Vertical gardens, or green walls, are popular for enhancing indoor environments, offering significant benefits in aesthetics, air quality, temperature regulation, and well-being.

Below is a detailed analysis, expanded with additional practical guidance, real-world examples, cost considerations, and plant selection advice for varied home conditions.

Aesthetic and Environmental Benefits:
Indoor vertical gardens bring a dynamic, living aesthetic to interiors, transforming bland spaces into visually pleasing, biophilic environments.

They utilize wall surfaces for greenery, allowing even small homes to reap the benefits of nature without sacrificing floor space.

From a sustainability perspective, green walls support environmental goals: they naturally filter air, regulate temperature, and offset carbon emissions, all without drawing electricity as mechanical filtration systems do.

Their integration into domestic spaces creates a tangible link to nature, supporting holistic sustainability efforts .

Air Purification:
Green walls are highly efficient air purifiers.

They reduce indoor pollutants such as nitrogen dioxide and PM10 particulate matter by 40–60%, and decrease fine PM2.5 by about 10% and ozone by around 30%.

These improvements are particularly valuable in urban homes subject to traffic pollution and limited natural airflow.

Plants’ leaves absorb pollutants, while beneficial microbes in the soil break down toxins.

With no electricity required and low ongoing input, vertical gardens are among the most sustainable air filtration solutions available to homeowners .

Temperature Regulation:
Living green walls noticeably moderate indoor temperatures.

On average, they lower interior heat by approximately 1.8°C through shading effects and evaporative cooling from plant transpiration.

This natural temperature buffer helps reduce air conditioning needs, yielding substantial energy savings and enhancing comfort, especially in sun-exposed rooms .

Mental Health and Comfort:

There is strong evidence linking green walls to psychological benefits.

Indoor greenery reduces stress, lifts mood, and generally helps residents feel safer and more content.

Homes with vertical gardens often report increased comfort, productivity, and even inspiration.

These living systems can support healthier routines and foster hobbies or family interaction centered on plant care, integrating well-being and daily life .

Maintenance Needs and Best Practices:
Routine maintenance for indoor vertical gardens varies by plant selection and system design, but key tasks and their frequency are as follows.

For tropical foliage (pothos, philodendron, ferns), water once or twice weekly, adjusting for season and humidity.

Succulents (aloe, kalanchoe, cacti) require much less frequent watering—every two to three weeks is typical.

Automated irrigation systems can streamline watering and ensure consistency, especially in larger or more complex installations.

Fertilizing needs are moderate: most green walls benefit from a general-purpose liquid fertilizer applied every 4–8 weeks during the plant growing season.

Pruning requirements are light; usually, it suffices to remove yellowing or dead leaves and lightly trim overgrown areas once or twice monthly.

These occasional touch-ups keep foliage healthy and prevent competition for light or nutrients.

Routine pest inspections are best performed monthly, combining visual checks with swift removal or isolation of affected plants if issues arise.

Households often find success maintaining a shared task list—daily or weekly for watering, with less frequent intervals for pruning and fertilizing .

Potential challenges include insufficient light, improper watering, and plant crowding.

Strong results are achieved with supplemental LED or fluorescent grow lights where natural sunlight is lacking, thoughtful layout for airflow and light exposure, and carefully matched watering practices for the specific plants used .

Case Studies:

In Pune, India, a homeowner created lush “mini-forests” on covered balconies by installing vertical gardens with over 500 plants, using ferns, pothos, philodendrons, air plants, and succulents.

Plant selection, substrate choice, and shading were optimized through experimentation until the system became largely self-sustaining.

With daily visual checks and homemade compost for fertilization, ongoing maintenance was manageable, resulting in clear improvements in air quality, a more comfortable home, and a calming space for remote work .

A public school project in Taiwan reflects similar outcomes: green walls in classrooms incorporated air-purifying plants (bamboo, turtle vine, honeysuckle, ferns) and automatic irrigation systems.

Maintenance was minimal for staff and environmental benefits included lower pollutant levels and reduced indoor temperatures, creating a healthier and more comfortable learning environment .

Potential Costs and System Lifespan:

For initial investment, professionally designed and installed green walls typically range from $100–$250 USD per square foot, depending on wall size, choice of plants, and degree of automation (e.g., irrigation and monitoring).

Do-it-yourself options can be created at lower upfront cost but require more hands-on care, especially for watering and plant selection .

Green wall systems can be expected to last 10–20 years with proper maintenance.

Some components, such as growing media or certain plant species, should be replaced or refreshed every 2–5 years to sustain optimal plant health.

Ongoing expenses (water consumption, fertilizer, replacement plants, and basic supplies) are minor compared to the long-term health and environmental benefits provided.

Plant Selection for Different Light Conditions and Climates:
Plant choice is critical to the ease of maintenance and overall appearance of a green wall.

For low-light indoor settings—such as north-facing rooms or areas far from windows—best options include snake plant (Sansevieria), pothos, philodendron, ZZ plant, peace lily, and cast iron plant, alongside ferns like bird’s nest fern.

These species tolerate low to moderate light and infrequent watering, making them ideal for less sunny spots .

In high-light spaces (south-facing rooms, direct sun), suitable plants are succulents such as kalanchoe, echeveria, aloe, cacti, jade plant, croton, dracaena, and various palms.

Flowering plants—like kalanchoe and oxalis—require at least 4–6 hours of strong indirect or direct sunlight per day for robust blooms.

Species such as anthurium, orchids, and monstera thrive in warmer, humid, brightly lit indoor settings.

For climate adaptation, in temperate regions, ferns, pothos, and philodendrons are reliable; tropical indoor gardens benefit from palms and aroids, while arid or sunny homes should focus on succulents and drought-resistant options.

Edible herbs (basil, thyme, mint) also integrate well for functional green walls in moderate climates.

Regardless of the selection, all plants should suit the specific light, humidity, and temperature conditions of the intended location.

Conclusion:
Indoor vertical gardens provide substantial and multi-faceted value—visually enhancing living spaces, naturally purifying air, passively regulating temperature, and significantly boosting occupant well-being.

With thoughtful planning regarding system costs, maintenance frequency, and plant selection tailored to each home’s light and climate, green walls are practical and rewarding investments that sustain their appeal and function for many years.

Real-world results consistently demonstrate both the environmental and personal comfort gains of bringing vertical greenery indoors.

Vertical gardens, or green walls, are popular for enhancing indoor environments, offering significant benefits in aesthetics, air quality, temperature regulation, and well-being.

Title:

Content: 6 Easy Ways to Build an Indoor Garden
CHITING CHANG – HOMIFY
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Indoor plants are not only beautiful, they bring natural greenery to your room, they also have the function of purifying toxins in the air.
If you don ’ t have a large garden or balcony space to grow flowers and plants, you can still work on creating a small garden indoors.
Today ’ s idea book will teach you 6 simple ways to build an indoor garden.
After reading these methods, you should no longer be able to use the space limit as an excuse!
1. Palm Trees
If you want to plant a tree indoors, you must choose plants that can survive in low light conditions.
An atmospheric, tropical palm tree is the perfect choice.
If you have concerns about the frequency of watering and the temperature in the room, ask a professional for more details.
2.
Glass bonsai
Terrarium Installations
The Urban Botanist
Easy to handle, small glass potted plants are ideal for small suites or work desks! You can choose large glass containers, such as old light bulbs, fish tanks, candy cans, etc., then put a small stone as the bottom, spread the moss, and then put the soil.
The next step is to put your plants in the soil and then spread the moss.
When finished, you can put on your favorite decorations again, so that the simple glass potted plant is finished.
3.
Fill the walls with plants.
Green walls can be the most natural decoration in the home, and can also remove toxins from the air and improve the quality of life.
Although the idea is simple, building a green wall can be a tricky task, and if you are not confident in your DIY skills, you can consult with homify experts.
4.
Hang the plants on the wall.
Hanging Vintage Garden Tap Planter
ELLA JAMES
If the above green wall is a bit too much, then you can choose to hang plants on the wall.
If you don ’ t like the general method, you can follow the above example and choose the potted plants made of water taps, so that your potted plants can also be used as decorations in your home.
5.
Kitchen Spices
The easiest way to create an indoor garden is to plant the herbs you need.
Put your favorite herbs in the kitchen, in addition to making the kitchen full of green surprises, you can also let the vanilla smell in the air.
6.
Make your living space green
We love the concept of an indoor garden!
Put a wooden table on the plant of the tree, it becomes a unique tree table.
When guests come to visit, do you have the feeling of playing chess and making tea in the old banyan tree?
More Inspiration for Interior Decoration: 17 Simple and Affordable Ways to Make Your Home Better
Do you need someone to help you design or build your home?
Find a professional now!
Find out more about home design!

Below is a detailed analysis, expanded with additional practical guidance, real-world examples, cost considerations, and plant selection advice for varied home conditions.

Title:

Content: 5 Common Indoor Gardening Challenges And Their Solutions

Saloni Singh
Updated on Jan 22, 2024, 19:36 IST- 5 min read

Indoor gardening is a wonderful way to bring nature into your home and enjoy the benefits of growing plants all year round. However, it comes with its own set of challenges that can sometimes discourage even the most experienced gardeners. In this article, we will explore five common indoor gardening challenges and provide practical solutions to help you overcome them.

The Growing Trend of Indoor Gardening

In recent years, indoor gardening has gained immense popularity among plant enthusiasts. It allows individuals to create a green oasis within the comfort of their homes, regardless of the outdoor climate. However, indoor gardening comes with its own unique challenges that require careful attention and solutions to ensure the thriving growth of your plants.

Unsplash/Representational Image

Challenge 1: Insufficient Light

One of the most common challenges faced by indoor gardeners is the lack of sufficient light. Since natural sunlight is limited indoors, providing adequate light for your plants becomes crucial. Insufficient light can lead to weak growth, leggy stems, and poor flowering.

Solution: To overcome this challenge, you can consider the following solutions:

Place your plants near windows with the brightest light exposure.

Use artificial grow lights, such as fluorescent or LED lights, to supplement the natural light.

Rotate your plants regularly to ensure all sides receive equal light exposure.

Challenge 2: Temperature Control

Maintaining the right temperature for your indoor garden can be a tricky task. Fluctuations in temperature can affect plant growth and overall health. Extreme heat or cold can cause stress and even lead to plant damage.

Solution: Here are some solutions to help you maintain optimal temperature levels:

Identify the temperature requirements of your plants and adjust the indoor environment accordingly.

Use thermostats or temperature-controlled devices to regulate the temperature.

Place plants away from drafts and heating or cooling sources that may cause sudden temperature changes.

Unsplash/Representational Image

Challenge 3: Proper Watering Techniques

Watering plants is a fundamental aspect of gardening, but it can be challenging to strike the right balance. Overwatering or underwatering can have detrimental effects on plant health and growth.

Solution: Follow these guidelines for proper watering:

Learn the specific watering needs of each plant in your indoor garden.

Check the moisture level of the soil before watering.

Provide adequate drainage to prevent waterlogged roots.

Challenge 4: Pest Infestations

Indoor plants are not immune to pests. Common pests, such as aphids, mealybugs, and spider mites, can quickly infest your indoor garden if left unchecked. These pests can weaken your plants and hinder their growth.

Solution: Implement the following measures to tackle pest infestations:

Regularly inspect your plants for signs of pests.

Use organic pest control methods, such as neem oil or insecticidal soap.

Isolate affected plants to prevent the spread of pests.

Challenge 5: Limited Space

One of the significant challenges of indoor gardening is dealing with limited space. As your plant collection grows, finding suitable areas to accommodate them becomes increasingly difficult.

Solution: Here are some solutions for optimizing limited space:

Utilize vertical space by hanging plants or using wall-mounted planters.

Choose compact plant varieties or those that can be trained to grow vertically.

Group plants with similar needs together to make the most of available space.

Unsplash/Representational Image

Indoor gardening offers a rewarding experience, but it requires addressing common challenges effectively. By understanding the obstacles like insufficient light, temperature control, proper watering techniques, pest infestations, and limited space, you can create a thriving indoor garden. Implementing the suggested solutions will help you overcome these challenges and enjoy the beauty of nature within your home.

FAQs

1. How often should I water my indoor plants? The watering frequency depends on various factors such as plant type, size, and environmental conditions. It is best to check the moisture level of the soil before watering to ensure it is neither too dry nor waterlogged.

2. Can I use regular household lights for indoor gardening? Regular household lights are not sufficient for promoting healthy plant growth. It is recommended to use specialized grow lights, such as fluorescent or LED lights, to provide adequate light intensity and spectrum for your plants.

3. What are some natural remedies for pest control in indoor gardens? Several natural remedies can help control pests in indoor gardens. Neem oil, insecticidal soap, and homemade vinegar sprays are effective in combating common pests. However, always follow the instructions and test them on a small portion of the plant before widespread application.

4. How can I make the most of limited space in my indoor garden? To maximize limited space, consider utilizing vertical space by hanging plants or using wall-mounted planters. Choose compact plant varieties or those that can be trained to grow vertically. Grouping plants with similar needs together can also help optimize space.

5. Can I grow vegetables indoors? Yes, you can grow a variety of vegetables indoors. Leafy greens like lettuce and herbs like basil are well-suited for indoor cultivation. Tomatoes, peppers, and microgreens are also popular choices for indoor vegetable gardening.

In conclusion, indoor gardening comes with its own set of challenges, but with the right knowledge and strategies, you can overcome them. By addressing the issues of insufficient light, temperature control, proper watering, pest infestations, and limited space, you can create a thriving indoor garden that brings beauty and serenity to your home. Remember to adapt the solutions to suit your specific plant needs and enjoy the benefits of a flourishing indoor garden.

Aesthetic and Environmental Benefits:
Indoor vertical gardens bring a dynamic, living aesthetic to interiors, transforming bland spaces into visually pleasing, biophilic environments.

Title:

Content: 10 Magical Ideas for Designing an Economic Garden
Mana Ismail
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It is common and what many people think, that having a nice garden in your home needs a lot of money and free space to get it.
Perhaps this is the main reason why some give up on getting a distinctive garden in the house or even renovating the old garden for lack of sufficient material possibilities for it, if you are one of those who think so let me tell you that very simply time during this article will change your mind for sure, we at Homefy will give you 10 magical ideas to design an economic garden and will help you renovate your garden at the lowest cost
1- Renovation of garden and lawn mowing
The simplest ideas that you can restore your garden again, is to repair it and periodic care by mowing and disposing of weeds and dry, planting new plants and planting small shrubs and flowers in cheerful colors, to make your garden spring with joy and beauty.
2- Japanese Zen Garden
Zen Gardens is one of the types of gardens that have spread in recent times, and one of the most beautiful patterns of garden design in general, it is one of the types of gardens that give you a refreshing and comfortable touch in its design, in various shapes and sizes, it adds a natural atmosphere to your home.
In addition, Zen gardens are characterized by their rapid growth and are considered types of economic gardens that do not cost you much in taking care of them.
3. Indoor gardens
Indoor gardens are practical and distinctive solutions for homes that need small niches to revive them, and are simple ideas that will help you to simply get an economical garden in your home.
Customize a backyard interior or at the bottom of the stairs and add a set of plants and flowers in harmonious colors to create a simple garden.
4- Warm area and private corner
In your garden spread some warmth simply by allocating a warm corner and adding a special and simple session in the garden of the house will make you really thank yourself for it.
The corners of your home are a treasure in every sense of the word, especially the corners of your garden, all you have to do is plant plants vertically like the garden that is that mural, with the addition of two chairs with a simple design to customize your warm session in a simple way in your home.
5. Private beauty walkway in your garden
Who said that having a beautiful garden means exploiting in the front of the house or in his background?
Side spaces carry you a lot to add in your home, sometimes a small corridor in the corner of the house gives you a garden with a wonderful design like no other, the garden only needs a suitable place and good ventilation whatever in the front or in the back or in the corners of the house, just choose the right place and add the plants and trees you love and sell stones and pebbles and you will get a special side garden in your home.
6- Garden Lighting
Lighting is one of the elements that always and forever have an effective and distinctive role, especially in the garden, of course lighting is vital in any garden, especially at night time, so it is time to add some details of artificial lighting in your garden to enhance the warmth and beauty in the garden and enjoy your session at sunset.
7- Small orchards
We do not need a large space to enjoy the design of a wonderful garden, the concept of the garden in your home should not be limited only to large areas to enjoy the presence of the green touch in your home.
Create a small space that you can turn into a farm of cheerful plants with a few small boxes and plant the fruits and plants that you love and love to see in your garden become better than many large gardens.
8- Color diversity in the garden
Be careful to allow color diversity to take up a lot of space in your garden, colors are the language of beauty that comes to life and gives you a lot of beauty, so be careful to make your garden contain many color elements such as colorful flowers and plants with their green tones.
All these details will create a special beauty for your garden.
9. Simplicity of the interface
Simplicity is always the best solution to get a special beauty, and if you do not have a large garden dedicated in your home, do not mind some simple touches to get one in the front of your home, just add a few plants to the front area, with the choice of types of plants in different colors and sizes to feel the contrast and special beauty in the front of your home.
10- The front gardens of the most beautiful facade
There is no doubt that the front gardens in your home are in short its welcoming facade that makes guests take their impression of your home immediately after arrival and before entering, so always be careful to give the front garden in your home special care.
Lovers of decor please read this article: 10 ideas for a baby 's room
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Discover ideas for your homes

They utilize wall surfaces for greenery, allowing even small homes to reap the benefits of nature without sacrificing floor space.

From a sustainability perspective, green walls support environmental goals: they naturally filter air, regulate temperature, and offset carbon emissions, all without drawing electricity as mechanical filtration systems do.

Title:

Content: In order to improve the environmental air quality and let children learn with peace of mind, the Taichung Municipal Environmental Protection Bureau has continued to build a clean air green wall in the school. This year, 12 schools in Jianping Elementary School, Juren Elementary School and Chongde Elementary School have received subsidies from the Environmental Protection Department.
According to the Environmental Protection Bureau, through the installation of clean air green walls, indoor air quality can be improved. At present, space such as classroom corridors and flower stands outside the daughter wall in Taichung City can be planted, which can achieve the benefits of dust retention, air pollution absorption and temperature regulation.
In order to strengthen the protection of the school environment for children, the Taichung City Environmental Protection Bureau expanded the subsidy for the construction of a clean air green wall on the campus, and the current subsidy amount to 1.76 million yuan, with an area of 358 square meters.
The Environmental Protection Bureau stressed that currently selected plants that can purify the air and do not need to spend too much money and time to maintain include the Dragon Tubeh, the Junzi and Wu Bamboo, the Turtle, the Cannonflower or the Honeysuckle.
How good is the effect of clean air green wall?
According to international research, vertical clean air green walls can reduce the concentration of nitrogen dioxide (NO2) and particulate matter (PM10) by about 40% and 60%. In addition, green walls can also reduce the concentration of fine particulate matter (PM2.5) in classrooms by about 10% and the concentration of ozone (O3) by about 30%.
Green wall is the most natural and energy efficient air purification facilities, no need to plug in electricity, self-circulation, to achieve the purpose of air purification, can be called the "most environmentally friendly air purifier".
Chen Hongyi, director of the Environmental Protection Bureau, said that in addition to blocking outdoor pollutants and improving indoor air, the air green wall can also adjust the temperature and drive energy conservation and carbon reduction. Next year, Taichung City is expected to expand the subsidy target, including community activity centers, public kindergartens and environmental night markets.
# Green Wall # Air # Cleanliness # Campus # Environment

Their integration into domestic spaces creates a tangible link to nature, supporting holistic sustainability efforts .

Title:

Content: Elevating Your Outdoor Sanctuary: Tips for Cultivating a Vibrant Garden Oasis

The art of garden design is becoming increasingly important as people look to their outdoor areas as a haven from the daily grind.   Before we embark on this journey, remember that cultivating a garden is …

The art of garden design is becoming increasingly important as people look to their outdoor areas as a haven from the daily grind.

Before we embark on this journey, remember that cultivating a garden is not just about beauty—it’s an opportunity to connect with nature and enhance our well-being. For more inspirational green insights, consider visiting this helpful link.

Understanding the Fundamentals of Garden Design

Starting with a blueprint ensures that your garden is a feast for the eyes and a functional space. Take your time sketching out your ideas, considering how different sections of your garden will relate to each other and the overall aesthetic of your property. A garden should be an extension of your home; therefore, the design should flow seamlessly from the indoor to the outdoor spaces. Think about the movement through the garden, how you interact with the plants, and the views from inside the home.

Selecting Plants for Year-Round Interest

Strategically chosen plants create a captivating garden landscape and deliver a succession of blooms throughout the seasons. Designing a garden that looks great in all seasons requires a careful balance of plants that peak at different times of the year. Consider incorporating a mix of bulbs for spring, annuals for summer color, perennials for autumn hues, and evergreens for winter structure.

Understanding your local climate zone and soil type is crucial when looking for plants that will thrive in your garden. Hearty native species can offer a more resilient and sustainable option that supports local ecosystems.

Soil and Nutrition: The Foundation of a Healthy Garden

Whether sandy, clay, or loamy, the soil is perhaps the most overlooked yet fundamental aspect of gardening. Your garden’s vitality begins with the ground, so investing time in understanding and improving your soil’s health can yield lasting benefits. Simple steps such as regular amendments with organic compost can significantly improve soil structure and fertility. Moreover, soil testing can inform you about deficiencies and guide appropriate nutrient management.

Embracing natural methods helps the soil and ensures that your garden is part of a sustainable practice. Natural fertilizers like fish emulsion, bone meal, or green manure techniques invigorate the soil without the harsh effects of chemical fertilizers.

Creating a Habitat for Wildlife

Inviting biodiversity into your garden brings it to life and assists in the natural control of pests. Birds, butterflies, bees, and other beneficial creatures can all find a haven in a garden thoughtfully planted with their needs in mind. Planting native species is particularly effective in supporting local wildlife because these plants have evolved alongside the local fauna. Establishing various plants that offer food, shelter, and nesting sites will make your garden a bustling hub of natural activity.

Keeping Your Garden Thriving: Maintenance and Care

A garden is a living canvas that requires attention and nurturing. Regular maintenance like pruning, weeding, and deadheading keeps your garden looking its best and encourages healthy growth and blooming. Each season brings specific tasks—from spring planting to fall cleanup—and staying on top will ensure your garden remains a place of beauty and serenity.

One of the most critical aspects of garden maintenance is monitoring for pests and diseases. Early detection and environmentally friendly control methods can prevent minor issues from becoming major problems. Being proactive about the health of your garden will reward you with a vibrant outdoor space that continues to thrive and enchant year after year.

Air Purification:
Green walls are highly efficient air purifiers.

They reduce indoor pollutants such as nitrogen dioxide and PM10 particulate matter by 40–60%, and decrease fine PM2.5 by about 10% and ozone by around 30%.

These improvements are particularly valuable in urban homes subject to traffic pollution and limited natural airflow.

Title:

Content:   • Tech

Researchers find new health benefits of living near green spaces — including slowing down aging process

The study reinforces the importance of green spaces in urban areas.

Photo Credit: iStock

Being outside just feels good on a soul level — it helps you reconnect to nature, boosts your mental health, and creates opportunities to socialize with friends.

Now, a new study reveals another reason to love the great outdoors. Researchers found that people living near green spaces such as parks or forests age slower than those in dense urban environments.

Published in Science of the Total Environment, the study found that people living in areas with more greenery had longer telomeres, a major marker of cellular health. Telomeres are repeating DNA sequences located at the end of every cell’s 46 chromosomes that protect DNA from damage.

In general, longer telomeres are linked to healthier cells, supporting cell division and chromosome replication. With each cell division, the telomeres shorten until they become too short for cells to divide, resulting in cell death.

“This makes telomeres important markers of biological age, or how worn down our cells are,” said Scott Ogletree, a University of Edinburgh landscape and wellbeing lecturer and co-author of a paper on the study, in a press release. “And we know that many variables – such as stress – can influence how quickly our telomeres wear down.”

For the study, the research team analyzed the medical records of over 7,800 people and used census data to determine how much green space was in each person’s neighborhood. They found that every 5% additional green space in a neighborhood led to a 1% decrease in cell aging.

Unfortunately, access to green space didn’t have the same positive impact on participants who lived in polluted and economically or racially segregated areas.

“Research is now showing that where we live, what we are exposed to, how much we exercise, what we eat, each of these can impact the speed of telomeres degrading and again our aging process,” Aaron Hipp, a professor of parks, recreation and tourism management at North Carolina State and a co-author of the study, told the Guardian.

The study reinforces the importance of green spaces in urban areas since they benefit human health and the planet by reducing air pollution and flooding. According to the Environmental Protection Agency, adding greenery to cities also reduces the urban heat island effect, a phenomenon that causes urbanized areas to have much higher temperatures than the surrounding countryside.

While living near green spaces offers plenty of benefits, the study’s authors said there’s still a lot of work ahead to help vulnerable communities.

“This study drives home the idea that creating greenspace in a community is important, but it’s as crucial – or more crucial – for us to address environmental harms, particularly those tied to systemic racism,” Hipp said in the NC State press release.

Join our free newsletter for weekly updates on the coolest innovations improving our lives and saving our planet.

Plants’ leaves absorb pollutants, while beneficial microbes in the soil break down toxins.

Title:

Content: How to create a tropical garden?
Tatyana Vashchenko
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The garden in the tropical style has long been not only an exotic, but also a romantic place that can be found in many parts of the world.
It is able to effectively decorate the space at your home, as well as significantly increase the total value of the property.
If the climatic conditions of your region do not allow you to create a tropical garden under the open sky, then it can always be placed in your own greenhouse.
The main thing is to think about the layout in advance and choose the right plants.
Often, the desire to acquire a garden in a tropical style arises after a vacation in one of the hot countries, where palms, vines and other plants characteristic of this style were found everywhere.
They are able to conquer everyone at first sight with their grandeur and beauty.
That is why I want to bring a piece of solar memories to my garden, filling it with similar seedlings.
We will tell you about the features and main nuances of a tropical garden created in our latitudes.
Do your plants need shading?
Before you start planting selected plants, study the requirements for their content.
In addition to the optimal temperature and humidity, you should pay attention to how they carry direct sunlight.
If there are plants in the tropical garden that need shading, then it should be created before planting such seedlings in the ground.
Best of all, the shadow creates an artificial cover or tall trees, under which some species can protect themselves from the scorching sun.
In the second case, we recommend choosing plants with wide leaves and powerful branches that will create a dense shadow on a significant area under their crowns.
It can be palm trees, tipuans or carob trees.
Learn about the local climate
The first thing you need to do to implement the idea of   creating a tropical garden is to study the local climate.
Its main characteristics, such as average monthly temperatures, rainfall and wind patterns, will be the starting point in choosing plants for your garden.
Most tropical trees and bushes prefer a hot and even arid climate.
This is understandable, because the territory of their origin is the tropics and subtropics, where it is always warm.
Some species have already adapted to moderate temperatures, but negative readings of the thermometer will withstand only a few.
Of great importance is the regular watering of tropical plants.
Many neglect this, believing that water can harm the root system.
But it is worth remembering the traditional tropical downpours, which saturate the soil with a large amount of moisture.
It stores plants for the entire dry period.
If the climate of your region only partially meets the requirements described, then you can arrange a tropical garden in a greenhouse type building.
What kind of soil do you have?
KP Zhukovka 21 century
Land-proekt
In addition to the climate, careful assessment requires the soil at the site of the proposed garden.
It is the basis that has a tremendous impact on the appearance, growth rate and durability of tropical plants.
The ideal option is considered rich soils in which the natural balance of nutrients for the root system is observed.
If your site is located on sandy and clay soils, then they must be additionally fertilized.
It is better to do this with compost, mulch and other means to improve the soil, which must be applied at a distance of at least 15 cm deep.
If your site is located in the lowland part and water stagnates there, then this can serve as a factor in the deterioration of soil properties and lead to the death of plants or their frequent diseases.
The fact is that pathogenic microorganisms and mold fungi begin to develop in constantly moist soil, which absorb the lion ’ s share of useful substances, thereby depleting the soil.
Therefore, we recommend using such an agricultural method as weeding the top layer of soil after heavy precipitation.
Find out what plants are growing in your area.
Landscape design in Valerianovo
Aster Garden
In our temperate zone, tropical plants are exotic, not the norm.
They can be seen in botanical gardens, closed greenhouses or frequent houses, where special conditions are created for representatives of the named family.
When we hear something about the tropics, the first thing we imagine is luxurious palm trees.
Indeed, these plants are among the most common inhabitants of exotic gardens.
There are many different types of them, each of which is beautiful in its own way.
Some palm trees are quite resistant to short-term mild winters, if they are wrapped with insulating material.
At the seaside resorts of our country, you can see the trees of this species, which perfectly adapted to the climatic characteristics of the region.
As for other plants for a tropical garden, in our band, individual varieties of lianas, begonias and ficus take root well.
But to create a full-fledged and diverse green corner with an exotic character, we recommend building a separate room for it, in which it would be possible to regulate the temperature and humidity of the air.
Or plant thermophilic plants in flower pots, which are brought into the house with the onset of cold weather.
Plan the layout of your garden
Before starting work on the creation of a tropical garden, you need to plan everything properly.
In particular:
- where and what plants will be planted;
- routes and style of design paths for leisurely walks;
- lighting and garden decor;
- irrigation system.
These aspects have a significant impact not only on the aesthetic perception of the garden, but also on its productivity and growth rate.
To visualize what you would like to recreate, use special programs that are available to everyone on the Internet.
You can seek advice and help from professionals in the industry - landscape architects.
They will not only acquaint you with the rules of registration of the site in a tropical style, but also help with practical tips.
Recommendations for the design of the green zone you will find in the Book of ideas How to make a beautiful garden.
Place a cover or hedge of plants to protect the garden from strong winds
Depending on the climate, there may be strong and cold winds in your region.
They can cause significant harm to the plants of the tropical garden, not only breaking them, but also frostbite.
To prevent such troubles, you can build a special mechanical cover in the form of an elegant fence.
Such a fence looks very beautiful if it is made in the form of a hedge.
It harmoniously fits into the style of a tropical garden and at the same time reliably protects plants in windy weather.
Add decorations like Buddha and other inspirational Asian statues
Make the design of a tropical garden original and unique will help successful decor.
The easiest and most effective way is to use different statues.
With the style of the tropics, sculptures in the Asian style look perfect.
First of all, these are all kinds of designs with the image of the Buddha, as well as other Eastern symbols.
Such compositions will bring tranquility to the green area near the house and make the atmosphere of the garden positive.
You can beautifully decorate the garden with the help of ordinary stones of various sizes, colors and shapes.
These natural materials expressively shade the lush greenery of plants and harmonize with the environment.
Learn how to care
In order for the tropical garden you created to please you from year to year, you need to study the basic rules for caring for it.
In addition to regular routine procedures, such as inspecting plants, watering and loosening the soil, more serious measures should be taken twice a year.
Plants that require pruning should be brought into the desired form only in the spring, in order to minimally injure their branches and prevent death.
At the same time, the soil is fertilized, cleaned of foreign objects and dry leaves.
Autumn is the time to prepare the garden for winter.
Tropical plants are sheltered or brought into the room if they grow in pots.
Need help with a home project?
Contact us!
Find inspirational ideas for your home

With no electricity required and low ongoing input, vertical gardens are among the most sustainable air filtration solutions available to homeowners .

Temperature Regulation:
Living green walls noticeably moderate indoor temperatures.

On average, they lower interior heat by approximately 1.8°C through shading effects and evaporative cooling from plant transpiration.

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Content: ContributorsPublishersAdvertisers

35 Easiest Houseplants To Care For

24/7 Wall St.
 7 days ago

Perhaps you’re an aspiring indoor gardener - or one who’s tried to nurture houseplants but killed dozens in the past, despite your best efforts. In either case, don’t fear. Raising healthy, vibrant houseplants doesn’t have to be a mystery - and with the right plant, it may only require a few minutes of your time each month.

The key to successful indoor gardening is choosing a plant that can survive in the lighting conditions of your home, and then learning its watering requirements.

To compile a list of  the 35 easiest houseplants to care for, 24/7 Tempo consulted numerous gardening sites and encyclopedia articles, paying particular attention to the basic lighting and watering needs of each plant.

Some plants require bright, direct sunlight for at least six to eight hours per day and will not thrive in a dark room no matter what. These plants will most likely need to be placed near a window with southern exposure. Other plants will suffer from direct sunlight, and should be kept away from windows. Once you’ve determined the lighting conditions of your home, you’re halfway there.

The next step is proper watering. Virtually no houseplant wants soggy roots, so be sure to pick a pot with drainage holes in the bottom. Additionally, the soil in the pot may hold too much moisture - which will cause a plant’s roots to rot - so pick the right soil for the plant. Succulents and other drought tolerant species will thrive in a sandy, cactus soil blend.

The key to watering any houseplant is to avoid overwatering. Pour in just enough water so that it begins to run out of the bottom of the pot. In general, plants either need consistent water (meaning never let the soil dry out), moderate water (meaning only water once the top inch of soil is dry), or are drought tolerant and prefer only to be watered once their soil is halfway or mostly dried out. If you tend to be forgetful, be sure to choose a drought tolerant variety.

Most indoor plants go through a dormant period in the winter, when they need much less water, so a good rule of thumb is to cut waterings in half in the cooler months. Other factors that can affect plant health are temperature and humidity. The plants we chose can generally thrive in average house temperatures and humidity.

Click here to see the 35 easiest houseplants to care for

Certain tropical plants that need very high humidity were eliminated from our list, as it can be difficult to maintain a humid environment indoors. (And we certainly don’t recommend that you try growing any of these - 35 of the weirdest plants on earth.)

We also eliminated air plants. Anyone who tells you that air plants are easy to care for is probably trying to sell you an air plant.

If you’re just beginning to raise houseplants, start slow, with one or two plants and learn their needs before acquiring more. Some plants can be toxic if ingested, so be sure to do research if you have a young child or a pet. (Here are the most common reasons people take their dog to the vet.)

Aloe
>Latin Name: Aloe vera
>Light Conditions: bright indirect light
>Watering Needs: drought tolerant

This attractive, spiky succulent - whose gel and latex are used to make a variety of topical medications - is popular for another reason: It's incredibly resilient and low-maintenance. It can grow for years in the same container without needing repotting, and prefers to dry out between scant waterings.

Amagris
>Latin Name: Ctenanthe burle-marxii 'Amagris'
>Light Conditions: medium to bright indirect light
>Watering Needs: moderate

The Amagris variety of the fishbone prayer plant is not to be confused with the prayer plant (Maranta leuconeura), which is a complicated beauty that needs attentive care and high humidity. Amagris is a great substitute, as its delicate herringbone stripes and purple undersides are a handsome addition to any collection, and it can handle most lighting situations. Its leaves will indicate when it is getting too dry, as they curl slightly inward.

ALSO READ: 50 Best Cities for Urban Gardening

Angel wing begonia
>Latin Name: Begonia x coralline
>Light Conditions: low to bright indirect light
>Watering Needs: consistent

The most upright of the indoor begonias, angel wings are robust growers and can thrive without the high humidity needed by Rex begonias. Because of their vigorous cane growth - which can reach six feet tall in some varieties - they may require consistent pruning or stabilization.

Arrowhead vine
>Latin Name: Syngonium podophyllum
>Light Conditions: low to medium light
>Watering Needs: consistent

Arrowhead vines are notable for their tolerance of low lighting conditions, and can even thrive in artificial light. Their intricately variegated, arrow-shaped leaves will retain their color no matter how little light they get; just don't place them in direct sunlight.

Baby rubber plant
>Latin Name: Peperomia obtusifolia
>Light Conditions: low to bright indirect light
>Watering Needs: moderate/drought tolerant

There are a wide variety of colorful and attractive houseplants in the Peperomia genus. The baby rubber plant is one of the easiest Peperomias to care for, as this succulent variety stores water in its glossy leaves, making it relatively drought tolerant. Native to tropical areas as an understory plant, it can handle low lighting conditions.

Beefsteak begonia
>Latin Name: Begonia erythrophylla
>Light Conditions: medium to bright indirect light
>Watering Needs: consistent

The easiest of all indoor begonias, this wax variety has shiny, dark green leaves with contrasting veins and iridescent burgundy undersides. Beefsteaks grow quickly and heartily in the right conditions. They are simple to propagate and a smart choice for novice indoor gardeners, as they are hard to kill. Fans of frequent watering and humidity, their leaves will start to droop if they're drying out, but will bounce back up after being watered.

Burro's tail
>Latin Name: Sedum morganianum
>Light Conditions: medium to bright light
>Watering Needs: drought tolerant

This trailing succulent loves bright direct light and is a top choice for hanging window baskets and high shelves, where its branches can drape down freely and out of the way. The key to a successful burro's tail is to handle it as little as possible, as its leaves have a tendency to fall when jostled.

ALSO READ: Most Beautiful Botanical Gardens in the World

Cast iron plant
>Latin Name: Aspidistra elatior
>Light Conditions: low light
>Watering Needs: moderate

This nearly indestructible plant can handle low light, low humidity, and temperatures down to 50 degrees, which makes it great for offices as well as dark corners. It prefers to be underwatered rather than overwatered, and its green leaves stay deeply colored as long as it is never placed in direct sunlight. Although the cast iron plant can reach one to two feet high, it is a slow grower, so start with a large plant rather than a cutting.

Chinese evergreen
>Latin Name: Aglaonema commutatum
>Light Conditions: low to medium light
>Watering Needs: moderate

The deeply variegated, lance-shaped leaves of the Chinese evergreen can range from dark green to seafoam to frosty silver. These hardy plants will tolerate low light, low humidity, and drought, although higher temperatures and humidity will keep them happier. When they become overgrown, trimmed leaves can be easily rooted in water to start new plants.

Chinese money plant
>Latin Name: Pilea Peperomioides
>Light Conditions: low to bright indirect light
>Watering Needs: moderate

This compact cutie is native to southern China and grows along the foothills of the Himalayas, but has been popular in Scandinavia since it was brought there by a missionary. It prefers indirect light and weekly waterings with time to dry out in between. This Pilea often produces shoots which are easy to cut off and root in water or soil to start new plants.

Christmas cactus
>Latin Name: Schlumbergera x buckleyi
>Light Conditions: medium to bright indirect light
>Watering Needs: drought tolerant

This tropical cactus is known for flowering in December, with blooms that can come in shades of white, peach, fuschia, red, or purple, depending on the variety. It makes a great hanging basket or windowsill plant, where its long branches have room to drape. While Christmas cacti need more consistent watering than desert cacti, they still prefer for their soil to dry out between waterings.

Dragon tree
>Latin Name: Dracaena marginata
>Light Conditions: medium to bright indirect light
>Watering Needs: drought tolerant

With tall, skinny trunks and leaves edged in red, dragon trees are ideal for adding interest and depth to plant arrangements. They also stand alone well in corners and behind sofas, as they can reach a height of as much as seven feet. Low maintenance and drought tolerant, dragon trees don't require regular fertilization. They do prefer warm, humid environments but can survive in a variety of settings.

ALSO READ: 30 Easy Ways to Be More Environmentally Friendly

Dumbcane
>Latin Name: Dieffenbachia amoena
>Light Conditions: low to medium light
>Watering Needs: consistent

This lush, tropical houseplant can grow from one to six feet high and can handle lower light and artificial light conditions. It gets its name from its poisonous sap, which can cause tongue swelling and temporary speechlessness if ingested. Dumbcane likes consistently wet, but not soggy, soil.

English ivy
>Latin Name: Hedera helix
>Light Conditions: medium to bright light
>Watering Needs: consistent

The key to growing this trailing vine is simply light. Ivy needs medium or bright light to thrive, and to keep its leaves bright and vibrant. It is perfect for sunny window sills and hanging baskets, and its long tendrils can be trained around windows or pruned to maintain a bushier shape.

Flamingo flower
>Latin Name: Anthurium andraeanum
>Light Conditions: medium to bright indirect light
>Watering Needs: moderate

Also known as laceleaf or painter's palette, the flamingo flower plant has extremely long lasting red flowers, while hybrid varieties can bear blooms in pink, white, purple, and green. A great air purifier, this plant is known to remove ammonia and formaldehyde from indoor spaces.

Golden pothos
>Latin Name: Epipremnum aureum
>Light Conditions: any light
>Watering Needs: moderate/drought tolerant

Nearly impossible to kill, golden pothos, or Devil's ivy, can survive in extremely low light conditions and is drought tolerant. It will, however, thrive with more frequent waterings and will drop its oldest leaves if underwatered. A quick-growing vine, pothos is ideal for training over doorways or along bookshelves.

Heartleaf philodendron
>Latin Name: Philodendron hederaceum
>Light Conditions: low to bright indirect light
>Watering Needs: moderate

This low maintenance vining plant adapts well to low light conditions and loves humidity, making it a great choice for bathrooms. The more indirect light it receives, however, the faster it will grow. It can be trained to climb up a trellis or allowed to cascade down over shelves or from hanging baskets.

ALSO READ: 35 of the Weirdest Plants on Earth

Inch plant
>Latin Name: Tradescantia zebrina
>Light Conditions: medium to bright light
>Watering Needs: moderate

Also known as spiderwort, this vigorous vining plant has silver and green variegated leaves with deep purple undersides. Well suited for windows, spiderwort needs bright light to maintain its color, and moderate watering to stay full and bushy. When treated right, it will grow quickly and need occasional pruning. Luckily, the cuttings root easily in water and are perfect for sharing with friends.

Jade plant
>Latin Name: Crassula ovata
>Light Conditions: medium to bright light
>Watering Needs: moderate

Popular for their ease of care, jade plants need only a sunny room and the right amount of water to stay happy. While soggy soil will rot their roots, extended dry conditions will harm the leaves. Allow their soil to dry out about halfway before rewatering, and they will stay plump and verdant.

Lucky bamboo
>Latin Name: Dracaena sanderiana
>Light Conditions: medium to bright indirect light
>Watering Needs: consistent

Not actually related to bamboo, this cane plant, native to Africa, is in the asparagus family. It can grow in water without soil and is commonly grown in clear glass containers with or without pebbles in the bottom. Use filtered or distilled water to keep the leaves from browning, and clean the container once a week, refilling it with fresh water to keep algae at bay.

Parlor palm
>Latin Name: Chamaedorea elegans
>Light Conditions: low to medium light
>Watering Needs: moderate

This popular, stand-alone house plant has been cultivated since the Victorian era. It thrives in indirect light and is able to survive in lower light conditions than most palms. Parlor palms only need repotting every two to three years, and can reach heights of 10 to 12 feet.

Peace lily
>Latin Name: Spathiphyllum wallisii
>Light Conditions: low to bright indirect light
>Watering Needs: moderate/drought tolerant

Tolerant of low humidity and low light, the peace lily is an exceptionally easy indoor plant to care for. Peace lilies prefer to be underwatered, so rather than watering on a schedule, check on them once a week and only water if the top of the soil feels dry. The leaves will also droop if the plant is getting too dry, but will perk up after a watering. In order to generate blooms, ensure that the plant is in a bright room.

ALSO READ: US Cities With the Most Dog Parks

Purple shamrock
>Latin Name: Oxalis triangularis
>Light Conditions: medium to bright light
>Watering Needs: consistent

This dramatic and lively plant features variegated purple leaves on tender stems that grow from bulbs. The three-lobed leaves open wide during the day and close up at night. Although the leaves may wilt and die back if the plant dries out, the bulbs will sprout new leaves to replace them, making oxalis a particularly forgiving plant for inexperienced owners.

Rubber tree
>Latin Name: Ficus elastica
>Light Conditions: medium to bright light
>Watering Needs: moderate

Rubber trees aren't fussy but they do need medium or bright indirect light, and may grow spindly and leggy in low light rooms. With large, waxy leaves in deep shades of green and red, these showy plants are hearty growers and can reach the ceiling if not pruned. To keep the leaves glossy, wipe them down with a wet cloth if you notice dust accumulating.

Silver dollar vine
>Latin Name: Xerosicyos danguyi
>Light Conditions: medium to bright light
>Watering Needs: drought tolerant

This climbing succulent shrub is a native desert plant and loves bright, direct light. Placing it on a sunny patio in the summer is a great way to keep it healthy and growing. Giving it a trellis or support to climb on will encourage its upward growth, but it will also grow well in a hanging basket.

Snake plant
>Latin Name: Dracaena trifasciata
>Light Conditions: any light
>Watering Needs: drought tolerant

One of the most popular plants in homes, offices, and businesses, snake plants are virtually indestructible. They can thrive in bright light as well as in dark corners, and appreciate very scant watering. With upright, lance-shaped leaves in shades of green, yellow, and white, these hardy house plants can grow up to four feet high.

Spider plant
>Latin Name: Chlorophytum comosum
>Light Conditions: low to bright indirect light
>Watering Needs: moderate

These prolific growers are especially suited for hanging baskets, where their "babies'' will have space to trail down around the pot. Considered incredibly adaptable, spider plants can live in a wide range of conditions with few problems, and enjoy cooler temperatures. Their offshoots are easy to propagate into new plants.

ALSO READ: 50 Best Cities for Urban Gardening

String of pearls
>Latin Name: Senecio rowleyanus
>Light Conditions: medium to bright light
>Watering Needs: drought tolerant

This unusual succulent is a vigorous grower, with long stems that cascade down around the pot. Although it may need pruning once in a while to keep the stems attractive, this drought tolerant beauty rarely needs to be repotted, and even produces clusters of white flowers with colorful stamens.

Swedish ivy
>Latin Name: Plectranthus verticillatus
>Light Conditions: medium light
>Watering Needs: consistent

Despite its name, Swedish ivy is native to southern Africa and is not a true ivy. Its vining branches are well suited for cascading down from hanging baskets, and will need periodic pruning. Although primarily grown for its scalloped foliage, Swedish ivy will bloom once a year with small, attractive clusters of white to mauve blossoms.

Swiss cheese plant
>Latin Name: Monstera deliciosa
>Light Conditions: medium to bright indirect light
>Watering Needs: moderate

Monsteras are sought after for their large, iconic split leaves. Although these tropical plants prefer bright light and warm, humid conditions, they can tolerate low light situations. They are natural climbers, and will grow upright if given stakes or supports to climb, often developing large aerial roots that act as extra supports.

Umbrella tree
>Latin Name: Schefflera actinophylla
>Light Conditions: medium to bright indirect light
>Watering Needs: moderate

Reaching heights of eight to 10 feet indoors, umbrella trees are suitable for large, bright rooms with high ceilings. Their leaves form radial clusters and are usually solid green, although variegated varieties exist. Although they don't like soggy soil, they do prefer humidity. Place an umbrella tree pot on a tray of rocks with water in it to keep the air around the plant moist.

Velvet plant
>Latin Name: Gynura aurantiaca
>Light Conditions: medium to bright indirect light
>Watering Needs: consistent

Also known as the purple passion plant, this unusual house plant has bright purple hairs over its serrated green leaves. Problems with the plant often stem from water issues. To prevent root rot, let about a quarter of the soil dry before rewatering. Avoid getting water on the foliage, as it can become trapped in the hairs and cause the leaves to rot.

ALSO READ: Most Beautiful Botanical Gardens in the World

Wax plant
>Latin Name: Hoya carnosa
>Light Conditions: medium to bright light
>Watering Needs: drought tolerant

Also known as hoyas or porcelain flowers, these hardy vines feature thick, shiny foliage and will occasionally produce fragrant blooms. They can live for decades if treated well and will snake around an entire room if given wall supports or trellises. Hoyas prefer drier soil but high humidity and take well to occasional misting.

Weeping fig
>Latin Name: Ficus benjamina
>Light Conditions: medium to bright indirect light
>Watering Needs: drought tolerant

Weeping figs are incredibly easy to care for as long as you follow one rule: after you've placed your ficus in an ideally bright location, never move it again. Weeping figs are very sensitive to changes in their environment and may drop their leaves if they are moved. These trees will stay green and healthy with occasional waterings and warm rooms that are free of drafts.

Zanzibar gem
>Latin Name: Zamioculcas zamiifolia
>Light Conditions: any indirect light
>Watering Needs: drought tolerant

Thriving in most light settings except for direct sunlight, Zanzibar gems, or z-z plants, are a forgetful gardener's dream. They are incredibly low maintenance and drought tolerant, only needing water if their soil has completely dried out - possibly as infrequently as once a month. Occasional dusting with a wet rag will keep their waxy leaves shiny.

This natural temperature buffer helps reduce air conditioning needs, yielding substantial energy savings and enhancing comfort, especially in sun-exposed rooms .

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Content: How I Prepare for Summer in My Garden

Summer is near, and everything seems to be growing so abundantly that overnight, the garden changes and looks lusher and fuller. Summer brings many great things to a garden. But summer can also bring some challenges.

Preparation is key to making sure that things do not get out of control and that plants remain healthy. Each year, here are some of the things I do to prepare for summer in my garden:

Sowing for Summer in My Garden

A summer garden is where you can really begin to see the fruits of your labors as a gardener. But of course, having those crops growing well and beginning to harvest the edibles you have grown cannot happen overnight.

To reap the rewards in summer, we need to have sown and planted and tended in the spring.

To have a healthy and productive summer garden, I start sowing in January or February indoors and sow much more as spring arrives, which can then be transplanted and placed into my polytunnel or outside in my garden when warmer weather arrives.

To harvest in summer, I sow successionally over the earlier part of the year so that the harvests of summer crops can be enjoyed over as long a season as possible.

Preparing for Summer Heat

I am lucky to live in an area where excessive summer heat is not a common problem. However, since I grow in a polytunnel, as well as outdoors, I do need to think about keeping the undercover growing area cool over the warmest part of the year.

Whether managing summer heat outdoors or under cover in a greenhouse or polytunnel, we need to think about three key things: shade, airflow, and thermal mass.

Shade

When it is warm, we often need to reduce the air temperatures. But we should also think about reducing the temperatures of the soil. We do this by keeping the soil covered by vegetation and by creating shade with plants or with other structures.

I keep the soil cooler in my polytunnel garden by sowing groundcovers and living mulches, as well as by using other organic mulches throughout the space. I also sometimes think about growing taller plants to create shaded areas for lettuce and other plants prone to bolting in summer.

Airflow

However, I also think about airflow and make sure my growing areas and beds do not get congested so that air can pass through. And I have positioned my polytunnel so that summer breezes blow through to cool the space.

Thermal Mass

I also prepared my polytunnel for seasonal fluctuations in temperature by adding materials with good thermal mass (rocks along bed edges, for example).

These materials catch and store the heat energy from the sun during the day, and release that heat slowly when temperatures fall. This helps to keep temperatures more stable throughout the year—keeping things a little cooler in summer and a little warmer during the winter months.

Creating a Water-Wise Summer Garden

Another very important consideration in summer is water. Where I live, true drought is extremely uncommon. But we can have some fairly long dry spells in spring or summer. Since we are on a private water supply, thinking about how and where we use water is particularly important.

Some care and attention up front help me prepare for summer and make sure I can use water wisely throughout the year.

One key job before summer arrives is to make sure that my water barrels are working as they should and that I can harvest rainfall from the roofs on our property.

Another thing that I have to think about is the maintenance of our garden wildlife pond. It is not only our plants that need water but also the many creatures with whom we share our space.

I also need to think about how to reduce the amount of water I use, particularly in my polytunnel. Using soaker hose drip irrigation, mulches, and judiciously creating shaded areas with the plants I grow helps reduce water use within the structure.

Thinking about all of these things before summer arrives helps me to make sure my garden does not encounter any major issues during the warmest part of the year.

Mental Health and Comfort:

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Content: Landscaping is the main element of a healthy and comfortable environment, which has a positive impact on both the psychological and physical condition of a person.
People perceive rooms filled with living plants as safer and more aesthetic for life and work.
Even with visual contact with nature, the level of stress is significantly reduced.
According to recent studies, gardening can affect not only air quality and our health, but also energize, improve performance and serve as a source of inspiration.
Inspiration
A sense of security
Image of Well-Being
Air quality
Change together
with us
In the face of constant global changes, human needs and desires also change.
There is a rethinking of fundamental principles and values - we become more attentive to ourselves, flexible and mobile, open to new opportunities and ideas.
These same trends are reflected in the transformation of the premises – in the desire to create a truly comfortable and attractive space.
The interior becomes adaptive for various tasks and interaction formats.
And plants have become an integral part of any progressive concept.

There is strong evidence linking green walls to psychological benefits.

Indoor greenery reduces stress, lifts mood, and generally helps residents feel safer and more content.

Homes with vertical gardens often report increased comfort, productivity, and even inspiration.

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Content: Flower decor in the house
homify _
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Decorating with flowers is perhaps the most popular method of decorating the premises and garden.
The variety of colors in color, shape and size is simply innumerable.
There are also a variety of ways to decorate flowers.
A hedge of flowers, bright flower arrangements or bouquets in a nice vase - these and many other ideas can arise if you decide to decorate your home with flowers.
Let ’ s look at how we can decorate our home with flowers.
Winter garden
Sometimes it is so desirable that summer always reigns around us, evergreen plants grow and bright sun shines.
But the climatic conditions of our country, contrary to our wishes, suggest a smaller number of warm sunny days.
In any case, this is not a reason for frustration, because it is not in vain that winter gardens have been specially built in the premises for a long time.
For some, the winter garden is a composition of large plants in the corner of the hall or living room.
Of course, the collection of your favorite plants on the windowsill is your miniature winter garden.
But speaking the language of designers, a winter garden is much more difficult.
It requires a separate room, for example, a special room or glazed and insulated loggia.
It should be borne in mind that the arrangement of a full-fledged winter garden will require compliance with a number of conditions important for its existence: this is the humidity of the air, and the presence of a sufficient amount of sunlight, as well as the appropriateness and compatibility of the plants themselves.
Vertical gardening
Vertical landscaping, installation completed
RaStenia
Fashionable vertical gardening in the favorites of interior designers.
Such a living wall decorates the walls of solid offices, fashionable restaurants and has long taken root in the interiors of many apartments and houses.
The most spectacular flowers on the wall look in the living room, where they can take up more space.
No less harmonious it can look in the bathroom, giving the feeling of a tropical jungle, and in the bedroom, pacifying and giving fresh air for a comfortable sleep.
Vertical gardening is possible
Live flowers
An indispensable attribute of floral decor in the house are fresh flowers, or bouquets.
This method of decorating the house has its advantages:
- Firstly, you can always change the variety of colors of your bouquets;
- secondly, decorative bouquets smell nice and are able to give a chic fresh aroma;
- Thirdly, they do not require care in case you do not have the desire or opportunity to care for the flowers in the pots.
However, this method of decoration has its drawbacks: ripped flowers do not live long, which causes them to be sufficiently expensive for permanent use.
Flower decor as a continuation of the interior style
Flowers can be effectively used in the continuation of the style of the room.
Take for example vases, the widest selection of which is presented in the modern market.
And for each style, there is undoubtedly its own.
Fill it with your favorite colors and the interior of your home will sparkle with new colors.
Flowers in pots
Flowers in pots are perhaps the basic and simplest element of floral decor in the house.
Here everything depends on the individual preferences of the owner, and the modern market will definitely be able to offer flowers for every taste and budget.
In addition, a separate element of the decor can be considered flower pots, the choice of which is also infinitely large.
With a thoughtful selection, they will help add colors to evergreen plants and, conversely, dilute the brightness of abundantly flowering plants.
Separately, the types of flower pots are described in the article What are flower pots.
Flower arrangement in a pot
Creating compositions from plants in one pot is simple and at the same time original and creative.
To do this, it is enough to take several plants of different appearance and size and a large pot.
Fill the pot with expanded clay to half, and put the selected plants so that they do not protrude above the level of the pot.
Voids need to be filled with expanded clay, small stones or a ground-sand mixture.
It is important to remember that when choosing flowering indoor plants, they must be in harmony with the tones of curtains, upholstery, bedspreads and other textiles.
And the main thing to remember that flowers require care, only then, they will not only decorate the room, but also recreate a cozy atmosphere of warmth and life in your home.
Need help with a home project?
Contact us!
Find inspirational ideas for your home

These living systems can support healthier routines and foster hobbies or family interaction centered on plant care, integrating well-being and daily life .

Maintenance Needs and Best Practices:
Routine maintenance for indoor vertical gardens varies by plant selection and system design, but key tasks and their frequency are as follows.

For tropical foliage (pothos, philodendron, ferns), water once or twice weekly, adjusting for season and humidity.

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Content: Skip to Content

25 Best Patio Plants for Beginners to Add Instant Appeal to Their Outdoor Space

Gorgeous, low-maintenance and hardy evergreens for your deck's garden and pots.

By Arricca Elin SanSone and Mariah Thomas

As the weather gets warmer, your patio becomes very enticing — and for good reason. So it's no wonder you'd want to spruce up your outdoor area with low maintenance patio plants. While every part of your home — the office, bedroom and kitchen — can benefit from a touch of greenery, don't forget to add seasonal color to your patio with sun-loving or (low-light) container plants, annuals and perennials.

Before choosing from these plants below, consider how much sun your patio receives and whether you'll be placing plants in your garden or pots. Some colorful blooms, like marigolds, roses and Mandevilla, thrive in full sun (more than six hours a day). Other picks, like the Chinese Evergreen (also known as the Aglaonema), prefer minimal light (full shade means less than an hour or two of sun). And since plants attract our favorite pollinators such as butterflies, bees and hummingbirds, your patio's small garden (and vertical garden too!) will flourish while providing a dose of subtle entertainment when lounging.

While we may deem these patio plants beginner-friendly and easy to care for indoors and outdoors, still take note of your USDA Hardiness zone (find yours here) to see suitable varieties for your region's winter season. Then, browse our assortment of leafy and blossoming plants to bring color to your tropical-inspired room or shady retreat. P.S. They'll look good and make you feel good too!

1

Kalanchoe

Lively Root deems these plants "your favorite colorful succulents." They're long-blooming, easy to grow and thrive in bright, natural light, so they're perfect for open-air patios that receive plenty of sun. Find them in various shades of red, orange, yellow and white to really give your outdoor garden a jolt of personality.

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2

Croton

Place these tropical plants in full sun and watch their striking leaves vary in shades of red, yellow, green and pink. Keep them happy by watering them once a week and take note of any mushy leaves or black stems (a sign of overwatering).

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3

Dracaena

These low-maintenance plants, also known as Madagascar dragon trees, prefer bright, indirect sun, but can tolerate low light. Their sword-like leaves with bold red or purple edges give them a unique look. Before they grow tall, keep them in small pots to display on your patio's table.

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4

Majesty Palm

The long green fronds of this slow-growing evergreen make it a popular houseplant. Keep it in bright, indirect light and see it reach up to 10 feet tall. Since the Majesty Palm is a tropical plant, water it every one to two weeks and increase humidity with a humidifier or by misting your plants as necessary.

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5

Million Bells

Also known as Calibrachoa, Million Bells have cheerful, bell-shaped flowers that resemble petunias. They can be found in a range of lively hues — yellow, violet, pink and red are just a few options. They're excellent picks for hanging baskets and your vertical garden. Keep it in full sun and fertilize it monthly.

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6

Mandevilla

Mandevilla is a gorgeous flowering vine that requires a trellis. It blooms all season long with little care, and you can bring it in for winter in cold climates when the nighttime temperatures go below 50 degrees. Full disclosure: It is a little messy indoors, as the leaves and flowers drop in lower light levels. It likes full sun, though it benefits from afternoon shade in the hottest climates.

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7

Marigolds

There’s a reason these sturdy annuals have been popular for decades: They thrive on neglect! Marigolds come in bright colors, including the classic oranges and yellows, but new varieties are available in creamy white. They take the heat, last until a hard freeze, and look good in beds or containers without any effort from you. Just give them full sun.

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8

Lavender

Lavender has beautiful purple spikes and silvery foliage; it’s drought-tolerant once established. Give it full sun, and plant a variety that will survive in your hardiness zone so it returns next year. Edge your patio with it, or plant it near seating areas so you can enjoy its classic scent.

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9

Fuchsia

Got shade? Fuchsia thrives in full shade. This stunning annual comes in saturated tones of red, purple and pink. It looks best in containers or baskets. Hummingbirds adore this plant, too. This plant is best purchased at a local nursery, as its delicate nature makes it difficult to ship intact or germinate from seed.

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10

Ornamental Grasses

Look for short varieties to add architectural interest to pots; tall types offer great screening if used to edge the patio in the ground or in pots. Most are perennial, but read the tag to be sure. Most need full sun.

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11

Hydrangea

This stunning shrub comes in many different sizes and types. A hydrangea’s bloom appears in early to mid-summer and lasts until a hard freeze. They're extremely easy to dry for floral arrangements or wreaths, with most types needing some sun to flower best (they like afternoon shade in the hottest climates). Make sure to plant one that is suited to your hardiness zone.

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12

Lobelia

Blue, purple or white lobelia looks wonderful in baskets or mixed containers. This annual needs mostly shade, though it will tolerate a little morning sun. It blooms best in cool weather, so if it starts to look ragged in mid-summer, trim it back and it should rebound in the fall.

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13

Succulents

For a sunny patio, succulents are a fun option! They come in hundreds of sizes, shapes and colors and require almost nothing from you. Some are cold-hardy and will survive winter, but if not, you certainly can dig a few up to pot and display on a sunny windowsill.

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14

Torenia

The pretty purple, pink or white blooms of this plant attract pollinators, and they last all the way to frost. Torenia flowers are lovely when cascading from pots on a shady patio. Some have a slightly grape-like scent.

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15

Roses

Every garden needs at least one rose! These colorful flowers bloom from early summer to a hard freeze. You'll find an array of varieties, so read the tag and look for those that will survive in your hardiness zone. They bloom best in full sun.

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16

Sweet Alyssum

With tiny white, blush-pink or purple flowers, low-growing sweet alyssum looks beautiful draping over the sides of containers. Plant it where you can catch a whiff of its delightful honey-sweet scent. It’s another favorite of pollinators. It needs full sun but will take some shade.

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17

Berries

Think outside the box: New types of strawberries have been bred to be more compact and ornamental, and new varieties of blackberry and raspberry bushes have no thorns! Plant these as a low border or in decorative pots. They prefer full sun.

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18

Aglaonema

For sheer drama, nothing tops an aglaonema! The heart-shaped leaves come in striking reds and pinks, making this plant a favorite accent in pots or along borders. Enjoy them as annuals or dig up the tubers before winter and store them in a cool, dark place to plant again next year. They’re shade lovers.

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19

Angelonia

Angelonia plants love the heat! These annuals have tiny orchid-like flowers that come in pretty pastel and deeply saturated shades. Some types are upright, and others cascade from baskets or containers. Give them part to full sun.

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20

Cherry Tomatoes

If you’ve never grown vegetables, cherry tomatoes or any dwarf tomatoes are a good place to start! Many new varieties are compact so they work well in containers — and they’re pretty, too! Give them full sun.

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Arricca Elin SanSone

Arricca Elin SanSone has written about health and lifestyle topics for Prevention, Country Living, Woman's Day, and more. She’s passionate about gardening, baking, reading, and spending time with the people and dogs she loves.

Assistant Editor

Mariah Thomas (she/her) is an assistant editor for Good Housekeeping, where she covers home and lifestyle content. Mariah has more than four years of editorial experience, having written for TLC, Apartment Therapy, Women's Health and Avocado Magazine. She received her master's degree in journalism at the Craig Newmark Graduate School of Journalism and published her first book, Heart and Soul: Poems of Thoughts and Emotions, in 2019. She's also the founder of RTF Community, a platform for creatives of color to connect, learn and showcase their work.

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Succulents (aloe, kalanchoe, cacti) require much less frequent watering—every two to three weeks is typical.

Title:

Content: The flower bed of perennials: the rules of creation, beautiful plants and their combinations
19.05.2022
12 min.
Landscape design
Registration of the yard of a private house is a mandatory stage.
The same is true for dachas: the time when these areas were intended only for growing crops has long passed into oblivion.
Now part of any adjacent territory is occupied by flower beds: large or small, high or low.
Most owners prefer to create beds from perennials.
Such a living decor transforms the garden, pleases and inspires the owners throughout the season.
If you follow the rules of creating flower beds, know the features of the placement of plants, then you can get a flower bed with perennials that will bloom continuously.
However, before starting work, future designers will have to learn a lot of useful information, as well as get acquainted with the schemes of spectacular flower beds from perennials.
Flowers from perennials: their pros and cons
The popularity of such compositions has won rightfully, since the planting of perennial flower crops guarantees:
• decorative flower beds throughout the season;
• the ability to grow medicinal plants on the site;
• unpretentiousness of plants due to the ability to tolerate low temperatures;
• ease of care: with proper planting, weed control is minimized;
• savings: gardeners do not have to spend annually on seeds or buy seedlings;
• the chance to create a flower garden in almost any part of the site: perennials are not so capricious, so they can grow in the shade, on sandy soil, in the lowland, etc.
The most important advantage of such compositions is their dynamism due to the change of flowering plants.
For the beds of spectacular perennials is very interesting to watch.
This occupation is unlikely to bore anyone, because throughout the season the flower picture will constantly change.
A successful scheme of perennial flower beds makes it possible not to make adjustments to the order of planting crops for a long time.
On the other hand, such a flower garden can be diversified by bright annual plants.
Disadvantages of incredibly colorful compositions are difficult to find.
A relative disadvantage can be considered a reduced decorativeness of flower beds after planting.
The reason is understandable: first, the root system of plants develops intensively.
However, the next year, flower beds from perennials will amaze their owners with lush flowering.
Flower beds with perennials: the choice of suitable plants
When searching for ideal candidates, take into account the location of the site under the flower garden, as well as:
• type of soil;
• degree of illumination;
• compatibility of plants by color and type.
One of the main tasks for the creator of a flower bed of perennial flowers is the selection of candidates according to their preferences, since all plants in the flower garden should be comfortable.
For example, marshy soil is suitable for arunkus (volzhanka), calamus marsh and verbeinika, kaluzhnitsa, milkweed, garden chamomile (nivyanika) and yarrow.
Fertile land loves the bell, liatrice, lily, lupine, mallow.
Dry soil will not become a threat to gailardia, cloves, cosmea (Mexican aster), lavender, phlox, enotera.
Clay and loam will not be a problem for the growth and flowering of aquilegia (catchment), asters, daylilies, peonies and tulips.
The degree of illumination of flower beds with perennials is the second important factor.
Shadow and penumbra are suitable conditions for aquilegia, anemones, astilba, badan, geyhera (with dark foliage), lily of the valley, cuffs, primrose, as well as for ferns and host.
Sun-loving "pets" include:
• Adonis;
• helenium;
• heliopsis;
• Delphinium;
• Kniphofia;
• bell;
• lavender;
• lily and lily;
• monarch;
• chrysanthemum;
• rudbekiya;
• yarrow;
• meadow sage.
As for the compatibility of candidates, all selected plants must meet the requirements for soil, light, watering and nutrition.
Be sure to take into account the size of crops, and the speed of their growth.
They are also selected by color scheme.
In this case, the combination is chosen by the designer: the colors can be both contrasting and complementary.
Features of creating long-term compositions
The development of a flowerbed scheme and the creation of a flower garden of continuous flowering is equated with art, and for good reason.
When designing it, it is necessary to take into account how the composition will look in a certain period of time.
The ideal in this case is one - a flower bed that blooms throughout the summer: flowering plants replace those whose buds are just beginning to bloom.
Planning of flower beds from perennials begins after the completion of zoning of the territory.
When creating a living decoration, pay attention to several important points:
1.
Plants are selected for climatic conditions in the area.
All “residents ” of the flower beds should be comfortable.
2.
Complex relief makes it possible to correctly enter the flower garden, the lack of the site to turn into its dignity.
3.
Plants are better planted less often than usual.
If most seeds germinate, the crops can interfere with each other.
Not all flowers are suitable for the abundance of sun.
Those plants that love shade, it is better to plant in a flower garden next to the shrub, at the fence, etc.
Drawing up a plan and scheme of beds from perennials
Independent development of a flower garden from perennials is not an easy task, since sketches will require a lot.
The author needs to imagine and capture on paper what the flower bed will look like in each short period of time.
Ideally, it should be a month.
What can not be forgotten?
Beginner designers need to remember that some cultures after flowering do not look the best.
An example is bulbous varieties.
In order for the flower garden not to lose its attractiveness during this period, other plants should close the withering foliage.
Annual or biennial plants are considered as candidates for this role.
There is another important point - the impression that a composition should make.
The flower garden, located in the center of the site, must look spectacular from any angle.
The flowerbed, which is located at the fence or wall of the building, should be attractive to viewers who are in the house, or walking along the garden paths.
Candidates are selected for growth.
Plants should not block each other throughout the season.
Taking care of them is another important condition.
The ideal option is a flowerbed, allowing easy access to each culture.
Only in this case, watering, pruning or garter will not be a serious problem.
Tried, ready-made flower bed schemes
Creating a spectacular flower bed for a novice gardener often becomes an extremely difficult task.
Therefore, they can begin to study this art by good examples.
These can be called the following schemes of flower beds from perennials.
Types of flower beds from perennials
The first task of the site owners is to choose the shape, size and type of the future composition.
There are a lot of options to choose from.
Monoflower beds or monochrome flower beds
These are the simplest options for flowerbeds.
Monoflowerbeds - "monochromatic flower beds", which consist of only one species of plants, sometimes one variety.
Popular flowers for them are azaleas, asters, marigolds, irises, cannes, lavaters, daylilies, petunias and salvia.
A typical, self-sufficient mono-flowerbed is the rosary.
For it, you can use both monochrome and multicolored varieties of roses.
Monochrome decor is a flower bed in which there are cultures of the same color or shade.
Both compositions can have any shape.
The most popular are square, diamond-shaped, round and oval flower beds.
In a monochrome case, it is important to select plants so that the flower garden is decorative throughout the season.
Ringed
Such flower beds encircle an object or object.
Examples are wood, sculpture, gazebo, etc.
In this case, the cultures are planted traditionally, picking them up in height.
Inside the flower beds have the highest, on the outer radius - the shortest plants.
Carpet
This unusual and spectacular decor is characterized by a very dense landing.
Ideal candidates for carpet beds are dwarf plants that have multi-colored foliage.
Eligible candidates:
• dwarf (styloid) phlox;
• sourness (oxalis, clover of happiness);
• Alternator dust cover;
• obrieta (aubretia), stonecrops (sedum);
• sushenitsa (gnafalium), santolina.
Carpet flower beds from perennials are not the simplest decor, so it can be rarely seen in suburban areas.
Such compositions are very difficult to create, and caring for them is extremely time-consuming work, because a living carpet should always look impeccable.
Elevated
This is the name of flowers that rise above the surface of the earth.
Their height is 50-100 cm, width is a maximum of 150 cm. These parameters guarantee that the care of plants will not cause difficulties.
Elevated beds are universal.
They can be round and oval, square, rectangular, polygonal or multi-level.
Such flower beds are ideal for any place of the adjacent territory: the choice largely depends on the characteristics of a particular site.
Fences for "elevated compositions" are made of various materials.
The boxes are constructed from:
• stone, brick;
• concrete, concrete blocks;
• rods, logs, boards, rails;
• from metal mesh (gabions), etc.
For planting in flower beds, located in partial shade or in the shade, suitable ageratum, marigolds, verbena, lionfish, petunia and hosts.
Decorative cereals are often found in elevated flower beds.
Examples of effective “residents ”:
• gray fescue;
• giant grass;
• miscanthus (fan);
• blue prayer (blue cereal);
• evergreen sheep (helictotrichon);
• pennisetum (bristles bristles or shaggy);
• pampas grass (cortaderia).
Elevated compositions, framed by natural stones, can turn into an unusual alternative to rock gardens.
The role of emphasis in such flower beds is played by dwarf conifers - pine, spruce, juniper, yew, thuja.
To level the "severity" of the stone, low-growing alpine cultures are planted near the fence.
Upright
These are three-dimensional compositions that are created using a rigid frame.
Vases with flowers are fixed on it.
Such flower beds can be a voluminous figure, a screen or an arch.
Vertical flowers-walls are often used for zoning the site.
Floating
These are improvised islands that either drift along the water surface, or are constantly located in a certain place of the reservoir.
Such floating flower beds with perennials are not too difficult to create.
For planting plants, a light, floating base is used - a container with cells.
Among the possible candidates are structures made of wood, plastic or foam.
Before creating a box of lumber, all workpieces must be treated with water-repellent impregnation.
If ordinary containers are used, then small holes are drilled in the bottom first.
Then the container is covered with geotextile so that the covered soil remains in the floating flower garden.
Buoyancy such a bright island will be able to give mounting foam applied to the bottom, or several pieces of foam.
The most original option is the use of noodles (aquanoodles, "swimming sticks").
Plants with a surface root system, or moisture-loving crops, are planted in containers.
Potential "waterfowl" candidates for aqua beds:
• calamus marsh;
• astilba;
• geyhera;
• marsh iris;
• calla;
• reed;
• swimsuit;
• daylilies;
• bluegrass;
• sedge;
• furry;
• sundew;
• formium;
• host;
• jasnotka (deaf nettle).
To fix the floating flower bed in any place, a cable and an anchor are used.
To hide unattractive sides, they are decorated with moss, which easily tolerates high humidity.
A very unusual, spectacular solution - island flower beds decorated with LED lights.
Other types of living decor
Flower beds from perennials can have different sizes, shapes and area.
Living ornaments are of several types.
Mountain compositions
This category includes rock gardens and rockeries.
In such elements of landscape design take part lithophytes (petrophytes) and representatives of inanimate nature - stones.
The main role in rock gardens (alpine slides) is assigned to rock plants.
In the more gentle rockeries (stone gardens), they are only an addition to the composition of rocks.
Curbs
Ribbon flower beds are very narrow flower beds that become a bright frame for pedestrian and garden paths, for large flower beds, beds, etc. The best candidates for creating a "living border" are short, unpretentious and hardy perennials.
The classic parameters of such curb tapes: width - up to 50 cm, height - up to 40 cm.
Rabatki
These are “narrow flower beds or flower beds. ”
We have rabatki called rectangular long flower beds, or wide wavy ribbons.
They are broken along walls, fences or garden paths.
They can be unilateral and bilateral.
Plants in such a correct “bed ” are planted in a certain order, fragments of the pattern are more often repeated.
The maximum width is 3 m. Its length is at least 3 times the width, but this parameter is not limited.
Modular flower beds
Such clearly defined compositions consist of repeating sectors, each of them receives its own fence.
The advantages of modular decor are the possibility of combining annuals and perennials, shrubs, as well as the “participation ” of decorative crumbs (for example, marble or granite).
Each sector may be intended for only one variety of plants or decor.
The main disadvantage of such modular “paintings ” is the large area that they take away from the site.
Mixborders
"Mixed borders" are complex flower beds that consist of several rows and tiers.
They can be located at the house, at the fence, or in the center of the lawn.
Ornamental perennial plants in them guarantee continuous flowering from spring to autumn.
They are supplemented with annual and biennial cultures.
Symmetry, orderliness in the mixborder is not, their peculiarity is naturalness.
However, compliance with tiredness is mandatory.
In the background are the tallest plants, and low-growing flowers serve as a frame for them.
The space between “giants ” and“ dwarfs ” is given to medium-sized cultures.
"Lonely" solitaires
The simplest solution is to create a small, but spectacular flower-solitaire.
This decoration consists of only one ornamental plant.
These compositions are placed in the most prominent places of the sites so that they are perfectly visible from all sides.
This solution is chosen if you plan to create a flower bed in a small summer cottage, or in the garden, where there is not too much free space.
This option is likely to appeal to those owners who prefer conciseness and restraint in landscape design.
The role of the solitaire will be performed by trees, perennial tall applicants.
The “singles ” include:
• Arunkus (Volzhanka, Darmera);
• birch bark;
• violist;
• Veronica;
• Delphinium;
• canna;
• lupine;
• Malva;
• rodgersia;
• rudbekiya;
• cimicifuga (klopogon);
• peony;
• sconnik purple;
• phlox.
Other worthy candidates for a single flower garden are ornamental cereals and herbs.
For example, the adornment of the soloist is able to become a pink-flowered veinik, meadow foxtail, miscanthus, prayer, haired mulenbergia, sand elimus (pyreinik), mane barley.
Selection of plants
For beautiful beds of perennials, perennial, annual and biennial plants can be used.
Other popular candidates are herbaceous plants and ornamental cereals, which can become the main accent of the composition.
Cultures blooming in spring
These are usually bulbous plants.
The best option is those crops that do not require digging after flowering.
For decorating flower beds suitable gabranthus, crocuses, muscari (viper onions), daffodils, chionodox, cyclamen.
Tuber and rhizome perennials - anemone, brunner, kaluzhnitsa, frost, erantis (spring).
The decoration of the flower garden can be Veronica, irises, primrose, phlox styloid.
Plants that bloom in summer
The list of these colors is very extensive, so you can cite only a small part of the candidates.
Summer flowering plants include astilba, verbeiniki, cloves, bells, lilies and daylilies, nivyaniki, stonecakes and rudbekii.
It is impossible not to mention the bright annuals, without which no elegant flower bed can do.
The list includes alissum, amaranth and summer varieties of asters, marigolds, lobelia, nasturtium, petunias, zinnia.
Dilute perennial plants can and biennial: viola, cloves, mallow, daisies, digitalis.
Cultures blooming in autumn
At this time, there is no longer enough summer, bright colors, but autumn-flowering perennials are able to transform a faded garden.
Bright autumn, the owners will be presented with anemones (windmills), timeless, hirkan Dubrovnik, heleniums, dahlias, goldenrod, bloodsuckers, octyabrinki (perennial autumn asters), rudbekii, chrysanthemums and fuchsia, cymicifugi.
Flower beds from perennials are able to transform the garden, bring a sense of celebration and inspire the owners to "new feats".
About what flower beds you can decorate the territory, the following video will tell:
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Automated irrigation systems can streamline watering and ensure consistency, especially in larger or more complex installations.

Fertilizing needs are moderate: most green walls benefit from a general-purpose liquid fertilizer applied every 4–8 weeks during the plant growing season.

Pruning requirements are light; usually, it suffices to remove yellowing or dead leaves and lightly trim overgrown areas once or twice monthly.

These occasional touch-ups keep foliage healthy and prevent competition for light or nutrients.

Routine pest inspections are best performed monthly, combining visual checks with swift removal or isolation of affected plants if issues arise.

Households often find success maintaining a shared task list—daily or weekly for watering, with less frequent intervals for pruning and fertilizing .

Potential challenges include insufficient light, improper watering, and plant crowding.

Strong results are achieved with supplemental LED or fluorescent grow lights where natural sunlight is lacking, thoughtful layout for airflow and light exposure, and carefully matched watering practices for the specific plants used .

Case Studies:

Title:

Content: Beautiful garden and house near Minsk.
The owners told how much the improvement of the design project cost
17.10.2023 08: 01 — Economy News | realt.by
Text Size:
A
A
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Source of material: realt.by
Vika and Vadim came to the improvement around their new house in the suburbs of Minsk according to the classical scheme - first they tried to do something themselves.
But at the initial stage, the couple realized that they need the help of a landscape designer.
Since that time, 4 years have passed and today you can fully assess the changes on the site - it is simply not recognized!
We talked to the owners and found out how much the design project and its implementation cost.
How did it all start?
It is believed that in suburban construction, the most difficult thing is to build a house.
And this stage Vika and Vadim finished by 2019.
It ’ s time to think about the goodness of the place.
- At that time, we finished finishing the facade, the house was almost ready to move in, except that the terrace was not enough, says Vika.
They were engaged in paths and landscaping, but quickly stopped in indecision - and what and where to plant, how it will look, and where to start?
Since my husband and I were city dwellers and never held a shovel in our hands, we decided that we needed the help of a specialist.
And this is what the invited landscape designer saw on the site: a new two-storey cottage on a good architectural project, with a snow-white facade and a black roof, and around this beauty - coldobins, dirt, mountains of soil and piles of construction debris.
Everything, as in this photo below:
The task for the designer
Although the spouses did not have a clear understanding of how the plot should look, they firmly believed that it should be a low-maintenance decorative garden - in order to spend a minimum amount of time and effort on its maintenance.
During the design process, landscape designer Ekaterina Mikhalevich and homeowners decided on the functional areas around the house: a fire pit, a bath, a barbecue, a lawn, parking, a fruit garden, a vegetable garden and so on.Then they took up the road network.
There were two options: stick to the correct geometric shapes or make winding tracks and rounded mixborders.
We decided on the first option, which formed the basis of the project.
In this photo and below - Fassena 's catnip, cuff, oregano, thyme, sage, lavender, perovskii, bloodsucker, veinik, sod pike, physostegia, mountain pines, Irga Lamarka
- We talked a lot with Vika and she seemed to me light, airy, but at the same time restrained, intelligent, - says Ekaterina Mikhalevich, landscape designer. - And this perception was reflected in the project.
I decided that the site would be good for such a technique in landscape design as contrast in shape.
In the project, I proposed to observe clear rectangular shapes, but with a light, delicate filling.
Therefore, in the garden there is no multicolor only 2-3 colors, no more.
It is based on blue, purple and white.
Plus conifers and shrubs - as a frame that supports the decorativeness of the garden even in winter.
Vika, in turn, says that working with the designer something resembled communication with a psychologist, only she shared with the designer not experiences, but pictures and images of what she likes.
- She picked up everything I liked about the color scheme, the project was born from the first time, if they corrected something, then by trifles, - she says.
Landscaping works
Having a plan in hand, the active development of the site was leveled, sprinkled.
The fertile soil layer was removed and piled up before the construction work began.
It was almost enough to level the terrain.
Only a small part of the street had to be filled with imported soil.
Before, by the way, there was a real forest here.
There are a few left of them, and they have been preserved.
Sketches from the project
- We were advised to remove them - they say, and the roof will be spoiled, and the leaves will need to be cleaned every autumn, - says Vika. - But they fit perfectly into the landscape, in the spring they give us fresh juice, in the summer - a cool shade.
Well, in the autumn, yes, we have to work with rakes.
Walking under them, I almost stepped on the underbirch.
He looked around, and he is not alone – he is still growing up nearby!
A little further - a couple of white stags and mosquitoes.
Surprisingly, after all the earthworks, the mushroom tree survived and the mushrooms grow right under the kitchen windows.
The designer encouraged young homeowners to make a full-fledged terrace facing the backyard - initially there was planned only a small area.
Now it is a favorite place – every morning you can start with coffee in the fresh air and contemplating your garden.
Perovskii, sharp-flowered veinik, mountain pine, Lamarka irga, lavender, medicinal bloodsucker
What and where to plant?
What else is good about a professional landscape design project is that the customer receives instructions with an assortment list of all plants and a plan for their planting.
Having a landing drawing in hand, even a novice gardener can cope with landings himself - the project spells out where, what and in what quantity you need to plant.
Here, for example, the entrance area at the gate.
This part is pass-through, ceremonial and according to the designer ’ s plan should be as structured and decorative as possible at any time of the year.
Therefore, a wood-shrub group is planted here - mountain pines, Japanese spirea and Lamarka irga.
Beginning of a large garden
Ekaterina says that 70% of the total volume of plantings should be exactly wood-shrub groups, since in our latitudes the period of decorativeness is not great for flowering perennials.
- We have in the garden from May to October, before the first frosts, something blooms, - says the hostess of the house. - Due to the shrubs, even under the snow, everything looks voluminous, and beautiful.
Bloodbread medicinal, sage
The mixborders contain the most unpretentious, but probably the most fragrant perennials - catnip, sage, oregano, thyme.
And also bloodsucker, pike - at the peak of decorativeness they can be cut and used as dry bouquets.
Catherine says that the range of plants was selected not only in color, but taking into account the soil on the site.
Here, the fertile layer is small, sand under it, so the garden is mainly drought-resistant plants.
- If the plant requires a special fertile soil, then planting pits are prepared for it, which are filled with suitable soil.
Heat-loving plants, which, it would seem, in our climatic conditions can die, can also be planted, but only if the microclimate of the site allows.
- Here, at the southern wall grows lilac Perovsky, lavender, although they belong to a different climatic zone, - explains Catherine. - But, as you can see, they like it here.
The fact is that in this place the mixborder is protected from drafts and cold wind by the facade of the house, it is always warm here.
Lawn and with automatic watering, homeowners did themselves - it turned out as planned: smooth, thick, green.
At the same time, the net against moles was not laid under it - solid sand is fertile under a thin layer, and moles do not start under such conditions.
The fact that we have a low-maintenance garden does not mean that you do not need to take care of it at all.
It is a living organism, it is constantly growing and developing.
And he definitely needs pruning, weeding, thinning, mowing - you can not get rid of these works.
Another thing is that these cases, as it seemed to us, bring pleasure to the owners.
True, the same spring pruning of fruit trees themselves do not dare - not enough experience.
Therefore, a gardener is invited and he quickly brings the fruit garden in order.
How to decorate the trunk circles of fruit trees?
Here, for example, planted zemklunika, which covers the ground with a dense carpet
How much does the garden cost?
Now, when you look from the terrace to the garden, it is difficult to imagine that everything began with small bushes from pots - 4 years ago everything looked completely different.
Vika says that at first there was a temptation to buy large trees at once, but the price tag acted sobering - she did not dare to buy irgu for 300 euros.
Then I saw an adult tree for $3,000.
As a result, Catherine found a nursery, where the seedling was smaller, but cost 70 rubles.
Hydrangea paniculata, veinik, catnip, cuff
Ornamental apple trees, hydrangeas tree
- Almost any plant can be found at a high price, and meet a budget acceptable option, - explains Catherine. - You need to look at different nurseries, know their range.
As a rule, if the nursery itself grows something, and does not bring it from abroad, then the cost will be lower.
How to find such nurseries?
The correct answer is to turn to a landscape designer, he usually knows where and what to look for.
As you can see, the site in a fairly short period of time has dramatically changed - where have the dirt and coldobins gone?
We can assume that a fortune was spent on the improvement, but no, everything is not so expensive.
According to Victoria ’ s calculations, if you take into account the cost of the design project and plants, it turns out about two and a half thousand dollars.
And it should be admitted that the voiced amount does not look like some unaffordable.
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In Pune, India, a homeowner created lush “mini-forests” on covered balconies by installing vertical gardens with over 500 plants, using ferns, pothos, philodendrons, air plants, and succulents.

Title:

Content: Pune Data Scientist Grows a Mini Forest With Over 500 Plants In Her Balcony

There was a point where Manasi Danukhe, a data scientist from Pune, didn’t even know how to plant a sapling. Today, her mini forest at home is replete with all kids of plants, ferns, flowers, and more. Here are some tips on how she did it.

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Ever since Manasi Danukhe, a data scientist from Pune, started working from home, all she wanted was some peaceful space to get work done. This was no exhausting task by any means, thanks to the two balconies that she has turned into mini forests.

“While working, all I need is comfort, and my garden offers it in abundance. Every virtual meeting happens while sitting between the greens,” the 37-year-old tells The Better India.

Manasi says that up until 2016, she had not planted even one sapling by hand. But her interest in travelling to scenic places slowly brought out her curiosity about gardening in her. “My partner is a wildlife photographer, and when we started living together, both of us found the time and space to grow some plants,” she says.

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Eventually, they tracked down a house with two balconies — 150 and 180 square feet respectively. All that was left now was to begin their gardening journey. They started with just two or three plants, and slowly, just like the climbers in their heavenly abode, the number grew steadily.

A rough start

Manasi began by visiting random garden nurseries and picking up whatever looked good from there. But the plants would die within days, she recalls. This made her read and research more about each plant and its planting methods.

“Being a data scientist, I consider old data to create new. I applied the same theory to my garden. I kept in mind the problems that occurred initially — the drying due to over exposure to sunlight, overwatering, pest attacks, and many others. Later, I selected plants and fertilisers by paying close attention. I used green shades to avoid heavy sunlight and neem water to control pest attacks,” she explains.

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The first three years went by with this trial and error method. This period, she says, helped her understand more about the nature of each plant. “For example, succulents don’t need daily watering. It’s like a once in a week thing. Otherwise, the plant will die soon.”

She also made many changes at home to accommodate more greenery, “For example, the furniture we installed earlier in the balcony garden was being spoiled by rainwater. So we bought new items that could withstand the sun and rain instead,” she says.

Manasi says the lockdown period was a boon for her plants, as the couple could now spend more time taking care of them. Many more varieties were added during this period.

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Presently, her mini forests have over 10 varieties of flowering plants like bougainvillaea, geranium, thunbergia, curvy and morning glory. There are also many types of ferns like philodendrons and pothos, alongside tillandsia, 50 hanging plants, and some Spanish moss air plants. Manasi says all of these need little maintenance in terms of water and pesticides. “But make sure you check each plant daily, and cut off yellow or dried leaves,” she says.

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Manasi says she prefers growing more types of one plant than more plants of different varieties to make the space greener. “When I see one plant growing comfortably in my house, I grow more varieties of it.”

Earlier, the urban gardener would depend on a composter from her residential society to collect organic fertiliser. But eventually, she started successfully composting herself. “Nowadays, I never buy fertilisers from outside. Even after a busy day, I find time to easily make manure. Kitchen waste, dry leaves, and coco peat are the major ingredients for a compost. It takes less than a month for them to get ready. The compost can give dry or liquid fertiliser, as per your preference,” says Manasi.

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Even though she has a tight schedule as a working professional, Manasi shares that she is fond of being engaged all the time. “I do a lot of activities on a daily basis, and gardening is one of them. I feel more productive and happy when I’m around plants.”

With over 500 plants in both balconies, Manasi’s house feels nothing short of a tiny jungle, replete with fresh air and a soothing ambience, ideal for work from home.

Read this story in Hindi here.

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Edited by Divya Sethu

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Plant selection, substrate choice, and shading were optimized through experimentation until the system became largely self-sustaining.

Title:

Content: How to turn a roof into a garden – successfully

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How to turn a roof into a garden – successfully

By Megan Backhouse

To look at Andy Beales digging up Jerusalem artichokes and weeding around kale you wouldn’t think he was pushing boundaries. Like any sensible food grower he is shredding garden waste to speed up his composting and laying down straw to encourage worms. His shovel and wheelbarrow sit at the ready. But here’s the thing that I haven’t yet mentioned: he is on a roof – the roof of a suburban shopping centre, no less.

“It’s not like a normal farm where you can just whack in a star picket to make a climbing frame for your tomatoes,” Beales says. “If you want to bring in a cubic metre of compost, you’ve first got to think about the capacity of your goods lift.”

A normal farm this Burwood Brickworks rooftop might not be but it is a sign of what farms might yet become. As for what public parks might become, look no further than the manicured shrubs and timber day beds nestled in the sky between office towers in Collins Street. At the “Skypark”, the lawn is so green and so perfectly uniform that, when I visited this week, I had to touch it to check it was real.

Both these green roofs are mentioned in the new Maintenance Guidelines For Australian Green Roofs, which refocus our attention on an age-old idea that, after about a decade of active research, is starting to get a new foothold in Melbourne.

In the face of climate change, the biodiversity emergency and increasing urban density, green roofs can help make cities less destructive and more climate-resilient. They are cooling and biodiversity increasing. They reduce stormwater run-off, improve air quality and provide people with the pure pleasure of vegetation.

But only if they are well managed. Ignore them and they are doomed to failure. You might say this is true of every garden. But it is especially the case with landscapes on roofs, where almost nothing comes about by chance.

Green roofs are engineered “systems” with specially designed waterproofing, protection and drainage layers. The plants are growing in carefully concocted substrates applied at specific depths. The plants themselves are chosen to ensure they can cope with conditions off the ground.

The new maintenance guidelines, written by the University of Melbourne’s John Rayner, Elspeth Lumsden and Rachael Bathgate, detail how to manage all this in the local climate.

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They discuss the need for safe access, for ensuring all the different green roof layers remain intact and for managing effective irrigation and drainage. They emphasise the importance of understanding how plants – including weeds – behave differently on roofs compared to the ground.

Some of this is as simple as maintaining adequate substrate depth and not using hand tools with sharp points or edges that might pierce underlying layers. Some things – like cutting back plants that start to overly dominate – are similar to what you would do on the ground. But other tasks, such as removing woody weeds that develop potentially damaging taproots, can take on new urgency.

The key is to nail down how you will tend the roof from when it is first being designed, and then to stick to the schedule and also monitor the space regularly. While the guidelines, which can be downloaded for free, are largely aimed at those in planning, design, maintenance and management roles, they are relevant for anyone thinking about installing vegetation on the roof of their own home.

Although there have always been enthusiasts like Brod Street, who, about a decade ago conducted his own research and installed a beguiling grassland on top of his 1890s Hawthorn brick cottage – then added a successful “wetland” in 2019 and then a high-yielding vegetable patch on top of his backyard shed in January this year – there are lots of potential pitfalls for the uninitiated.

Even for the experienced some green roofs are easier to manage than others. The guidelines detail how much more care is required for the sort of productive roof currently being tended by Beales at the Burwood Brickworks, for example, compared with a lightweight, restricted-access one predominantly composed of low-growing succulents. To guarantee success, it’s crucial to tailor the maintenance plan to the site.

“There have been some really sad disasters around Melbourne,” Rayner says. “I am a fan of green roofs but I am a fan of successful green roofs. There is no point installing these things if they are not going to be sustained successfully. These are living landscapes that need maintenance planned into their design and management.”

Maintenance Guidelines For Australian Green Roofs can be downloaded for free from girg.science.unimelb.edu.au.

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With daily visual checks and homemade compost for fertilization, ongoing maintenance was manageable, resulting in clear improvements in air quality, a more comfortable home, and a calming space for remote work .

A public school project in Taiwan reflects similar outcomes: green walls in classrooms incorporated air-purifying plants (bamboo, turtle vine, honeysuckle, ferns) and automatic irrigation systems.

Maintenance was minimal for staff and environmental benefits included lower pollutant levels and reduced indoor temperatures, creating a healthier and more comfortable learning environment .

Title:

Content: Hong Kong Wen
Ephesians 2
Recycling of Microalgae Water for Feed to Create a Circular Economy
[Ming Pao News] Microalgae microorganisms occupy small space, grow fast, photosynthesis is strong, and have a certain nutritional value, and in the increasingly high demand for environmental protection, in recent years more and more attention.
Some local enterprises began installing “microalgae reactors ” for the government and enterprises a few years ago, initially to improve indoor air quality, as well as as carbon reduction projects and green decoration, and later developed into the supply of microalgae powder to local lobster farms to add to the feed.
Ming Pao reporter Xue Wai Kit
Photographer Yang Po-hsien
Greentins Horticulture founder Tian Cheng-hui said that the company was founded in 2005, originally to represent foreign waste wood and plastic made of "green wood". In 2011, the company began to install a "soilless green wall" for enterprises to grow plants indoors, on the one hand, can green the indoor; on the other hand, can absorb carbon dioxide. I) Collaborate on the development of "Microalgae Reactor".
Simply put, this is a container filled with water to cultivate microalgae, but in order to enhance the photosynthesis of microalgae and maximize their ability to absorb carbon dioxide and release oxygen, the microalgae reactor is also equipped with adjustable LED lights, and constantly pump indoor air through the air pump to let the air pass through the water for cultivating microalgae.
Microalgae reactors in offices help reduce carbon
Optimized with 50 liters of microalgae water, the microalgae reactor can remove up to 5,500 kg of carbon dioxide per year; 1 cubic meter of microalgae water is more efficient than 100 square meters of forest.
Therefore, if you need to offset the amount of carbon dioxide emissions, installing microalgae reactors in the office is much easier and simpler than traditional tree planting.
In addition, it can also improve the air quality in the office and help improve the efficiency of employees.
Because many studies have pointed out that the carbon dioxide concentration in the air in a good office environment should be between 400 and 800 ppm; if the carbon dioxide concentration is between 800 and 1200 ppm, employees feel bored and tired.
Reduced CO2 levels increase employee productivity
However, when the microalgae reactor was launched in early 2019, the response of enterprises was lukewarm.
On the one hand, some companies do not know much about microalgae; other companies feel that the cylindrical pipe appearance of microalgae reactors is difficult to cooperate with indoor decoration.
Fortunately, the company attracted the attention of the FEHD when it participated in a seminar and exhibited microalgae reactors in the Science Park.
Subsequently, the FEHD installed microalgae reactors in two public toilets, followed by the Electrical and Mechanical Services Department's Kowloon Bay Headquarters.
In addition to the increasing pressure on large enterprises to publish the ESG (Environmental Protection, Social Responsibility, Corporate Governance) report, the company also provides an additional option to combine microalgae reactors and soilless green walls to beautify their appearance, and finally attract corporate inquiries and procurement.
In September last year, the company ’ s microalgae reactor was recognized as a “negative carbon emission ” environmental protection device by the Certification Center of the Chinese Manufacturers ’ Association of Hong Kong, meaning that it removes far more carbon dioxide than it emits.
According to their experience, the carbon dioxide concentration in the indoor air in local offices is usually over 1000ppm, which is a high level.
In general, the company recommends to customers that the number of microalgae reactors purchased should be sufficient to control the CO2 concentration within 800 ppm.
As of June, the company ’ s microalgae reactors have been installed in more than 20 indoor venues in Hong Kong. For the time being, government departments are still the sector with the largest number of purchases.
However, the construction industry has also had a lot of enquiries recently, and it is likely to overtake the government departments in the future.
Some construction companies have expressed their intention to hire multiple sets of microalgae reactors to be placed on the site during the construction period in the future to offset some of the CO2 emissions.
The biggest recent breakthrough was the supply of microalgae powder to Chien Kuo Seafood, which was added to its synthetic lobster feed.
Tian Cheng-hui revealed that because the microalgae in the microalgae reactor will continue to multiply, the number of microalgae will increase rapidly, causing the microalgae water to gradually become dark.
Therefore, the company will regularly go to the door to recover the old microalgae water, and replace it with new water and microalgae for customers, about once a month.
As for the old microalgae water, it will filter the water, and then squeeze, dry, sterilize, and crush to become a dry microalgae powder.
In the past, the company mainly added microalgae powder back to a small amount of water to make a liquid fertilizer for soilless green walls.
Chien Kwok Seafood ’ s founder Lin Pi-hsia said that the company has a seawater fish and lobster farm in the Yung Shu Au fish and shrimp farm in Sai Kung, covering an area of tens of thousands of square feet, which is one of the very few seawater fish farms and lobster farms certified by the World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF). It is currently the only breeding ground for lobsters.
She pointed out that lobster protein content is much higher than sea fish, so its nutritional needs are also diversified. They are usually given different feeds daily, such as small fish, green mouth, shell, oysters, etc.
The company last year designed a synthetic lobster feed that was fed every four to five days as a nutritional supplement.
Microalgae contain protein at affordable prices
When they heard Tian Cheng-hui ’ s proposal, they also felt that there was some reason, because microalgae contains certain protein and microalgae oil, and microalgae powder is affordable, which is also in line with the concept of low carbon, environmental protection and circular economy.
Therefore, the company began to include microalgae powder as one of the ingredients in its synthetic lobster feed design earlier this year, which also helps to reduce the overall cost.
In the future, the company intends to gradually test the inclusion of microalgae powder in some marine fish feed, especially when some fish eat high-priced feed imported from Taiwan. If the use of microalgae powder can reduce the amount of imported feed, it will help to improve cost-effectiveness and reduce carbon emissions.
Related Words: Creative Line
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Potential Costs and System Lifespan:

For initial investment, professionally designed and installed green walls typically range from $100–$250 USD per square foot, depending on wall size, choice of plants, and degree of automation (e.g., irrigation and monitoring).

Do-it-yourself options can be created at lower upfront cost but require more hands-on care, especially for watering and plant selection .

Green wall systems can be expected to last 10–20 years with proper maintenance.

Some components, such as growing media or certain plant species, should be replaced or refreshed every 2–5 years to sustain optimal plant health.

Ongoing expenses (water consumption, fertilizer, replacement plants, and basic supplies) are minor compared to the long-term health and environmental benefits provided.

Plant Selection for Different Light Conditions and Climates:
Plant choice is critical to the ease of maintenance and overall appearance of a green wall.

For low-light indoor settings—such as north-facing rooms or areas far from windows—best options include snake plant (Sansevieria), pothos, philodendron, ZZ plant, peace lily, and cast iron plant, alongside ferns like bird’s nest fern.

These species tolerate low to moderate light and infrequent watering, making them ideal for less sunny spots .

In high-light spaces (south-facing rooms, direct sun), suitable plants are succulents such as kalanchoe, echeveria, aloe, cacti, jade plant, croton, dracaena, and various palms.

Flowering plants—like kalanchoe and oxalis—require at least 4–6 hours of strong indirect or direct sunlight per day for robust blooms.

Species such as anthurium, orchids, and monstera thrive in warmer, humid, brightly lit indoor settings.

For climate adaptation, in temperate regions, ferns, pothos, and philodendrons are reliable; tropical indoor gardens benefit from palms and aroids, while arid or sunny homes should focus on succulents and drought-resistant options.

Edible herbs (basil, thyme, mint) also integrate well for functional green walls in moderate climates.

Regardless of the selection, all plants should suit the specific light, humidity, and temperature conditions of the intended location.

Conclusion:
Indoor vertical gardens provide substantial and multi-faceted value—visually enhancing living spaces, naturally purifying air, passively regulating temperature, and significantly boosting occupant well-being.

With thoughtful planning regarding system costs, maintenance frequency, and plant selection tailored to each home’s light and climate, green walls are practical and rewarding investments that sustain their appeal and function for many years.

Real-world results consistently demonstrate both the environmental and personal comfort gains of bringing vertical greenery indoors.