Berkshire Hathaway EWM Realty.
Adelaida “Ady” M. Artime, P.A., Berkshire Hathaway EWM Realty.Phone: (786) 512-2467
Email: [email protected]

Why a Living Green Wall is Worth Considering For Your Home

by Adelaida “Ady” M. Artime, P.A. 12/05/2021


Photo by Magda Ehlers from Pexels

Living walls have become increasingly popular in buildings in cities and urban areas. Also called vertical gardens or green walls, these installations can provide several benefits to the area besides just aesthetic appeal. While you’ll most often encounter living walls outdoors, they’re also common inside commercial spaces and homes. Here we’ll go over what exactly goes in to a living wall and the many benefits of having one in your own home.

How Do Living Walls Work?

Living walls are made with a frame up against an existing wall. The frames are usually metal or plastic and have a layer of “growth medium” for the plants to grow in. For some living wall designs growth medium can simply mean soil. For others, they use a compact growth medium in block or mat form. The plants can attached directly to the medium to get nutrients through their roots and remain supported by the structure of the wall.

Most living walls have a built-in irrigation system on the back which allows the plants access to water without waste or risk of moisture damage. Depending on the complexity of the wall and the plants included there may even be automatic misting functions to keep the leaves of moisture-loving plants healthy.

For plant choice, indoor living walls offer a lot of options because of the likelihood of a temperature controlled environment. Evergreens are usually the best choice regardless of your living wall’s location because they will not leave “dead” spots on the wall when dormant. Other popular plant choices include philodendrons, ferns and even succulents.

Can You Make Your Own?

There are many companies that provide living wall supply and installation both for the home and larger outdoor spaces. However, living walls are possible to DIY as long as you use the right tools. The simplest way to build your own living wall is to attach planters to a frame or directly into the wall. You can repurpose an unused book shelf or even use a wooden palette as the primary structure.

Building a living wall in this style will not achieve the same look as the ones with plants attached horizontally. However, you can still cover the entire wall with greenery as long as you choose the right plants. This also helps you avoid the need for an attached irrigation system since you can water the plants normally. That said, be mindful of logistics and maintenance: don’t forget you need to reach them in order to care for them.

What Are the Benefits?

There are plenty of benefits to living walls no matter the location. Some key advantages include:

  • Breathe Easy - Adding a dense collection of plantlife will help purify your air and provide extra oxygen.

  • Insulation - Living walls can be excellent sound dampeners and help control the temperature in your living space.

  • Save Energy - Because of their insulating effects, living walls can make your home more energy efficient by helping regulate and maintain ideal temperatures.

  • Lift Your Mood - Having a living wall can make you feel more energized and productive and can also promote a sense of calm.

  • Increase Property Value - Any energy efficient or sustainable feature is attractive to homebuyers. A living wall can boost the resale value of your home.

  • Visual Appeal - Living walls are eye-catching and beautiful additions to any space and have the benefits of a garden and a piece of art all at once.

No matter if you hire a professional or DIY, adding a living wall is an excellent way to improve your quality of life, help the environment and boost your home value at the same time.

About the Author
Author

Adelaida “Ady” M. Artime, P.A.

In her role as a real estate and relocation specialist in South Florida and Northern Virginia, Ady Artime prides herself on providing the highest level of service, confidentiality and professionalism to her clients. Based on her own experience as a government liaison, Ady is in familiar territory working with high powered individuals. She possesses a discreet and confidential work ethic, and her keen eye, attention to detail, and experience with multi-million dollar properties have earned her a high-profile, loyal clientele that expect the best from their realtor.

Known for her expertise and strong background in interior design, she stands out from other real estate agents. When a satisfied client says that Ady knows real estate "inside and out", the statement is to be taken literally. Over the course of her career, she has received recognition as an award-winning interior designer. She has designed and implemented interiors for countless luxury projects throughout the United States, and Europe. Her extensive knowledge of all facets of design, including working with architects and construction teams, led to a natural progression into the real estate arena and gives her a definite edge over the competition in serving her clients.

As and agent in South Florida and North Virginia, Ady lends her real estate expertise and design savvy to buyers and sellers. Ady's mission is to develop a faithful, repeat clientele by providing them with superior service and value. She is passionate about her work and takes the time to understand each client's needs and goals to accurately assess the options she provides. From overseeing the staging of a listed property in order to fetch the highest possible price to analyzing a potential purchase from a design and architectural perspective.