12 vertical garden ideas to inspire your own green wall

In recent years, green walls have become an increasingly popular feature in office buildings, hospitals, airport terminals… and backyards.

Not only are they a great way to cover a boring blank wall, but they can also help with soundproofing, improve air quality, and naturally regulate the temperature of the surrounding area.

Plant walls differ from green facades where climbing plants, which have their roots in the ground, are encouraged to grow on trellises.

Also known as vertical gardens or living walls, plant walls are created using a simple system of bags or pots and panels with an integrated water supply that allows for vertical planting with little ongoing maintenance. A city dweller’s dream!

These are some of our favorite ideas…

[Greenwall Australia](http://greenwallaustralia.com.au|target="_blank"|rel="nofollow") co-founder James Martin has given his own house a green wallcovering without the footprint, using the Skale system Greenwall. The west-facing wall receives the full force of the afternoon sun where only the toughest plants survive. Drought and sun tolerant rhipsalis, sedum, and three different crassula succulents were planted to create a non-linear living wall.

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Greenwall Australia co-founder James Martin has given his own home a green wallpaper without the footprint, using the Skale Greenwall system.

The west-facing wall receives the full force of the afternoon sun where only the toughest plants survive. Drought and sun tolerant rhipsalis, sedum, and three different crassula succulents were planted to create a non-linear living wall.

Photography: Simon Whitbread

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A bungalow located high in Laurel Canyon overlooking downtown Los Angeles featured an exposed deck that was unpleasant to sit on.

In such a hot and dry situation, succulents were the only answer, so the Greenwall Australia team used euphorbia, echeveria, senecio, crassula and aeonium. Planted from small tubes and cuttings, the plant wall took six months to settle and grow; More mature plants can be used if you have the budget.

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The owners of this California home wanted to add a bold perspective to enjoy from the glass-lined walkway. Working with architects Lean Arch Inc. and landscape designer Jones Landscapes, the owners now have a variegated plant wall featuring ‘Festival’ cordyline, kangaroo fern and dusty miller. The process took four weeks, while the plants took three months to grow. Architect: Lean Arch Inc.

Cinematography: Luke Gibson

"The homeowners told me they wanted 'barrel herbs,' so by stacking them up, their herb choices quadrupled," PJ says of the custom-built vertical garden. PJ also wanted to put the terracotta pot on display – the rim acts as the shelf to run the reinforced steel under, securing it in place. Horizontal and vertical rods are welded and drilled into the frame to support the collected weight.

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“The homeowners told me they wanted ‘barrel herbs,’ so by stacking them, their herb options quadrupled,” says PJ of the custom-built vertical garden. PJ also wanted to put the terracotta pot on display – the rim acts as the shelf to run the reinforced steel under, securing it in place. The horizontal and vertical rods are welded and drilled into the frame to support the collected weight.

Architect: Robson Rak | Landscaping: Weller Landscapes | Interiors: Made by Cohen | Photography: Shannon McGrath

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If you’re looking for a touch of low-maintenance greenery that’s optimal for vertical walls and also turns a bare wall into a visual feast for the eyes, try a wall of luscious plants.

This textured green tapestry in a Melbourne courtyard, designed by Fytogreen, comprises 30 different species.

Photography: Peter Bennetts

This circular garden feature in Melbourne by [Vertical Gardens Australia](http://verticalgardensaustralia.com.au|target="_blank"|rel="nofollow") was designed to break up the view of the white wall from the house. Low-maintenance *Ctenanthe burle marxii* and hardy *Chamaedorea elegans* (hall palms) thrive in bright, filtered light.

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This circular garden feature in Melbourne by Vertical Gardens Australia was designed to break up the view of the white wall of the house. Low-maintenance Ctenanthe burle marxii and hardy Chamaedorea elegans (hall palms) thrive in bright, filtered light.

This lush green wall offsets the modern angles of a Melbourne home designed by Leeton-Pointon. At 27 square meters, [Fytogreen](http://fytogreen.com.au|target="_blank"|rel="nofollow") vertical garden consists of 570 plants in total, including *Humata tyermanii* and *Pratia pedunculata *. The green tapestry reduces heat, light and echo, making the patio a more livable space. It also serves as a growing piece of art, which is visible from the living room. Architect: [Leeton Pointon](http://leetonpointon.com|target="_blank"|rel="nofollow").

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This lush green wall offsets the modern angles of a Melbourne home designed by Leeton-Pointon. Measuring 27 square meters, Fytogreen’s vertical garden comprises 570 plants in total, including Humata tyermanii and Pratia pedunculata . The green tapestry reduces heat, light and echo, making the patio a more livable space. It also serves as a growing piece of art, which is visible from the living room. Architect: Leeton Pointon .

Photography: Peter Bennetts

Vertical hanging planters are the perfect makeshift vertical garden for this [city center terrace](https://www.homestolove.com.au/minimalist-inspiration-from-a-light-filled-terrace-18366|target ="_blank ") patio, adding a soft contrast to the charcoal gray wall.

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Vertical hanging planters are the perfect makeshift vertical garden for the patio of this downtown terrace, and add a soft contrast to the charcoal gray wall.

Styling: Natalie Walton | Photography: Chris Warnes

At six meters tall, this planting takes focus from the height of the wall and spreads the greenery into the raised planter, avoiding this space by [Peter Fudge Gardens](http://peterfudgegardens.com.au|target="_blank "|rel="nofollow") in Sydney's Woolloomooloo from looking sparse. Red bromeliads have been planted for their spectacular color and resistance; As epiphytes, they can withstand limited morning sunlight and salty winds. Other notable plants include the hardy Lomandra 'Seascape' for its texture and ribbon grass, which has extensive shape and color useful when used in vertical gardens.

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At six meters tall, this planting takes focus from the height of the wall and spreads the greenery into the raised planter, keeping this space at Peter Fudge Gardens in Sydney’s Woolloomooloo from looking sparse.

Red bromeliads have been planted for their spectacular color and resistance; As epiphytes, they can withstand limited morning sunlight and salty winds. Other notable plants include the hardy Lomandra ‘Seascape’ for its texture and ribbon grass, which has extensive shape and color useful when used in vertical gardens.

Photography: Mark Singer

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A potted rubber plant brings deep green foliage to contrast with the soft gray and lavender plants, including the graptoveria and echeveria succulents in the box. Dichondra ‘Silver Falls’ hangs from western red cedar boxes.

Styling: Adam Robinson | Photography: Natalie Hunfalvay

Landscape designer [Matt Cantwell](http://www.secretgardens.com.au/|target="_blank"|rel="nofollow") added sound-absorbing properties to this patio wall and planted it to create a eye-catching feature. "At the top of the green wall, we choose plants that are more tolerant of the sun, while those at the bottom are more protected. We place the thirstiest plants lower because any watering makes its way downward, so that stay hydrated for longer. he says he.

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Landscaper Matt Cantwell added sound-absorbing properties to this patio wall and planted it to create an eye-catching feature.

“At the top of the green wall, we choose plants that are more tolerant of the sun, while those at the bottom are more protected. “We place the thirstiest plants lower because any watering makes its way downward, so they stay hydrated longer.” she says.

Styling: Jane Frosh and Lucy Tweed | Cinematography: Nicholas Watt

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The wooden deck is the new heart of the house and garden, with its spectacular backing of a green wall and a floating barbecue. Bluestone pavers lead through islands of plants to a patio featuring the sculptural forms of Banksia serrata.