Discover the best living wall plants and options you can choose from to build your outdoor living wall.
There are two types of green walls: those that are simple, like climbers, wall shrubs, or trained fruit, and those that are more complicated, like engineered systems that use hydroponic mats and automated irrigation systems. On a smaller scale at home, specially designed modules or pockets filled with compost are ideal. They’re easy to handle and quick to install (see How to Make a Living Wall). Maintenance is pretty straightforward too.
Importantly, always pick plants with the orientation of the wall in mind, as the climate can differ enormously. Look after plants as you might any other container planting.
Living walls, also known as green walls, have become increasingly popular in recent years as an aesthetically pleasing and environmentally friendly way to decorate both home and commercial spaces A living wall is essentially a vertical garden, composed of plants grown on or against a wall
When designed properly, living walls can add vibrancy and natural beauty to any setting. They also provide various health and environmental benefits, such as improving indoor air quality, reducing noise pollution, and lowering heating and cooling costs.
If you’re considering installing a living wall, one of the most important decisions is choosing the right plants. The plants you select need to be able to thrive in a vertical environment. Factors like light exposure, watering needs, growth habits, and maintenance requirements must be taken into account.
To help you pick the perfect plants for your living wall project, here is an overview of the top 10 best plants for indoor living walls
Top 10 Plants for Indoor Living Green Walls
1. Pothos
With its trailing vines and easy-going nature, pothos is one of the most popular picks for living walls. Available in many varieties with different leaf patterns and colors, pothos can adapt to various light conditions. It is forgiving if you occasionally forget to water.
2. Maranta
Also known as the prayer plant, maranta features beautifully patterned leaves that fold up at night. It prefers bright, filtered light and consistent moisture.
3. Fern
A fern like the Boston fern provides graceful, cascading fronds that give living walls a soft, natural look. Most ferns do best in humid environments with indirect sunlight and frequent watering.
4. Spider Plant
Spider plant is another trailing option suitable for beginners. It shoots out offshoots that can be left on the mother plant or propagated. Spider plant tolerates low light and sporadic watering quite well.
5. Dracaena
With strap-like foliage in green, lime green, or variegated patterns, dracaena offers a bold, architectural look. It adapts to various light levels and shouldn’t be overwatered
6. Syngonium
Also called arrowhead vine, syngonium has arrow-shaped leaves often in white and green variegated patterns. It can be trained to climb or allowed to trail down. Keep it away from direct sun and water when the top inch of soil dries out.
7. Peperomia
Available in many leaf shapes and sizes, peperomia stays compact and comes in interesting patterns. It succeeds in moderate or low light. Take care not to overwater.
8. Tradescantia
Tradescantia, or wandering Jew, provides vivid color with purple leaves and stripes. Give it medium to bright light. Let the soil dry between waterings. Regular pruning encourages fullness.
Design Considerations for Living Walls
When planning your living wall, keep these key factors in mind:
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Lighting: Most plants need bright, indirect light to thrive. Assess the light exposure in your space.
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Plant selection: Choose plants suitable for your lighting conditions that have appropriate growth habits and watering needs.
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Watering system: Living walls require consistent moisture. Integrate an effective irrigation system like drip irrigation or absorbent mats.
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Air circulation: Good airflow prevents mold and mildew. Allow space between plants and the wall.
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Maintenance: Living walls need regular pruning, watering, fertilizing, and inspection for pests/diseases. Account for required maintenance when making plant choices.
Creating Your Living Wall
Once you’ve selected plants, it’s time to build your living wall. Here is an overview of a simple process:
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Design your wall layout and measure the space. Account for plant dimensions at maturity.
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Select a wall mounting system. Options include wood frames, brackets, metal panels, plastic grids, and felt pockets.
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Attach the mounting system securely to the wall. Make sure it can support the weight when fully planted.
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Add a waterproof barrier like plastic sheeting between the plants and wall.
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Insert plants into the mounting structure, arranging them attractively based on your plan.
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Install the irrigation system, testing it to ensure even distribution.
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Add backlighting if desired for an extra pop. Consider incorporating automatic timers.
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Provide ongoing care with consistent watering, fertilizing, pruning, and pest management.
With the right plant selections, preparations, and maintenance, you can create a stunning living wall that infuses any indoor space with natural vibrancy. Just be sure to choose plants suited to vertical gardening and the specific conditions in your home or office. The end result will be a beautiful and ecologically friendly feature.
Plants for living walls
In living walls, you can grow low, prostrate shrubs, ferns, perennials, and grasses as long as they don’t spread quickly. It’s also possible to add fruit and vegetables for a display that really is good enough to eat!.
Annuals, perennials & grasses
Sunny walls (more than half a day of summer sun)
- Ceratostigma plumbaginoides
- Ehgeron karuinskianus (Mexican fleabane)
- Euphorbia myrsinites (spurge)
- Festuca glauca (blue fescue)
- Helianthemum nummularium (rock rose) and cultivars
- Helictotrichon semperuirens (blue oat grass)
- Jasione laeuis (sheep’s bit scabious) and cultivars
- Nepeta racemosa ‘Walkers Low’ (catmint)
- Origanum laeuigatum (marjoram) and cultivars
- Origanum uulgare (wild marjoram) and cultivars
With walls that get less than half a day of summer sun, all of them can handle being in the sun as long as they have plenty of water.
- Ajuga reptans (bugle) and cultivars
- Bergenia cordifolia (elephant’s ears) and cultivars
- Brunnera macrophylla (Siberian bugloss) and cultivars
- Carex morrouiii ‘Variegata’ (sedge) and other cultivars
- Cornus canadensis (dwarf cornel)
- Ferns (eg Asplenium trichomanes, Blechnum spicant, Polypodium uulgare)
- Heuchera ‘Can-can’ (coral bells) and other cultivars
- Hosta ‘Ginko Craig’ (plantain lily) and other cultivars
- Pachysandra terminalis (Japanese spurge)
10 Best Plants for Living Wall Vertical Garden Plants
FAQ
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