Living Wall from Scratch: A Step-by-Step Guide

Key Takeaways

• Living walls offer a versatile and space-saving solution for adding greenery to your living or work environment.
• Modular systems allow for a wide range of customization options to suit your needs and aesthetic preferences.
• Living walls provide numerous benefits, including improved air quality, increased biodiversity, and enhanced privacy.
• With the right planning and materials, you can create a thriving living wall from scratch.
• Proper plant selection and maintenance are key to ensuring the long-term success of your living wall.

What is a Living Wall?

A living wall, also known as a green wall or vertical garden, is a vertical system for plants. It saves space and is built with special panels or planters². French botanist Patrick Blanc made them popular in the 1980s and 1990s. Now, they're loved by businesses and homeowners alike².

Benefits of a Living Wall

Living walls improve indoor air quality². They can filter out harmful chemicals found indoors. Moss walls, a type of green wall, need little light and care, making them great for many places².

Living walls and green facades differ. Living walls have plants rooted in the wall, while green facades have climbing plants². Home gardeners often choose loose media green walls, but they need soil replacement every year or two².

Sheet media green walls last longer than mat media². Structural media green walls are for big projects and can hold many plants. But, they need a pro to install²³.

Building a DIY green wall needs planning for structure, sunlight, water, and plants². Wooden walls need plastic lining to avoid rot. The irrigation system affects the wall's cost and setup².

Living walls bring greenery to spaces in a unique and beautiful way. They offer many environmental and aesthetic benefits³.

Gather Inspiration and Plan Your Living Wall

Before starting your living wall project, it's key to gather inspiration and plan your design. Look at online galleries, design magazines, and social media like Pinterest or Instagram⁴. This helps you figure out the look you want and the plants you'll use.

Think about the wall space, the look you want, and how much sunlight it gets. Living walls are popular in interior design, especially on social media⁴. They clean the air, add a unique touch, are easy to care for, and work well in small spaces⁴.

Start by searching for ideas on Pinterest or Instagram to plan your living wall⁴. Pick a spot that's sturdy and gets enough sunlight for plants⁴. Beginners should start small and measure the space carefully.

When picking a frame, look at different shapes, sizes, colors, and materials. Make sure it stops water from leaking⁴. Good plants for living walls include ferns, bromeliads, succulents, and vines⁴. Regular checks on drainage, plant health, light, and fertilization are key to keeping it alive⁴.

By finding inspiration and planning well, you'll create a green oasis. It will make your space look better, clean the air, and offer a special indoor gardening experience. With proper design and care, your living wall will be a highlight of your home or office.

Prepare the Wall and Choose the Frame

After you've found inspiration and planned your living wall, it's time to get ready. Clean, level, and debris-free walls are essential. You might need a waterproof membrane or backing, depending on the wall material, to protect it from moisture⁶.

When picking a frame, think about weight, durability, and how easy it is to install. Plastic frames from thrift stores are cheap and light⁶. For something more lasting, metal or wooden frames are sturdy. Make sure the frame can hold the weight of plants, soil, and water without harming the wall⁷.

Choose your frame wisely and prepare the wall well. Clean it and apply waterproofing or backing if needed. This ensures your living wall system lasts long and works well⁶⁸.

"The key to a successful living wall is proper wall preparation and choosing the right frame or system to support the weight and moisture requirements of the plants." - Gardening Expert

Living Wall vertical garden from Scratch

With your wall ready and frame picked, you can start making your diy living wall. First, put up the frame as the maker says, making sure it's tight and straight. You might need screws, rawl plugs, or other fasteners, based on your choice⁹.

To make your vertical garden installation, you'll need specific materials. You'll need 14 pieces of 1″x8″x6′ boards, 4 pieces of 1″x6″x6′ boards, and 1 piece of 2″x4″x8′. You'll also need a Miter Saw and a Drill. Plus, you'll need 1-5/8″ and 2″ screws and Tapcon masonry anchors 1/4″x2-1/4″⁹.

For the triangle supports, you'll need 28 pieces, with 2 for each bed. The front pieces for the beds will be different lengths, from 33-5/8″ to 33-3/4″, because of wood variations⁹.

Think about what plants you want, like Lavender, Rosemary, Thyme, Basil, Peppermint, and Spinach⁹. Use Behr Premium Semi-Transparent Waterproofing Stain & Sealer in Tugboat to protect your building a living wall from the weather⁹.

Mount your vertical gardens on a brick wall using Tapcon masonry anchors for a strong and stable setup⁹.

Follow these steps to make a stunning and useful vertical garden installation. It will bring life and color to your home⁹¹⁰¹¹.

Choosing the Right Plants

Choosing the right plants is key for a living wall's success. Think about light, water, and growth habits. This ensures your plants will do well in your living wall's spot¹².

Sun-Loving Plants for Living Walls

For spots with lots of sunlight, pick plants that love it. These plants soak up the sun's rays¹². Some great picks include:

• Succulents (e.g., echeveria, sedum, hen and chicks)
• Lavender
• Rosemary
• Petunias
• Vinca

These plants do well in bright spots and bring color and texture to your garden¹³. Make sure to pick plants that need the same care. This makes upkeep easier.

Vertical gardening turns unused space into a garden¹². It's a hit for adding beauty to homes and mixing indoors with outdoors¹³. When picking plants, think about their needs for water and light. This helps them get along well together¹³.

Building Your Living Wall

Now that your wall is ready, it's time to start your living wall. Plant your chosen plants into the growing medium, making sure they're evenly spaced and the roots are secure¹⁴. Follow the instructions from the manufacturer for the best way to plant in your living wall system.

When setting up your living wall, think about the weight and drainage. This prevents water damage¹⁴. Use lightweight fabric or stain-treated wood for your planters, and line them with a waterproof membrane¹⁴.

For a beautiful DIY living wall, mix evergreens, annuals, and different plants¹⁴. Pick plants that fit your area's climate and light, like ferns and succulents¹⁵.

Keeping your living wall healthy is key¹⁴. Check the drainage, watch the plants, and make sure they get enough light. Fertilize when needed¹⁵. Using a FoodCycler can help make nutrient-rich soil for your wall¹⁵.

With the right planning and care, your wall can become a lush, green living wall. It will make your space look better, clean the air, and improve your health¹⁵.

By following these steps, you can make a beautiful DIY living wall. It will bring nature into your home or garden. With the right care, your living wall will flourish and offer many benefits for years¹⁵¹⁴¹⁶.

Conclusion

Creating a living wall is a rewarding project that can change any space. It can be an indoor room or an outdoor area. By following this guide, you can make your own stunning vertical garden. It will match your style and the wall's conditions¹⁷.

Vertical gardening brings many benefits. It makes your space look better with greenery, flowers, and herbs. It also improves air quality by removing carbon dioxide and adding oxygen¹⁷.

These gardens are also good at avoiding pests and diseases. This means you don't need to use harmful chemicals. Instead, they help control pests naturally¹⁷.

If you want creative¹⁸ ideas for living walls or a DIY project, this guide has you covered. It gives you the info and inspiration to make your vertical garden dream come true. By using different plants, creative structures, and caring for your wall, you can make your space a lush, green oasis¹⁷¹⁸.

Source Links

1. How to make a living wall – an easy step by step to DIY your own living wall system - https://www.realhomes.com/advice/how-to-create-a-living-wall
2. Green Walls: How to Create a Living Landscape (or Wallscape) - https://www.lawnstarter.com/blog/landscaping/green-walls/
3. Key Definition: Living Wall - World Green Infrastructure Network - https://worldgreeninfrastructurenetwork.org/key-definition-living-wall/
4. How to Create a DIY Living Wall Indoors - https://foodcycler.com/blogs/gardening/how-to-create-a-diy-living-wall-indoors?srsltid=AfmBOool-Mev1gu6s7mAEU5nZngBi5T6w8jmD0g1U5YEYBYFgBYdwN9V
5. Living Walls; A Designer Dream or Ecologist's Nightmare? - https://www.learningwithexperts.com/gardening/blog/green-walls-designer-dream-or-ecologists-nightmare
6. Re-purpose a Plastic Frame to Make a Vertical Garden - https://acraftymix.com/framing-vertical-garden/
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8. Step by Step Guide to setup the Vertical Garden - https://www.trustbasket.com/blogs/how-to-grow/step-by-step-guide-to-setup-the-vertical-garden?srsltid=AfmBOoq6bWD9bfk22UNjOXjUrcGLKJAfHucfeRgfEb_Kdq-UI_Z2P7SR
9. DIY Living Wall (How to Make A Vertical Garden for Under $150!) - https://savannahsaidit.wordpress.com/2021/05/20/diy-living-wall-how-to-make-a-vertical-garden-for-under-150/
10. How to Build a Vertical Living Wall Garden - Stephanie Moram - https://www.goodgirlgonegreen.com/how-to-build-a-lush-vertical-living-wall-garden/
11. 15 Vertical Garden Ideas, From Living Walls to Botanical Libraries - https://www.architecturaldigest.com/story/vertical-garden-ideas-from-living-walls-to-botanical-libraries
12. DIY Guide to Building a Vertical Garden  | VELCRO® Brand Blog - https://www.velcro.com/news-and-blog/2023/07/diy-guide-to-building-a-vertical-garden/
13. How to Create a Living Wall to Maximize Your Outdoor Space - https://www.veranda.com/outdoor-garden/a32381715/how-to-create-a-living-wall/
14. How to create a vertical garden – DIY advice for building a living wall - https://www.homesandgardens.com/gardens/how-to-create-a-vertical-garden
15. How to Create a DIY Living Wall Indoors - https://foodcycler.com/blogs/gardening/how-to-create-a-diy-living-wall-indoors?srsltid=AfmBOopeiODu4zyHeWeTfHtttJDa6GyyMesRijx0k7naYICxbRlbkhea
16. An Upcycle Garden Idea: Build a Living Wall - https://durhammastergardeners.com/2019/08/28/an-upcycle-gardening-idea-build-a-living-wall/
17. Vertical Gardening - https://inheritedseeds.com/blogs/news/vertical-gardening?srsltid=AfmBOopz5ThERwqZ-YQEfwnLEgKktjZp6iVJ_Xa3CSX_8j1dfyydLd13
18. Vertical Gardening: Maximizing Your Space - https://www.tnnursery.net/blogs/tn-nursery-blog/the-joy-of-vertical-gardening