As installers of plant walls, it’s easy for Walls of Plants to sing their praises and create a long list of benefits that they can have for your health and the environment around you. We firmly believe that the demand for plant walls should be a need, rather than a want, but frustratingly they’re still seen as a luxury; a forward thinking architectural feature that sometimes appears on the news in a new development project.
But, with a world that is becoming increasingly overrun with pollution, we need people to become more aware of the truly remarkable impact they can have on cities and the welfare of the people who live in them. Because we can enact change and make a difference. And information is key to building a sustainable future.
Air pollutant reduction
Like any living plant in any environment, plants on plant walls absorb pollutants like carbon dioxide (CO2) from the air. In the same way that humans and other mammals breathe in oxygen and breathe out carbon dioxide, plants ‘breathe’ in carbon dioxide and release oxygen.
This natural process is something we have stripped from cities, and implementing plant walls is a really efficient way of using the space that already exists on the side of buildings to reintroduce some balance to our most populated environments.
Air pollutants are responsible for a number of health issues including worsened asthma, lung cancers, pneumonia, respiratory conditions of varying severity, eye irritation and other concerns. Plant walls can significantly reduce these risks, and realistically, the more of them we implement, the better off we and the overall planet will be.
You can check the air quality of your area using Air Quality England’s map.
Provide environments for pollinators
One of the leading pushes for plant wall installation is the reintroduction of pollinators to areas where they’ve been lost. Over 97% of wild meadows in the UK have been lost since the 1930s, and it’s believed this reduction in pollen rich environments is largely responsible for the endangerment of insects and pollinators across the nations.
It is vital to keep these species thriving, because they are essential for the continuation of agriculture, and when we lose biodiversity, every species that relies on plants, vegetables and fruit for sustenance is at risk.
Whilst this might seem frightening, plant walls provide an alternative to wildflower meadows where pollinators can exhibit natural behaviours and grow in population. With small, simple steps, we can make a huge difference to the 250 species of bee, as well as the vast array of other bugs and insects that call the UK home.
Temperature reduction
Studies have found that the presence of plant walls can reduce the ambient temperature of both indoor and outdoor spaces. Anyone who’s lived in, or travelled to, a city will be aware that the temperature and humidity is higher.
These areas are known as urban heat islands..
There are many factors that contribute to this phenomenon including:
- Reduced natural landscapes: Vegetation, plants, trees, bushes and other natural greenery naturally regulate temperatures by providing shade, absorbing water from the atmosphere and even reflecting and absorbing heat. Cities lack this, creating warmer spaces.
- Man made materials: Alongside the lack of natural materials, the large expanse of man made materials tend to be less reflective of solar heat. Tarmac, for example, famously absorbs heat which is why it feels hot to touch, and in cities this contributes to lingering warm temperatures.
- Dense human population: Human bodies produce heat, and there are a lot of people in cities. Imagine crowds of people walking past each other to get to work and packing themselves into trains. Although there really is nothing wrong with this, it does contribute to heat islands getting more pronounced throughout the day.
- Increased pollution: Man made pollution causes heat. This includes cars, buses, trains, heating and air con systems, factories and electricity. Our day to day activity contributes to urban heat islands.
This is not likely to stop anytime soon, but the introduction of plant walls can help neutralise this impact by reintroducing vegetation that regulates temperatures and reflects heat, leading to healthier, more sustainable cities that are more comfortable to live in.
This is a win all round.
Collection of rainwater
Cities are susceptible to flooding and excess water build up because they lack natural drainage systems like rivers, soil and floodplains. Plant walls can act as a buffer against this by slowing down the fall of rainwater as well as absorbing it for their own use.
Some plant walls can be installed with self-irrigation systems that collect and retain rainwater for later use.
Improve noise pollution
According to a study conducted by the University of Greenwich, ‘having plants on the side of walls can reduce perceived noise by almost a third.’
This study included noise from public transport, and discovered that 80% of people in a controlled study would choose a business with a plant wall over one without, and would be willing to pay more at a cafe or restaurant that had a plant wall.
City noise can become overwhelming, and people who live there are seeking quieter spaces, which can be created through the installation of plant walls on buildings.
Mental wellbeing boost
Let’s be honest, whilst some city architecture can be revolutionary and exciting, a lot of buildings in built up areas can be dense, gloomy, even a little intimidating. Introducing plant walls can easily transform quality of life, turning concrete walls into expanses of greenery.
Being amongst nature is proven to be a remedy for stress, and people shouldn’t have to escape their home environment to experience its effects. Plant walls provide an innovative, genius solution.
If you’re thinking of creating a more environmentally friendly and aesthetically pleasing home, office or school with the addition of an external green wall, then Walls of Plants have exactly what you need.
Our GreenWalls are designed for low maintenance planting so that you can get the luxury look without the trouble. Our battery powered manual feed system is designed to automatically feed and water your plants, so you don’t have to, and our horticultural expert can advise you on the best outdoor plants for your garden.
