Incorporating nature into your home or office has never been more essential—or more stunning. A living wall, also known as a green wall, transforms vertical spaces into vibrant, thriving ecosystems. Once a hallmark of large architectural projects, these lush installations are now accessible to spaces of all sizes, blending seamlessly into modern interiors and exteriors alike.

At Foliaire, we view living walls as more than just design features; they’re a reflection of harmony between nature and built environments. In this guide, we’ll explore the essentials of creating a living wall, from its unique benefits to key considerations for integrating one into your home or workspace. Let’s bring life to your walls and elevate your surroundings in ways that inspire and endure.

What We’ll Cover:

• Defining living walls
• Living walls vs. living screens
• How living walls work
• The best plants for living walls
• Benefits of adding a living wall to your space
• Where living walls can be installed
• Designs for living walls
• Key takeaways

What Are Living Walls?

Living walls are panels of indoor plants that are grown vertically using hydroponics. They can either be attached to a wall or free-standing, depending on the space you are using. You may sometimes hear these structures referred to as green walls, vertical gardens, or living screens. However, they generally refer to the same type of indoor plantscaping.

What Are Living Screens?

When considering ways to create more privacy in an office or home, there are a few different options available. Living screens allow you to avoid putting up a standard plexiglass barrier. Instead, you can create an attractive and moveable screen.

Living screens are widely used within office spaces today. If you have an open-plan office space, there’s often a desire to separate individual office areas. Many want to create more privacy for employees and managers. Instead of using a plexiglass barrier or a fabric-covered sectional, living screens provide privacy using indoor plants or live moss. They can be created from artificial or live plants, offering you a low-maintenance solution and adding more indoor plantscaping to your space.

How Do Living Walls Work?

One reason why so many property owners today are considering indoor plantscaping with a living wall is a lack of space in modern residential spaces. Living walls are built in the same manner as regular walls. The fabrication team will start with a structure installed in individual sections to create your ideal living wall. You’ll find there are many high-tech options available on the market today, including self-watering systems with hidden pipes.

While you can water your living wall by hand, self-watering is a great option for a low-maintenance solution for your home. Living walls work to add a large number of plants to even the smallest of spaces, thanks to the ability to extend all the way up your wall. So, instead of taking over your floor as traditional indoor plants would do, you can make the most of unused space in your home and transform it into an indoor garden.

What Are the Best Indoor Plants for Living Walls?

When selecting the best indoor plants for your living wall, it’s important to consider the space. Where you will be adding this feature to your property is the first decision you should consider. The type of plants you choose will be dependent on the size of the wall you are creating and the amount of light you can offer the plants.

Philodendrons are a popular option for living walls, as they are vining plants known for their fast growth. They need very little attention, which makes them a superb choice for this type of interior landscaping. Ferns are another good option for living walls, and they also grow reasonably quickly. However, they will need more moisture than other options, and both should be placed in indirect but bright light where possible. Of course, the options are unlimited when adding plants to a living wall, so you can mix and match plants to create your desired look.