Attention Plant Parents: Here's How to Grow a Green Wall Indoors or Outdoors

Select the Proper Space

Whether you choose to construct your green wall indoors or outdoors, you'll need to be careful to select the proper space. You'll also want to consider what kind of materials you'll need to use to build and install your wall.

If you're building a green wall outdoors, Portillano says you'll need to consider the natural lighting available, the type of conditions your wall might face (wind, severe direct sun, pollution), any weight restrictions for your wall, as well as the region you live in.

If you're constructing your green wall indoors, you'll need to consider the natural lighting available and decide if you need to add grow lights.

"If you are going to supplement with grow lights, it is important to use full-spectrum bulbs to make sure your plants receive the right amount of red and blue light," Portillano says.

Identify Your Support Structure

You will need a support structure for your wall, whether it's beams, pallets, or rows of small containers. When deciding on your support structure, make sure that your wall will hold the weight of your structure and the weight of the plants, soil, and the watered soil.

"For small green walls, a regular galvanized metal frame can be used," Portillano says. "For larger green walls, support structures and beams may have to be erected to sustain the weight of the materials."

Install the Plants

Next, it's time to install your plants. This can be done in a variety of ways, but Portillano says there are three main ways people usually install their plants on a green wall: troughs, bags, and inserts.

If you choose to install long troughs, you can plant larger plants, and the soil can hold more water to mean a little less upkeep for you. However, this could also lead to overwatering, so it's a fine line. You'll also need to make sure your structure can hold the weight on such large troughs.

If you install your plants with bags, this means your plants are planted directly into small bags instead of troughs. This method might avoid any watering issues.

For inserts, Portillano explains: "Plants are kept in their grower pots and inserted into individual mini wall panels. This is one of the best ways to install the plants because it not only mitigates over water but also makes replacements easier."

Create a Watering System

"If the plants are in a trough, an irrigation system like a drip system or a wick and riser system can be used where a reservoir is filled weekly," Portillano says. "For plants in bags or inserts, a drip system is recommended."

Maintain Your Green Wall

Maintaining your green wall can be as easy or as complicated as you want it to be. You can choose to stay on top of pruning by opting for monthly prunings, but at the very least, you should be pruning your green wall every 3 to 4 months.

Portillano points out that easy access to all areas of your wall is important to the pruning process. Make sure you have a chair or ladder that allows you to reach the top of your green wall.

It's also important to note that you'll eventually need to replace or switch out the plants. This is not a one-time DIY project. It will require upkeep.

Avoid Potential Challenges

"Potential challenges are environmental factors that could adversely affect the plants, such as lighting, placement, and temperatures, as well as human intervention," Portillano says. He adds that pests are a common plant issue, and green walls are no exception, especially indoor green walls.

"Take care not to overwater or over-fertilize, as this is the common catalyst for insect pests and bacterial diseases to develop."

While green walls are stable structures, plants are not, so you'll likely move them around and care for them as you would if they were in a single container in your home.

"Plants are living creatures and not decorations that never move or change. You should be prepared to adjust the plants as needed and give them the care they need for the wall to thrive properly," Portillano adds.