D.I.Y. Small-Scale Living Wall at Home: A Step-by-Step Guide

Posted on May 30th, 2024 by Catherine

Living walls, or vertical gardens, are a beautiful and practical way to bring nature into your home. They can enhance your indoor environment, improve air quality, and boost your mood. In this guide, we’ll walk you through the process of creating a small-scale living wall at home, perfect for beginners.

Materials Needed

Wall-mounted planter or vertical garden kit
Selection of small plants (e.g., herbs, succulents, ferns)
Potting soil or hydroponic growing medium
Mounting hardware (screws, brackets)
Watering can or spray bottle
Fertilizer (optional)
Gardening gloves
Level and measuring tape

Step 1: Choose the Right Location

Select a location in your home that receives adequate light for the plants you choose. Most indoor plants require indirect sunlight, so a wall near a window is ideal. Ensure the wall can support the weight of the living wall structure and plants.

Step 2: Select Your Plants

Choose plants that thrive indoors and have similar light and water requirements. Some good options include:

Herbs: Basil, parsley, mint
Succulents: Aloe vera, jade plant, echeveria
Ferns: Boston fern, maidenhair fern
Trailing plants: English ivy, pothos, philodendron

Step 3: Assemble Your Living Wall Structure

Install Mounting Hardware: Use a level and measuring tape to mark where you want to place your living wall. Secure the mounting hardware to the wall according to the instructions provided with your planter or vertical garden kit.
Attach Planter: Once the hardware is in place, attach the planter or vertical garden kit securely to the wall.

Step 4: Prepare the Plants

Prepare Soil: If using potting soil, fill each planter section with soil, leaving enough space for the plant roots. If using a hydroponic system, follow the kit instructions for preparing the growing medium.
Plant Selection: Carefully remove each plant from its nursery pot, gently loosening the roots.
Plant Placement: Position each plant in the planter, ensuring roots are well-covered with soil or growing medium.

Step 5: Planting Your Living Wall

Insert Plants: Place each plant into the planter sections. Arrange them so taller plants are at the top and trailing plants hang down, creating a balanced look.
Fill Gaps: Fill any gaps around the roots with additional soil or growing medium, pressing gently to secure the plants.

Step 6: Watering and Care

Watering: Water your living wall immediately after planting. Use a watering can with a long spout or a spray bottle to reach all sections. Keep the soil consistently moist but not waterlogged.
Lighting: Ensure your living wall receives the appropriate amount of light. Supplement with grow lights if necessary.
Fertilizing: Feed your plants with a balanced, water-soluble fertilizer every 4-6 weeks during the growing season.
Pruning and Maintenance: Regularly prune your plants to encourage healthy growth and remove any dead or yellowing leaves.

Tips for Success

Monitor Humidity: Indoor environments can be dry, especially in winter. Consider using a humidifier or misting your plants to maintain humidity.
Check for Pests: Inspect your plants regularly for signs of pests such as aphids or spider mites. Treat infestations promptly with insecticidal soap or neem oil.
Rotate Plants: Occasionally rotate your plants to ensure even growth and light distribution.

Creating a small-scale living wall at home is a rewarding project that brings the beauty of nature indoors. However, if you want a truly stunning and professionally crafted living wall, consider having an expert build it for you. Our team at Vertical Oxygen specializes in creating custom living walls that transform spaces and elevate the ambiance of your home.

Explore our gallery of private home living walls below to see the amazing custom walls we’ve brought to life! Contact us today to discuss how we can bring the magic of a living wall to your home, crafted by our expert designers and installers.

Check out our gallery and consider having an expert build a living wall for you. Discover the beauty and benefits of professionally designed living walls in private homes.