Fri 12 Apr 2019

Designing a beautiful living wall for your home

Plants can be used to decorate your home in many different ways. A living wall is one of the most creative and beneficial ways of sprucing up your home décor. Living walls are vertical gardens that are attached to an exterior, interior or freestanding wall. They are also called plant walls, green walls and garden walls. They come in various sizes and can be made to fit a specific area of your home or office too. Before you create a living wall, there are various points that you will need to consider. This includes the location of the green wall and the best types of plants to use. Here are some tips to keep in mind:

Where should your garden wall be installed?

The location of your living wall will determine how well your plants do. Plants have a few requirements if you want to keep them happy. Sunlight is one of the main factors. If you fancy a specific wall, you should take note of how much direct and indirect sunlight it receives. Morning sun is very different from the hotter afternoon sun. Different plants prefer different amounts and types of light which is why light is the first thing to consider.

What types of plants should I use?

With the above in mind, it’s also important to remember that some plants do well as living wall displays while others are not particularly suited for these environments. Some of the most popular options include:

Ferns for texture

  • Maidenhair
  • Rabbit’s foot
  • Sword fern
  • Staghorn fern

Vines for shade

  • English Ivy
  • String of pearls
  • Pothos
  • Rosary vine

Flowers for colour

Succulents for low maintenance

  • Hens and chicks
  • Stonecrop
  • Jade plant
  • Dudleya

Maintenance is a concern no matter the types of plants you choose. You can invest in a built-in watering system with hydroponics. Your living wall needs to be secured to a stable structure. You can allow your plants to grow as they please or you can trim them to keep the living wall neat and tidy. You will need to consider methods for keeping pests away and, if necessary, you can wipe your plants down to remove dirt and dust on occasion. As for the type of soil you choose, loose media soil often proves best.

Benefits of living walls

Apart from making the room look amazing, the plants you choose to use can also remove various impurities form the air. Filtering your air and providing more oxygen is excellent for your health and can help improve your sleep. During the warmer months, green walls can help keep your energy bills lower by cooling your home.

The next time you are thinking of decorating your home with a potted plant, why not consider a lush living wall instead?