Vertical Walls of Plants: A Guide to Creating Your Own Green Oasis

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In today's fast-paced world, a green oasis in our living spaces can help us connect with nature and promote a sense of calmness. Vertical walls of plants, also known as green walls or living walls, are a unique and stunning way to bring living plants indoors or outdoors. This guide will provide you with an overview of what vertical walls of plants are, why you should create one, the benefits of having such a wall, types of plants that are suitable for vertical gardening, and how to design and maintain your own green wall.

What are Vertical Walls of Plants?

A vertical wall of plants is a type of garden where flora is grown vertically using support structures such as walls, trellises, and frames. The plants grow on either a soil substrate or a hydroponic system attached to the support structure, thus creating a living, breathing, and aesthetically pleasing display.

Why Create a Vertical Wall of Plants?

Vertical walls of plants offer several advantages over traditional gardens. These include:

• Space-saving: As they grow upwards, they take up less horizontal space than traditional gardens.
• Improved air quality: Plants absorb pollutants and produce oxygen, leading to better air quality indoors and outdoors.
• Sound absorption: The presence of living plants on a vertical wall can reduce noise pollution.
• Aesthetics: A living vertical wall adds visual appeal to any space, whether indoors or outdoors.
• Health benefits: The presence of plants can improve mental health by reducing stress levels and promoting relaxation.

Benefits of Vertical Walls of Plants

Vertical walls of plants offer numerous benefits for both indoor and outdoor settings. These benefits include:

• Improved air quality from the absorption of pollutants and production of oxygen.
• Reduced stress levels from being surrounded by nature.
• Attracting beneficial insects that help with pollination.
• Creating a unique and stunning focal point in any space.
• Reducing noise levels by acting as a natural sound barrier.
• Providing an opportunity to grow your own food or herbs with edible plant varieties.
• Creating a microclimate that can help regulate temperature and humidity levels.

Types of Plants for Vertical Gardening

The types of plants suitable for vertical gardening depend mostly on the lighting conditions, humidity levels, and available space. Here are some plant varieties that perform well on living walls:

• Air-purifying plants: These plants remove toxic pollutants from the air, making them perfect for indoor settings. Examples include spider plants, mother-in-law's tongue, and peace lilies.
• Edible plants: Herbs and vegetables such as thyme, mint, lettuce, and strawberries can be grown on vertical walls outdoors.
• Low-maintenance plant varieties: Succulents, ferns, and cacti require less frequent watering and can tolerate lower light conditions making them ideal.
• Colorful and visually appealing plants: For a striking display, consider using brightly colored flowers, such as petunias and pansies, or trailing plants like English ivy or creeping fig.

Designing Your Vertical Garden

Designing a vertical garden can be a fun and creative process, allowing you to create a unique and personalized display. Here are some factors to consider when designing your green wall:

• Lighting: Evaluate the amount of natural and artificial light available for your chosen location to determine which plants will fit best.
• Available space: Determine how much space you have available for your wall—will it cover the whole wall or only a portion?
• Irrigation: Determine your water access before moving forward, and ensure your location is adequately equipped to handle irrigation needs.
• Support structure: Consider the thickness of the wall to mount your vertical wall, frame, or trellis safely.

Choosing the Perfect Location

Assessing Lighting and Temperature Requirements

When deciding where to install your vertical garden, consider the light levels necessary for plant survival. East and west-facing walls typically provide the optimal amount of sunlight. Temperature is critical as well: indoor plants require more consistent air temperatures than outdoor plants.

Determining Wall Space Available

Wall space may be limited, so create a plan to ensure you maximise the area available for growing. Consider using tiered systems and spacing out plants that vary in height to fill your wall better.

Checking for Water Accessibility

The availability of water will determine whether your living wall thrives or fails. A vertical garden must have access to regular watering channels. Assessing how much water is necessary and choosing a compatible irrigation system are key in selecting an adequate location.

Preparing the Wall and Soil Mixtures

Cleaning the Wall Surface

Before attaching your support structure and planting your vertical garden, it is crucial to clean the wall's surface properly. Start by removing any dirt, dust, or debris that can prevent good adhesion with the plants or panels.

Selecting the Right Soil Mixtures

Vertical walls require soil mixtures that are lightweight and porous to allow proper drainage and root growth. Potting soil containing perlite, vermiculite, peat moss, or coconut coir is ideal for vertical gardens.

Layering Soil and Plants on Wall Panels or Pockets

There are different methods when setting up your vertical wall; popular options include pocket panels, hydroponics, or individual planters. Depending on your choice, add soil and plants into the panels/pockets. For panel set-ups, layering brackets or hooks into existing structures such as trellises or other anchors can help hold panels in place.

Adding Fertilizers and Nutrients

Fertilizers provide essential nutrients for plants to grow healthy roots and leaves. Slow-release fertilizers applied every three months or liquid time-released fertilizers applied every two weeks are recommended for vertical gardens.

Choosing the Perfect Plant Variety

In general, choose plants that tolerate low light conditions and pest-resistant plants that thrive in their environment. Whether you are looking to create a colorful display, grow your food or purify the air, here are some plant varieties that work well in vertical gardening:

Air-Purifying Plants for Indoor Vertical Gardens

• Spider plant (Chlorophytum comosum)
• Boston Fern (Nephrolepis exaltata)
• Golden Pothos (Epiprenum aureus)
• Peace Lily (Spathiphyllum wallisii)
• Rubber Plant (Ficus elastica)

Edible Plants for Outdoor Vertical Gardens

• Strawberries
• Lettuce and Greens
• Kale, Swiss Chard and Collards
• Tomatoes
• Herbs like basil, thyme, oregano, and parsley

Low-Maintenance Plant Varieties

• Succulents like Sedum, Burro's Tail and Aloe
• Ferns such as Maidenhair or Birdsnest
• Heartleaf Philodendron
• English Ivy

Colorful and Visually Appealing Plants

• Petunias, begonias or impatiens
• Peperomia (watermelon or ripple variety)
• Trialing plants such as Creeping Fig, Sweet Potato Vine or Wandering Jew.

Designing and Maintaining Your Vertical Garden

Determining the Overall Look of Your Green Wall

Whether you prefer a natural, rustic, or modern look, add elements to complement the existing aesthetic of your space. One way to achieve versatality is to use pocket panels with different containers, showcase fun plant arrangements or add a spectacular lighting setup.

Adding Decorative Elements to Your Vertical Garden

Adding decorative elements can give a living wall an extra pop. Try incorporating trellises, picture frames, or mirrors to reflect light and help your vertical garden feel more expansive.

Watering and Pruning Tips for Vertical Gardens

Since vertical gardens have limited soil volume compared to traditional gardens, they require frequent watering. Water based on each plant's individual needs, but the indicator is usually when the soil at the base of the plant is dry; irrigation drip systems can be set up to offer a uniform approach.

Pruning encourages healthy growth in plants and can help maintain an organised and aesthetically pleasing display. Regular deadheading of spent blooms helps promote additional flowers, and pruning back any straggly growth keeps the wand tidy.

Managing Pests and Plant Diseases

Pest management is essential for any green wall, regardless of its size. Some pests like spider mites or aphids are attracted to indoor vertical gardens, which may lead to infestations. Using neem oil or other organic insecticides can help prevent pest issues.

Disease prevention is essential, particularly when planting crops such as herbs or vegetables. It’s critical to use safe gardening practices from the beginning, choosing plants that thrive well in their environments, practicing proper hygiene adapted to growing needs, and keeping dead or damaged foliage trimmed.

Vertical walls of plants are an excellent way to bring a lush living display into your living spaces, while promoting relaxation and improving air quality. Whether you choose to create an edible garden or a colorful decorative wall, this guide has provided you with useful tips and tricks for ensuring success.

FAQ

Here are some of the most frequently asked questions about vertical walls of plants:

What are the benefits of vertical walls of plants?

Vertical walls of plants offer numerous benefits, including improved air quality, reduced stress levels, noise reduction, aesthetics and providing opportunities for growing food or herbs.

Can I make a vertical garden indoors?

Yes, vertical gardens are particularly well suited for indoor spaces as plants provide more efficient air purification compared to traditional gardens.

How do I determine which plants are best for my wall?

Look for plants that can thrive in the space available, consider the lighting conditions, humidity levels, and temperature where they will grow, some low maintenance plants such as pothos or succulents are versatile and hardy options.

What is the best time of year to plant a vertical garden?

Vertical walls can be planted through any season, but it's important to consider whether plants will thrive during the growing season based on temperature and light conditions for each individual species.

Do I need to hire a professional to install a vertical wall of plants?

No, you don’t have to hire someone if you’re up for the project. However, if you’re not comfortable attaching hardware to walls or do not have the necessary tools, hiring a professional can be helpful.

How often do I need to water my vertical garden?

Water requirements may vary by plant species, but watering should be done based on when the soil feels dry to the touch. A timed dripping irrigation system could also be set up offering an automated watering schedule.

How long does it take for plants to grow on a vertical wall?

The growing period depends on the type of plant, their individual growth rates, and maturity levels. Some species may take longer than others though new growth starts and the plants begin to cover the structure quickly.

What materials do I need to create a green wall?

You’ll need a support structure such as panels, pockets, trellis or frames - this is dependent on your planned design - a lightweight porous potting soil, plant containers or planting pockets, fertilizers or nutrients, drip systems, & plants.

What is the maintenance required for vertical gardens?

Regular watering, pruning for aesthetics or health reasons, pest management, ensuring a safe environment free of diseases, and adding or replacing plants as necessary.

Can I use artificial plants for my vertical garden?

While they may look realistic, artificial plants don’t have the health benefits that living plants offer. Vertical gardens are meant to be living, breathing displays; opting for plastic alternatives would not provide any advantages that can help air quality nor contribute to sustainable gardening practices.

Start creating your own green wall of plants today and sit back to enjoy a unique and stunning display ornamenting your living spaces.