How To Create A Living Wall
Constructing a garden is truly a work of art and what I love most is the different ways in which to create amazing designs, while there are no set rules to gardening except following the basics you are free to let your imagination run wild as you not only create that dream garden but a garden that will capture the hearts of many to enjoy.
One such garden type that is popular is creating a living wall, yes you read right creating a wall that is alive and thriving. This unique twist of plant design is worth our attention, creating a living garden or green wall can be designed both for outdoor as well as indoor living space. A living wall makes the perfect garden for gardening in small spaces. For more on how this is done let’s take a closer look.
4 Steps to creating an indoor living wall
The planting location
The first step in creating an indoor living wall is to look for the proper location which is so important, the reason for this is that plants are living and a key component to a plant’s survival is lighting. All plants need some form of lighting no matter how small and while we can agree that different plant material requires different degrees of lighting the fact remains all plants need light to survive.
Rob a plant of the amount of light that it requires whether it be too much lighting or insufficient lighting you will run into problems. Garden plants need the proper lighting in order to manufacture their food. This process is known as photosynthesis, when seeking to create an indoor living wall the lighting can either be coming from outdoors which means installing your garden near a window that gets lots of sunlight, or from artificial lighting that’s provided by grow lights.
Displaying your living wall
When it comes to the frame or structure of your living wall there are so many options in which to choose from, you can either DIY (do it yourself) your living wall or purchase the frame from your hardware store or garden center, the frame can either be wood or synthetic material.
Once you measure the area to mount your living wall ensure that the frame fits comfortably in place, if purchasing a living wall or green wall kit the instructions will come on how to mount it properly. A living wall can be of any size depending on the area in which the wall is to be installed.
Selecting plants for your living walls
The plants that are chosen for your living wall should have the same water and light requirements what you don’t want is to use plants that have different water and lighting needs which can cause a major problem. For me, I would much rather go for the low-maintenance plant type such as bromeliads.
These plants have little to no pests issues and the advantage of using bromeliads besides their low maintenance is the many choices. In the bromeliad family, there is said to be some 2, 700 species which gives you a wide selection that you can play with, another advantage is some species have colorful foliage or leaves which means you can have colors year-round vs flower plants that bloom during the season but once the season ends plants stop blooming until the bloom period starts again. Below is a list of popular plants that are used for a living wall.
- Bromeliads
- Vines
- Aglaonema Maria
- Succulents
- Arrowhead vine
- Orchid vanilla bean
- Maranta red
- Ferns
- Anthurium
- Philodendron Brazil
- Ficus decora
- Philodendron congo green
Maintaining your living wall
If the system you’re using for your living wall is self-watering you will have a much easier time maintaining your indoor garden if on the other hand your watering manually or by hand ensure and give the right amount of water remember as we said earlier give a plant to much water and you will run into problems give your plant insufficient water and you will have issues also so always know your plant’s watering needs to maintain their health.
Benefits of a living wall
- Remove air pollutants
- Improve a sense of well-being
- Can add beauty
- A green or living wall will reduce stress
- Will reduce temperatures
- Having a living wall can increase productivity
- Reduce noise
- Bring more value to your property
The final word on indoor living walls
Creating an indoor living wall or green wall is an excellent way to the garden above the ground, these gardens have proven to work wonders with its style and the flavor that it brings. An indoor living wall is a great way to bring nature indoors as you beautify your indoor living space. Living walls are here to stay because of the name they have made, go ahead and give these walls a try, who says that a wall can’t be is a living thing well with a green wall this is made possible. I love the idea of living walls and I am sure that you do, make these living walls a part of your life and reap the many benefits that these walls bring.
About the author
Norman loves being in the garden, both at home and for his job....
he is 'Natures Little helper' being outdoors, growing his vegetables and flowers from an early age.
Now having spent over 22 years in the profession he want to give some of his knowledge to others...
his vast array of hints and tips you will find scattered over this site will help you no end growing plants in your garden.
What a lovely idea Norman. I have a little home in Sydney that is long and thin with a courtyard out the back. The back wall is a big blank canvas so I am thinking of putting a hanging wall in with a small fountain in front of it. Bromeliads sound perfect for this spot as it does get light but not full sun. I will look in the local hardware shop for a frame this weekend.
These hanging gardens are so amazing and will spruce up or should I say liven up any area, I am so happy to help and wishing you much success with your living wall project!!
Hi Norman, thank you for your tips on the indoor living wall. It sounds interesting to me to try it in a small size. The air pollution and other benefits from it are awesome. I have a sunny house and mostly I keep my plants on my balcony. I’ve been afraid of keeping many plants indoors from pests mostly. Thank you for sharing your recommendation about Bromeliads, which have no pests issues.
Thank you again
Alketa
Indoor living walls are amazing and are a good investment because of the many benefits, I am so happy to help, and all the best to you!!
Hi Norman. Gardening has been my life. My father first gave me a plot of land to grow vegetables on when It was only six years of age. I have been involved in horticulture and agriculture for much of my life, yet I was fascinated by your article on an indoor garden. I have owned indoor plants, and I still have a good collection , but I have never tried an indoor living wall. Your four steps to creating one has inspired me to give it a go. Thank you for your informative article. Jim
Hello Jim I am so happy to help and thanks a million for your kind words, thanks also for sharing some of your childhood experiences with me. I can see that gardening is not new to you and that you enjoy it. Gardening is so rewarding and has so many benefits. Wishing you good success with your living wall project, all the best to you, and have a good day!!
Wow, I had a great time reading this post. And the reasons I want to build one for my home are that indoor living walls can help me obtain good air, reduce stress, and look nice, etc. In Singapore, many of the buildings are living walls, and they are stunning.
For me, I’d want to start with Bromeliads because you mentioned they’re a low-maintenance plant. I’ll also make sure that my living wall has a self-watering system.
I am also happy that I could help, creating a living wall is really great and has so many benefits. This type of gardening is gardening above the ground where you can utilize that empty space. Wishing you all the best with your living wall project!