A plant wall is a great way to bring the outdoors into your home. But how do you choose between a live wall and an artificial one? There are pros and cons to both, which we dive into in this article.
The Pros
1. No Maintenance
If you love the look of plants in your home but just don’t have a green thumb (or worse, you have a black thumb), artificial plant walls are the perfect fit for you, especially for indoor spaces where they add greenery with a natural look.
Artificial garden walls don’t need water or sunlight, which makes them a low-maintenance option compared with natural plants. You don’t have to worry about over or under watering them or setting up an extravagant irrigation system, and quality options made from high-quality materials can also use UV-resistant materials for indoor and outdoor use. You also don’t have to worry about putting them in an area with sunlight, avoiding direct sunlight, or adding a UV lighting system.
The added benefit of this type of plant wall not requiring light is being able to place it anywhere, including a dark room. It also makes it easy to change up the placement of the wall. Bored of having the wall in your living room? No problem — artificial garden walls offer easy installation, with DIY-friendly setup in many cases.
Artificial plant walls also don’t require the use of fertilisers or pesticides, and there is no need to have someone “plant sit” if you’re going to be away for an extended period of time. In fact, once the wall is installed, there is very little maintenance required — usually just occasional dusting with minimal effort.
2. Cost Effective and Easy DIY Installation
Artificial green walls are a hassle-free solution for homes and commercial spaces, reducing both initial and long-term costs. The initial set-up of our artificial green wall panels costs a fraction of the price of a live wall. There are also no long-term maintenance costs, and since the plant wall doesn’t die, there are no replacement costs — which also makes it a sustainable and eco-friendly choice over time.
3. Instantly Green and Long Lasting Artificial Green Wall Panels
After installing a live plant wall, you will have to wait for the plants to grow, and there is the risk of them overgrowing an area without regular pruning. With an artificial wall, there is no waiting.
Your plants are instantly green, giving you lush greenery with a natural appearance and vibrant colour from day one, so you can start enjoying them immediately. As an artificial vertical garden, it creates a visually appealing finish — and since they don’t grow, there’s no pruning required.
Unlike live plant walls, an artificial wall never wilts or dies, meaning no dead spots and no need for partial or complete replacement. Its dense, lush foliage stays looking its best all year round. There is also no clean-up during the autumn and winter months when leaves start to fall. An artificial garden wall will provide you with years of enjoyment (and no mess!) as a low-maintenance vertical garden.
4. No Bugs or Pests
No one likes bugs, especially inside your home on your beautiful plants — which is why artificial plant walls are especially practical for indoor use. Artificial plant walls don’t attract bugs, and pests like snails are not an issue, which can help keep indoor spaces cleaner than living plants can in some settings. This means you don’t have to use any pesticides or worry about ants crawling around on your walls or furniture.
5. Other Benefits
Artificial plant walls work well in places that are hard to reach, making it easier to plan around your available space and create greenery on high walls and ceilings. Once the wall is installed, you can simply enjoy it without having to worry about how you’re going to reach the one on your ceiling with a watering can (which could get messy).
Additionally, an artificial wall garden can improve aesthetic appeal in both indoor and outdoor settings, including retail spaces and other commercial spaces. Good-quality green wall panels mimic the texture and depth of living plants, with foliage that looks lush yet convincingly natural, giving the same relaxed style as real greenery. They also work well as privacy screens or photo backdrops in outdoor spaces, whether in an outdoor area or around a pool.
The Cons
Honestly, there aren’t many cons to an artificial wall. The primary con is that artificial walls can be a fire hazard. Live green plants don’t burn, but artificial ones can. This means you’ll need to be careful about placing candles or other open flames near the wall — though this applies to all artificial plants, not just an artificial wall.
The good news? Our signature Evergreen Panel has been officially awarded a Group 2 fire rating, which means it’s a safe and sound option for your home!
Another con of an artificial wall is the lack of environmental benefits compared with natural plants. Since these plants do not absorb oxygen, they don’t filter toxins from the air in your home.
Some artificial plant walls can look fake, especially if they are on the cheaper end of the spectrum. Lower-quality options may lack the natural look or visual appeal you get from a premium artificial vertical garden product. Treat your artificial wall like an investment, and don’t be afraid to spend a little extra on a quality wall — particularly if you want a UV-resistant finish for outdoor settings.
Think an artificial wall is right for you? Contact us today to learn how we can add artificial plant walls to your indoor, outdoor, or commercial space. 1300 084 884
Frequently Asked Questions About Artificial Plant Walls
Can you mix different plant varieties in artificial plant walls?
Yes — mixing different plant varieties in artificial plant walls can create a lush, multi-dimensional look that closely mimics a natural garden.
Where can artificial plant walls be installed?
Artificial plant walls can be installed virtually anywhere. They create stunning accent walls in living rooms, bedrooms, and corporate environments, and can also be installed in windowless rooms, basements, and high-traffic areas where live plants would struggle to survive.
Can artificial plant walls be used outdoors?
Absolutely. Artificial plant walls can serve as effective privacy screens for balconies and outdoor patios, and can be used to cover plain fences, brick walls, or unattractive surfaces with lush greenery.
Can artificial plant walls be customised?
Yes. Artificial plant walls can be customised in various shapes and styles to fit different interior designs. Common styles include tropical designs, boxwood hedges, and flowering panels — popular panel options include Classic Boxwood, Classic Ferns, and Urban Succulent.
What materials are artificial green walls made from?
Artificial green walls can be made from a variety of materials, including UV-resistant plastics, which help replicate the look and feel of real plants while ensuring durability and longevity.
How are artificial plant wall panels installed?
Artificial vertical garden panels can be easily installed on various surfaces — including walls, fences, and other structures — using methods such as screws, cable ties, or staples. Installation typically begins with measuring the space and selecting the appropriate panels to fit the design vision. For larger spaces, multiple panels can be clipped together seamlessly, allowing for the creation of expansive green walls without visible seams.
Can you use lighting with artificial plant walls?
Yes. Warm LED backlighting can accentuate artificial plant walls, making the foliage stand out beautifully in the evening.
Are artificial plant walls suitable for offices?
Definitely. The dense foliage of artificial plant walls helps absorb and reflect background noise, improving acoustic comfort in office environments. They also enhance the biophilic atmosphere of office lobbies, break rooms, and reception areas.
Can artificial plant walls be used as room dividers?
Yes. Artificial plant walls can act as creative room dividers in open-concept layouts without obstructing natural light.
Are artificial green walls allergy-friendly?
Yes. Artificial green walls are allergy-free and pest-free, making them a suitable option for indoor environments where real plants might trigger allergies or attract insects.
How do artificial green walls compare to live green walls on sustainability?
While live green walls offer environmental benefits such as air purification, many artificial green wall systems use recycled or sustainable materials. They also eliminate the need for irrigation systems, fertilisers, and pesticides, reducing their overall resource impact. Artificial green wall panels offer a low-maintenance alternative that delivers a lush, green look year-round with minimal impact on resources.
