Vertical Vibes

STORY CONNIE JESKE CRANE

Chapman House Project – Nedlaw Living Walls

But tucking a few potted pots in a corner isn’t going to cut it. With houseplants today, it’s all about going big. Plants are becoming focal points in homes, rather than fading into the background.

Vertical gardening is a perfect fit with today’s more-is-more approach. From rustic wall- mounted herb planters to swingy macramé retro plant hangers or sophisticated living walls, this trend is all the rage – and can be integrated into any price point or living space.

Amanda Matfin, founder of Greenteriors, says today’s wall-adorning installations deliver a dramatic, living-and-breathing aesthetic to your home. “It just transforms the space completely.”

Skanska – Greenteriors

WANT TO CREATE A GORGEOUS GREEN FOCAL POINT IN YOUR HOME? HERE ARE SOME IDEAS TO GET YOU STARTED.

What is a living wall?

A living wall is a system that allows plants to grow on a vertical panel, and can be either water- based (hydroponic) or soil-based. Professionally constructed walls have their own irrigation systems and are available in two types: passive, which provides water and nutrient delivery; and active, which mechanically circulates air through the wall to improve indoor air quality.

On the higher end, living walls are lush, organic backdrops. Most often you’ll see them gracing corporate headquarters and public buildings – but if you really love them, you can bring this concept home, too. Perfect for clean, modern interiors, Amanda says a living wall is like a large art piece and makes a bold design statement: “There’s always that fun, wow factor. If you host a dinner party and people come over and they see it, they are like, ‘Oh my gosh!’ It’s a talking piece.”

So what’s involved? To really thrive, the first thing living walls need is proper planning and installation. Amanda says the process usually starts with an in-home consultation, during which a consultant evaluates your space and available light to determine what artificial light you may need, then discusses your plant and design preferences.

Green Wall – GREEN LOVE

The best time to bring in a consultant, says Adam Holder, sales and client relations manager with Nedlaw Living Walls, is prior to a renovation or new home construction. And once your project has been installed, he reminds homeowners that maintenance is key to the living wall’s survival – even with built-in irrigation. As Adam says, “It’s a baby; it needs love.”

Adam points out that maintenance is one area where homeowners can save a bit on costs. Typically, installations require a monthly maintenance call, where a technician will “maintain the plants, look at the system, check that things are running optimally, prune the plants.” But alternatively, Adam says, his company can teach clients how to perform their own maintenance.

To integrate a professionally designed and installed living wall into your space, basic systems start at around $175 per square foot and more complex ones can reach up to $300 per square foot, depending on your specific requirements and personal preference.

Wally Pro Pockets – WallyGro

DIY VERSIONS

There are simpler, more cost- effective ways to achieve green, vertical impact. From DIY vertical wall kits to popular vertical wall planter systems like WallyGro.

PLANT CHOICES

When it comes to the fun stuff – choosing plants – for either DIY
or high-end routes, Amanda’s recommendations lean toward plants that traditionally do well indoors. Tropicals predominate here, she says, adding, “It’s almost impossible to kill pothos, ivy, spider plants, snake plants.”

TALK TO A PROFESSIONAL

Even if you’ve chosen the DIY route, Amanda always recommends getting some advice first. “Still reach out and chat with a professional, because there are a lot of new systems coming onto the market... And at the end of the day, there are a few factors that need to go into a living wall to ensure it’s going to be successful.”

Wally Eco Wall Planters – WallyGro