More and more people feel the need to put nature at the center of their daily lives.
After the planters on the balcony, the pots on the shelves or the large plants, make way for the
green wall.
The jungle at home in vertical mode, with relief and a plant evolution to contemplate.
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What is a green wall?
Invented by the French botanist Patrick Blanc, as its name suggests, the green wall is a section of wall or an entire wall decorated with plants arranged vertically, like a painting, which can flourish with hydroponics (without
soil , Editor's note
).
For a harmonious ecosystem, it is necessary to count an area of at least one square meter.
The advantage is that it requires little maintenance.
The result is confirmed not only visually between design and originality but also in the long term, with a zen aspect and soothing virtues when you take the time to look at it.
Where to install a green wall?
In the shade or in the sun, if the natural or artificial light necessary for the plants is received by the latter, the green wall is installed everywhere, from the cellar to the attic.
But in the majority of cases, it finds its place in a living room, a kitchen or a bedroom.
It must also be placed sufficiently to maintain homogeneity with the wall on which it is installed.
However, an installation close to a radiator or a fireplace should be avoided.
Because high heat can harm plants and cause them to burn out faster than expected.
Likewise for a room where the temperature would be around zero degrees, for example a veranda in winter, would not be suitable for the climate needed by the plants.
Passageways with draughts and the repetitive and numerous comings and goings of the inhabitants are also to be avoided.
If you have animals, also avoid placing the plant wall too low in relation to the ground so that cats do not scratch on it regularly, instead of a cat tree.
Read also7 perfect indoor plants for the bedroom
Which plant to choose to make a green wall?
The choice is varied and each of the plants will form with the others, a set that can prevent any appearance of fungus, bacteria or other disease.
Here is a non-exhaustive list of plants that are perfectly adapted and compatible for a harmonious green wall and which do not have a root system that needs to be installed deeply to develop properly.
From epiphytes to climbing plants, including those that need little light:
Ferns
The philodendron
Chlorophytum
begonia
The Dragon Rider
The fittonia
Ivy
The ficus
The sansevieria
The tillandsia
For a touch of originality, you can choose aromatic herbs or strawberry plants.
Advice
Place in the center and at the top the plants that need the most light.
Read also10 great indoor plants: our selection
How to install a green wall?
For a warm bathroom, the plant wall is an original idea.
Adobe Stock
For the less handymen and those who are afraid of not making the right choices, there are green walls in kit form already ready to install following the instructions and then to hang on the wall, like a frame.
For those who want to get started, first make sure that the wall you have chosen will be able to support the weight of the plant work.
There are several support techniques:
Install waterproof PVC or wood panels
Decorate a fence
Use a cork board
Use wooden pallets
For the base and the implantation of the plants:
You can opt for horticultural felt that is airy, rot-proof and hydrophilic with a nutrient solution such as natural organic fertilizers.
Or even mineral or organic wool, sphagnum.
Used a base without substrate and vertical trays filled with traditional substrate.
Then, place the installation of the automatic drip water irrigation system with a water tank or a closed circuit pump - therefore more ecological - so that it requires even less maintenance or if you don't have a green thumb.
The moment of invention
Once the base has been defined, it is time to give free rein to the actual creation with the plants selected beforehand, according to your tastes and the surface of the wall.
Do not hesitate to alternate sizes, shapes, place the climbing plants wherever you want.
Read the fileAll about climbing plants
The final phase: the hanging
Then comes the time to hang the result with a solid fastening system such as a grid or metal rails.
Easy maintenance
It will be enough to regularly check that the supply of water and fertilizer is sufficient, sometimes to clean the irrigation system.
Remove faded leaves and flowers and prune certain categories of them that need it.
From now on, you can observe the evolution of this unique and living work which will evolve over the months, even years.
Trick
If you have a smaller space but want some greenery on your wall, a picture frame might be an option to consider.
Otherwise, you can opt for an
artificial green wall
and create it according to your taste with all the categories you want, from rose to orchid, but make sure to keep some consistency and choose elements resembling their living counterparts. so as not to fall into kitsch.
The advantage of this option remains that the maintenance will be less: a wipe from time to time to remove the dust.
