Green walls, also known as living walls or vertical gardens, have become increasingly popular in recent years as an eco-friendly design element for both residential and commercial spaces. But while their benefits are numerous, many people wonder if the regular care and maintenance make them more trouble than they’re worth.
What are green walls?
Green walls are vertical planting systems that allow vegetation to grow up along a structural facade or interior wall. There are two main types:
- Green facades – This refers to climbing plants, such as ivy or Virginia creeper, that are rooted in the ground and grow up trellises, meshes, or nets attached to walls.
- Living walls – This uses modular panels, vertical gardens, or integrated planting beds that are fastened directly to the wall itself. These contain growing media like soil or coconut fiber along with an integrated water delivery system.
Benefits of green walls
Installing a green wall offers many advantages:
- Improves air quality – Plants absorb carbon dioxide and release oxygen through photosynthesis. They also filter particulate matter and pollutants from the air.
- Regulates building temperature – Greenery provides insulation and cooling through shade and transpiration.
- Reduces noise pollution – A dense vertical garden can muffle urban noise by up to 10 decibels.
- Saves energy – By reducing heat loss/gain and lowering the need for air conditioning, green walls can cut a building’s energy usage by up to 25%.
- Manages stormwater – Living walls help absorb and filter rainwater through their soil media.
- Creates habitats – Green walls support biodiversity by providing food and shelter for birds, beneficial insects, and small animals.
- Improves aesthetics – Vegetated surfaces bring natural beauty to otherwise plain, urban settings.
- Boosts wellbeing – Interacting with plants has psychological benefits like reduced stress and mental fatigue.
Challenges of maintaining green walls
While living walls provide many ecological and design advantages, they do require some degree of regular upkeep and maintenance. Some of the main challenges include:
- Watering – Plants on a vertical surface will need consistent irrigation and drainage. Accessing, monitoring, and adjusting irrigation systems can be labor intensive.
- Fertilization – Like any container plants, those on a green wall need periodic feeding with supplemental nutrients. This must be done safely to avoid fertilizer runoff.
- Pruning and training – Overgrown foliage will need regular trimming. Vining stems may need to be secured or guided back onto support structures.
- Pest management – Common garden pests like aphids and spider mites can infest a green wall. Environmentally friendly treatments may be needed.
- Leaf litter – Dead leaves and spent blooms falling off the wall will need to be cleared from walkways or drainage systems below.
- Seasonal maintenance – Plants may need extra water, pruning, or protection during extreme weather. Perennials will require care when going dormant.
Factors that influence maintenance needs
Not all green walls require the same level of care. The specific maintenance demands will depend on:
- Type of green wall system
- Size and height of the installation
- Density and types of plants used
- Age of the plants
- Angle or direction the wall faces
- Level of environmental exposure to sun, wind, rain, etc.
- Supplemental lighting conditions
- Efficiency of watering and drainage
- Presence of a plant care/maintenance plan
For example, a small indoor living wall growing slow-growing succulents will need much less effort than a large exterior ivy facade exposed to the elements.
Typical maintenance activities and frequency
While each green wall is unique, the following table provides a general overview of typical maintenance activities and how often they should be performed:
| Activity | Frequency |
|---|---|
| Watering | Daily or as needed |
| Fertilizing | Every 2-3 months during growing season |
| Pruning | Monthly or as needed |
| Training vines and stems | Weekly or as needed |
| Inspecting for pests/diseases | Weekly during growing season |
| Treating pests/diseases | As needed |
| Removing leaf litter | Monthly or as needed |
| Cleaning panels or wall surfaces | Annually or as needed |
| Seasonal protection/prep | As needed during extreme weather |
General watering guidelines
Proper irrigation is one of the most vital aspects of green wall maintenance. Consider these tips for watering:
- Check soil moisture frequently, water immediately if dry 1-2 inches deep
- Schedule irrigation for early morning or evening to reduce evaporation
- Adjust watering frequency and volume based on plant needs, wall size, season, and exposure
- Modify watering schedules gradually as plants establish and grow
- Inspect irrigation system periodically for leaks, blockages, or malfunctions
- Consider automatic drip irrigation systems on large installations for convenience
- Avoid overwatering that can lead to root rot, mold, or excess runoff
Basic fertilizer guidelines
Applying a balanced liquid fertilizer helps green walls thrive. Follow these tips for fertilizing:
- Use organic, slow-release formulas designed for containers/vertical gardens
- Read and follow label directions carefully
- Fertilize at half strength more frequently rather than full strength
- Rinse leaves after applying to avoid leaf burn
- Increase fertilizer strength and frequency for fast growing plants
- Reduce or suspend fertilizing in cold weather months
- Avoid over-fertilizing which can damage plants or contaminate runoff
Basic pruning and training guidelines
Trimming back overgrown foliage and securing wandering stems are important for green wall maintenance. Keep these tips in mind:
- Prune lightly and frequently, rather than heavily all at once
- Remove dead or dying leaves/stems promptly to prevent disease
- Cut just above leaf nodes or buds to encourage branching
- Monitor aggressive vines like ivy and do not let overwhelm other plants
- Check wall attachments and anchors regularly as plants grow heavier
- Gently tie wandering shoots back into position on supports
- Prune flowering plants like fuchsia after blooming to encourage new growth
Cost considerations for maintenance
When budgeting for a green wall installation, be sure to account for ongoing maintenance expenses. These may include:
- Labor costs for a professional living wall maintenance service or trained gardener
- Cost of water, fertilizer, and other supplies
- Rental fees for any specialized equipment needed to access or service the installation
- Cost of pest control treatments if needed
- Cost of replacing dead plants or installing seasonal plant rotations
- Fees for troubleshooting or repairing irrigation systems
Typically, maintenance costs for a green wall will range from $4 – $12 per square foot per year. Very large or intricate installations may be toward the higher end of that scale.
Maintenance tips to reduce labor
You can minimize the workload needed to care for a living wall by doing the following:
- Choose low-maintenance plants suitable for your lighting and conditions
- Use self-clinging climbing vines that attach directly to the wall surface
- Install automatic drip irrigation with timers and moisture sensors
- Use slow-release fertilizers that only need applying every few months
- Place outdoor walls where they will be sheltered from harsh wind and weather
- Include deeper soil pockets in wall panels to retain moisture longer
- Incorporate water retention gels into soil mix before planting
- Apply anti-desiccant sprays to plants before winter to reduce desiccation
- Properly space plants to allow air circulation and light penetration as they grow
- Remove leaf litter and debris promptly to prevent pests and diseases
Hiring a maintenance service
Property managers, business owners, and residents who want to enjoy the benefits of green walls without the hassle of caring for them can hire a professional living wall maintenance service. These companies take care of:
- Scheduled maintenance visits for watering, fertilizing, pruning, etc
- Adjusting and repairing irrigation systems
- Monitoring plants and treating any pests or diseases
- Replacing dead plants
- Seasonal maintenance preparations
- General troubleshooting of issues
When hiring a service, look for experienced companies with certified technicians, liability insurance, and experience maintaining walls similar to yours. Request references from past clients as well. Maintenance contracts typically cost around $250-$500 per month for 200-300 square feet of living wall space. This provides substantial labor savings compared to caring for a wall in-house.
Conclusion
Maintaining healthy, attractive green walls does require a regular time investment. However, many strategies exist to reduce the labor burden through proper planning, plant selection, and technology integration. Wall owners also have the option of hiring professional maintenance services if they decide hands-on care is not for them but they still want to enjoy the benefits of living walls. With the right approach, green walls can remain lush and thriving without becoming a chore.
