The Greenwall Company founder, Mark Paul shares his insights on how to green your home this spring and what you need to consider when selecting from the different greenwall and greenroof choices available today.
A pioneer in the development of sustainable and soilless greenwalls and greenroofs in Australia, Paul says, “When it comes to selecting the best option for greening your home, the first thing you need to consider is what look and feel you are trying to achieve. Then you should engage an expert to assess the best planting options, irrigation set up, light access and the environment the wall or roof will be installed. Working with a horticulturist and an experienced designer will ensure your installation lasts the lifetime of the home and in most cases can be moved with you.”
Living Greenwalls and Greenroofs
If you are looking for a living greenwall that will actively grow all year round, this will work for you. Typically grown in a soilless medium, these plants need consistent light, food and water in addition to an adequate surface area of the root zone exposed to air movement. If planted correctly and set up with an automated irrigation system, they should require minimal maintenance and will flourish all year round.
Potted Plant Walls
Greenwalls created by arranging several potted plants in an eye-catching design are known as potted plant walls. Described as DIY greenwalls, these walls demand a lot of effort in terms of constant maintenance and dealing with ongoing water issues that may lead to plants dying and requiring replanting. Additionally, the biodegradable soil may need to be replaced frequently.
Potted plant walls are budget-friendly to begin with but the costs can really add up from maintenance, replanting and re-soiling each pot.
Moss Walls
Contrary to popular opinion, moss walls are not ‘living plants’. The moss is sourced from the Arctic Circle, and coated, glued and sprayed with acrylic colours. Moss walls do not deliver any of the many environmental, health and wellbeing benefits of living plants in the home. However, they are generally very cheap to install and are good collectors of dust and fibres.
Artificial Walls
Made from plastic, artificial greenwalls offer a quick-fix solution to integrating some greenery in your home space. Maintenance is also simple and hassle-free, and only requires some dusting on a regular basis. However, their plastic construction is not environment-friendly and their ability to collect fibres and dust makes them a fire hazard in the home.
“The patented greenwall design, structure and media that I have developed over the past 30 years provides plants with an eco-system designed to promote a living, natural environment for them to grow and thrive for the lifetime of the building they are applied to. Join our mission to reclaim the built environment one wall at a time,” adds Paul.
