Creating a Philodendron Wall: Vertical Growing Techniques

Residing partitions, additionally referred to as vertical gardens, are areas that showcase the vegetation we love essentially the most. They’re a solution to create the sensation of a lush, tropical setting both indoors or in an outside residing area.

Philodendrons are an excellent plant for this mission, as there’s a big selection to select from, they usually have the proper progress habits. 

A vertical philodendron wall does greater than enhance an area aesthetically. Definitely, it’s a factor of magnificence, but it surely additionally has many sensible functions. These partitions seamlessly mix the fantastic thing about nature with the advantages of bettering air high quality, decreasing warmth, and offering noise insulation. Additionally they create a way of calm and join us with the outside. 

Making a vertical philodendron wall requires some persistence and foresight, however it may be an immensely fulfilling mission. Choosing the proper species and realizing how you can plan, plant, and keep it are all elements to think about. Do it properly, and also you’ll have a vibrant residing wall that showcases beautiful philodendron foliage. 

Inside or Exterior?

Earlier than you get began, you’ll want to find out whether or not you’re constructing this wall indoors or open air. When you dwell north of zone 10, that is a simple resolution. Philodendrons gained’t overwinter open air in chilly climates. Most are by no means frost-proof; nonetheless, there are a handful which can be hardy in zones 8 and 9. 

For essentially the most half, in case you don’t dwell in a frost-free area, you might be restricted to rising these vegetation indoors. When you dwell in a tropical area, you’ve got the choice of rising open air. When you’ve got a great place open air, it will likely be best to take care of it this fashion. Watering and fertilizing can be much less messy. 

Select a Wall within the Proper Mild

Once you select your wall, there are a number of concerns to make. An important one is mild. Philodendrons are tropical understory vegetation. They like lots of mild, however direct solar will scorch their lovely leaves. Whereas some can tolerate a little bit of direct solar within the morning, vibrant, oblique mild is nice for almost all species. 

Open air, a wall that will get a little bit of morning solar is nice. One which will get solely oblique mild is healthier. Indoors, you’ve got extra choices as a result of synthetic mild is on the market. A wall close to a big east or north-facing window is right. When you don’t have this example, you’ll be able to complement with develop lights. 

Philodendrons are moisture-loving vegetation, so wall materials is an element. The most effective surfaces are brick, concrete, tile, stone, or sealed wooden. Drywall and unsealed wooden will want appreciable remedy to waterproof them. In any other case, you run the danger of mildew and mildew.

When you don’t have a wall created from a cloth that may tolerate the moisture, set up a moisture barrier. You should use a pond liner, a heavy plastic sheet, or a water-resistant backer board to do that. 

If it is a everlasting mission, I extremely advocate eradicating the drywall and changing it with concrete backer board. That is the fabric you’ll assemble a bathe from. It’s straightforward to waterproof and holds up a lot better than drywall would. 

Open air, a water supply close by is useful. Indoors, you’ll need to set up some sort of drain tray alongside the underside. A drip irrigation system will prevent a substantial period of time in each instances. These don’t need to be elaborate or costly to be efficient. 

Ensure you are utilizing a load-bearing wall. Vegetation get heavy. Add to that the substrate and water, and you’ve got fairly a weighty state of affairs. Be certain your wall will maintain up below that stress. 

Set up Container or Trellises

The 2 hottest strategies of containing or supporting your vegetation are a trellis or pocket planters. They each work, they usually each have benefits. It’s additionally completely wonderful to include each, by which case, you’ll need to begin with the trellis first. 

A trellis or moss wall is a good way to make this work. It creates a big vertical area to anchor vegetation to, makes it straightforward to take care of moisture, and accommodates many vegetation. You desire a sturdy trellis, ideally manufactured from steel, to carry up below stress. 

Mount your trellis to the wall with anchors that can maintain not less than thrice the quantity of weight you anticipate. As soon as you set your philodendron wall collectively, you don’t need it falling down and crashing to the ground. Not solely can this harm your flooring and close by furnishings, however it would additionally crush your vegetation.

Fill within the areas in your vertical trellis with sphagnum moss or coco coir. That is your substrate. When you don’t need to mount containers, that is the best way to go. It creates a seamless look and in addition appears nicer as your wall takes form. You gained’t fill it with foliage straight away; that takes time. A moss wall will create the looks of higher protection. 

The opposite possibility is to mount containers to the wall. Utilizing pocket planters is the best way to go right here. Plastic is an effective materials to make use of as a result of it’s light-weight and impermeable. Open air, felt is one other good materials. These you’ll fill with a free, well-draining potting combine.

Select the Proper Species

Now it’s time to decide on your vegetation: the enjoyable half! With a whole lot of species of philodendrons in existence, this may very well be a frightening process. After all, not each species is on the market at your native plant retailer. So I’ll keep on with the extra frequent and in style ones that you just’re more likely to discover with out an excessive amount of issue.

I might begin with heartleaf (P. hederaceum) and Philodendron micans. These are each lovely, low-maintenance, and resilient vegetation. They each have heart-shaped leaves, however heartleaf has barely shiny foliage, whereas P. micans leaves have a velvety sheen. Each are trailing and straightforward to propagate. When you purchase a considerable plant, you can also make extra in brief order. They may also be vertical growers.

Philodendron brasil appears loads like pothos. It has shiny, inexperienced leaves with vibrant lime coloured variegation. Bigger varieties like pink princess and white knight are extra inclined to be vertical growers. That is nonetheless straightforward to attain on a moss wall.

Bigger species like P. xanadu are extra of a self-heading selection that works finest close to the bottom. It’s a bigger plant. 

I might be remiss if I didn’t point out my favourite species, Philodendron gloriosum. I’m a fan of the darkish type, myself. This species runs alongside the bottom, sending up massive leaves with the velvety sheen of P. micans, however a lot bigger and with vibrant white veining. It’s completely gorgeous, and remarkably straightforward to take care of. 

Care and Upkeep

As soon as established, a vertical philodendron wall is simple to take care of. Nonetheless, it’s not one thing you’ll be able to arrange and overlook about. It can want constant care. You’ve chosen a spot with the correct lighting, and that issue gained’t change a lot. Within the winter, it’s possible you’ll need to complement with a develop mild. 

When you’ve put in an irrigation system, watering can be a breeze. If not, you’ll have to water commonly. You will want to water ceaselessly in case you’re utilizing moss as a substrate, because it dries quicker.