6 Considerations When Installing Green Walls

Livings walls and gardens are eco-friendly design trends which are now quite common in modern commercial facilities. All the benefits of these green walls make them desirable additions to any space, including homes, schools, and healthcare facilities. These plants help absorb harmful toxins from the air while also increasing oxygen levels. Areas with green walls are aesthetically pleasing and are proven to help with calmness and relaxation.

Apart from improved air quality, green walls also have excellent insulation properties which can absorb noise and improve indoor temperatures. To make sure that living walls are correctly installed, here are six considerations you need to make.

Availability of light

Living walls need maximum exposure to light since most plant species used for these installations are tropical and evergreen. If the installation is situated in a space with limited light, you can use LED lights to supplement natural light. In using artificial light to sustain living plants, you need the assistance of a professional green wall company like CityAirTech.com with the installation.

Selecting plant species

Green wall consultants will provide you with a list of plants to choose from which are ideal for the conditions. Together with designers and architects, you can narrow down the options depending on the desired aesthetic. Most of the plant species used for green walls are tropical indoor varieties which can thrive well in a warm indoor climate. If you want enhanced air purification capabilities, you will need to choose plants that can absorb air pollutants like formaldehyde and carbon dioxide. If installing living walls in healthcare facilities, blooming plants are not ideal because flowers can release pollen which may cause allergic reactions.

Planting medium

Depending on where the green wall will be installed, you need to take into account whether or not you require a plant medium that prohibits the growth of bacteria. In hospitals and other sterile environments, for example, it is best to use a plant medium like rock wool.

Wall system

Livings walls usually consist of panels or trays. Green wall panels are typically modular and come with pre-grown plants. These panels are also removable for easier access to irrigation lines. If you choose a tray system, you can add potted plants which you can also replace or rearrange anytime you like.

Water source

Large-scale green walls usually come with built-in irrigation systems that have a timer for scheduling the frequency of watering the plants. This type of irrigation system makes the green wall low-maintenance. If there is no option to access a water supply line, you can use a tank with a pump system to water the plants manually. The system will automatically re-circulate the water, so there is no need for drainage or plumbing.

Plant maintenance

Plants need care and maintenance once in a while. Depending on how fast the plant grows, you may need to prune the vegetation every couple of weeks. But if you want to achieve a certain look or manipulate the plants to grow a certain way, you will need to work on maintaining the plants weekly.