The Best Small Wall Plants for Your Home
If you’re looking to add some greenery to your home but don’t have a lot of floor space, small wall plants are a great option. From my experience, planting up vertical space is a clever way to maximize your plant coverage. In this article, I’ll discuss the top small wall plant choices and provide answers to common questions homeowners have when considering them.
Why Add Small Wall Plants?
There are several benefits to incorporating small wall plants into your home dΓ©cor:
- They can effectively fill gaps and act as a design accent on bare walls.
- Small wall plants don’t require much floor space so they’re suitable even for small apartments or rooms with limited square footage.
- Climbing and trailing varieties add visual interest upwards, drawing your eye above eye level.
- Green wall plants have been shown to improve indoor air quality by absorbing toxins like formaldehyde.
- Caring for wall plants is convenient as they’re positioned at arms’ reach for watering and maintenance.
In other words, small wall plants basically maximize your plant situation without crowding your actual living space. They kind of spruce things up in a low-maintenance way.
Top Small Wall Plant Choices
Here are some of the best small wall plant varieties to consider for your home:
Pothos
Also known as devil’s ivy, pothos is a classic trailing vine plant. It’s nearly impossible to kill and thrives in low-light conditions. Pothos comes in several color variations like green, variegated, and golden so you can pick your fave. These resilient beauties basically clean the air as you overlook them!
Philodendron
With heart-shaped leaves in shades of green and variegated forms, philodendron makes a gorgeous wall plant. Some varieties like brasil and scandens grow vigorously as trailing vines. Philodendron tolerates low humidity and indirect bright light well. Its hardy nature means you’re unlikely to royally screw it up.
English Ivy
With its dark, shiny green foliage, English ivy lends an elegant sophistication. It thrives climbing almost any vertical surface like walls, poles, or along window frames and doors. English ivy is extremely tolerant of low light. Just be sure not to overwater as it prefers to dry out slightly between waterings.
Peperomia
These compact succulent-like plants come in a range of unusual leaf shapes and colors. Varieties like Peperomia caperata ‘Rosso’ have red undersides for stunning visual contrast. Since peperomia store water in their plump leaves, they’re quite forgiving of occasional dry spells. Their small stature makes them ideal for windowsills and shelves.
Purple Waffle Plant
With its uniquely textured gray-green leaves accented by purple undersides, the purple waffle plant is a real stunner. Though not a vine, it forms a bushy mound perfect for mounting on walls. It grows fairly slowly and likes moderate indirect sun with occasional waterings. The purple waffle’s striking foliage will spark visual interest in your space.
Questions to Consider
Before picking your wall plants, it’s worth pondering a few factors:
Light Conditions
Check how much sunlight hits the wall areas you’re eyeing. While plants like pothos thrive in low light, others prefer partial sun. Read care labels or consult plant guides to learn individual light needs.
Water Requirements
Some small wall plants, like English ivy, can go a while between waterings. Others, like peperomia, prefer keeping their soil consistently moist. Factor in your watering schedule and ability to easily reach plants.
Appearance Needs
Will you be bothered by a plant shedding leaves periodically? Choose trailing vines like pothos if mess isn’t your thing. Consider lower maintenance options like peperomia or succulents too.
Climbing Ability
If opting for a vine, ensure its tendrils can gain purchase on your wall material. Rough wallpaper or unfinished wood gives plants best traction versus glossy surfaces.
Kid/Pet Safety
Some small wall plants like English ivy can be toxic if ingested. Opt for pet-safe picks like pothos or philodendron if living with animals.
Tips for Planting & Caring
To set your small wall plants up for success, follow these care recommendations:
Select a Pot
Choose an appropriately sized container with drainage holes that won’t be too heavy when mounted. Terra cotta, plastic or hanging baskets work well.
Prepare the Wall
Thoroughly clean your wall surface then score it lightly with sandpaper for vines to adhere to. Consider installing plant shelves or rails if needed.
Use the Right Soil
Potting soil specifically for houseplants drains nicely without being too rich. Amend it depending on plant needs like extra perlite for succulents.
Hang with Care
Mount pots securely using sturdy hooks or wall mounts. For heavy planters, use multiple fixings anchored into wall studs for safety. Water Regularly Check soil moisture daily, watering thoroughly when mostly dry an inch down. Apply liquid fertilizer monthly in spring/summer. Prune & Train Vines Guide trailers into shape on supports. Shorten leggy stems or remove damaged foliage to encourage bushier growth. Watch for Pests Be on the lookout for signs like webbing or spots, treating immediately if spots form. Wipe leaf surfaces weekly as preventative maintenance. By following these small wall plant tips, you can bring bold greenery indoors without overwhelming limited floor space. With just a few picks, your plain walls will transform into visual interest that lifts your spirits daily! I hope these answers have helped you decide which small wall plants are right for your home situation. As you can see, there are lots of beautiful options suitable for varying light levels and care requirements. Who knows, maybe decking your walls in folliage will inspire you to tackle more DIY projects and trick out other empty surfaces, too! With so many great varieties available, I say go for it – your space will thank you, my friend. If you have any other questions, feel free to shoot me a message. Now go get planting those walls! Basically, there are a bunch of good options. Some plants that do well on shelves or hanging planters include pothos, philodendron, peace lilies, spider plants and Chinese evergreens. They don’t need a ton of sunlight. Most small wall plants only require water when the soil becomes dry. You can check the soil by sticking your finger in up to the first knuckle. If it feels dry, it’s time to water. Remember, less is more – it’s easier to under water than over water. These plants are usually pretty resilient. A lot of little wall guys do well in low to medium light. Places like under shelves, on hanging racks above sinks or on north-facing walls work well. Somehow they still kind of thrive without tons of direct sun. Spider plants, pothos and philodendron are prime examples. Maybe they just sort of enjoy the indirect glow. Most small container plants only need repotting every couple years unless the roots start creeping out the drainage holes. Sometimes you can get away with not repotting for even longer since wall spaces have limited room. It’s best to leave them be if they look happy and their new growth looks healthy. Not really. As long as you water them when the soil feels dry and give them decent enough light, most small wall plants are pretty low maintenance. They don’t demand a lot. I guess you could say these guys are pretty resilient and can endure mistakes now and then. It’s kind of hard to kill them! In addition to adding some visual interest, small wall plants can apparently improve indoor air quality and absorb toxins. Some studies show they may even reduce stress. It’s like a little natural touch that requires minimum effort. Plus caring for plants can be calming in itself. Not a bad thing to have around the home, right? Let’s Plant Those Walls!
Top Small Wall Plants for Home Interiors
Plant
Water Needs
Light Needs
Size
Care Level
Pothos
Low
Low to Medium
Up to 3 feet
Easy
Spider Plant
Low
Low to Bright Indirect
Up to 2 feet
Easy
Philodendron
Low
Low to Medium
Up to 5 feet
Easy
Peperomia
Low
Low to Bright Indirect
Up to 1 foot
Easy
Succulents
Low
Bright Indirect
Up to 1 foot
Easy
Snake Plant
Very Low
Low to Bright Indirect
Up to 3 feet
Very Easy
FAQ
What kinds of small wall plants are best for indoor spaces?
How often do you need to water small wall plants?
What kind of light do small wall plants prefer?
How often should you repot small wall plants?
Is it hard to care for small wall plants?
What are some other benefits of having small wall plants?