Organic planting, growing and farming has become increasingly popular in the past few years as more and more people want to understand where their plants and food are coming from. We’ve seen a variety of trends crop up, particularly in urban agriculture, and the latest are living or green walls in farms, gardens, indoor and outdoor living spaces.

What is a living wall?

A living wall is essentially a vertical garden that uses hydroponics to sustain itself. It could be a wall that you construct yourself to separate sections, or it could be an existing wall on a building. The plants on the growing wall are rooted in a structural support system attached to the wall, and they receive their nutrients and water from this support system as opposed to roots in the ground. Living walls even work indoors.

How does it work?

Green walls include soil or some growing component and often include a water delivery system, particularly if it is indoors. They’re made of panels and work in a few different ways depending on the kinds of plants you’re growing. Sometimes, there are individual planters going up a wall; however, there are often mat systems made of different materials to support different plant types.

Why do growers, gardeners, homeowners and planters have them?

Living or green walls are aesthetically pleasing as a diverse design option, but they’re also sustainable. One of the best things about green walls is that they cool down the area they’re in and improve air quality as they reduce surrounding temperatures. They also act as a means of water reuse, especially in arid areas. This is because the water on a vertical wall is not as likely to evaporate or dry out than water in standard horizontal garden spaces. These walls are also a great space alternative for smaller properties, and they provide a user-friendly way to maintain your plants. Many people opt to grow their own herbs on living walls.

What are some other benefits of living walls?

Living walls can help the building they are attached to, by protecting them from temperature changes, diverting water away from building materials, and protecting the structure from the sun and UV radiation. Living wall panels help insulate buildings and can help reduce energy costs for the building over time, particularly in the winter months. The plants also help reduce noise levels by blocking sound.

There are a wide variety of plants that thrive organically in all temperatures and areas on vertical and green walls. Keep an eye on this organic trend when you start thinking about your next growing project.