Building a Living Wall: Beyond Succulents with Ferns, Bromeliads, and More

Building a Living Wall: Beyond Succulents with Ferns, Bromeliads, and More

San Diego designer Amelia B. Lima, inspired by Patrick Blanc's Paris vertical gardens, built a 40-foot, 7-foot-tall living wall using a framed system with marine plywood, corrugated plastic, and two layers of synthetic Tuf-Felt. She cut slits in the outer layer, inserted and stapled 400 plants.

Result

A jungle of ferns, bromeliads, coral bells, spider plants, and elephant ears.

Simpler Alternatives for Temperate Climates (Even Indoors)

1. Cascading vines in pots atop a wall: Rosary vine (Ceropegia linearis woodii), string of pearls (Senecio rowleyanus), English ivy (note: noxious weed in Northwest).
2. Attach tillandsias (air plants) directly to wall with waterproof adhesive (e.g., Tilly Tacker). No soil needed.
3. Hang Neoregelia (bromeliad) on wall: wrap rootball with soil in sphagnum moss, secure with bird netting, staple to grapewood or cork oak bark base.

Pictured: $4,825 for Wall Materials AND Watering System