How to Create and Care for Living Walls

July 14th, 2025

Living walls—also known as vertical gardens—are a brilliant way to bring more greenery into your life, whether you’ve got a sprawling backyard or a small apartment balcony. They’re beautiful, space-saving, and totally doable with the right setup.

At Scott’s Nursery, we love helping gardeners—from first-timers to seasoned pros—try new and creative projects that connect them to nature. And we promise: building a living wall isn’t just for Pinterest pros or city condos. It can be practical, rewarding, and tailored to suit New Brunswick’s unique growing seasons.

In this guide, we’ll walk you through:

What living walls are and why they’re worth building
What you’ll need to make one inside or out
Step-by-step building instructions
The best plants for NB’s climate
And how to keep your wall lush and thriving all year long

Let’s get into it.

What Is a Living Wall and
Why Build One?

A living wall is exactly what it sounds like: a wall that’s covered in plants. Think of it as a vertical garden that turns blank spaces into living, breathing art. Living walls can be freestanding or mounted, and they’re just as perfect indoors as they are outdoors.

Why You’ll Love One

Whether you’re looking to liven up a kitchen corner, add privacy to a patio, or just get more green into your daily life, here are some reasons to try a living wall:

Air-purifying: Especially indoors, plants can help clean the air and boost your mood.
Insulation & energy efficiency: Outdoor walls help regulate heat in both summer and winter.
Biodiversity: Living walls attract pollinators like bees and butterflies when outdoors.
Aesthetic upgrade: They instantly transform bland fences or empty walls into vibrant, eye-catching features.
Great for small spaces: Vertical gardening is ideal when you don’t have a lot of square footage to work with.

A Note for New Brunswick Gardeners:

In NB, where we deal with cold winters and changing seasons, living walls let you:

Keep gardening all year long indoors
Get creative with seasonal plants outdoors
Maximize space and sunlight, even in compact yards or apartment balconies

What You’ll Need:
Tools & Materials

Before you dive into planting, you’ll need to gather the right supplies. Whether you're building an indoor green wall for your kitchen or an outdoor vertical garden for your patio, a bit of prep goes a long way.

We’ve broken this down into two sections to help you get started based on your space.

Indoor Living Wall Essentials

Here’s what you’ll need to build a safe, stylish, and thriving green wall inside your home:

Materials:

Wall frame or planter system
(Modular pocket panels, vertical planters, or stacked pots work great)
Waterproof backing
(Essential for protecting walls from moisture—use pond liner or thick plastic sheeting)
Mounting hardware
(Choose wall anchors appropriate for your wall type)
Lightweight potting mix
(Look for well-draining indoor blends)
Self-watering planters or drip trays
Grow lights (if natural sunlight is limited)

Optional Tools:

Level, drill, tape measure
Scissors or utility knife (for cutting liners)
Watering can with a narrow spout
Small hand trowel

Pro Tip:

If you’re new to living walls, start small—a 3x3 frame is easy to manage and lets you experiment with placement, watering, and lighting.

Outdoor Living Wall Essentials

Outdoor living walls are a bit more rugged and exposed to the elements, so the materials need to be weather-resistant and able to withstand NB’s seasonal changes.

Materials:

Sturdy wall frame or trellis
(Wood, metal, or repurposed pallets work well)
Planter pockets or mounted pots
(Look for UV-stable, frost-resistant options)
Drip irrigation system or soaker hose
(Optional, but a real time-saver)
Rich, moisture-retaining soil
(Compost-enriched potting mix is perfect)
Fertilizer
(Slow-release for low maintenance)

Optional Tools:

Hose with sprayer
Outdoor sealant (for wooden structures)
Timer for irrigation system
Mulch (for top layer in outdoor pockets)

Seasonal Reminder:

Use removable planters if you want to bring tender plants indoors during the winter, or plan your wall around hardy perennials.

Step-by-Step Guide to Building Your Living Wall

Living walls may look fancy, but setting one up is surprisingly simple once you break it down. Here’s a straightforward guide to get you from a blank wall to a thriving vertical garden—indoors or out.

Step 1: Choose the Right Location

Indoors:

Pick a wall that gets bright, indirect light (south- or west-facing is ideal).
Avoid spots near heaters, vents, or cold drafts.
Bathrooms or kitchens work great due to their humidity levels.

Outdoors:

Look for a sturdy, sunlit wall—east or south-facing works best in NB.
Consider wind exposure and runoff from eaves or gutters.
Think about privacy screens or fences that could double as green walls.

Step 2: Choose a Wall System or Frame

You have options here depending on your budget and DIY spirit:

DIY Ideas:

Wooden pallets
Shoe organizers (great for herbs!)
Old gutters or hanging pots
Chicken wire frames with pots wired in place

Store-Bought Systems:

Modular wall panels with built-in irrigation
Felt or canvas planting pockets
Stackable vertical planters

At Scott’s, we can help you pick a system that fits your space, whether you’re indoors or battling New Brunswick weather.

Step 3: Add Waterproofing (Indoor Only)

Use plastic sheeting, pond liner, or foam board behind your system to protect drywall or paint.
Install a drip tray or basin below to catch extra water.
Optional: Add a small fan nearby to prevent moisture buildup.

Step 4: Set Up Watering

Indoor:

For small walls: Manual watering using a narrow-spout watering can.
For larger setups: Install a self-watering system or repurposed IV-style drip line.

Outdoor:

Connect a drip irrigation line to a garden hose or timer.
Ensure good drainage to avoid root rot (drain holes are a must!).

Pro Tip: Use a moisture meter to keep an eye on soil dampness—especially indoors.

Step 5: Design & Plant

Here’s where you can get creative. Lay out your plants before installing to find the right balance of texture, color, and size.

Design Tips:

Group plants by water and light needs
Place trailing plants at the bottom (like ivy or Creeping Jenny)
Use bushy or upright plants at the top for structure
Mix in herbs, flowers, and foliage for variety

Want to change things up later? Modular systems make it easy to swap plants seasonally or freshen up the design.

Best Plants for New Brunswick Living Walls

Choosing the right plants is the secret sauce to a thriving living wall. In New Brunswick, our Zone 4B–5A climate means you’ll want plants that can handle some chill if they’re going outside—and those that don’t mind drier air if they’re staying indoors.

To make it easy, we’ve split this into indoor and outdoor picks, with a bonus section for seasonal swaps.

Best Indoor Plants for Living Walls

These are perfect for kitchens, bathrooms, hallways, or sunrooms with bright, indirect light. They’re low-maintenance and beautiful in vertical displays.

Great Options:

Pothos (Devil’s Ivy) – Trailing, tough as nails
Philodendron – Compact and forgiving
Spider Plant – Great for air quality and low light
Ferns (Boston, Maidenhair) – Love humidity, great for bathrooms
English Ivy – Classic trailing look
Peperomia – Compact with fun leaf textures
Fittonia (Nerve Plant) – Colorful veins and great in partial shade
Herbs: Basil, Mint, Parsley (Use near the kitchen!)

Pro Tip: Pick plants with similar water and light needs—this makes your wall easier to care for. And rotate plants occasionally so they don’t get “leggy” from uneven light.

Best Outdoor Plants for New Brunswick Gardens

Outdoor walls face the elements, so these plants are tough, hardy, and beautiful, thriving in vertical containers.

Top Picks:

Sedum (Stonecrop) – Low-maintenance and drought-tolerant
Coral Bells (Heuchera) – Gorgeous foliage in every color
Creeping Jenny – Bright green trailing plant
Ferns – Native options like Ostrich Fern thrive in shade
Hostas – Shade-loving and lush
Thyme, Oregano, Chives – Culinary herbs that handle NB summers well

Winter-Ready Options:

Dwarf Evergreens (Juniper, Boxwood)
Violas – Cool-weather blooms
Ornamental Grasses – Add texture and movement

Make sure your outdoor containers have proper drainage—sitting water in winter can kill even the hardiest perennials.

Seasonal Swap Ideas

If you like variety, build your wall to be seasonally flexible. Use modular pockets or removable planters and rotate your garden with the seasons.

Spring/Summer:

Petunias, Nasturtiums, Lobelia
Herbs like Basil, Dill, Cilantro

Fall:

Kale, Swiss Chard, Ornamental Peppers
Mums or Asters

Winter (Outdoor Only):

Small evergreens
Dried arrangements with branches, berries, or seed heads

How to Care for Your Living Wall

Once your living wall is up and growing, keeping it healthy doesn’t have to be a chore. A little regular care goes a long way—and knowing what to look out for will save you headaches down the line.

Here’s how to keep your living wall happy, vibrant, and long-lasting.

Watering & Feeding

Indoor Walls

Water once or twice a week, depending on humidity and plant needs
Use a narrow-spout watering can to avoid spills
Let soil dry slightly between watering—avoid soggy roots

Outdoor Walls

Check soil daily during hot NB summers
Install a drip system with a timer for hassle-free watering
Add mulch to containers to help retain moisture

Feeding

Use a balanced liquid fertilizer every 4–6 weeks
For edibles (herbs/veggies), use organic or food-safe fertilizer
Slow-release pellets work well for outdoor containers

Pruning, Cleaning & Troubleshooting

Monthly Maintenance Checklist:

Trim overgrown or leggy plants to encourage new growth
Remove yellow or damaged leaves
Wipe down planter surfaces to prevent dust or mold buildup
Rotate plants (indoors) for even light exposure

Common Mistakes (And How to Avoid Them)

Mistake

Problem

Fix

Overwatering

Root rot, mold, soggy soil

Use well-draining mix, add ventilation

Underwatering

Drooping, dry soil, leaf loss

Set a reminder or install a drip line

Too Much Sun

Burnt leaves or dried out plants

Move or shade the wall in hot spots

Wrong Plant Mix

Some plants suffer or dominate

Group plants with similar needs

Poor Drainage

Root rot,

algae buildup

Make sure planters have holes + airflow

Bonus Tip: Keep a spray bottle nearby for misting humidity-loving plants like ferns or Fittonia.

Winter Tips for Outdoor Living Walls in NB

New Brunswick winters can be tough, but with a little prep, your outdoor wall can weather the cold:

Remove annuals after the first frost
Mulch perennials to protect roots
Disconnect and drain irrigation lines
Cover frames or bring portable planters indoors
Consider switching to a dried display with branches, pinecones, or hardy evergreens

You Can Grow This

Living walls might look like a pro-level project, but now you know the truth: they’re totally doable, even for beginners. Whether you're working with a sunny kitchen wall or a backyard fence in need of a facelift, all it takes is a bit of planning, the right plants, and a willingness to experiment.

At Scott’s Nursery in Lincoln, we’re always here to help—from choosing the best soil and planters to recommending hardy perennials for your specific space. Our team loves seeing creative projects come to life, and we’d be happy to help you build your own vertical oasis.

Ready to Get Started?

Drop by the nursery for supplies, plant advice, or a quick chat—we’d love to hear your ideas.
Tag us on social media when you finish your wall—we’ll happily share your green masterpiece!
And if you have questions, just ask—we’re gardeners too.

Your wall of green is waiting!

To Join Our Mailing List And Never Miss A Monthly Newsletter!

Articles You Might Like

30 left in stock

How to Create and Care for Living Walls

What Is a Living Wall and Why Build One?

What You’ll Need: Tools & Materials

Outdoor Living Wall Essentials

Step-by-Step Guide to Building Your Living Wall

Best Plants for New Brunswick Living Walls

How to Care for Your Living Wall

You Can Grow This

Subscribe

Articles You Might Like

Related Products

Fittonia albivenis

Spike Drip Irrigation Kit 24 Pots/6 Planters

Pothos 'N Joy'

Sunblaster T5 Flush-Mount Clips 4/pkg

T5 Light 4' Combo - 6400K Sunblaster

Autopilot Timer - 8 Outlets

Maidenhair Fern

Satin Pothos 'Java Platinum'

Timer T101 - 120V

Philodendron 'Cobra'

Trellis Net Vine & Veggie 5x10'

Philodendron rugosum Aberrant

Lambert Potting Mix

T5 Light Replacement 4' - Sunblaster

SunBlaster 26-watt CFL Grow Bulb

What Is a Living Wall and
Why Build One?

What You’ll Need:
Tools & Materials