Living Walls & Green Walls: The Reality Behind the Instagram Photos

This is a deep dive into one specific biophilic design element. For foundational concepts and how living walls fit into broader biophilic design strategy, see The Beginner’s Guide to Biophilic Design.

I am constantly being asked about living walls. Someone will send me an image of a beautiful, cascading green wall from some high-end penthouse in London, or a retail store that appears to be a jungle, and ask “Can we put one in our flat?”

My response is always: possibly. However, most likely not like the picture.

Here’s the truth about living walls – they are fantastic-looking, they provide many benefits; however, they are not maintenance-free theatrical displays. I have created over two dozen living walls across London and Manchester. However, I have also witnessed many failures, due to the fact that individuals did not fully comprehend the true requirements of these systems. This article is intended to describe the realities: what living walls truly accomplish, what they cost to maintain, and whether they will be beneficial for your unique space.

What Living Walls Truly Are (and How They Differ Than Just Using Plants in Pots)

A living wall is essentially a vertically mounted garden system – plants are growing on the wall, rather than in pots on the floor. These can range from very simple designs (plants attached to a trellis) to highly advanced (hydroponic systems with irrigation, sensors and automatic watering).

The primary distinction between simply placing plants on shelves, is scale and integration. A living wall is a system – its purpose is to grow dozens or even hundreds of plants within a vertical space, thus requiring suitable irrigation, drainage, structural support, and usually, a professional installation.

So, why would you opt for a living wall, as opposed to simply purchasing additional floor plants? Primarily for space efficiency. If you have limited floor space, but a large bare wall, a living wall allows you to introduce significant amounts of greenery into the space, without consuming your actual living space. That is the primary reason living walls have grown so popular in London apartments, with extremely limited square footage available.

Benefits (They’re Genuine – But Let’s Get Down to Specific Details)

Living walls do produce authentic benefits. The research is strong. However, I believe it’s essential to clearly articulate what living walls actually accomplish, vs., what marketing typically portrays.

Air Quality: Research stemming from NASA’s Clean Air Study has demonstrated that vertically planted systems may eliminate VOCs and PM through continuous photosynthetic processes. The mechanisms involved include gas exchange, microbial filtration in growing media, and direct plant uptake of volatile compounds. Studies conducted in controlled environments demonstrate that living wall systems may result in VOC reductions ranging from 40-90%, dependent upon the density of plant species, and environmental conditions. In offices and retail spaces, these results compound throughout the workday.

I’ve had clients measure air quality prior to and post-living wall installation, utilizing particle counters and VOC monitors. The differences are quantifiable – not subjective, actual reductions on standard air quality measuring equipment.

Sound Reduction: If you reside in a noisy urban apartment located directly above a major roadway, or in close proximity to traffic, research on acoustical engineering, published in the Journal of Building Acoustics indicates that vegetated wall systems will absorb sound across multiple frequency ranges, with the level of sound absorption dependent on plant density and wall composition. Most field studies indicate a 10-15 decibel reduction in sound levels at speech frequencies. We’ve documented similar results in London residential properties, and the differences are measurable — especially regarding low frequency urban noise.

Thermal Regulation: Field studies from Oxford Brookes University examining external green walls demonstrate that vegetated facades reduce building heat loss by 20-30% in winter months, and reduce surface temperatures by as much as 8°C through shading and evaporative cooling in summer months. The primary mechanisms include the plants intercepting solar radiation (thereby reducing heat gain), and the water in the system providing evaporative cooling. If you have a south-facing wall receiving intense summer sunlight, a living wall will help keep your interior space cooler without continuously operating your air conditioner.

Wellbeing: Biophilic elements such as living walls increase occupant restorativeness and decrease stress through the 14 Patterns Framework for Biophilic Design developed by Terrapin Bright Green. Viewing a living wall affects you in different ways than viewing a blank wall, or even a flat photo. There are variations, movement (water, light, shadow), and colour complexity. Your brain interprets this as engaging and restorative.

Regarding retail spaces, research from Human Spaces on biophilic workplace design indicates that spaces incorporating natural elements result in longer dwell times and greater spending, with customers averaging 15% more time spent in retail environments featuring biophilically designed spaces. People spend more time in spaces with living walls. Individuals perceive their surroundings as being of higher quality.

Plant Selection for Living Walls

Not every plant works in every living wall system. Here’s what actually thrives in vertical growing:

Plant	Light Needs	Water Requirements	Wall Suitability	Humidity Tolerance	UK Flat Safe
Pothos	Low to medium	High (weekly)	Excellent—grows quickly, flexible	Good	Yes—pet toxic but common choice
Sedum	Bright indirect	Low (every 2-3 weeks)	Excellent—lightweight, succulent	Low	Yes—pet safe, drought tolerant
Ferns (Boston)	Medium	High (keep moist)	Good—delicate appearance	High	Yes—but risks mold in sealed flats
Philodendron	Low to medium	Medium (weekly)	Excellent—trailing, vigorous	Good	Varies by species
Peperomia	Medium	Medium (allow to dry between)	Good—compact, dense	Good	Yes—mostly pet safe
Swedish Ivy	Medium	Medium-high	Good—cascading growth	Good	Yes—pet safe, attractive

Key point: Humidity-loving plants (Ferns, Peace Lily) work beautifully in well-ventilated systems but create mold risk in poorly ventilated UK flats. Succulents (Sedum, Echeveria) work better in sealed residential spaces because they tolerate drier conditions.

Maintenance Reality (Where Most Projects Actually Fail)

Here’s where I need to be honest because this is where most living walls become a regret instead of an asset.

Living walls require consistent maintenance. Not occasionally. Consistently.

Task	Frequency	What It Involves	Time/Cost
Watering/Irrigation cheque	2-3x weekly or continuous (if automated)	Refill reservoir, cheque pump function, inspect soil moisture	15 mins manual / £30-50/month service
Plant inspection	Weekly	Cheque for dead leaves, pest signs, disease	10 mins
Plant replacement	Monthly-quarterly	Remove dead plants, propagate new ones, replant	30 mins + £20-50 per replacement
Algae cleaning	Monthly	Wipe surfaces, manage algae growth on systems/pots	20 mins
Nutrient/pH management	Monthly (hydroponic only)	Test water, adjust nutrients, manage pH 5.5-6.5	15 mins
Structural inspection	Quarterly	Cheque wall mounting, water drainage, structural integrity	30 mins
Deep clean	Quarterly	Full system flush, filter cleaning, complete plant review	2-3 hours

I’ve designed beautiful living walls in offices where they became neglected because no one took responsibility for maintenance. Six months later, they look sad. People spend more money trying to revive them than they would have spending on regular maintenance.

Here’s my rule: Only commit to a living wall if you’re genuinely willing to maintain it weekly or can pay someone else to maintain it regularly. This isn’t a “set it and forget it” biophilic element.

Cost Reality: Initial + 5-Year Breakdown

System Type	Initial Cost	Monthly Maintenance	5-Year Total	Best For
Simple (trellis + shelves)	£200-500	£0 (DIY)	£200-500	Renters, budget-conscious
Modular panels (irrigation)	£2,000-5,000	£100-200 (service)	£8,000-17,000	Small residential/office
Hydroponic system	£5,000-15,000	£200-400 (service)	£17,000-39,000	Commercial, serious commitment
Landmark Pinnacle scale	£500,000+	£5,000+ (dedicated staff)	£800,000+	Luxury residential/retail

The ROI calculation: A £3,000 modular wall over 5 years costs £12,000 total (including maintenance). If you’re gaining documented wellbeing benefits (stress reduction, air quality, thermal savings), research suggests approximately £1,800 annual value in documented productivity/health outcomes. Net cost: £9,000. Worth it? Depends on your priorities.

Alternatives to Permanent Living Walls for Tenants Who Want to Keep Their Deposits

For tenants who want to add some green to their space — but don’t want to lose their deposit by making irreversible changes to their walls — there are alternatives that provide around 70% of the benefits of a permanent living wall at a fraction of the cost:

Command Strip Vertical Planters (approx. £20-£50): These use removable adhesive strips that allow you to hang modular plant containers directly on walls. They’re completely reversible; there’s no risk of causing damage to the walls when you leave. Command Strip planters offer instant visual contact with the outdoors, many air quality improvements, and minimal maintenance.

Tension Rod Planters (approx. £30-£80): Tension rods span the distance between the floor and the ceiling with hanging plant baskets attached. There’s no wall damage required; the rods can be easily removed if you move home. They look great too, and because the planters hang, you can easily scale up or down depending on how much space you have available.

Free-Standing Shelf Units (approx. £100-£300): Free-standing, tall, narrow shelves placed against walls can also create a lot of vertical plant density without requiring any sort of mounting to walls. Because these are free-standing, they can easily be moved when you move home.

So, while none of these alternatives replicate all of the benefits of a permanent living wall (i.e., the added visual connection to the outdoors, improved indoor air quality, and increased use of vertical space), they still deliver anywhere from 60-70% of the benefits of a permanent living wall — without the structural requirements, potential for long-term damage to walls, or additional complications with your landlord.

Counterarguments to Consider

While I’d love to sell you on the idea of using a living wall in your flat, there are a couple of things that can potentially go wrong:

Allergies and Sensitivities: A number of individuals develop allergies or sensitivities to high concentrations of plants in sealed spaces. Additionally, the mold spores that grow when plant systems are excessively moist can exacerbate respiratory problems. While this issue is certainly legitimate, particularly for poorly ventilated UK flats.

Sun Damage: South-facing walls receiving intense direct sunlight can result in leaf burns. Similarly, excessive heat generated by the sun can damage irrigation systems. If your wall receives more than six hours of direct sunlight per day, you will likely need to select specific plants for your wall that can withstand extreme conditions, and possibly install some form of shade.

Pet Safety: As many of you know, many common living wall plants (such as Pothos, Philodendron) are toxic to cats and dogs. If you have pets, you will need to carefully consider which plants to choose for your wall, or ensure that your pets cannot reach the plants.

Mold and Humidity: As previously discussed, the single largest residential barrier to successful living walls is humidity and mold. In sealed, poorly ventilated UK flats, living walls can increase humidity levels above 65% and lead to mold growth on walls, ceilings, and other surfaces within the space. This is a real problem I’ve had to deal with myself.

When Are Living Walls Really Justifiable?

Based on my previous experience working with living walls in residential settings, I would generally advise installing living walls in the following situations:

Office Spaces: Office spaces with significant budgets and sufficient resources to support maintenance activities. Businesses that prioritize employee wellness and have adequate service contracts will find living walls to be effective tools in increasing employee productivity and retention.

Retail/Hospitality Spaces: Longer customer stays, improved perceptions of quality, increased spend. A worthwhile addition to customer-facing environments.

Very High Flats with Very Little Floor Space: If you’re living in a narrow London conversion and your wall is the only space available for greenery, a living wall will help to solve a very real problem.

Individuals that Enjoy Plants and Maintenance: If you enjoy caring for plants, and have the time and resources to maintain them, then by all means go for a living wall!

Where Living Walls Usually Won’t Work:

Renters in Small Flats with Unwilling Landlords: Due to the structural requirements, cost, and short term duration, it rarely makes sense for renters to invest in living walls. Instead, use one of the renter-friendly alternatives.

Individuals that Struggle to Maintain Potted Plants: If you have difficulty keeping a single potted plant alive, then attempting to maintain multiple plants in a large-scale living wall system will be frustrating and expensive.

Small Budgets: You will receive significantly more value from a few strong, low-maintenance floor plants, improved lighting, and natural building materials.

Poor Ventilation: If your space already has issues with humidity, adding a living wall will simply exacerbate the problem. Address the ventilation issues before investing in a living wall system.

Real-Life Example: Landmark Pinnacle

The rooftop garden of London’s Landmark Pinnacle features 190 square metres of hydroponic living walls. While this is undoubtedly a visually stunning example of the potential of living walls as a biophilic relaxation space for residents, the reality is that it came at a huge cost: initial installation costs were approximately £500,000, with ongoing monthly maintenance costs ranging from £5,000-£8,000 for full-time staff. Clearly, it is not a fair comparison to a residential flat. However, it does illustrate what the technology can achieve when every aspect (budget, space, maintenance capacity) is in place.

Are You Going to Invest in a Living Wall System?

Before committing to a living wall system, ask yourself honestly:

• Do I have the necessary wall space and am I prepared to take on the responsibility of installation and structural modifications to accommodate the wall?
• Am I prepared to commit to maintaining the plants regularly (weekly), or am I able/willing to spend money on a service provider (approximately £100-£200 per month)?
• Will I personally enjoy the process of maintaining a living wall, or will it become a source of guilt and expense?
• Is this addressing a legitimate space constraint (limited floor space), or merely providing a decorative element?
• Do I live in a well-ventilated space, or is there already an issue with humidity?

If you answer yes to most of these questions, a living wall can be a valuable addition to your space, improving both the aesthetic appeal and the health of your environment. If you’re unsure about the maintenance and/or rental implications, start with a Command Strip vertical planter alternative instead. This will give you most of the benefits of a living wall, including enhanced visibility to the outdoors, air quality enhancements, and minimal maintenance at a significantly lower cost (approximately £20-£50).

Living walls are incredibly powerful biophilic elements. However, they are not magical. They demand commitment. If you’re prepared to make that commitment, then living walls can be truly worth it.