Go Green on a Grand Scale with a Planted Wall

Most people who decide to create a planted wall get the most design success by allowing this feature to be the star of the show. To really make it pop, keep the remainder of the room decor minimal, both in terms of color and decorative elements.

Tropical plants have tons of flair, so think philodendron, golden pothos, jade, and maranta red. Take care to choose plants based on the light of the space. For instance, if your planted wall room gets low light, opt for plants that don't need much of it. You're likely to have the most options for plant species if you choose a spot that gets bright, indirect light at least four hours a day.

If you aren't keen about covering an entire wall of your home with plants, start with a smaller space. Use vertical planters to show off some of your favorite smaller plants. This acts as a decorative component for the wall without covering the entire thing.

A partial planted wall is ideal for newer plant owners, people in smaller spaces, and those that aren't sure they want to commit to an entire wall and instead want to start small. This is also a great opportunity to make a hanging box planter if you're hesitant about putting all those holes in your wall.

Step up your garden game in the bathroom with a living wall near your tub. Ideal plants for this purpose include ivys and tropical plants because these are hardy varieties that don't require too much specialized care and thrive on the high humidity inherent in this room.

If you really want a dramatic effect, then opt for plants like English ivy or golden pothos, because this is the greenery that drapes and drops from the wall or curtain rod.

Sometimes indoor natural light or other considerations, like destructive pets, prevent you from having an entire garden's worth of plants inside. Don't despair: you can still get the appearance of a planted wall on your patio. Opt for several tall plants, such as corn, bamboo, or even bushes, and line them up in planters on one side of your patio. Alternatively, if you have a walled outdoor space, you can build a regular planted wall right there.

Strategically place your furniture before your covered outdoor plant wall and, voila! You have the appearance of a living wall without bringing the greenery directly into your home.

If you are up for a challenge, use your planted wall to grow food. Vegetables and herbs can grow indoors if the conditions are right and you are willing to put in the time and work to cultivate them.

If you want a project, then create a vertical garden wall in your kitchen or in an area of the home with plenty of light, and choose your plants accordingly. In addition to most herbs, garlic, green onion, carrots, beans, and even miniature eggplant can grow with the right set up and care!

If you're itching to set up a planted wall, but aren't quite sure about the care involved, go with low-maintenance plants like cacti or succulents. These are hardy varieties that still look beautiful in a vertical structure and can cover the length of the wall, but don't require the same intensive care as their more sensitive plant counterparts.

If the idea of an actual living wall is still overwhelming, why not create a faux version? Stack floating shelves in the area you want covered in plants, and crowd potted greenery — in low-profile pots for the most wall-like appearance — on every inch. This arrangement gives you a solid green space, with the added benefit of being able to change it up as you wish!

Your planted wall doesn't have to be entirely comprised of plants. It should reflect your personal design tastes and add pizazz to the room.

There are plenty of eco-friendly decorative elements that you can add to make it more aesthetically-pleasing, especially if the wall in question is the main element of the space. Think wood sections that will peek out from the cascading plant varieties; you could even incorporate natural wood shelving to display nick-nacks among the greenery.

If you set it up right at the beginning, your planted wall will flourish through routine maintenance. Use container garden soil — organic, if possible — when placing the plants to ensure they have the proper nutrients for a long, healthful life indoors.

Always take into consideration the light in the space, airflow, humidity, and how different plants do when grown next to one another.

One of the biggest reasons people are hesitant to install a planted wall is the care involved. However, it does not have to be a laborious effort. Choose hardy plant varieties, use self-watering containers, and turn to a spray bottle to give your wall plants a spritz when they need it. As long as the plants play well together and you're willing to maintain, you should have a beautiful centerpiece for years to come.