How to Effectively Use Wall Plants for Home Decoration
If you’re interested in decorating your home with plants but don’t have a lot of floor space, wall plants are a great option to consider. In this article, I’ll discuss the various types of wall plants suited for interior decoration, techniques for how to mount them on walls, and tips for care and maintenance. By the end, you’ll have all the information you need to transform your walls into living art with greenery.
Choosing the Right Wall Plants
- Succulents: Succulents like echeveria, senecio, and haworthia are very popular for walls due to their low maintenance needs. They store water in their thick leaves, so they don’t need frequent watering. String of pearls and string of dolphins cascading down walls look amazing!
- Pothos: Golden or marble queen pothos are great vines that are nearly impossible to kill. They trail beautifully down walls and over shelves. Pothos removes toxins from indoor air too!
- Philodendron: Heartleaf philodendron and brasil philodendron grow well on walls. Their leaves come in interesting shapes and textures. Philodendron are very hardy plants.
- Spider plants: Spider plants come in several varieties with bright variegated leaves. As a bonus, they produce plantlets along their stems that can be removed and propagated as new plants.
When choosing wall plants, consider lightning conditions near the wall. Most tolerate low to medium indirect sunlight. Succulents prefer brighter light.
Mounting Techniques
There are a few different methods for adhering plants to walls:
- Command picture hanging strips: Remove the paper and stick the velcro-like strips directly onto the wall, then attach the pots. Works great for lightweight pots.
- Screws and hooks: For heavier planters, use small screws and corresponding hook pieces mounted high up on wall studs for secure placement.
- Cable ties: Zip tie lightweight pots directly to wall board or wooden slats attached with screws. Good for draping vines.
No matter the method, mount plants higher up on walls so they’re safely out of pet and toddler reach if applicable.
Caring for Wall Plants
Once your wall garden is installed, proper care is key to keeping plants healthy:
– Water just enough to keep the soil moist, not soaked. Most wall plants are quite drought tolerant.
– Wipe leaves occasionally to remove dust. Succulents may only need water every couple weeks.
– Rotate pots periodically so all sides receive indirect light evenly.
– Repot plants that have outgrown their containers into slightly larger pots with fresh soil.
– Snip off any dead or diseased leaves and stems right away.
– Fertilize only during the main growing seasons in spring and summer.
The biggest issues are typically overwatering, not enough light, or plants getting too rootbound and cramped. Other than that, wall greenery is quite low maintenance compared to floor plants.
Some Inspiring Wall Garden Ideas
Now that you understand the wall plant basics, here are a few ideas to get your creative juices flowing for decorating:
– String several pots of trailing pothos, ivy, or spider plants along an empty wall in your kitchen for a lush vertical garden.
– Adorn the blank wall around your fireplace mantel with a geometric pattern of succulents in colorful ceramic planters.
– Cluster a collection of plants in matching hanging baskets on brackets high above your bedroom headboard.
– For smaller spaces, try a floating wood shelf mounted on the wall to hold a beautifully curved philodendron or monstera plant.
– Get artsy by spelling out words or patterns with pots of multi-colored foliage plants on your living room or home office walls.
– Mix textures by grouping succulents, ferns, and vines in wooden crates or baskets attached wall-mount racks above your bathroom sink.
The possibilities are endless! And remember, you can always start small with just a few pots and add more over time as your plant babies grow. A living wall makes any space feel fresh and brings nature indoors.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I care for wall plants over winter?
For tropical foliage like pothos and philodendron, continue regular watering but cut back a bit when growth slows in fall. Move pots to a bright indoor spot if temperatures drop below freezing by windows. For succulents, water even less often over winter—maybe once a month.
Will wall plants damage the paint or wallboard?
If mounted correctly and pots drained well, wall plants pose very minimal risk of water damage even over time. The occasional splash won’t hurt unless it’s left to soak in. Always monitor for excess moisture and repair promptly if issues arise. The benefits of green decor outweigh rare risks in most cases.
What’s the easiest, most low-maintenance vine for walls?
Pothos hands down! Also known as devil’s ivy, golden pothos and marble queen pothos thrive with neglect. Water whenever the top soil starts drying out, about every 2-4 weeks. They remove toxins from indoor air too. Pothos are practically impossible to kill even for black thumbs.
Will wall plants attract bugs?
Indoor wall gardens can attract the occasional gnats, especially if plants are overwatered or soil is allowed to stay soggy. Use sticky traps near the plants. Rare pests like spider mites prefer dry conditions, so keep foliage dwarf and humidity moderate. Healthy plants infrequently sprayed with neem oil or insecticidal soap usually pose very little risk of major infestations. Outdoor conditions play a bigger role in attracting problem bugs.
I hope this article has answered all your questions about using wall plants effectively for interior decoration! Feel free to experiment finding the styles and types of plants that work best for your unique space. With some TLC, your walls can thrive with leafy green ambiance. Please let me know if any other topics need further explanation. Happy planting!
Choosing Plants for Wall Decoration
| Plant | Light Needs | Water Needs | Size | Good For |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Pothos | Low to Medium | Let Soil Dry Out | Trailing Up to 8 Feet | Bathrooms, Offices |
| Spider Plant | Medium | Let Soil Dry Out | Hanging Baskets, Up to 2 Feet | Homes, Offices |
| Philodendron | Medium to Bright | Let Soil Mostly Dry | Clinging up Walls, Ceilings | Homes, Offices |
| English Ivy | Low to Medium | Let Soil Slightly Dry | Clinging up to 20 Feet | Homes, Large Areas |
| Peperomia | Medium | Let Soil Partially Dry | Tabletop up to 2 Feet | Homes, Offices |
FAQ
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What types of plants work best for wall decor?
Plants like pothos, philodendron, and spider plants are kinda awesome choices since they don’t require a ton of sunlight. Peace lilies and english ivy also look pretty stunning on walls even with low light.
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How do I arrange wall plants?
You can put single plants in various spots or make a sort of display with multiple plants. Maybe try hanging them in rows spaced a little ways apart. But is it worth it to get creative with plant positioning? You could also cluster plants together for a more bold look. At the same time, leaving some spaces between lets each plant shine.
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What kind of containers can I use?
Pots, baskets, metal racks, you name it! Use your imagination. I’ve seen folks use everything from ceramic planters to plastic buckets, seems like anything water-tight will work. Just be certain the container won’t be too heavy for your wall or fittings. Always double check it can support the weight. Safety first!
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How do I care for wall plants?
Water them when the soil becomes dry to the touch, which may be every 1-2 weeks. Seems like folks have better results if they use a water meter to check moisture levels though, I guess those things appear pretty accurate. Be sure not to overwater. Throw in some plant food every few months as well. That’s the basics, but what do the experts say is best?
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What lighting is suitable?
Low to medium light should do the trick for most plants. They’ll survive in rooms that only get indirect sunlight much of the day. However, some varieties possibly do better with some direct rays, especially in the winter. Does anyone have tips for lighting conditions that work particularly well?
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How can I stop my wall plants from collecting dust?
Give them a gentle wipe down every so often with a damp cloth. You can also use a feather duster. But dusting plants on the wall sounds like such a chore, I bet people just let it go sometimes and try not to look too close! Hey, at least living things are imperfect, right?
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Any tips for keeping wall plants looking their best?
Trim off any yellow or brown leaves and trim stems that get long every few months. That simple maintenance really helps plants look fuller and brighter. Honestly can’t believe how much of a difference it makes for such a small effort. What other tricks do people use to keep their wall greenery in tip-top shape?