4 Major Reasons Why Living Walls Are Becoming More Popular

Living walls, also known as vertical gardens, green walls, and plant walls, are all the rage lately. Here are the four biggest reasons these design innovations are seeing such a surge in popularity:

1. Living walls are beautiful

A living wall makes a striking statement, livening up even the dullest building with a splash of green. Plant walls can be breathtaking in their scope, and they appear in multiple tourist locations, from the Musee du quai Branly in Paris to the Rainforest Tower in Singapore. But their appearance is only the beginning.

2. Plants make a space's occupants happier

Ever wondered why a walk in nature tends to make you feel less stressed and more at ease? That’s a real phenomenon: Plants are proven to reduce stress levels and lower blood pressure, which leads to better physical and mental well-being. That’s why biophilic design—from biophilia, which means love of nature—is surging in popularity. Indoor green walls can do the most good in places with long winters, such as Boston and Chicago. Even walls with preserved moss—moss and lichen that have been dehydrated and then treated with nontoxic glycerin—have clear benefits. They are lower maintenance and less expensive than living plant walls and still provide biophilic benefits to the inhabitants of the space.

3. Living walls improve acoustics

Everyone knows how annoying it is to have thin walls or a cavernous, echoing lobby where every sound is magnified. Living walls provide a carpet to soak up sound: The large surface area of plant leaves absorbs excess noise, providing a quieter and more peaceful environment. Quiet workspaces have also been linked to increased concentration and productivity. With green walls to muffle noise, you’ll no longer hear a grudging, “Bless you” from next door every time you sneeze.

4. Plants naturally filter the air

Plant walls are a benefit wherever they are placed. On the outsides of buildings, they can help clear the air of dust and pollutants and offset carbon emissions. On the insides of buildings, they help remove volatile organic compounds emitted from commonplace articles such as glues, printers and copiers, and air fresheners. They also metabolize toxins such as formaldehyde and benzene. The increased humidity as a result of plant walls is beneficial in the winter months, and they also help reduce dust and mold. They do all of these things while, of course, releasing oxygen.

With all these benefits, living walls are the design movement of the future. They offer a stunning aesthetic layout, as well as a way to increase oxygen and promote green living. As people get more serious about the effects of climate change, living walls are one trend that should stick around.