How To Create a Stunning Living Green Wall With WallyGrow

Ready to transform your home with a stunning, eco-friendly living green wall that brings nature indoors and improves air quality!? This guide walks you through every step, from choosing the perfect wall and eco-friendly paint to installing planters and lighting, making it easy to create a lush, vertical garden that’s both beautiful and sustainable.

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Have you ever walked into a room and felt instantly calmed by a splash of green? That’s the magic of plants! They bring life, color, and a sense of serenity to any space. But what if you could go beyond a simple potted plant and turn an entire wall into a vertical garden? Not only will a living green wall add a stunning, natural element to your home, but it’s also an easy way to make a sustainable, eco-friendly decor statement.

In this guide, we’ll show you how to create a DIY living green wall from start to finish, including painting an accent wall and ceiling, installing Wallygrow planters, and even adding recessed, tiltable lights to make your new green wall the star of the room.

Choosing the Perfect Wall and Color Palette

Before we dive into setting up the living green wall, let’s talk about location. Not every wall in a home will be the perfect canvas for a new plant installation. Here are a few things to consider when choosing the right spot:

Light: Your plants will need some natural light to thrive. A corner or wall that gets indirect sunlight is ideal. You can also consider installing additional lights to help the plants thrive.
Visibility: Pick a wall that is highly visible so you can enjoy the green wall daily. It could be a focal point in your living room, bedroom, or even your kitchen.
Space: Make sure you have enough vertical real estate to accommodate multiple planters. Vertical garden walls work best when they can fill the space and create a lush, layered look.

Why the Right Paint Matters

Once you’ve chosen the perfect spot, it’s time to think about a color palette. Since we want the plants to be the star of the show, the color you paint a wall (and even a ceiling) plays a big role in how the living wall will stand out. You’ll want to choose a shade that complements the green hues of your plants without overpowering them.

For a calming, natural feel, consider earthy tones like deep greens, soft browns, or even warm neutrals like beige or cream. These colors create a harmonious backdrop that makes your plants pop without competing for attention.

If you’re not sure between different shades of green do a test sample on the wall with the different colors. Once the painted areas are dry, hold up some of the plants in front of them. We compared Rainforest by Behr and Outdoor Oasis by Behr (both in Premium Plus Eggshell finish). We ultimately went with Rainforest as it created just enough depth and contrast from the plants.

And since we’re all about sustainability here, make sure to use eco-friendly, low-VOC paint. Not only is this better for your health, but it’s also kinder to the planet!

Prepping Your Wall for Paint

Now that you’ve picked a color, it’s time to get to work. Here’s what you’ll need:

Materials Needed:

Eco-friendly, low-VOC paint in your chosen color
Painter’s tape
Drop cloth – use whatever you already have or consider even using this eco option!
Paint rollers and brushes
A ladder (if you’re painting the ceiling too)

Steps to Paint An Accent Wall and Ceiling:

Prep the Area: Start by clearing the space around the wall. Lay down a drop cloth to protect the floors and tape off the edges of the wall, as well as any adjacent walls or ceilings that won’t be painted.
Taping Off the Ceiling: For a more immersive, cozy feel, consider painting the ceiling in the same color as your accent wall. It helps create a cohesive backdrop that allows your plant wall to stand out. Use painter’s tape to create a clean line where the ceiling meets the rest of the room.

DIY Tip: An affordable laser level comes in handy in so many ways, especially when trying to get straight lines on a wall/ceiling!

Get Painting: Roll on your eco-friendly paint, starting with the ceiling and working your way down. Apply two coats to ensure a rich, even finish, allowing time for the paint to dry between layers.

By the time you’re done, you’ll have the perfect backdrop for your DIY living green wall. Now, it’s time to add the magic: the plants!

Installing Wallygrow Eco Wall Planters

Now, you’re ready to install your planters and bring your living green wall to life! Wallygrow’s Eco Wall Planters are the perfect solution for creating a sustainable plant wall. These planters are made from recycled materials and are designed to conserve water, making them a perfect fit for anyone wanting to reduce their footprint while adding a splash of green.

Why Wallygrow?

Aside from being made from 100% recycled plastic, Wallygrow planters are also built for easy installation and plant care. They come with no unnecessary packaging, no plastic bags holding screws and drywall anchors, and no sticky residue from glue. Furthermore, WallyGrow believes in the power of creating products close to home to ensure safe working environments and fair wages with domestic production.

They feature an efficient watering system using a small divider to create a water reservoir that slowly releases water into the soil as needed. Also, the planters use a simple French cleat system to hang on the wall, which makes them easy to remove from the wall if you need to add soil or something. Plus, they’re available in a range of sizes and colors, so you can design a layout that fits your style.

Uses a french cleat system for easy hanging on the wall.

DIY Tip: If you don’t mind bolder colors (aka not the neutral colors), WallyGrow tends to put the bolder colors on sale often for more than half off!

Materials Needed for Installation:

Wallygrow Eco Wall Planters (as many as you need for your desired design)
Screws and anchors (included with planters)
Drill
Level or Laser Level
Tape Measure

How to Install Your Wallygrow Planters:

Design Your Layout: Before you start drilling, take some time to plan the layout of your plant wall. You can stagger the planters for a more organic look or arrange them in a grid pattern for something more modern. Use a pencil to mark where each planter will go. Check out WallyGrow’s layout ideas and spacing guides. We used 10 planters in a staggered spacing with 15” apart horizontally and 12” apart vertically.
Drill Holes: Using a drill, pre-drill holes in the wall where you’ve marked your layout. Be sure to use the wall anchors provided if you’re not drilling into a stud, as the weight of the plants and water will require strong support.
Attach the Planters: Secure each planter to the wall using screws through the cleat. Make sure to use a level to ensure that your planters are straight. Once they’re installed, you can start adding your plants!

Highlighting the Green Wall with Lighting

Lighting is key to making a living green wall not only thrive but shine. Without proper lighting, indoor plants can struggle, especially in spaces that don’t get much natural light. By adding recessed, tiltable ceiling lights, you’ll not only ensure that your plants get the light they need, but you’ll also create a beautiful visual effect that highlights your plant wall as the centerpiece of the room.

Materials Needed for Lighting:

You don’t need special grow lights for plants as most plants like full-spectrum light that is provided by most LEDs. These bulbs are ideal for indoor plants because they mimic natural sunlight, ensuring your plants get the light they need to grow. They’re also energy-efficient, which is perfect for an eco-conscious home.

We also chose to pair the new recessed lights with a dimmable smart switch. This allows us to automate when the lights turn on and off and the brightness level when on. Not all recessed LED lighting can be programmed, so just make sure if you go the smart switch route that the lights and switch are compatible.

Installing Recessed Ceiling Lights:

Now electrical work isn’t truly that complicated, but if you’re new to it, make sure you do your research first to learn how to wire properly.

Turn off power – Switch off the circuit breaker to avoid electric shock. And you can test your wires to make sure they aren’t live using a voltage tester.
Mark light placement – Use a stud finder to avoid joists, then mark where each light will be installed.
Cut ceiling holes – Use the template provided with the light kit and a drywall saw to cut the holes.
Run electrical wiring – Run the wiring from the power source to each hole, ensuring you follow local electrical codes.
Connect wiring – Strip the wires and connect the house wiring to the recessed light wiring (black to black, white to white, and ground to ground).
Insert lights – Push the lights into the ceiling holes and secure them according to the manufacturer’s instructions.
Turn power back on – Restore power at the breaker and test the lights.

Smart Switch Installation:

Turn off power – Again, turn off the breaker to the switch circuit if it’s not still off.
Remove old switch – Unscrew the cover plate, remove the old switch if needed, and disconnect the wires. Pull new wires to the switch location from the new lights.
Wire the smart switch – Connect the smart switch wires to the wires in the wall (match neutral, line, load, and ground as per the instructions).
Secure switch – Attach the smart switch to the electrical box and screw on the cover plate.
Turn power back on – Restore power and test the switch functionality.
Pair with app – Follow the manufacturer’s instructions to connect the switch to your Wi-Fi network using the app and begin setting up your lighting automation.

DIY Tip: Make sure to place them close enough to provide ample light but far enough to cover the entire wall. LED lights are powerful so you may only need one or two to cover the whole

Lighting is a game-changer when it comes to indoor plants, especially in rooms with low natural light. By installing recessed, tiltable lights, you’re ensuring that your living green wall looks vibrant and healthy day or night.

Choosing the Right Plants for Your Living Wall

Not all plants are suited for vertical gardens, so it’s important to choose varieties that thrive in your indoor environment. Some of the best options for a low-maintenance, air-purifying green wall include:

Pothos: A favorite for its trailing vines and air-purifying qualities.
Philodendrons: Another easy-care option that adds lush greenery to any space.
Ferns: Their delicate fronds add texture and elegance.
Spider plants: Great for removing toxins from the air (proven by NASA!) and super easy to care for.

Make sure to choose plants that can thrive with the lighting in your space, and always consider the level of humidity and water needs.

Maintaining Your Living Green Wall

A living green wall does require some upkeep, but with the right tips, it’s easy to keep your plants thriving. Thanks to Wallygrow’s watering system, your plants will stay hydrated, but there are a few more things you can do to ensure their long-term health.

Watering Tips:

Wallygrow planters make watering a breeze, just pour water into the reservoir and let the water percolate in as needed. Be careful not to overwater, though, as if the water gets oversaturated it can cause small drips from the air holes along the front. Also, some plants don’t like wet feet, so too much water can kill them. Check the soil regularly to ensure the top planters are not too wet.

General Care:

Pruning: Regularly trim any dead or overgrown leaves to keep your wall looking neat and to encourage new growth.
Check for Pests: Indoor plants can sometimes attract pests, so inspect your plants periodically and treat any infestations quickly.
Rotate Your Plants: If any plants aren’t thriving in their current spot, try rotating them to ensure they get the right amount of light. This is such a nice feature with WallyGrow’s planters being easy to swap around.

More Sustainable Home

Creating a living green wall is more than just a design trend, it’s a way to bring nature into your home, improve indoor air quality, and make a sustainable decor choice. With wall planters, you can design a space that’s as beautiful as it is functional, while making a positive impact on the planet.

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Hope this helps you successfully begin creating a living green wall in your home! Let us know what you think and if you’ve used WallyGrow before, in the comments below!

Disclaimer: This post includes affiliate links, and I will earn a commission if you purchase through these links. Please note that I’ve linked to these products purely because I recommend them and they are from companies I trust. There is no additional cost to you.

How To Create a Stunning Living Green Wall With WallyGrow