiling or sealing is required — the vine's natural surface is self-sufficient

Handled with reasonable care, a liana vine lamp is a long-term piece. Not a trend purchase. Not something that needs replacing when tastes shift. The organic form is timeless by definition — nature designed it, and nature's designs don't date.

Liana Vine and Biophilic Design

There is a growing body of evidence — and a growing design movement — built around the idea that humans feel better when natural materials are present in their living spaces. Biophilic design, as it is known, holds that our deep evolutionary connection to nature means we respond to natural textures, organic forms, and living materials in ways that reduce stress and increase wellbeing.

A liana vine floor lamp is, in this sense, more than a light source. It is a piece of the forest floor, brought indoors. The irregular surface, the unpredictable shadow it casts, the knowledge that no other piece in the world looks quite like it — these are not abstract qualities. They have a measurable effect on how a room feels.

If you are interested in what biophilic design means for your home, we have written about it in more detail here:

👉 Biophilic Design — What is it, and why is it good for your wellbeing?