Vertical gardens—also called green or living walls—are vertical installations of live plants on indoor surfaces that bring both visual appeal and tangible health and environmental advantages to residential settings.

Their recent popularity reflects homeowners’ desire for spaces that are beautiful, comfortable, healthy, and sustainable.

There are multiple ways to install vertical gardens indoors.

Options include professionally designed modular systems, which are quick to set up and require minimal watering, as well as DIY solutions employing shelves, wall-mounted pots, or plants attached to organic material like moss.

Either method can be tailored to an individual’s space, style, and budget.

Adapting the system and plant selection to the home’s available light, humidity, and temperature ensures optimal results for each household’s needs .

Aesthetic value is one notable benefit of vertical gardens.

These living features serve as dramatic natural décor in areas like living rooms and bathrooms, producing an ever-changing display and lending a calming, attractive ambiance to indoor spaces.

They visually soften interiors while blurring boundaries between indoor and outdoor environments, fostering a sense of tranquility and harmony .

Green walls also provide measurable environmental and health gains.

The air-purifying function of indoor plants is particularly relevant—studies show vertical gardens reduce nitrogen dioxide by 40%, coarse particulates (PM10) by 60%, fine particulates (PM2.5) by 10%, and ozone by 30%.

This filtration uses only the natural metabolic processes of the plants, blocking outdoor pollutants and improving air quality without additional energy input .

Temperature regulation is a further benefit.

The presence of a green wall can reduce ambient indoor temperature by about 1.8°C, conserving energy and creating a more comfortable living space.

Green walls also help in noise reduction and can improve fire resistance, adding extra safety and comfort for household members .

Importantly, living walls exert a positive influence on mental health.

The constant proximity to greenery indoors is linked to stress reduction, greater feelings of calm, and improved sleep quality.

Maintaining adequate lighting and humidity ensures that plants remain healthy and deliver these psychological benefits continuously .

Maintenance requirements, although generally moderate, differ by installation type and plant selection.

Modular systems are often designed for low maintenance and water efficiency; felt pocket-based gardens, however, dry out quickly and need more frequent watering.

Regardless of system, simple routines such as watering, pruning, checking for pests, and occasionally replanting are necessary.

With proper setup, most indoor green walls can be managed by homeowners without professional gardening experience.

Automated irrigation is sometimes an option, further simplifying care .

Plant selection is key to a successful vertical garden.

The best choices are dictated by available light, air circulation, and the microclimate within the home.

Trailing or climbing plants such as pothos, heartleaf philodendrons, and prayer plants thrive in lower light and are popular for their low maintenance needs.

Ferns, ivies, heucheras, and robust herbs like thyme, rosemary, and parsley do well in both shaded and moderately sunlit installations.

Air-purifying species such as bamboo, firecracker, hydrangea, African pansy, and certain hardy houseplants are recommended for their resilience and environmental impact.

Edible plants, including leafy greens, microgreens, strawberries, and culinary herbs, can also be incorporated into vertical gardens for those wishing to grow food indoors.

In regions with challenging climates, especially dry or shaded sites, choosing shade- and drought-tolerant species is advised.

Certain specialized species—including Dragon Tubeh, Junzi, Wu Bamboo, Turtle, Cannonflower, and Honeysuckle—offer air-purifying benefits and are worth considering if adapted for the local context .

Vertical gardening makes optimal use of smaller indoor spaces or those where traditional gardening is impractical, such as shaded or north-facing areas.

Pocket systems and other vertical solutions enable greenery even in courtyards or apartments lacking exposure to direct sunlight, further broadening access to these benefits for a range of homeowners .

Altogether, indoor green walls offer a combination of beauty, health support, and environmental sustainability.

Properly planned and maintained, they become long-term additions that clean the air, control household temperature, promote well-being, and require only manageable upkeep.

For homeowners seeking a more vibrant, comfortable, and environmentally conscious living space, a vertical garden represents an appealing and practical investment .

Vertical gardens—also called green or living walls—are vertical installations of live plants on indoor surfaces that bring both visual appeal and tangible health and environmental advantages to residential settings.

Title:

Content: Invite nature into your home by creating a verdant "living wall" display

Humans need plants to survive.

We eat them, drink them, use them as medicine, and even decorate with them in order to bring joy to our daily lives.

Once you start caring for a couple of houseplants, it's easy to spiral into an obsession with our magnificent, leafy friends. If your collection of 20-plus houseplants isn't enough to satiate your need for greenery in your home anymore, why not take it to the next level with a full-blown living wall?

Living walls, or vertical gardens as they're sometimes called, are made up of an array of live plants that are planted vertically and can range in size from just a few square feet to entire walls in large atrium spaces.

However, larger installations can cost upwards of $125-$225 per square foot of wall and aren't exactly feasible for renters or homeowners who are on a strict budget or have limited space.

While you can certainly contract a company to install a living wall in your home, there are also local and handcrafted options to consider depending on your budget, your lifestyle and what look you're going for.

click to enlarge
Chiana McInelly photo
Dominic Villareal in front of A Modern Plantsman's living wall display.

Dominic Villareal, the owner of A Modern Plantsman, weighed his own options when expanding his Colfax plant store to downtown Spokane in late 2021.

"My partner and I were scoping out the local plant scene, and we noticed immediately that there was a lack of living wall installations in Spokane," he says. "There are no plant stores or nurseries in the area that have one."

When Villareal secured the space for his shop on the main floor of the Hotel Indigo building, he began designing a plant wall that was eye-catching as well as functional for his customers. The plant wall, constructed by Villareal himself, features wooden shelves that are just deep enough to hide the pots that the plants reside in, giving it the appearance of a living wall.

"That's very doable for a home setting," he says. "You can take the pots off the shelf for easy watering and care."

Villareal recommends plants that trail for any DIY living wall project, but also says that including plants of different heights can give the wall a much more textured and varied appearance.

"Start with plants like pothos, heart leaf philodendrons and prayer plants," Villareal says. "Prayer plants specifically can deal with very low-light situations, which is perfect for a home installation. They'll disguise any nonnatural elements of the wall once they start to trail down."

Previous owner of Sage + Moss and seasoned houseplant parent Annecia Paulson recommends utilizing organic elements when creating your display for ease of watering and a more harmonious facade.

The most common way to do this is by creating mounted plant displays. Mounted plants are plants that have been affixed onto an object using moss or other organic materials.

"Creating mounted plants is actually a really easy process," she says. "You simply remove most of the dirt from the roots, place the plant on the piece of bark and then attach it using sphagnum moss and fishing line."

The upkeep and care of mounted plants lie in the choice of wood, Paulson says.

"Using cork bark is the best option — it's lightweight and naturally mold-resistant. Just soak the whole thing in water, let it drip dry and then hang it on your wall using Command hooks or string. Super simple," she says.

If the trial and error of diving in headfirst just isn't your thing, many area plant stores, including A Modern Plantsman, offer workshops on how to create mounted plants and products that can assist you in your journey to creating a living wall.

"We really try to act as a resource for people in the community," Villareal says. "We want to help people learn how to do these things. I've already gone through the trial and error of the projects that people attempt at home, so I'm happy to give people that knowledge." ♦

Lila Shaw Girvin: Gift of a Moment @ Northwest Museum of Arts & Culture

Tuesdays-Sundays, 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Continues through March 12
  • or

About The Author

Madison Pearson

Madison Pearson is the Inlander's Listings Editor, managing the calendar of events and regularly contributing to the Arts & Culture section of the paper. She joined the staff in 2022 after graduating from Eastern Washington University.

Their recent popularity reflects homeowners’ desire for spaces that are beautiful, comfortable, healthy, and sustainable.

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:
The video is loading...
Was the article helpful?
We want to be better.
Thanks for the opinion!
Tags:
flower bed of perennials
flower garden of perennial plants

There are multiple ways to install vertical gardens indoors.

Title:

Content: Categories: Articles, Crop productionPublished On: 13th October 2023

Hobby or small-holder farmers: Vertical farming may be the way to go

By 7 min read

aquaculture-5990470_1280

Stackable planters can be purchased from local hardware or nursery suppliers to create your own vertical farm.

The need to optimise farming and improve yields on small plots of land is increasingly important. Due to challenges of water scarcity, limited arable land and high inputs costs, innovative solutions such as vertical farming can help to overcome these struggles.

Vertical farming is an approach whereby farmers cultivate certain crops vertically in stacked layers, in order to maximise space and increase yields. This is usually achieved by planting these crops in containers, structures, or stackable pots.

Most often, these structures incorporate aquaponics, hydroponics or aeroponic techniques. All of these are methods used in controlled environments, with various factors such as the water flow, lighting control, temperature, and substrate controlled by the farmer, unlike traditional farming practices.

Vertical farming has many benefits

The most obvious benefit of vertical farming is maximised land use. This method allows farmers to grow more crops in a smaller footprint, making it ideal for areas with limited land availability. But there are other benefits too:

Production throughout the year: Since the environment of vertical farms are more controlled, it is possible to cultivate a crop more than once a year, or to ensure that you have a consistent yield throughout the year – depending on the crop type of course. Any seasonal constraints are removed and production is more efficient.

Water conservation: Less water is used in these systems.with only the precise amount of water needed to provide the plants with sustenance. Where farms are located in greenhouses or indoors, less evaporation also occurs.

Low environmental impact: When less space is needed to grow more food, there is a lower impact on the environment. Less natural vegetation needs to be cleared to accommodate soil based farming.

Improved control over growing conditions: When coupled with greenhouse systems, factors such as light intensity, temperature and humidity can be regulated. However, the plants are more dependent on the farmer to provide nutrients as there is little to no soil used as a substrate. Farmers can exercise strict control over when which fertilisers are used.

How to start a vertical farm

If you are looking to start a vertical farm, you need to first allocate space. You will need a space to put up the vertical structures where it has ample natural light, and where the structures can be safe from animals. People often want to put vertical gardens in warehouses and storerooms, but it is very costly to provide enough artificial lighting to try and make up for the lack of sunlight.

If you plan on adding ventilation to a greenhouse, temperature control systems or any other high tech additions, remember to consider access to electricity or solar power. If solar is your choice, take note the for every hectare of artificial lighting you may need up to five hectares of solar panels to provide enough electricity.

There also needs to be a space where you can add drainage so access water can drain from your vertical farm.

Next, you will need to look at the crops you would like to grow as this will determine  your growing method.

Structures for vertical farming:

Vertical wall gardens

Vertical wall gardens are one of the simplest and most cost-effective ways to start vertical farming in cities where you have walls, and limited horisontal space. You can use recycled materials such as old pallets, wooden crates, or plastic bottles as planting containers. These containers can be attached to a vertical frame or wall, creating a vertical garden. This method is excellent for growing herbs, small vegetables, and even certain fruits like strawberries.

Tower gardens

Tower gardens are vertical systems that allow plants to grow in stacked layers. PVC pipes can be used to create vertical planting towers. Plants are placed in holes drilled into the pipes, and a water and nutrient solution is circulated through the system. PVC pipes are relatively inexpensive and can be found at local hardware stores. Tower gardens are suitable for growing a variety of leafy greens and herbs.

Hanging gardens

Hanging gardens are an excellent option for small spaces. You can use hanging pots, recycled containers, or even fabric pouches attached to a frame or railing. These hanging containers can be filled with a lightweight growing medium and used for cultivating herbs, lettuce, and other compact crops. Hanging gardens utilise vertical space effectively and are relatively low-cost to set up.

Hydroponic systems

Hydroponic systems, where plants are grown in water without soil, can be affordable if you opt for a simple DIY setup. You can create a basic raft system using foam boards floating on a nutrient solution. Alternatively, a wick system, where a wick draws nutrient solution from a reservoir to the plants, is inexpensive and easy to set up. These DIY hydroponic systems are suitable for growing various vegetables and herbs.

Shelve system

As the name suggests, shelves are used to create rows of vertical gardens. Similar to wall- or hanging gardens, containers with substrate is used keep the plants in. Pots or trays are stacked on the shelves in a tray of water, or is connected to driplines that provide the plants with water.

A wall garden constructed with PVC pipe. (Source: Pixabay)

Planting a (vertical) garden and watching it grow

Some crops are not compatible with vertical systems – do not try to plant maize or pumpkins in this system. But there are still a multitude of other crops that can be used. Here are a few you can research:

  1. Herbs:

Herbs such as basil, cilantro, mint, thyme, and parsley are vital flavours that are in constant demand. They require relatively little space and grow well in vertical systems. Additionally, herbs are high-value crops because they have a quick turnover, allowing for multiple harvests throughout the year.

  1. Salad greens

Leafy greens like lettuce, spinach, arugula, and kale are popular choices for vertical farming. They are not only nutritious but also have a short growth cycle, making them ideal for continuous harvesting. Salad greens are versatile and are used in various culinary dishes, making them high in demand and a profitable choice for vertical farms.

  1. Microgreens

Microgreens are young edible plants harvested at an early stage. They are incredibly popular in high-end restaurants and farmer’s markets due to their intense flavour and high nutritional content. Microgreens can include varieties like radishes, mustard greens, and pea shoots. Despite their small size, microgreens are considered high-value crops because they can be sold at a premium price.

  1. Strawberries

Strawberries are a popular fruit that can be grown vertically in towers or hanging systems. They have a relatively high market price and are favoured by consumers for their sweetness and freshness. Vertical farming allows for efficient use of space, making it possible to grow a significant quantity of strawberries in a small area.

  1. Gourmet mushrooms

Gourmet mushrooms such as oyster mushrooms, shiitake, and maitake have gained popularity in culinary circles. They can be grown vertically in specially designed containers or shelves. Mushrooms have a relatively high market price, making them a profitable choice for vertical farms.

When choosing high-value crops for your vertical farming system, consider the local market demand, climate suitability, and your expertise in cultivating specific crops. Conduct market research and engage with local chefs, restaurants, and grocery stores to understand their requirements and preferences. By selecting the right combination of high-value crops, you can optimise your vertical farm’s profitability and contribute to the sustainable growth of your agricultural venture.

Shelves can also be used to create vertical gardens. (Source: Vecteezy)

For emerging farmers in sub-Saharan countries, vertical farming represents a pathway to overcome traditional agricultural challenges and create a more sustainable, efficient, and profitable farming enterprise. By harnessing the benefits of vertical farming, these farmers can contribute significantly to the local economy, local supply chain and food security.

J.M. and Marsh, J. (2022) How Africa can develop its own version of Vertical Farming, Agrilinks. Available at: https://agrilinks.org/post/how-africa-can-develop-its-own-version-vertical-farming

Vertical farming in Africa with Tower Farms (2022) Agrotonomy. Available at: https://agrotonomy.com/vertical-farming-in-africa-with-tower-farms/

Vertical Farming South Africa: 4 companies making a big impact (2022) Indoor Grow Farmer. Available at: https://indoorgrowfarmer.com/vertical-farming-south-africa/#:~:text=Vertical%20farming%20in%20South%20Africa,conditions%20to%20accommodate%20vertical%20farming.

B.Bugbee (2015) Why vertical farming won’t save the planet. www.youtube.com/watch?v=ISAKc9gpGjw&feature=youtu.be

Deel hierdie artikel.

Options include professionally designed modular systems, which are quick to set up and require minimal watering, as well as DIY solutions employing shelves, wall-mounted pots, or plants attached to organic material like moss.

Title:

Content: Prince’s Landscape Pte Ltd Now Provides Singapore Properties with Vertical Green Walls

Prince’s Landscape Pte Ltd is famous for its vertical wall planters, green walls and flower backdrop in Singapore. The company caters to residential and commercial clients as well.

Singapore, 2023-Jan-04 — /EPR Network/ — Prince’s Landscape Pte Ltd, the leading landscaping company in Singapore is offering vertical green walls to commercial and residential properties. Whether it is a retail showroom or a high rise, the vertical green wall is an innovative approach towards introducing nature amidst the concrete jungle.

The company uses quality vertical wall planters, ensuring the healthy growth of the plants. These vertical walls are easy to maintain, assemble, install, disassemble, and reinstall. The technique used by Prince’s Landscape Pte Ltd ensures the user does not have to spend much time tending and taking care of the plants.

Along with green walls, the company also provides clients with exquisite flower backdrops in Singapore to complement the greenery around them. It’s a long-term investment as a green wall can last up to 25 years.

Vertical walls by Prince’s Landscape Pte Ltd come with some unique features:

  • Custom design to suit the client’s needs.
  • Minimal watering of the green wall plants.
  • Ultra-low maintenance ensured.
  • Quick installation due to a modular system.
  • Use of plants that can survive in a tropical climate.

Why choose a vertical green wall?

  • Reduces waste of energy.
  • Improves air quality.
  • Makes the structure sustainable.
  • The space becomes more fire-resistant.
  • Minimizes ambient noise.

The general installation cost for a vertical green wall by Prince’s Landscape Pte Ltd ranges between $200 per square meter and $1200 per square meter, depending on the design, the kind of plants used and the installation process.

About the company:

One of the oldest nurseries in Singapore, Prince’s Landscape Pte Ltd has 50 years of experience in the industry. Started out humbly as a flower shop, Prince’s Landscape Pte Ltd have evolved into a full-fledged landscape design and installation specialist.

Contact Details

Telephone: 65 6763 7000

Fax: 65 6892 2700

WhatsApp: +65 8838 3479

Email: buzz@prince.com.sg

Address: 53 Sungei Tengah Road, Singapore 698998

Matched content

Editor’s pick

Express Press Release Distribution

Either method can be tailored to an individual’s space, style, and budget.

Adapting the system and plant selection to the home’s available light, humidity, and temperature ensures optimal results for each household’s needs .

Aesthetic value is one notable benefit of vertical gardens.

These living features serve as dramatic natural décor in areas like living rooms and bathrooms, producing an ever-changing display and lending a calming, attractive ambiance to indoor spaces.

Title:

Content: Flower decor in the house
homify _
Loading admin actions …
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

They visually soften interiors while blurring boundaries between indoor and outdoor environments, fostering a sense of tranquility and harmony .

Green walls also provide measurable environmental and health gains.

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

The air-purifying function of indoor plants is particularly relevant—studies show vertical gardens reduce nitrogen dioxide by 40%, coarse particulates (PM10) by 60%, fine particulates (PM2.5) by 10%, and ozone by 30%.

This filtration uses only the natural metabolic processes of the plants, blocking outdoor pollutants and improving air quality without additional energy input .

Temperature regulation is a further benefit.

The presence of a green wall can reduce ambient indoor temperature by about 1.8°C, conserving energy and creating a more comfortable living space.

Title:

Content: Chiayi City, Chiayi City, Chiayi City, Chiayi City, Chiayi City, Chiayi City, Chiayi City, Chiayi City, Chiayi City, Chiayi City, Chiayi City, Chiayi City, Chiayi City, Chiayi City, Chiayi City, Chiayi City, Chiayi City, Chiayi City, Chiayi City, Chiayi City, Chiayi City, Chiayi City, Chiayi City, Chiayi County, Chiayi
The school received an environmental subsidy of NT $220,000 two years ago to plant large Dumbo flowers to form a green wall, which helps to cool down the temperature and purify the air, and also to install an automatic sprinkler system to maintain the ecology of the green wall.
According to the Environmental Protection Bureau of Chiayi City Government, since 2019, the Environmental Protection Department has promoted the vertical air green wall project. Since 2019, three schools, including Xingjia, Jiabei Elementary School and Jiabei Elementary School, have installed climbing plants on the school's daughter wall and the balcony of the classroom.
The Environmental Protection Bureau of the Chiayi Municipal Government said that this year, the Environmental Protection Agency expanded the target of subsidies, in addition to the original subsidies of public middle school, public elementary school, public preschool institutions, public welfare groups, public facilities, environmental protection night market, civic activity center and other venues, air green wall subsidies of 3,000 to 6,000 yuan per square meter, single subsidy ceiling of 400,000 yuan.
According to the Municipal Environmental Protection Agency, according to the results of the study, vertical green walls can reduce the concentration of nitrogen dioxide (NO2), suspended particulates (PM10) by about 40% and 60%, but also reduce the concentration of indoor fine suspended particulates (PM2.5) by about 10%, ozone by about 30%, and indoor temperature reduction by about 1.8 ℃.
According to the city's Environmental Protection Bureau, the appropriate plant types are lily bamboo, firecracker red, Yunnan yellow carnation, turtle, Boston kidney fern, hydrangea, African pansy or panthera, and can be selected according to the space planning and installation requirements, so that the space is more beautiful.
# Green Wall # Cooling # EPB # EPD # Planting

Green walls also help in noise reduction and can improve fire resistance, adding extra safety and comfort for household members .

Importantly, living walls exert a positive influence on mental health.

The constant proximity to greenery indoors is linked to stress reduction, greater feelings of calm, and improved sleep quality.

Maintaining adequate lighting and humidity ensures that plants remain healthy and deliver these psychological benefits continuously .

Maintenance requirements, although generally moderate, differ by installation type and plant selection.

Modular systems are often designed for low maintenance and water efficiency; felt pocket-based gardens, however, dry out quickly and need more frequent watering.

Title:

Content: I don't want to jinx anything for you all but through the showers this week there have been glimpses of blue skies and glimmers of sunshine, indicating that summer may well be on its way. I love being outside as much as possible, but I have very limited outdoor space available to me.

Figuring out how to maximise my 2m by 2m courtyard garden to make it as usable as possible for me was an important part of planning my renovation. Here’s what I learned about making the best use of limited outdoor space.

As with every space, it’s important to first consider how you want to use it. For me, I wanted a few things:

Additional dining space for larger gatherings

Somewhere to lay out and relax on nice days

GREENERY

A swimming pool (ok fine so I didn’t get everything I wanted)

In a 2m x 2m space, some items on this list seemed incompatible (if not impossible), so I had to get creative.

OUTDOOR ENTERTAINING

First up, creating an outdoor dining space for entertaining, which generally requires a table and chairs. The chairs are easy and I’ll get to those, but a table is tricky — if you have limited space then a table is either a permanent feature in your garden or requires storage space that you may not have. Luckily my builder came up with a genius solution for this — he used leftover building materials to make a table that folds up against the garden wall, meaning I can have a large dining table when needed but can easily free up the space to lay out in. If you’re handy you can do the same, or you can buy pre-made folding tables designed to be mounted on walls — I have seen a range of these available on Etsy.

Chairs are simpler — I absolutely recommend having a built-in bench along one wall. It is by far the best use of space to fit people around a table. Wood or tiles are the best materials here — mine is made from the same tiles used in my downstairs bathroom, and I like the consistency that brings. Just check they’re suitable for outdoor use. For additional seating you can buy folding garden chairs which can be hung on the wall when not in use — mine are from Ikea and I spray painted them to fit my style.

One thing I plan on installing this summer is a retractable awning. These are a super way to maximise the space available to you — it means a light shower won’t ruin your outdoor dinner party. There are more affordable options that involve manually winding the awning in or out, all the way up to electronic options that also include lighting and heaters.

LYING OUT IN SUNSHINE

I will concede that due to our weather, this isn’t the most frequent way I use my garden.

However on those beautiful summer days there’s nothing better than soaking up the Irish sun!

I don’t have the storage space for a garden lounger so instead I bought myself a hammock. I couldn’t love it more. All it took was installing two hooks in the garden, and when not in use hammocks fold down to practically nothing. They’re easy to keep clean, and there’s nothing nicer than that gentle swaying motion.

Hammocks are available in a number of lengths so you’re likely to find something to fit your space — just make sure you measure correctly and leave enough space for it to move in.

If for some reason you hate hammocks, or cannot fit one, I think inflatable outdoor furniture is a great option. Again these store away much more easily than foldable furniture. Just make sure you cover the plastic with a throw or blanket — bare skin and inflatable furniture are not friends.

GREENERY

I don’t have green fingers. I have given up on gardening. I don’t have the patience to repot and replant things, and I don’t have the talent to keep pretty plants alive. However, I did want greenery to create a sense of peacefulness and to improve the air quality in my city garden.

Much like my garden table, the solution here was to go vertical. Luckily for me my friend Jonny Gannon (gannonandassociates.ie) is an exceptional landscaper, and in exchange for me making his wedding cake he installed the most beautiful vertical garden wall for me. Even I am able to (mostly) keep these plants alive — this wall is north facing and doesn’t get much sun, so what works best for me here are ivys, heucheras, and ferns. I’ve even managed some hardy herbs such as thyme, rosemary, and parsley.

The garden wall comprises felt pockets (bought on Amazon) nailed to a plywood board, which in turn is screwed onto my garden wall. The pockets act as plant pots but be warned that they dry out a lot quicker, so plenty of watering is required. Overall it’s not difficult to install and believe me— if I can maintain a garden wall, anyone can.

Q&A

QUESTION

Could you please advise where you got your vinyl tiles and who fitted them?

Sounds exactly what I'm looking for, for my kitchen & utility room. Just a bit worried about table and chair marks!! Thank you very much.

ANSWER

I bought my LVT flooring from Deco Designs in Dublin. The brand is Moduleo. I’m really happy with both the brand and the fitter, happy to recommend both. Some other LVT brands you could check out are Karndean and Amtico. In my experience nothing has marked this floor — I drag my table, chairs, bike, stilettos, wheelie suitcases, couch, across it and it so far seems pretty indestructible. Any scuffs have been very easy to clean.

More in this section

Lunchtime
News Wrap

A lunchtime summary of content highlights on the Irish Examiner website. Delivered at 1pm each day.

Sign up

Outdoor Trails

Discover the great outdoors on Ireland's best walking trails

Outdoor Trails

Regardless of system, simple routines such as watering, pruning, checking for pests, and occasionally replanting are necessary.

With proper setup, most indoor green walls can be managed by homeowners without professional gardening experience.

Automated irrigation is sometimes an option, further simplifying care .

Plant selection is key to a successful vertical garden.

The best choices are dictated by available light, air circulation, and the microclimate within the home.

Trailing or climbing plants such as pothos, heartleaf philodendrons, and prayer plants thrive in lower light and are popular for their low maintenance needs.

Ferns, ivies, heucheras, and robust herbs like thyme, rosemary, and parsley do well in both shaded and moderately sunlit installations.

Air-purifying species such as bamboo, firecracker, hydrangea, African pansy, and certain hardy houseplants are recommended for their resilience and environmental impact.

Edible plants, including leafy greens, microgreens, strawberries, and culinary herbs, can also be incorporated into vertical gardens for those wishing to grow food indoors.

In regions with challenging climates, especially dry or shaded sites, choosing shade- and drought-tolerant species is advised.

Certain specialized species—including Dragon Tubeh, Junzi, Wu Bamboo, Turtle, Cannonflower, and Honeysuckle—offer air-purifying benefits and are worth considering if adapted for the local context .

Vertical gardening makes optimal use of smaller indoor spaces or those where traditional gardening is impractical, such as shaded or north-facing areas.

Pocket systems and other vertical solutions enable greenery even in courtyards or apartments lacking exposure to direct sunlight, further broadening access to these benefits for a range of homeowners .

Altogether, indoor green walls offer a combination of beauty, health support, and environmental sustainability.

Properly planned and maintained, they become long-term additions that clean the air, control household temperature, promote well-being, and require only manageable upkeep.

For homeowners seeking a more vibrant, comfortable, and environmentally conscious living space, a vertical garden represents an appealing and practical investment .


Vertical gardens, also known as green walls or living walls, are vertically arranged plant systems that can cover building facades and interiors, even in areas with limited space or difficult environments.

These innovative features are increasingly integrated into both commercial and residential architectures to enhance aesthetics and functionality.

Notably, Singapore's Pavilion at Expo 2020 Dubai exemplifies the seamless fusion of vertical gardens into contemporary constructions, utilizing over 170 plant varieties in layered installations and deploying advanced technologies such as climbing robots for maintenance.

Such cases highlight the broader movement in urban planning toward sustainability and resilience through green infrastructure .

The environmental benefits of indoor vertical gardens are substantial.

Living walls significantly improve air quality, reducing nitrogen dioxide concentrations by about 40% and suspended particulates by 60%.

Additionally, they reduce PM2.5 by 10% and ozone by 30%, contributing to healthier indoor environments .

In terms of temperature regulation, studies indicate these systems can lower indoor temperatures by nearly 1.8°C, a result of natural plant transpiration and the shading effect of foliage .

These features further mitigate the urban heat island effect and improve noise insulation, while also supporting biodiversity by providing habitats for small fauna .

Mentally, vertical gardens have been shown to promote well-being and strengthen occupants’ connection to nature, creating restorative environments in dense urban settings.

Projects like the Oasis Towers in Nanjing and initiatives in Singapore embody this approach, fostering community health and well-being .

Maintenance typically involves automated irrigation, manual watering, regular health inspections, and in some advanced cases, robotic assistance to increase efficiency .

Plant selection for indoor vertical gardens depends on climate.

Vertical gardens, also known as green walls or living walls, are vertically arranged plant systems that can cover building facades and interiors, even in areas with limited space or difficult environments.

Title:

Content: Invite nature into your home by creating a verdant "living wall" display

Humans need plants to survive.

We eat them, drink them, use them as medicine, and even decorate with them in order to bring joy to our daily lives.

Once you start caring for a couple of houseplants, it's easy to spiral into an obsession with our magnificent, leafy friends. If your collection of 20-plus houseplants isn't enough to satiate your need for greenery in your home anymore, why not take it to the next level with a full-blown living wall?

Living walls, or vertical gardens as they're sometimes called, are made up of an array of live plants that are planted vertically and can range in size from just a few square feet to entire walls in large atrium spaces.

However, larger installations can cost upwards of $125-$225 per square foot of wall and aren't exactly feasible for renters or homeowners who are on a strict budget or have limited space.

While you can certainly contract a company to install a living wall in your home, there are also local and handcrafted options to consider depending on your budget, your lifestyle and what look you're going for.

click to enlarge
Chiana McInelly photo
Dominic Villareal in front of A Modern Plantsman's living wall display.

Dominic Villareal, the owner of A Modern Plantsman, weighed his own options when expanding his Colfax plant store to downtown Spokane in late 2021.

"My partner and I were scoping out the local plant scene, and we noticed immediately that there was a lack of living wall installations in Spokane," he says. "There are no plant stores or nurseries in the area that have one."

When Villareal secured the space for his shop on the main floor of the Hotel Indigo building, he began designing a plant wall that was eye-catching as well as functional for his customers. The plant wall, constructed by Villareal himself, features wooden shelves that are just deep enough to hide the pots that the plants reside in, giving it the appearance of a living wall.

"That's very doable for a home setting," he says. "You can take the pots off the shelf for easy watering and care."

Villareal recommends plants that trail for any DIY living wall project, but also says that including plants of different heights can give the wall a much more textured and varied appearance.

"Start with plants like pothos, heart leaf philodendrons and prayer plants," Villareal says. "Prayer plants specifically can deal with very low-light situations, which is perfect for a home installation. They'll disguise any nonnatural elements of the wall once they start to trail down."

Previous owner of Sage + Moss and seasoned houseplant parent Annecia Paulson recommends utilizing organic elements when creating your display for ease of watering and a more harmonious facade.

The most common way to do this is by creating mounted plant displays. Mounted plants are plants that have been affixed onto an object using moss or other organic materials.

"Creating mounted plants is actually a really easy process," she says. "You simply remove most of the dirt from the roots, place the plant on the piece of bark and then attach it using sphagnum moss and fishing line."

The upkeep and care of mounted plants lie in the choice of wood, Paulson says.

"Using cork bark is the best option — it's lightweight and naturally mold-resistant. Just soak the whole thing in water, let it drip dry and then hang it on your wall using Command hooks or string. Super simple," she says.

If the trial and error of diving in headfirst just isn't your thing, many area plant stores, including A Modern Plantsman, offer workshops on how to create mounted plants and products that can assist you in your journey to creating a living wall.

"We really try to act as a resource for people in the community," Villareal says. "We want to help people learn how to do these things. I've already gone through the trial and error of the projects that people attempt at home, so I'm happy to give people that knowledge." ♦

Lila Shaw Girvin: Gift of a Moment @ Northwest Museum of Arts & Culture

Tuesdays-Sundays, 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Continues through March 12
  • or

About The Author

Madison Pearson

Madison Pearson is the Inlander's Listings Editor, managing the calendar of events and regularly contributing to the Arts & Culture section of the paper. She joined the staff in 2022 after graduating from Eastern Washington University.

These innovative features are increasingly integrated into both commercial and residential architectures to enhance aesthetics and functionality.

Title:

Content: LIFE ・ Classic ／ Miniature city with oasis concept combined with natural scenery to create a unique balcony space
MVRDV builds Oasis Towers in Nanjing, China.
(Photo / MVRDV official website)
Journalist Tsai Wai-ju / Comprehensive Report
Recently, Dutch architecture studio MVRDV announced its design of Oasis Towers, using oasis as the main concept to create a complex building combining commercial and residential needs. The eye-catching appearance comes from the combination of various elements. At first glance, it seems to be a broken appearance.
Oasis Towers, the name of the project, has completely explained the theme of the design. In the center of the two buildings up to 150 meters, there is a green garden, like an oasis in the desert, but it is definitely not a mirage. In this building, there is no obtrusive visual effect.
Winy Maas, co-founder of MVRDV, said that by combining the concept of a curved, layered “cliff ” from natural elements with the integration of green plants into the building, the natural effect of integration can be achieved.
Compared to the surrounding high-rise buildings, Oasis Towers adopts the appearance of a grid facade at the outermost, like a wall, but the interior is filled with multiple curves, curves and a large number of natural plants, like a self-sufficient micro-city.
However, the coolest part of the building is the terraced balcony design, which not only forms an interesting contrast with the outside, but also adds more diversity to the interior of the home, which can be terraces, or ripple waterfalls, and as the planned plants flourish, there will be a completely different appearance in each time or season.
The "base" on the first to third floors is the part of the business district. It also separates the boundary between the business district and the residential district, leaving the noise of shopping and crowds at the bottom. There is also a subway station below, which has a number of characteristics.
Key words:
LIFE, CLASSIC, BUILDING
Share with friends:
※ This article is copyrighted and cannot be reproduced without permission. [ETtoday Copyright Notice]
Back to the top.

Notably, Singapore's Pavilion at Expo 2020 Dubai exemplifies the seamless fusion of vertical gardens into contemporary constructions, utilizing over 170 plant varieties in layered installations and deploying advanced technologies such as climbing robots for maintenance.

Title:

Content: We are currently in Beta version and updating this search on a regular basis. We’d love to hear your feedback here.

Singapore's Pavilion at Expo 2020 Dubai Illustrates the Vision of Architecture in Nature

Singapore's Pavilion at Expo 2020 Dubai Illustrates the Vision of Architecture in Nature

The Singapore Pavilion for Expo 2020 Dubai illustrates the city's aspiration towards a sustainable future that merges architecture, nature, technology and culture. Under the title "Nature.Nurture.Future", the pavilion designed by WOHA Architects and landscape design practice Salad Dressing showcases a sample of Singapore's urban environment that epitomizes its City in Nature vision. The multi-layered green space creates a self-sufficient ecosystem highlighting ideas of sustainability and resilience through the marriage of technology and nature.

+ 15

This contribution to Expo Dubai speaks of Singapore's focus on nurturing a sustainable future, showcasing the possibilities of integrating nature within urban environments. Featuring more than 170 varieties of plants from diverse habitats in Singapore and set within different layers of greenery, from hanging gardens to vertical walls, the pavilion creates a tridimensional green space, taking visitors through tropical rainforests, mangrove areas and forest streams. Potable water produced through the on-site solar desalination process is used for drip irrigation, minimizing water consumption.

To carry for the greenery, the pavilion uses three prototype climbing robots that traverse the green walls, inspect the plants' health, and collect e environmental data. Developed by Singapore-based start-up Oceania Robotics, the robots represent a possible solution for maintaining vertical and skyrise gardens, very common in Sin Singapore's contemporary architecture.

Related Article

Grimshaw Architects Designs Sustainability Pavilion at Expo 2020 Dubai

The pavilion will feature various multimedia experiences depicting environmental challenges and Singapore's approach to tackling them. The program of events features talks exploring the future of cities, digital exhibits, as well as film screenings and light shows. A curated selection of activities will be available online, allowing people unable to travel to the Expo to experience the project virtually.

Debuting on October 1st, Expo 2020 Dubai brings together an array of national contributions, educational institutions and businesses exploring the theme "Connecting Minds, Creating the Future", with a strong focus on sustainability.

Image gallery

See allShow less
About this author
Cite: Andreea Cutieru. "Singapore's Pavilion at Expo 2020 Dubai Illustrates the Vision of Architecture in Nature" 29 Sep 2021. ArchDaily. Accessed . <https://www.archdaily.com/969262/singapores-pavilion-at-expo-2020-dubai-illustrates-the-vision-of-architecture-in-nature> ISSN 0719-8884

You've started following your first account!

Did you know?

You'll now receive updates based on what you follow! Personalize your stream and start following your favorite authors, offices and users.

Such cases highlight the broader movement in urban planning toward sustainability and resilience through green infrastructure .

Title:

Content: People 's Network > > International
Many countries actively explore the promotion of green building (international perspective)
Our reporter Guan Kejiang Xu Hailin Xie Jianning
April 19, 2023 06: 02 | Source: People's Daily - People's Daily
Small number
According to the World Green Building Council, the construction industry's carbon emissions account for about 40% of global carbon emissions, through the promotion of green buildings can save 50% of energy, 60% of water resources, reduce 80% of waste generation, 45% of carbon dioxide emissions.
In recent years, some countries have actively promoted green buildings, and promoted more buildings to achieve energy conservation and carbon reduction by creating green communities, improving building energy efficiency, and strict certification standards.
United Arab Emirates —
Building a Green and Harmonious Community
Walking into Dubai Sustainable City, there is a leisurely pastoral scene in front of you: ducks playing in the water by the pond, children riding bicycles and playing, and many people in the distance gather on the grass … Sustainable City was put into operation in 2015, and is one of the earliest communities in the Middle East to propose and achieve green development.
The community covers an area of 46 hectares, in an irregular rectangle, and is divided into three blocks from the outside to the inside.
The outermost circle is sheltered forest and canopy track, bicycle lane; inside is the commercial area and residential area.
The business district is also a leisure plaza, with many restaurants, laundry, bicycle repair shops and so on.
The 500 villas in the residential area are divided into five units, separated by the carport, cars can only be parked in the carport, not into the community.
In addition, there are schools, equestrian clubs, resident gardens and rehabilitation centers, and the middle green zone runs through the community from west to east, with constructed wetlands, ponds, swimming pools, and 11 domed greenhouses to grow a variety of vegetables for the residents in need.
Photovoltaic panels are installed on the roofs of all buildings in the Sustainable City, which can meet the electricity needs of 3,000 people in the entire community.
The road between residents' houses is specially designed to form an air duct, which can effectively reduce the temperature in the community in summer.
The community encourages low-carbon living. In 2021, residents spend about 60% of the Dubai average on water, and 80% of household waste is recycled and reused.
In 2022, Sustainable City was named the “Happiest Community ” in the Bay Area by Dubai Land Authority.
Hardir Ahmed, head of public relations at developer Diamond Development, said polls showed that the highest rating was the ban on cars entering the community.
Many parents say that this way they can safely let their children play in the community and help maintain the air quality in the community.
This initiative has also brought neighbourhoods closer, with people in the community walking, cycling, riding a shared battery car and other ways to travel, meet each other every day, and have more communication.
Sustainable City is now one of the most popular neighbourhoods in Dubai, with residential and business districts fully staffed.
On the basis of this model, she and her partners have developed three more communities in Sharjah, Abu Dhabi and Oman.
The first phase of the Abu Dhabi project was delivered not long ago and sold out within half an hour.
She said: “This shows that green buildings and sustainable living are increasingly popular.
We also want to use this business model to demonstrate that sustainable living is technically feasible, economically cost-effective and more responsive to the needs of the population in terms of social integration. "
Spain — —
Support for energy saving renovation of houses
In the Asturias region of northern Spain, there is a mountain hut built like a "building block".
The components of the house were produced by a factory in Madrid in four months and then "assembled" in just five hours.
The house shape borrows from the traditional Spanish barn style to ensure the uniqueness of the building and its adaptability to the environment, and the modular house components also minimize environmental pollution such as construction noise and waste.
Spain's unique geographical location, the history of the convergence of a variety of civilizations, the birth of Gaudí, Mirales, Calatrava and other world-renowned architects, different areas of architecture have their own characteristics.
In recent years, the Spanish architectural community has placed increasing emphasis on the application of sustainable concepts to architectural design and construction, and has introduced many green buildings that are both artistic and sustainable.
According to Spanish media reports, many buildings in the country have obtained international green building certification, ranking in the top ten in the world.
In Barcelona, Spain ’ s second largest city, known for its Gaudi architecture, there is a six-story building called “The Wall Garden ”, which adds a rich touch of green to the urban space. The“ Wall Garden ” was born from the side wall of a demolished building and has been transformed for a variety of greenery.
The steel platform of its exterior wall is connected to the internal staircase and is equipped with irrigation and fertilization systems that can be controlled through a mobile phone app.
After the irrigation water from the upper platform is absorbed by the plants, the excess water will flow to the next platform.
The bird house built into the garden platform provides a habitat for wild animals such as birds.
This small building helps regulate the temperature, purify the air, and reduce the energy cost of the residents around the building, which has become a well-known "punch point" in the local area.
The Spanish government has allocated 6.8 billion euros from the recovery fund of the "Next Generation EU" program to support energy-saving renovation of buildings.
The government plans to complete the sustainable renovation of 500,000 homes by 2026 to improve the energy efficiency of these buildings.
According to Kay Kilman, European head of the US Green Building Council, Spain is growing rapidly in the field of green building. “We look forward to working with countries like Spain to find innovative ways to build better communities for a sustainable future. ”
Mexico — —
Regulate green building certification standards
Mexico has an average of 5.5 hours of direct sunlight per day, making it one of the most sunny countries in the world.
In recent years, Mexico has actively promoted green buildings and made full use of natural resources such as solar energy to save energy.
According to data from data analysis and consulting firm Global Data, the number of green building projects in Mexico has increased rapidly.
Located on Reforma Avenue in the heart of Mexico City, in order to maximize the use of natural light, the interior of the building uses open office space, most of the windows extend from the floor to the ceiling, through the use of special glass materials, both increase natural light and reduce heat transfer, to keep the interior cool.
The building is equipped with an intelligent lighting system that can adjust the use of indoor fluorescent lamps according to the amount of sunlight entering the building.
The building also collects and treats rainwater and waste water through a special water treatment system for flush toilets, coolers, greenfield irrigation, etc., which can reduce water consumption by 75%.
“We want this building project to be a model for the greening of the community and to encourage all parties to provide more incentives for the development of green buildings, ” said Javier Presas, the building ’ s design project manager.
In 2015, Mexico committed to the United Nations to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 36% by 2030 by encouraging the construction of sustainable buildings and promoting the use of solar panels, heaters, etc., to better combat climate change.
To this end, Mexico is constantly improving regulations, stipulating green building certification standards and minimum environmental requirements, and elaborating regulations on building energy efficiency. In 2021, Mexico City ’ s environmental department released a new green building certification program aimed at improving sustainability standards during building design, construction and operation, and promoting efficient use of resources.
The Mexican National Housing Commission has also created different incentive schemes to subsidize the purchase of green housing.
The Mexican state of Yucatán is the first to sign a net-zero construction commitment, which aims to achieve zero emissions from some buildings by 2030 and net-zero emissions from all buildings in the state by 2050.
Mexico City offers property tax relief for buildings with green roofs and solar hot water systems.
More and more building developers are adopting green building certification systems in the early stages of building construction to reduce energy consumption, water consumption and building materials energy consumption through optimized design.
“The number of green building projects in Mexico is growing by 25% every year, ” said Cesar Trevino, managing director of Biobuilding and Alternative Energy Mexico. In the face of climate and health challenges, it is important to continuously optimize buildings and interior spaces to improve the human environment.
(Dubai, Madrid, Mexico City)
People 's Daily (April 19, 2023, 15 edition)
(Editor: Zhao Xinyue, Yue Hongbin)
Share it so more people can see it.
Back to top

The environmental benefits of indoor vertical gardens are substantial.

Living walls significantly improve air quality, reducing nitrogen dioxide concentrations by about 40% and suspended particulates by 60%.

Title:

Content: Chiayi City, Chiayi City, Chiayi City, Chiayi City, Chiayi City, Chiayi City, Chiayi City, Chiayi City, Chiayi City, Chiayi City, Chiayi City, Chiayi City, Chiayi City, Chiayi City, Chiayi City, Chiayi City, Chiayi City, Chiayi City, Chiayi City, Chiayi City, Chiayi City, Chiayi City, Chiayi City, Chiayi County, Chiayi
The school received an environmental subsidy of NT $220,000 two years ago to plant large Dumbo flowers to form a green wall, which helps to cool down the temperature and purify the air, and also to install an automatic sprinkler system to maintain the ecology of the green wall.
According to the Environmental Protection Bureau of Chiayi City Government, since 2019, the Environmental Protection Department has promoted the vertical air green wall project. Since 2019, three schools, including Xingjia, Jiabei Elementary School and Jiabei Elementary School, have installed climbing plants on the school's daughter wall and the balcony of the classroom.
The Environmental Protection Bureau of the Chiayi Municipal Government said that this year, the Environmental Protection Agency expanded the target of subsidies, in addition to the original subsidies of public middle school, public elementary school, public preschool institutions, public welfare groups, public facilities, environmental protection night market, civic activity center and other venues, air green wall subsidies of 3,000 to 6,000 yuan per square meter, single subsidy ceiling of 400,000 yuan.
According to the Municipal Environmental Protection Agency, according to the results of the study, vertical green walls can reduce the concentration of nitrogen dioxide (NO2), suspended particulates (PM10) by about 40% and 60%, but also reduce the concentration of indoor fine suspended particulates (PM2.5) by about 10%, ozone by about 30%, and indoor temperature reduction by about 1.8 ℃.
According to the city's Environmental Protection Bureau, the appropriate plant types are lily bamboo, firecracker red, Yunnan yellow carnation, turtle, Boston kidney fern, hydrangea, African pansy or panthera, and can be selected according to the space planning and installation requirements, so that the space is more beautiful.
# Green Wall # Cooling # EPB # EPD # Planting

Additionally, they reduce PM2.5 by 10% and ozone by 30%, contributing to healthier indoor environments .

In terms of temperature regulation, studies indicate these systems can lower indoor temperatures by nearly 1.8°C, a result of natural plant transpiration and the shading effect of foliage .

These features further mitigate the urban heat island effect and improve noise insulation, while also supporting biodiversity by providing habitats for small fauna .

Title:

Content: Prince’s Landscape Pte Ltd Now Provides Singapore Properties with Vertical Green Walls

Prince’s Landscape Pte Ltd is famous for its vertical wall planters, green walls and flower backdrop in Singapore. The company caters to residential and commercial clients as well.

Singapore, 2023-Jan-04 — /EPR Network/ — Prince’s Landscape Pte Ltd, the leading landscaping company in Singapore is offering vertical green walls to commercial and residential properties. Whether it is a retail showroom or a high rise, the vertical green wall is an innovative approach towards introducing nature amidst the concrete jungle.

The company uses quality vertical wall planters, ensuring the healthy growth of the plants. These vertical walls are easy to maintain, assemble, install, disassemble, and reinstall. The technique used by Prince’s Landscape Pte Ltd ensures the user does not have to spend much time tending and taking care of the plants.

Along with green walls, the company also provides clients with exquisite flower backdrops in Singapore to complement the greenery around them. It’s a long-term investment as a green wall can last up to 25 years.

Vertical walls by Prince’s Landscape Pte Ltd come with some unique features:

  • Custom design to suit the client’s needs.
  • Minimal watering of the green wall plants.
  • Ultra-low maintenance ensured.
  • Quick installation due to a modular system.
  • Use of plants that can survive in a tropical climate.

Why choose a vertical green wall?

  • Reduces waste of energy.
  • Improves air quality.
  • Makes the structure sustainable.
  • The space becomes more fire-resistant.
  • Minimizes ambient noise.

The general installation cost for a vertical green wall by Prince’s Landscape Pte Ltd ranges between $200 per square meter and $1200 per square meter, depending on the design, the kind of plants used and the installation process.

About the company:

One of the oldest nurseries in Singapore, Prince’s Landscape Pte Ltd has 50 years of experience in the industry. Started out humbly as a flower shop, Prince’s Landscape Pte Ltd have evolved into a full-fledged landscape design and installation specialist.

Contact Details

Telephone: 65 6763 7000

Fax: 65 6892 2700

WhatsApp: +65 8838 3479

Email: buzz@prince.com.sg

Address: 53 Sungei Tengah Road, Singapore 698998

Matched content

Editor’s pick

Express Press Release Distribution

Mentally, vertical gardens have been shown to promote well-being and strengthen occupants’ connection to nature, creating restorative environments in dense urban settings.

Title:

Content: The combination of nature and metropolis: in China built a tower with a “vertical forest ”
2 min
In the Chinese Huangan (Hubei province) completed two of the five towers of the residential complex with a “vertical forest ”.
A couple of weeks ago, people started moving in here.
According to Dezeen, the two residential towers of the complex have a height of 80 meters and are covered with more than 400 trees, as well as other plants and greenery.
The building was designed by the Italian studio Stefano Boeri Architetti.
The architects designed the object so that the foliage on the balconies fit perfectly into the design of the facade.
Studio founder Stefano Boeri said that this version of the towers is characterized by the presence of opening bay windows with indoor plants.
Thus, residents will be able to enjoy the environment of nature, being in the urban space.
The studio used the vegetation of the local flora, using about 400 species of trees.
Among them are Ginkgo biloba, Osmanthus fragrans, Acer griseum, Ligustrum lucidum and Chimonanthus praecox.
Also on the facade "grow" 4620 bushes and various herbs in an area of 2.4 thousand square meters.
According to the developers of the project, this amount of greens will be able to absorb 22 tons of carbon dioxide per year and produce oxygen in return.
According to the architect, China has recently seen a trend of greening cities, which allows more to absorb dust, which is one of the main factors of air pollution in cities.
Easyhome Huanggang Vertical Forest City Complex is the first vertical complex to open in China, and Boeri believes such buildings could be particularly suitable for the country.
As reported by NERUHOMI, the first part of the multifunctional complex was opened in Shanghai before the New Year, the authors of the project of which were inspired by the Hanging Gardens of Semiramis from Babylon.
Author:
Vladimir Grishenko
Journalist / Editor
Education – graduated from Taras Shevchenko National University of Kyiv, Institute of Journalism.
I have been working in the profession for more than 15 years.
My favorite topics are economics and politics, I understand cryptocurrencies and markets, I am interested in real estate.
On the resource NERUKHOMI since May 2020.
All articles by the author
Comments
2.2t
Your request is accepted
The sales department will contact you shortly

Projects like the Oasis Towers in Nanjing and initiatives in Singapore embody this approach, fostering community health and well-being .

Maintenance typically involves automated irrigation, manual watering, regular health inspections, and in some advanced cases, robotic assistance to increase efficiency .

Plant selection for indoor vertical gardens depends on climate.