A green wall, also known as a living wall, is a vertical structure partially or completely covered with vegetation. It often incorporates a growing medium, such as soil, peat, or hydroponic (water-based) media.
Green walls, with their integration of nature into built environments, offer a wide range of benefits that can be categorized into environmental, economic, and social advantages:
Environmental Benefits
Air Quality Improvement: Green walls act as natural air filters, absorbing pollutants and carbon dioxide while releasing oxygen. They contribute significantly to improving urban air quality.
Temperature Regulation: By providing insulation, green walls can reduce the need for air conditioning in summer and heating in winter, contributing to energy efficiency. They mitigate the urban heat island effect by cooling the air through the process of evapotranspiration.
Biodiversity Enhancement: By creating habitats for various species, green walls can increase biodiversity in urban areas, supporting insects, birds, and other fauna.
Noise Reduction: Plants have natural sound-absorbing properties. Green walls can help reduce the ambient noise levels in buildings, creating a quieter and more pleasant environment.
Economic Benefits
Energy Efficiency: The insulating effect of green walls can lead to significant energy savings by reducing the demand for heating and cooling systems in buildings.
Increased Property Value: Buildings that incorporate green walls often experience an increase in property value due to their aesthetic appeal and the sustainability features they offer.
Longevity of Building Facades: By shielding walls from the direct impacts of sun, rain, and wind, green walls can help prolong the lifespan of building materials, reducing maintenance and repair costs over time.
Social and Health Benefits
Psychological Well-being: Interaction with green spaces has been shown to reduce stress, improve mood, and enhance overall mental health. Green walls can make indoor and outdoor spaces more inviting and relaxing.
Improved Productivity: Studies have found that the presence of plants in workspaces can increase productivity and creativity among employees.
Aesthetic Enhancement: Green walls can transform bland facades and interiors into visually striking features, improving the aesthetic appeal of urban landscapes and buildings.
Educational Opportunities: They can serve as living laboratories for educational purposes, offering hands-on learning about botany, ecology, and sustainability.
The integration of green walls into urban planning and architecture not only addresses specific environmental issues but also promotes a holistic approach to creating healthier, more sustainable, and aesthetically pleasing living spaces.
NextGen Living Walls are specially designed for both soil-based and hydroponic plants. Hydroponic plants are typically in either 13/12 cm or 15/19 cm pots. Hydroponic plants thrive in trays filled with water. Outside Europe, it may be challenging to find hydroponic plants. Soil-based plants, available in a wide variety of types globally, require pots of specific sizes to fit the trays optimally. We recommend using pots sized 12 x 10 cm / 4" for the smallest tray PT-50-1210, 14 x 14 cm / 6" for all medium trays (Pt-20-1312, Pt-50-1312, PT-75-1312, and PT-100-1312), and large pot sizes of 20 x 20 cm / 8" for the largest tray PT-100-1519.
The choice of plants depends on the desired design, local lighting, and growing conditions.Here is a list of several varieties that provide good coverage and do well on a regular 4-week watering cycle. These plant varieties are mostly available in soil and hydro, although in some parts of the world, like North America, hydro plants are not available. Ask your supplier for details.
Pothos Golden
Philodendron Pictus
Nephthytis Light Green
Epipremnum ‘Neon’
Spathiphyllum
Asplenium
Epipremnum ‘Marble Queen'
Philodendron ‘Scandens’
Philodendron ‘Brasil’
Anthurium
Aeschynanthus lobbianus variegata
Aglaonema 'Maria'
Dracaena 'Compacta'
Dracaena 'Warneckei'
Dracaena 'Lemon Lime'
Aesynanthus lobbianus
Chlorophytum-Spider plant
We recommend using a Plant Booster to reduce the gap in the tray and prevent the plant from sitting too deeply in the water.
For installations involving soil-based plants, we advise using plant straws. Plant straws are inserted into the root ball to connect it with the water reservoir, suitable for both indoor and outdoor use.
Hydro screens are designed for 13/12 and 15/19 hydroponic plants, ensuring the pebbles remain in place within the pot, even when installed at an angle in the tray.
No additional substrate, such as soil or Clay pebbles, is not necessary. Install the grow pot directly into the tray.
NextGen Living Walls offer considerable flexibility with their system, especially with the "medium" trays (PT-20-1312, PT-50-1312, PT-75-1312, and PT-100-1312). Regarding height, all trays are to be placed on a special grid equipped with several cutting lines. We also offer corner trays compatible with medium trays. For detailed information and options tailored to your specific needs, please contact us or one of our dealers and NextGen Experts.
Watering methods vary depending on the height of the NextGen Living Wall. Each tray has a specific water capacity, as detailed in the models and dimensions. Watering should always be done from the top down. Contact us to find out which irrigation system is best suited for you.
Yes, for larger NextGen Living Walls, an automatic irrigation system is not only practical but also cost-effective. NextGen Living Walls have been successfully installed in structures over 7 meters tall using a straightforward, reliable method. For any inquiries, consult us, a dealer, or a NextGen Expert.
Light is crucial and often one of the most underestimated factors. NextGen Living Walls provide LED lighting options not only to ensure sufficient light for any installation but also to highlight your NextGen Living Walls optimally, achieving an impressive appearance. Additionally, consider the right plant choice for your environment, as plants require a certain level of Candle Light (Lux) to remain healthy and visually appealing.
The installation surface must be smooth. NextGen Living Walls can be mounted on various surfaces using the appropriate fasteners and tools, including masonry, drywall, and wood.
Liquid fertilizer is recommended and can be added during service intervals.