Edible Walls' Blog

Great Tips, Tricks & DIY Projects from Edible Walls

3 Steps: Find the Best Plants for Your Vertical Living Wall

STEP 1: Decide How Much Light Your Garden Will Have

Looking at the images below, find the image that most closely resembles where your garden will be placed.

Living Wall Plants - How to Make a Living Wall

Direct Sun

In this image the vertical garden is within 2 feet of a south facing window. Notice the direction is indicated at the top of the image with the "N" for north and the arrow pointing to the left. This means that the window is facing south. South facing windows in North America get the most direct sun.

In this category, the plants would have direct sunlight shining on their leaves.

 
Living Wall Plants - How to Plant a Living Wall

Some Direct Sun

In this image the garden is within 2 feet of a west facing window, although the window can be east or west facing. Your garden could also be within 2 to 5 feet of a south facing window to be within this category. 

The plants in this category would be in a brightly lit area with some sunlight falling on their leaves.

 
Living Wall Plants - How to Plant a Living Wall

Bright But Not Direct

In this image the garden is about 5 feet from a window which is sunlit for part of the day. 

The plants in this category would not have direct sunlight on their leaves. However, the light would be described as bright in this area.

 
Living Wall Plants - How to Plant a Living Wall

Semi-Shade

In this image the garden is within 5 to 8 feet of a North facing window. Your garden could also be within 5 feet of a sunless window  to be within this category.

The plants in this category would not have direct sunlight on their leaves. This space would be moderately lit, but not bright.

 
Living Wall Plants - How to Plant a Living Wall

Shade

This space would be considered poorly lit, but would still be bright enough to allow you to read comfortably during several hours of the day. 

 

STEP 2: Review some choices for plants that are within your light category

You can view images and read more information about the plants in each category by clicking on the category title.

Direct Sun

Cacti, Succulents, Jades, and Agaves

Ornamental Grasses

Agapanthus (Blue African Lily)

Bougainvillea

Coleus

 Jasminum (Jasmine)

Lantana

Passiflora (Passion Flower)

Oxalis

Herbs, Veggies, and Fruit (click here to visit the Edible Gardens In a Box page to see which varieties of edibles do best in vertical gardens)

 

 

Some Direct Sun

Beloperone (Shrimp Plant)

Chlorophytum (Spider Plant or Airplane Plant)

Chrysanthemum

Codiaeum (Croton)

Cordyline (Ti Plant, Red Dracaena)

Cuphea (Cigar Plant)

Ficus Elastica (Rubber Plant)

Hoya (Wax Plant)

Impatiens

Poinsettia

Sansevieria (Snake Plant, Golden Bird's Nest, etc)

 

Bright But Not Direct Sun

Anthurium (Flamingo Flower)

Asparagus Fern

Azalea

Begonia Rex

Bromeliads

Chlorophytum (Spider Plant)

Columnea (Goldfish Plant)

Cyclamen

Fucshia

Peperomia

Philodendron scandens (Sweetheart Plant)

Pilea (Aluminum Plant, Moon Valley, etc.)

Spathiphyllum (Peace Lily)

 

Semi-Shade

Aglaonema (Chinese Evergreen)

Aspidistra (Cast Iron Plant)

Dracaena Marginata (Colorama)

Ferns

Fittonia

Hedera Helix (Ivy)

Philodendron scandens (Sweetheart Plant)

Sansevieria (Snake Plant, Golden Bird's Nest)

Scindapsus (Pothos - Golden Pothos, Neon Pothos, etc.)

Shade

Aglaonema (Chinese Evergreen)

Asplenium (Bird's Nest Fern)

Aspidistra (Cast Iron Plant)

Fittonia

Philodendron scandens (Sweetheart Plant)

Sansevieria (Snake Plant, Golden Bird's Nest)

Scindapsus (Pothos - Golden Pothos, Neon Pothos, etc.)

 

STEP 3: Choose your favorite and start planting

We offer several different ways to help you with this step. We can find a nursery in your area that carries the plants you want. Or, to make it even easier, we can plant your living wall with the plants of your choice and ship it all to you, ready to go.

Read more about these services here.

Living Wall Plants - How to Make a Living Wall

Here is how you can order a pre-planted Living Wall:

1) Choose Your Planter

2) Add the Planter to your cart by clicking "Add To Cart"

3) Select "Add Tropical Plants", "Add Succulents", or "Add Edible Plants" 

4) Tell us the plants you have chosen for your living wall in the text box labeled  "If You Are Ordering Plants With Your Planter". If you would like help making your selection, just let us know!


Happy Gardening!