Moss Walls vs. Living Walls: What Are the Main Differences and Which Are the Right Choice for You?

Nature doesn’t just have to be outdoors. It can be brought into your own living space. In recent years, moss walls and living walls have hit mainstream architectural and sustainability magazines as the perfect way to decorate and green-up your home.

These walls are brilliant options to provide a calm and soothing experience into your home, in addition to providing noise and air pollutant reduction. But what’s the difference between moss walls and living walls you may ask?

Here’s the lowdown on the right choice for you.

Moss Wall

A moss wall is a green wall that is constructed by preserved moss, requiring no dirt, soil, substance or water to sustain it. A moss wall is neither living nor dead, rather it is made up of moss that is dormant and preserved through a glycerin process. The preservation allows the moss to keep to their natural color and texture. It lets the walls retain their lush look with easy to almost no maintenance. Moss walls don’t release pollen or spores and don’t take too much to upkeep. Moss walls typically last five to seven years. They are perfect for rooms that don’t get in much daylight as it can easily brighten a room.

Living Wall

A living wall consists of real, living plants that require soil, substrate and water to stay alive. It is a vertical structure that provides an integrated water delivery system to keep the plants fresh and cared for. Living walls need regular maintenance, watering and pruning as well as appropriate lighting. They are basically gardens that are vertically placed which come with the option of watering by hand or have a built-in irrigation system in place for timely watering. They can be attached to supporting structures and helps in reducing temperature, pollution and stress of everyday living. Living walls also play a part in helping the earth reuse grey water and is a smart way to drive sustainability into your home. How long a living wall lasts varies. It really depends on the placement of the wall (outdoors or indoors), the conditions of the wall, potting materials and the natural elements of the environment it is in.

Which one is right for you?

It really goes down to your lifestyle and living environment. Living walls are generally ideal for homeowners that have good natural lighting and enough wall space. It is for people who don’t mind spending time maintaining the wall by watering and pruning their plants. Moss walls make more sense for those that lead a busier lifestyle, who don’t have time to maintain a garden of plants. Tech companies and busy working professionals that lead a fast paced life but still want a design-forward home are perfect for moss walls.

Whether you choose a living wall or a moss wall to fit into your own home living, with the right team and research, you can pick the perfect wall to fit your personality and taste. Start adding a little extra earth and sustainability into your life today.