Living walls, also known as vertical gardens or plant walls, are becoming an increasingly popular way to bring greenery into homes, offices, and outdoor spaces. They provide not only aesthetic beauty but also improve air quality and enhance the wellbeing of those who frequent the space on a regular basis.
But one of the most common questions we get at Walls of Plants is: ‘can I install a plant wall myself?’ With the right preparation, tools, and understanding of the process, installing a plant wall yourself is achievable. However, there are key factors to consider to ensure your living wall thrives and looks beautiful for years to come.
Can you install a plant wall yourself?
Installing a plant wall yourself is entirely achievable, particularly for smaller spaces or curated indoor displays. However, achieving the gallery worthy look associated with high end living walls requires attention to detail, patience, and an understanding of the space.
| DIY Plant Wall | Professionally Installed Plant Wall |
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At Walls of Plants, we offer modular, user friendly plant wall systems designed to make DIY installation as simple as possible, but we always recommend assessing your unique space before starting.
Key considerations before you start
Before diving in, there are essential factors to think about. Skipping these steps risks damaging walls, plants, or the overall aesthetic.
- Wall strength: Plants, soil, and water add weight. Ensure your chosen wall can support it. Brick, concrete, or reinforced framing is ideal.
- Light exposure: Match plants to your light conditions. Low light species work in shaded spaces, while sun loving varieties need bright areas.
- Watering system: For small walls, hand watering works. Larger displays benefit from integrated irrigation to protect your walls and floors.
- Plant selection: Choose plants that thrive in your environment and require a maintenance level you’re comfortable with.
How to install a DIY plant wall
When you purchase a living plant wall from a professional shop, you’ll be given clear instructions on how to install it yourself, if this is what you choose. The installation instructions will differ depending on the location and size of your plant wall. If you’re attaching a small frame to the corner of an indoor door frame, this will have a different process to a high level external structure.
This is why it’s vital to pay attention to the instructions given, rather than following a rough process.
Most installations instructions will follow the below steps:
- Plan your layout:
Map out your desired design. You need to have a good understanding of the location of the installation as well as the materials and quality of the wall before you can commence installation. Access for watering and maintenance should be a key consideration, as should the strength of the wall.
- Prepare the wall:
Plant walls often can’t be installed directly onto the wall in case of leaks or damage, so you will need to install a waterproof membrane or backing board to protect surfaces, especially in humid areas.
Speak with your supplier about whether this will be included with the plant wall, or whether you’ll need to buy one yourself.
- Install the mounting system:
Use a level to mark your mounting points. Secure the plant wall system to the wall with appropriate anchors or screws based on wall type. This must be sturdy before plants are added. - Add plants:
Arrange your chosen plants in their pockets or containers, ensuring good root coverage and soil stability. We recommend starting with larger plants at the base for a cascading effect, but your choice of plants will be discussed with you upon purchase.You may have a touch of freedom in how you arrange them, so if you’re not happy with the final layout, you can rearrange or order more plants to add more colour, interest, or even just fill out some areas.
- Water and test:
Gently water your plants and check for leaks or drips. This is an often missed step in the installation process but is vital to make sure you don’t need to make inconvenient changes later, or miss something that could do damage to the adjoining wall or floor.
Adjust positioning as needed.
Tips for installing a plant wall yourself
1. Choose the right location
Your plant wall will thrive when placed in a space suited to its needs. You need to consider:
- Light exposure: Most plants require consistent natural light, though some varieties tolerate lower light. If natural light is limited, plan to install grow lights alongside the main structure.
- Structural integrity: Ensure the wall can support the weight of plants, soil, and water. Concrete, brick, or reinforced walls are ideal.
- Accessibility: Place the wall where you can easily access it for watering, pruning, and maintenance.
2. Select a suitable system
The success of your plant wall depends on the system you choose. At Walls of Plants, we recommend modular, user friendly systems designed for easy installation and maintenance. Our plant wall systems are designed with durable materials and compatible irrigation systems in mind.
They allow for easy rearrangement and replacement of plants with options tailored to your wall size and layout.
3. Plan your design before you start
An elegant plant wall is not only functional but thoughtfully arranged. When you order a plant wall, a professional botanist and the team will speak to you about your desired plants and ideal appearance.
They should create a design template to guide your installation that does the following:
- Groups plants by light and watering requirements
- Arranges for a mix of textures, colors, and heights for visual interest
- Places trailing plants near the bottom and upright varieties higher for a natural flow
4. Prepare the wall properly
Proper wall preparation prevents damage and supports the longevity of your installation:
- Install waterproof backing if the wall is susceptible to moisture damage
- Use appropriate wall anchors and hardware based on the wall material
- Ensure the system is level and securely mounted before adding plants
- Check local building regulations for larger or outdoor installations
5. Choose the right plants
Not all plants are ideal for vertical gardens. Select species based on your lighting, climate, and maintenance preferences.
Take a look at our top 10 plants for an external wall installation and which indoor plants clean the air for suggestions on both external and internal plant walls.
6. Mind watering and irrigation
Watering is critical to plant wall health. A well hydrated plant wall is vibrant, healthy, and visually lush, and sticking to the right processes at the start is the perfect way to plant the roots for future living wall health.
These are our top tips:
- Perform manual watering for small, accessible walls
- Integrated drip irrigation for larger or hard to reach installations
- Drainage trays or systems will prevent water pooling or damage
- Monitor plant health regularly for signs of over or under watering
7. Start small if you’re new to plant walls
If this is your first vertical garden, begin with a modest installation. This allows you to refine your skills, test your plant selection, and build confidence before expanding to larger, more ambitious designs.
Our Walls of Plants modular kits are ideal for beginners and experienced plant enthusiasts alike, making it easy to grow your green wall over time.
Our GreenWalls are designed for low maintenance planting so that you can get the luxury look without the trouble. Our battery powered manual feed systems automatically feed and water your plants so you don’t have to, and our horticultural expert can advise you on the best plants and arrangements to keep both garden and gardener happy.
