7 everyday items inspired by plant designs

Dan Kauna 06:45 - 15 August 2025

From highway interchanges to clothing fabrics, many human inventions borrow directly from plant structures and functions. Here are seven examples of how nature shapes everyday technology.

From busy highways to the clothes we wear, many inventions are shaped by lessons from nature.

Designers and engineers often study plants to create products and systems that are efficient, sustainable and functional.

This approach, known as biomimicry, adapts natural structures and processes to solve human challenges.

1. Clover interchange – Clover leaf

Highway cloverleaf interchanges, seen in major Kenyan cities such as Nairobi, take their name and design from the clover plant.

The clover interchange

Each of the four loops resembles a leaf, allowing traffic to move between intersecting roads without stopping.

The leaves of the clover plant, which inspired the clover interchange

This design maximises land use and minimises collision points, much like the natural spread of clover leaves optimises sunlight capture.

2. Velcro – Burdock burrs

Velcro fastening systems were developed in 1941 after Swiss engineer George de Mestral examined burdock burrs under a microscope.

Burdock burrs, which inspired the invention of Velcro

The burrs’ tiny hooks latch onto fur and fabric, inspiring the two-part hook-and-loop mechanism now used in clothing, shoes and bags worldwide.

3. Water-repellent surfaces – Lotus leaves

Lotus plants have leaves with microscopic structures that cause water droplets to bead and roll off, carrying dirt away.

Waterproof designs mimic the leaves of the lotus plant

This 'lotus effect' is applied in water-repellent coatings for buildings, windshields, textiles and paints, ensuring surfaces remain cleaner for longer without chemical cleaning agents.

4. Solar tracking systems – Sunflowers

Sunflowers exhibit heliotropism, where flower heads follow the sun’s path from east to west during the day.

Solar tracking systems mimic the movement of sunflowers where flower heads follow the sun’s path

Some modern solar panels use similar tracking systems to adjust their angle for optimal sunlight exposure, increasing energy efficiency compared to fixed panels.

5. Wind turbine blade design – Palm leaves

The aerodynamic curve of some wind turbine blades is influenced by the way palm leaves bend in strong winds.

The aerodynamic design of palm leaves inspired the creation of widn turbine blades

This shape reduces structural stress while maximising energy capture from varying wind directions, a principle increasingly applied in coastal and windy regions.

6. Structural support systems – Bamboo stems

Bamboo’s hollow yet strong stem structure has inspired lightweight yet durable materials in construction and product design.

Bamboo’s hollow yet strong stem structure has inspired lightweight yet durable materials in construction and product design

Its segmented structure distributes weight evenly, influencing scaffolding, furniture and even bicycle frame designs in Kenya and beyond.

7. Climate-adaptive fabrics – Pinecones

Pinecones open their scales in dry weather and close them in wet conditions to protect seeds.

The behaviour of pine cones in different conditions has been replicated in fabrics that adjust their breathability according to humidity

This principle has been replicated in fabrics that adjust their breathability according to humidity, improving comfort in changing climates without electronic control systems.

From plant-inspired road systems to clothing technologies, nature has provided blueprints for countless innovations.

By studying plants, scientists and designers are finding ways to make human creations more effective, sustainable and adaptable to changing conditions.

These examples show that in solving modern challenges, nature remains one of humanity’s most valuable teachers.

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