The Ultimate Guide to Choosing and Caring for Indoor Wall Plants
Whether you’re looking to add some green to your home or office space, or simply want plants to brighten up bare walls, indoor wall plants are a wonderful option. However, with so many plant varieties to choose from, it can feel overwhelming to know where to start. In this guide, I’ll reveal everything you need to know to select the perfect wall plants for your space and keep them happy and healthy.
Top Indoor Wall Plant Choices
Here are some of the most popular and low-maintenance indoor wall plants to consider:
- Pothos – Known for being virtually indestructible, pothos is an excellent choice for beginners. Its trailing vines grow rapidly and look beautiful hanging or cascading down walls. Pothos tolerates low light and occasional neglect.
- Philodendron – With their heart-shaped leaves and vining growth pattern, philodendrons resemble pothos but come in many more varieties. They thrive in medium indirect light and moderate watering.
- Spider plant – With long, narrow leaves and clusters of tiny white flowers, spider plants are easy to care for and very effective for covering large wall spaces. They do well in low to medium light.
- English ivy – This classic trailing plant has small, dark green leaves and tolerates very low light. English ivy spreads quickly and grows well mounted on walls or boards.
Choosing the Right Location
Proper lighting is crucial for indoor wall plants to survive. Most varieties need medium to low indirect natural light. Direct sun can scorch leaves, so avoid hot, unfiltered western exposures. You’ll also need考慮到架設的位置。例如:
- 避免直射陽光曝曬,以免葉片燒焦。
- 温濕環境較適合綠葉植物。
- 較乾燥的地方適合苔蘚等植物。
- 觀察光線是否足夠,植物是否容易接觸到日光。
- 重量分佈是否均衡,以免牆面承受過重負荷。
In addition to light, consider factors like humidity levels and the wall’s structural ability to support the weight of hanging plants and their soil once saturated with water.
Mounting and Arranging Your Wall Plants
To mount trailing plants on walls, you’ll need trellises, boards, baskets or hanging planters. Self-adhesive removable wall mounts allow easy installation. When arranging multiple plants, group varieties with similar light and water needs together.
Avoid overcrowding by leaving 6-12 inches between plants. Stagger heights for visual interest. You can train vining plants to grow in any direction by guiding new growth along wires or panels. Always be mindful of weight distribution so the wall isn’t strained in any one spot.
Caring for Your Hanging Garden
Like any indoor plant, wall plants need regular water, fertilizer, and occasional pruning or repotting. Pay attention to signs of moisture stress, nutrient deficiencies or overcrowding to keep your hanging garden thriving for years to come.
- Water when the top 1-2 inches of soil are dry. For heavy drippers, use a saucer to contain runoff. Aim for once weekly in summer, every 10-14 days other seasons.
- Fertilize monthly spring through fall with a diluted liquid houseplant fertilizer. Too much can burn roots.
- Trim or untangle crowded vines; prune dead or sparse growth to maintain a bushy form. Cut above a node to encourage branching.
- Repot spring or summer only when roots fill the container by sizing up just 1-2 inches. Wall planters stay snug.
- Wipe leaves periodically with a damp cloth to remove dust. Rotate planters monthly to ensure even growth.
Dealing with Pests and Problems
Indoor pests like spider mites, scale and mealybugs sometimes affect wall plants. Look for tiny insects, webbing, or fluffy white blobs. Isolate infested plants and spray leaves top and bottom with insecticidal soap as directed. Overwatering leads to root rot, while underwatering causes yellowing leaves.
Catching issues early helps prevent total infestations or loss of plants. Correcting lighting, moisture or nutrient problems usually solves many wall garden ailments. With some TLC, your indoor greenery can thrive for years to brighten any space.
I hope this guide has equipped you with everything you need to confidently select amazing indoor wall plants and care for them well. Feel free to experiment and have fun decorating your home or office with lush hanging gardens. Let me know if you have any other questions!
Top Indoor Wall Plants
| Plant | Light Needs | Watering | Size |
|---|---|---|---|
| Pothos | Low | Allow soil to dry between waterings | Up to 6 feet long vines |
| Philodendron | Low to medium | Water when top inch of soil is dry | Up to 6 feet tall and wide |
| Spider plant | Medium | Allow soil to dry between waterings | Up to 2 feet tall and wide |
| Peace lily | Medium | Water when top inch of soil is dry | Up to 3 feet tall |
| Snake plant | Low | Water every 2-4 weeks | Up to 3 feet tall |
FAQ
-
What types of indoor wall plants are easiest to care for?
Plants like pothos, spider plants, and philodendrons are basically low maintenance. They don’t need a ton of sunlight and you can forget to water them for a while without them kicking the bucket. So if you’re not very good with plants, those might be your best bet.
-
How often should indoor wall plants be watered?
Most indoor wall plants only need water around once a week. You want the soil to dry out a bit between waterings. However, the timing can vary depending on things like the plant type, pot size, and light levels. As a general rule, stick your finger in the soil. If it feels dry about 1 inch down, it’s time to water.
-
What is the best way to mount plants on a wall?
There are a variety of mounting systems you can use for indoor wall plants. Command strips are a popular, damage-free option. For heavier plants, you may need brackets or shelves mounted into wall studs. Wood plank shelves can also sort of add a kind of rugged, outdoorsy vibe indoors. Just make sure any system you choose can handle the plant when it’s all grown up!
-
How do I choose the right plants for different rooms?
When picking plants for specific rooms, consider factors like available light levels. Bathrooms typically have low light, so choose something tough like a pothos. Kitchens have bright indirect light, so try pathos or philodendrons. Living rooms usually have medium light, allowing a variety of options. Not sure? Bring a photo of a window to the garden store for guidance.
-
Should I rotate indoor wall plants?
Plants growing on a wall may need an occasional rotate to prevent them from growing lopsided. It depends on the plant – some are more particular than others. Spider plants and pothos probably don’t care much. However, peace lilies and foliage plants may start tilting if they aren’t turned now and then to evenly distribute the light. A quarter turn every month or so should do the trick.
-
Are any indoor wall plants toxic to pets?
Surprisingly, many common houseplants are poisonous to cats and dogs if eaten. Lilies, for instance, can actually kill pets rather quickly. Some other plants to watch out for if you have furry friends include aloe, peace lilies, and philodendrons. It’s better to choose all-safe options like pothos or spider plants for areas your animals have access to. Check aspca.org for the most up-to-date list of toxic plants.
-
What are some good indoor wall plant ideas for small spaces?
If you’re limited on wall space, try a trailing plant in a hanging basket or planter. Pothos and English ivy grow well hanging and have that lush, jungly vibe. Fittonia, with its cute heart-shaped green and pink leaves, also looks gorgeous spilling over a shelf or ledge. And, who doesn’t love seeing a pot of purple passionflower climbing up a wall? These beauties are perfect for apartments and tiny nooks.
-
Do indoor wall plants improve air quality?
Some studies show that certain plants truly are amazing at sucking toxins out of the air. NASA even did research backing this. However, you need a lot more than just one or two to make a strong difference in air quality. Unless your whole place is basically a plant jungle, any benefits are likely to be sort of minor. But having greenery around is still great for your mental well-being regardless! So go ahead and find wall spots for more plants – it certainly won’t hurt.