Meet the Design Team | Account Executive Heather Sauceda

If there’s one thing we’re especially proud of here at Natura, it’s the quality of our service, brought to you by our award-winning team of plant installation specialists. In this piece, get to know one of the passionate designers that keeps the cogs turning over at our Austin branch office, and find out what makes her tick.

Interior landscape installation and maintenance is one of those background processes that requires technicians to get the job done as quickly, efficiently, and unobtrusively as possible. But, this also means that few people realize the skill and technical knowledge that goes into maintaining a plant design. Some don’t even realize it’s an industry at all!
 
This is why we’re putting the members of our design team into the spotlight. 

Introducing… Heather Sauceda

New to the industry but ready for a change of pace, Heather Sauceda was initially nervous to start a new career in interior landscape design, but excited for the challenge.

In her new role as a plant design specialist, Heather was keen to utilize her creative muscles in a job that also allowed her to take care of customers—one aspect of her prior work that she’d always loved.

“Working with people excites me, whether it’s my team at the office, or the clients I serve,” says Heather. “Most people spend more time at the office than they do at home. They create a work family, which is why I want my customers to feel like their space is a home away from home.”
 
Heather grew up riding horses in Texas Hill Country, and even raised pigs in the FFA. This is why most of her landscapes and indoor plant design plays with a rustic, western aesthetic. 

That said, the award-winning designer is no stranger to client requests that are more out of left field. And even though many of Heather’s favorite designs are the ones inspired by her childhood, one recent project she’s especially proud of called for an eccentric jungle spanning not only the main office, but bleeding into several themed conference rooms as well, allowing her creativity to run wild.

Wise US: An Award-Nominated Design

Four months after the initial project spearheaded by plant installation specialist Anai Vargas was installed, Heather received a request for additions and was given the directive that more was more.
 
The client, financial technology company Wise US,  had given each of their conference rooms a unique, Austin-centric theme that they wanted to see reflected in their interior landscape. Heather was asked to incorporate plant life that would reflect these themes, which included:

• Keep Austin Weird

‘KEEP IT WEIRD’ was the goal for this space, which is why the team brought in a variety of statement character plants (like a Compacta Cane and a Ponytail Palm). “As an Austinite, I was able to draw inspiration from the city of Austin itself to bring this room together,” says Heather.

• Amityville Horror 

Heather was told to make this room as ‘gory’ as possible, so she selected a Calathea Rufibarba as a showstopper in the center of the room. She also added Congo Rojos and Red Marantas to bring in more of the reds commonly associated with the horror genre.

“I’m a fan of true crime and the supernatural. I’ve also watched a documentary or two on the Amityville Horror house—so it was fun to rewatch it and be re-inspired to create this space,” she says.

• The vault

  Keeping with the theme of the company (Wise US), this room was all about the Benjamins. Heather and her team went with a bold money tree in the corner and some additional 6” Pilea Peperomioides plants (also known as money plants) to add some body to the design.
  
  

“The conference rooms were by far my favorite to design. Watching them come to life was so rewarding,” she says. 

As a bonus, each space at Wise US’s office is bathed in natural light, which meant that the team had countless plant species to choose from.

Cohesive Design: A Golden Thread

Outside of the themed conference rooms, Heather added a variety of tropical species to the open office areas, including Birds of Paradise, Pothos Totems, and Dieffenbachia Camouflages. She also added rectangular file topper planters in three different areas to create a sense of privacy.
“I think I am most proud of how I was able to tie everything together into one cohesive space. Even though all the conference rooms were very different in terms of their theme, I wove many of the same elements throughout the common spaces.”

 Heather also included elements from the conference rooms in different areas of the space for added cohesion in the office design.
 
“For instance, I chose ponytail palms for the rectangular file topper in one area to bring out the Keep Austin weird room, but placed Congo Rojos in another area to show off the Amityville Horror room.”

A Case Study for Natura-PON^TM

The Wise US project was one of the first installations to incorporate Natura-PON^TM, Natura’s unique alternative to traditional potting soil.

Sourced from aged volcanic pumice and zeolite, Natura-PON^TM includes a unique blend of natural minerals carefully selected by horticulturalists to optimize water-retention capabilities, proper aeration, and the provision of plant nutrients.  

“This substrate speaks for itself,” says Heather. “Since using Natura-PON^TM our clients have asked for fewer replacement plants. It’s also harder to overwater the plants (which is a true plant killer!), and there’s been a significant reduction in plant pests.” 
 
Heather and her team can attest to Natura-PON^TM’s ability to keep plants healthy for longer without the need for pest control products. This has upped the sustainability of Natura’s overall plant design by reducing water and pesticide usage. 

Looking Ahead to 2025

Beyond the new Wise US additions, Heather and the rest of our Natura design team have been bringing holiday landscapes to life across the gulf coast and are currently winding down from the holiday season. But, the new year beckons and there is lots to look forward to.

“Right now, I’m gearing up for an interior and exterior plant installation for Lakeway Resort & Spa! Like I mentioned, I am drawn to a rustic aesthetic and this location really mirrors the hill country elements that surround it,” she says.
 
To any prospective clients still wondering about landscape design, Heather advises each building manager or owner to get to know their space and its unique needs.

“Lighting conditions and plant placement are crucial when it comes to impactful design. So, do your research and make sure that the plants you are selecting will thrive in your space.”

That said, Heather still believes that hiring a professional is the best way to ensure impactful and sustainable plant design.

Want to see what Heather and her team install next? Follow her on LinkedIn to see what award-winning plant designs she’ll come up with next.