Plants for a Plant Wall – A Guide

Plants for a plant wall should be chosen based on the wall's type, environment and desired look. A plant wall made with preserved materials calls for different choices than a living plant wall, and an artificial plant wall is judged in yet another way. So the choice of species isn't a list of “best plants”, but a question of the whole picture, placement and material.

A good plant wall is built on a balance between leaf size, colour tone, structure, depth and how the wall will be seen in the room. Plants that work well in a large reception can feel too heavy in a smaller meeting room, while small leaves can get lost on a wall seen from several metres away.

Quick summary

The choice of species depends on whether the plant wall is preserved, living or artificial.
Preserved plants should normally be placed somewhere dry indoors and protected from moisture, sun and heat.
Moss, boxwood-like foliage, eucalyptus, ferns and tropical leaves can each give a different look.
Living walls need biologically viable species, water, light and ongoing plant care.
Artificial plants can be practical in exposed environments but require the right quality and cleaning.
Exact lifespan, scent, acoustic effect and environmental benefits shouldn't be promised without supporting evidence.

Start with the type of plant wall

The first question is whether the wall should be preserved, living or artificial. A preserved plant wall is built with treated natural materials and normally doesn't need water or grow light, but it does need a dry indoor environment. A living plant wall is a plant system with entirely different requirements. An artificial plant wall is a manufactured solution where quality, UV resistance and cleaning become important.

If you're planning a business project, it's wise to start with the conditions of the space: light, moisture, foot traffic, wall material, fire requirements and how close visitors will get to the wall. For the full picture on planning and quotes, see our guide to plant walls for businesses and offices.

Plant wall with green foliage and preserved materials in a retail setting — The choice of plants should be adapted to the wall's size, light and how close people get to the material.

Detail shot of a plant wall with varied green foliage and structure — Variation in leaf size and colour tone keeps the wall from looking flat.

Green plant wall with mixed leaf shapes and natural depth — Depth and layering are often more important than using many different species.

Plants for a preserved plant wall

Preserved plant walls use species and plant parts suited to stabilisation and decorative use. It's not just about species names. Leaf thickness, structure, colour, shape and how the material responds after treatment all affect the result.

Boxwood-like foliage

Dense, small-leaved materials, often with a boxwood-like look, work well as a base when the wall should feel cohesive. They can create a calm backdrop that lets larger leaves, ferns or moss provide contrast.

Eucalyptus

Eucalyptus can add softer movement and a grey-green tone that stands out against darker leaves. It often works better as an accent than as the sole material, especially if the wall should feel varied but still controlled.

Tropical leaves

Larger tropical leaves can give a lusher, more expressive result. They should be used with balance, since very large leaves can quickly dominate a smaller wall. In receptions, showrooms and hotel settings, though, they can add clear volume and scale.

Ferns

Ferns add finer texture and can soften transitions between larger leaves and denser base material. They often work well at the edges, in gaps and in sections where the wall needs movement without becoming heavy.

If you want to understand why different materials behave differently after stabilisation, you can read more about how preserved plants work.

Moss and reindeer moss as a base or contrast

Moss is often used alongside foliage in plant walls. Flat moss can work as a calm base, ball moss or cushion moss can add depth, and reindeer moss can create a softer, more graphic look. Reindeer moss is technically a lichen, but it's often used alongside moss materials in walls and logos.

A full moss wall suits situations better where moss should be the main material. A plant wall suits situations better where foliage, plant shapes and botanical variety should stand out more clearly. The difference is explained in more detail in our guide to plant wall vs moss wall.

Plants for a living plant wall

Living plant walls require entirely different species choices than preserved walls. Here, the plants have to cope with vertical growing, light levels, irrigation, feeding, air circulation and ongoing pruning. The choice of species should therefore be made by whoever is responsible for the living plant system and its operation.

It's important not to mix up the requirements. A species that's beautiful as a living potted plant doesn't automatically suit a living wall, and a plant that works well preserved isn't necessarily right for an irrigated system. Living plant walls can offer a different look, but they require a long-term commitment to care.

Artificial plants in a plant wall

Artificial plant walls can be practical in settings where moisture, touching, cleaning or light conditions make natural materials difficult. Here, the choice of plants is more about material quality, leaf shape, sheen, colour variation and how easy the wall is to clean.

If the wall will be in an exposed location, check whether the product is designed for that environment. Standard indoor products shouldn't automatically be used in strong sun, outdoors or in settings with a lot of grease and cleaning products.

Design principles for species choice

How plant choice affects the look
Design choice	Effect	Keep in mind
Small leaves	Creates a calmer, denser and more cohesive base	Can feel flat if no contrast is used
Large leaves	Creates volume, scale and a clearer botanical feel	Can dominate small walls or close viewing distances
Multiple green tones	Adds more natural variation and depth	Too many tones can make the wall feel busy
Moss as a base	Adds soft texture and ties the composition together	Placement, moisture and touching still need to be assessed

A strong plant wall doesn't need many species. Often a few well-chosen materials in the right proportion are enough. What matters is that the wall works from the distance it will actually be seen from: up close in a meeting room, from the entrance in a reception, or from further away in a hotel lobby.

Common mistakes when choosing plants

A common mistake is choosing too many different leaf shapes. This can make the wall feel busy, especially if it's already in a setting with a lot of colour, signage or furniture. Another mistake is choosing details that are too small for a large wall where everything is seen from a distance.

The third mistake is promising too much about ageing, lifespan or upkeep. Preserved plants can keep their look for a long time with the right placement, but are affected by sun, moisture, heat and touching. Artificial plants are affected by dust, cleaning and UV light. Living plants are affected by the whole operating environment.

Checklist before requesting a quote

Decide on the type of wall. Preserved, living, artificial or a combined solution.
Measure the wall. Note the width, height, ceiling height and desired coverage area.
Show the space. Send photos of the wall, light, furnishings and foot traffic.
Choose a look. Calm green base, lush foliage feel, moss accents or a graphic shape.
Assess the risks. Moisture, direct sun, heat, touching and cleaning affect the choice of material.
Plan the scale. Match leaf size and depth to the viewing distance.
Avoid overpromising. Lifespan, acoustics, scent and environmental benefits need supporting evidence.

Frequently asked questions about plants for a plant wall

Which plants work best for a plant wall?

It depends on whether the wall is preserved, living or artificial. For preserved walls, dense base foliage, eucalyptus, ferns, tropical leaves and moss are often used in different combinations.

Can living plants be used in any plant wall?

No. Living plant walls need water, light, feeding, technical systems and ongoing plant care. They need to be planned as a living system.

Do preserved plants need light?

Preserved plants normally don't need grow light, but they still need to be placed correctly. Direct sun, moisture and heat can negatively affect the material.

Can moss and foliage be combined in the same wall?

Yes. Moss can be used as a base, contrast or structure between foliage materials. If moss is the main material, a moss wall may be a better choice.

Can preserved and artificial plants be combined?

It's possible, but the materials' sheen, colour, texture and feel need to match. Otherwise the difference can show clearly up close.

Which plants suit dark environments?

Preserved and artificial plants are often better than living plants in dark environments. Placement, moisture and material quality still need to be assessed.

How do you choose plants for a large wall?

Larger walls need clear scale, depth and colour variation. Small details can get lost if the wall is seen from a long distance.

What affects how long the plants last?

Material, quality, placement, light, moisture, heat, touching and cleaning all affect how the wall changes over time.

Can the customer choose the plants for a custom wall themselves?

Yes, preferences for colour, feel and material can be part of the process. The final choice should be adapted to the environment, technical requirements, scale and the material's suitability.

Choose plants based on the wall, environment and look

Send measurements, photos and your desired feel, and it'll be easier to recommend the right combination of foliage, moss and material.

Request a plant wall quote

Plants for a Plant Wall – A Guide to Species Choice, Materials and Look