The Complete Guide to Choosing and Caring for Wall-Mounted Indoor Plants
Wall-mounted plants are a great way to add greenery to your home without taking up valuable floor space. From my experience living in small apartments, wall planters have allowed me to enjoy plants even when I don’t have room for them on the ground. In this article, I’ll cover everything you need to know to select, set up, and care for beautiful wall-mounted indoor plants.
Choosing Plants for Wall Mounting
When shopping for wall planters, consider plants with trailing or vine-like growth habits that will drape beautifully over the container. Some top options include:
- Pothos – One of the hardiest and easiest houseplants, pothos thrive in low or bright light. Their trailing vines can grow quite long.
- Swedish Ivy – Similar care to pothos and forms lovely hanging vines. Its small, dark green leaves vine gracefully.
- Purple Wandering Jew – This trailing plant adds colorful accents with purple-tinged green leaves. It spreads quickly along the wall.
- Devil’s Ivy – Heartier than it looks, devil’s ivy features lush, deep green leaves and tolerates low-light conditions well.
- Spider Plant – Produces miniature plantlets on long runners that can be removed and planted elsewhere. Low-maintenance option.
Basically, any plant with a vining growth habit will do well, kind of like the ones I listed. Make sure to choose varieties suited to your home’s light levels.
Choosing Planters for Wall Mounting
When shopping for planters, opt for style and function. Look for strong, durable hangers or brackets to securely hold the planter and soil weight. Terra cotta, resin, or metal materials work well.
For taller walls, hanging baskets or hanging planters suspended from the ceiling work great. Make sure to use galvanized steel cables or thick jute ropes rated to hold heavy loads. Safety first! You don’t want a planter crashing down, am I right?
Consider sizes too – larger containers allow for more soil volume but may be heavy when full. Balance plant and planter sizes. Wall shelves or ledges let you set larger pots without hanging concerns.
Mounting and Installing Wall Planters
To safely mount wall planters, first determine the best spot considering your plant’s light needs. Inspect the mounting surface – concrete, wood, or drywall all require different hardware. For heavier planters on drywall, install sturdy wall anchors.
Measure exactly where holes need to be drilled so you don’t accidentally hit pipes or wires behind the wall. Use a level or ruler to mark equal distances above and below the planter for symmetrical hanging. Drill pilot holes, then screw in mounting hardware securely.
Once installed, carefully hook on hanging planters and adjust their position evenly spaced from the wall. Top-heavy planters may need additional central support with a second cable or chain for stability. Test the strength of your installation before placing heavy planters.
Caring for Wall-Mounted Plants
Watering wall planters generally follows the same guidelines as potted plants. Feel the top soil inch – if dry, water thoroughly until drainage occurs. For hanging baskets, water runs out the drainage holes so empty the catch saucer below. Overwatering is the biggest cause of failure with indoor plants, so allow soil to dry slightly between waterings.
Fertilize monthly in the growing season with a diluted liquid houseplant formula. Flush extra salts from the soil every few months by running plain water through until it drains clear. Repot plants that become pot-bound, indicated by roots filling the container.
Dust foliage occasionally and wipe leaves clean if spots appear. Prune leggy vines or stems to encourage bushier new growth. Rotate planters quarterly to ensure even light exposure on all sides. Reposition higher if leggy vines get too long.
Pests can sometimes affect indoor plants, so inspect regularly for signs of insects like gnats, spider mites or mealybugs. Isolate and treat with neem oil or insecticidal soap if issues arise. Consider mounting plants near a humidifier too -they prefer average indoor humidity around 50%.
Displaying Wall Planters Decoratively
Arranging wall plants creatively adds visual impact. Hang in straight lines or diagonal patterns, alternating heights and container sizes for visual interest. Mount above artwork, shelves, or gallery rails to accent the space. Tuck trailing vines amongst sconces or floating shelves for a lush, layered look. Place a long trailing plant in a tall, narrow planter for a dramatic “waterfall” effect.
Incorporate other design elements like woven baskets, framed photos or small sculptures amongst the planters. Use props and ledges to create the illusion of plants growing from the walls organically. Mount pots at eye level for close-up plant appreciation, or higher near ceilings to enhance the sense of height in the room.
From my experience living with wall-mounted greenery, it’s an easy way to inject life into any space. Perhaps you’ll find it similarly rewarding in your home too! Hopefully this guide has answered your questions about selecting, mounting and caring for beautiful indoor wall plants. Let me know if you have any other questions!
Top Wall Mounted Plants for Indoor Spaces
| Plant Name | Light Needs | Water Needs | Size | Care Level |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Pothos | Low | Let dry between waterings | Trailing vines up to 10 feet | Easy |
| Spider Plant | Medium | Let dry slightly between waterings | Trailing vines up to 3 feet | Easy |
| Philodendron | Low to Medium | Let dry slightly between waterings | Vining up to 10 feet | Easy |
| English Ivy | Low | Let dry slightly between waterings | Vining up to 15 feet | Easy |
| Peperomia | Medium | Let dry slightly between waterings | Up to 1-2 feet tall and wide | Easy |
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What type of plants are best for wall mounting indoors?
Succulents and air plants basically need very little care and do well mounted on walls. Spider plants, pothos and philodendrons also tolerate low light and can be displayed on walls.
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How do I mount plants on a wall?
You’ll need hanging planters or shelves so the plant’s roots aren’t touching the wall directly. Screw in hooks, hang brackets or ledges for the pots. Make sure to use planters or containers with drainage holes so excess water doesn’t puddle on the wall. Secure firmly so plants don’t fall if knocked accidentally.
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Is wall space limited? Can many plants still be displayed?
While wall area may seem limited at first, you’d be amazed how many small and trailing plants can fill up empty vertical space. Cluster several pots together or hang cascading varieties overlapping to create a verdant green wall even in a tiny nook. I’ve seen folks transform cramped hallways into lush urban jungles.
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What lights are good for wall plants?
Artificial lighting like clamp lamps or tall standing lamps directed at the plants helps if the walls get deficient natural light. Consider an app-controlled LED strip behind floating shelves to cast a soft glow. Those bendable ‘grow lights’ are convenient too but make sure not to overdo actual grow lights meant for blooming plants.
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Won’t wall planters collect dust?
All indoor plants will collect some dust over time nevertheless a few strategic wall placements receive less air circulation allowing dust to congregate more apparently. Wipe down leaves carefully as needed based on your household’s specific dust levels. Aloe vera and peperomia tend to show less obvious dust if appearance matters greatly to you.
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What about watering wall-mounted indoor plants?
Water requirements vary by species but the general rule is to water wall planters until water drains freely from the drainage holes below. Raise very thirsty plants like pothos close to a bathroom to enjoy the humid air. Hang an outdoor watering can or use a longneck watering bottle for cramped high shelves to avoid soggy walls.
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In the long term, is wall gardening worthwhile?
Some disprove of wall displays as a passing trend but based on expert opinions in design magazines, the advantages appear to outweigh doubts regarding ease and visual appeal. Wall plants add beauty throughout changing seasons without taking up precious floor space. If you enjoy gardening indoors, a living wall may totally be worthwhile and bring you joy for years.