Guide to Picking the Right Plants for Your Decorative Greenwall

Location of Your Living Wall 

The first consideration when it comes to selecting walled garden plants is the location of your green wall. Whether you have an indoor or outdoor wall will impact the living wall plants you are able to add to your wall. Indoor walls will typically have more controlled conditions, such as a stable temperature and artificial lighting. You’ll want to select plants for living walls that thrive in low light conditions and moderate humidity, such as ferns and philodendrons. If you work in a city or urban environment, consider plants that help to purify the air, such as spider plants or peace lilies.

When selecting the best vertical garden plants for an outdoor green wall, consider the unique environment of where you live. Outdoor living walls in the UK will be exposed to sunlight, varying temperatures, and high winds. You need to choose plants that can withstand these conditions, such as succulents, grasses, and ivy.

Light Conditions 

Light is a critical factor for the health of your plants and so you need to determine how much natural light your green wall will receive. If your living wall is located in an area with low light conditions, choose plants like ferns, snake plants, and Pothos. Areas with a little more light can opt for plants like anthuriums, dracaenas, and calatheas, whereas high-light plants that thrive in direct sunlight include succulents, lavender, and bougainvillaea. One of the biggest challenges for living walls UK is the varying amount of sunlight we receive throughout the year. Make sure you will be able to support the health of the plants you choose all year round so that they don’t struggle in the darker winter months. Indoor walls that lack sufficient natural light might benefit from grow lights to help maintain plant health.

Choose Plants Based on Maintenance Needs 

The amount of time and energy you have to dedicate to the health of your plants will also impact the type of plants you should select. Some plants are very low-maintenance, whereas others need regular watering, pruning, and fertilisation. The best options for low-maintenance green walls include succulents and snake plants, which can still thrive without being watered too often. For those with a little more time and energy to dedicate to a living wall, you might want to consider plants such as ferns, Pothos, and peace lilies. They will just need occasional watering and trimming to remain healthy. High-maintenance plants include orchids, begonias, and other flowing pants, which will need humidity control and regular watering to grow and survive. 

Climate and Humidity Considerations 

The local climate and humidity levels of the location of your green wall will influence plant selection. For indoor green walls, maintaining enough humidity is essential, especially in dry environments. Plants such as ferns, calatheas, and peace lilies thrive in areas with high humidity, while succulents and cacti prefer drier environments. Throughout the year, an outdoor living wall may experience changes in humidity. Look for plants which can tolerate changes in humidity levels and temperatures, such as hardy perennials and native species. 

Soil and Watering Requirements 

Different plants have varying soil and watering needs. An irrigation system can be installed to support your living wall, and this can even be an automated system to evenly distribute water across the wall. Plants which need a lot of moisture in the soil include peace lilies and ferns, whereas succulents and cacti are better off with well-draining soil and little water. Spider plants and Pothos can adapt to various conditions and are a good option for working alongside other plants.

Experiment with Design and Arrangement 

A well-designed green wall can work to enhance any space and offer a range of benefits to your employees or family. Consider creating patterns with different plant colours, textures, and growth habits. Try grouping plants with similar care requirements together to ensure efficient maintenance and save you time and energy in the long run. Our team will work with you to understand your vision for your green wall and make this a reality with our support. 

Selecting the right plants for your decorative green wall requires careful consideration of location, light conditions, maintenance needs and climate. Contact us today to learn more about installing a green wall in your workplace or home or to discuss any questions you have about picking the right plants for your living wall.