Growing a Living Wall Indoors

I've currently been toying around with the idea of creating and growing a living wall indoors. A living wall is nothing new. People have been growing these both indoors and out for years. Living walls are basically walls that are made up entirely of plants or existing walls that are covered with them. Some people even include aquariums in their designs. Its purpose (indoors), other than that of aesthetic appearances, is to help purify the air and boost humidity levels. House plants are a great way to accomplish this, but I find the whole living wall concept quite intriguing. Not only could this improve the air quality in the home, but just like any other form of vertical gardening, I think a living wall could also be an ideal solution for covering a bare wall or maximizing limited space. I'm sure just about anyone has an unattractive wall that could use some sprucing up or perhaps a small space that's just itching for use-I know both of these are true for me.

Vertical gardening techniques are nothing knew to me, so in designing a living wall, I will no doubt employ some, if not all, of these approaches. Living walls can be small and simple or large and complex, depending on your needs. I am opting for something simple-perhaps a mix of climbing or hanging plants like ivy, spider plant, creeping Jenny, or philodendron and other upright plants such as peace lily, snake plant, lucky bamboo, etc. For additional interest, I may even throw in some moss along the base.

As with any garden design, you have to choose appropriate plants for the area in question. You'll want to ensure that whatever plants you choose receive adequate amounts of light from a nearby window, door, skylight, etc. Otherwise, artificial lighting may be necessary. Once the plants and light requirements have been taken care of, it's time to prepare the living wall structure (with irrigation in mind). You'll want to make sure that all the plants can be watered easily and effectively. Since I'm going for a simple design, I will allow for some water from the topmost plants to trickle down onto those below.

In order to accomplish this, I'll most likely have to add a water-repellent material as a backdrop for my existing wall so that it doesn't become drenched with moisture-not good. Then I'll have to attach various plant containers, like wall pots or open-iron mangers, to the wall. Once I'm satisfied with the design, the hanging plants can be potted up and hung in place. Next will come the base, which I'm thinking to be a small series of shelves to hold containers of larger, more upright plants. Maybe I'll even do a planter-like design. This way I'll have a bit more flexibility not only in what plants I add, but the overall cleaning, repotting, watering, etc. should be easier.

Remember, your indoor living wall can be designed in any manner that fits your needs and personal style. Of course, if you're new at this type of gardening (vertical), you may want to start small and add to it later.

Resources: personal experience