Artificial Vertical Gardens: Your Most Common Questions Answered
Vertical gardens are a rapidly growing trend in the interior design and construction industry, revered for their ability to totally overhaul the look of a space without any structural changes. An artificial vertical green wall is a low-maintenance, affordable alternative to a real vertical garden, designed to recreate the look of live planting without irrigation or ongoing plant care. For homeowners, designers, contractors, and businesses weighing style, budget, and upkeep, the key questions are usually practical ones: how artificial and real green walls compare on cost, installation, lifespan, maintenance, customisation, and indoor or outdoor suitability, and when an artificial option is the better fit.
Can you tell the difference between artificial vertical gardens and real ones?
This is probably one of the most common questions we’ve encountered from potential customers and the answer is varied. If you’re a horticulturist then you will probably instantly spot the difference, however to the average eye an artificial vertical garden can be indistinguishable from the real deal. Artificial plants have come a long way in the past few years, with new techniques of manufacturing and high attention paid to the textures, finishes and anatomical details of plants. If you opt for one of our premium green panels, some would only be able to tell the difference by actually touching the wall.
Are artificial vertical gardens actually cheaper than a real vertical garden set-up?
Yes, they are, from set-up and throughout their entire lifespan! Real vertical gardens cost almost double to set up than artificial vertical gardens do because living systems need consistent water, the right amount of light, irrigation and plumbing systems, and drainage infrastructure, while high-quality artificial plants do not. They also need UV lighting to keep the plants alive. Even after the initial set-up, real vertical garden walls continue to cost money through water and electricity bills, lengthy plant-care requirements like watering and pruning, and additional maintenance if professional advice is needed, whereas artificial options avoid those long-term upkeep expenses. Artificial green walls don’t require any ongoing maintenance required after installation, and installation often only takes a few hours, making them the more economical and efficient option.
Are UV resistant artificial vertical gardens suitable for outdoors?
Not all artificial vertical gardens are created equally, so the answer is that some are suitable for outdoor use, while others are better for indoor and outdoor applications only when properly specified. We at Evergreen Walls have many UV-resistant green panels, with majority of our ranges being 100% suitable for outdoor installation. These include our Coastal, Country, Urban and Classic ranges and of course our Premium range. If an artificial garden wall is used outside without UV-resistant materials, direct sunlight and rain can cause fading and the greenery will change colour over time, while the right specification helps extend its lifespan. In order to avoid these problems, make sure you check the suitability of a green wall prior to purchasing. With the correct panels, outdoor artificial green walls keep an instant lush appearance year-round.
Are vertical gardens difficult to install?
Artificial vertical garden walls vary in installation difficulty according to brand. Some are more complicated than others, but our green panel systems at Evergreen Walls are easy to install and designed for easy DIY installation, with each 1m x 1m panel supporting easy installation by even novice DIYers. Installation guides are included on our website, and the panels are designed for self-installation on various surfaces. Panels can be attached with screws or removable hooks, and a level helps keep each panel aligned. Help is always available from our friendly customer service team who are just a phone call away. For larger projects or anyone lacking the confidence to carry out their own installation, we recommend getting in touch and our sales team will happily provide a quote for installation costs. Panels can be cut to suit the size and shape of your space or surface, with options to fix directly to a vertical surface like concrete or use a mounting grid, plus foliage combination customisation where needed.
What is the lifespan of an artificial vertical garden?
A minimum 4-year warranty is provided on all green panels at Evergreen Walls, however if taken care of and installed out of harm’s way, you can expect your vertical garden wall to last much longer. Unlike real vertical gardens, you don’t need to worry about plants dying and naturally falling out. Artificial greenery can last many years if dusted lightly every so often and kept out of the way of little ones who might be tempted to pick at the leaves. Obviously green walls that are installed outdoors and in high foot-traffic areas might be more exposed to damage, however our 4-year warranty exists to ensure value and customer satisfaction.
What are the maintenance requirements of an artificial vertical garden?
The regular maintenance requirements of an artificial vertical garden wall are virtually non-existent, with minimal maintenance needed beyond a light dusting with a damp cloth to remove any settled dust and dirt, and with no watering or pruning required. Routine cleaning is recommended at least once a month. Inspect the wall every three to six months for any signs of damage. This will keep your green wall looking fresh and vibrant and is all that’s needed to maintain their quality. A deeper clean once or twice a year also helps keep the wall vibrant.
Can vertical garden walls be customised?
Yes, they can definitely be customised if purchased from Evergreen Walls! We have a unique system where you can select your base panel and then add style packs to tailor the size, shape, and foliage combination for a unique and organic look that appeals to you. Panels can also be trimmed to fit and arranged for different depths, with options varying from 5cm to 25cm. In our style packs we include various stems of different plant varieties, from colourful flowers to beautiful blossoms and voluminous bushes, creating rich foliage throughout the design. Our style packs also make it possible to change the appearance of your vertical garden whenever you desire, simply moving the stems and bushes around to create a brand-new look or even purchasing a different style pack when the time comes for a shake-up. We also have a handy panel calculator on our website to help you work out how many panels you will need for your area.
Why should I consider buying an artificial vertical garden over a real vertical garden wall?
Well apart from the obvious economic benefits, the savings in time quickly add up. If you’re considering installation in offices and other commercial spaces, artificial green walls are a perfect choice for the indoor environment. If artificial vertical green walls are used, the responsibility of a real vertical garden wall would need to be delegated to a team member and that means extra workload for them. They also offer aesthetic and practical advantages indoors, with flexibility in design and placement. The additional time taken in installation, maintenance concerns and rectifying any issues that arise with growing real greenery inside an office are issues that any workplace is more proficient without. They can also help create a calmer, more biophilic environment and may support noise reduction in offices. Artificial greenery is the smarter choice for any space, saving you money, time and stress. Unlike natural plants, they do not release pollen or attract bugs.
Reviewed by the Evergreen Walls team, drawing on our experience supplying and installing artificial green walls across residential and commercial projects.
Ready to transform your space?
Explore our artificial green wall range or speak with the Evergreen team for help choosing the right panels for your space, application and budget. Whether you’re planning a simple DIY installation or a large commercial project, we can help you achieve the right result.
