BioMontage Live by Pottery Designs is a self-watering DIY living wall that displays live plants in a sleek and elegant wall planter. In this blog we will explain what a living wall is, the benefits of living walls, how to use BioMontage Live, and how you can purchase it.
- What Is a Living Wall?
- What is BioMontage Live?
- Plant and Lighting Selection
- Step by Step Installation Instructions
- Purchasing BioMontage Live
What Is a Living Wall?
A living wall is an assortment of live plants that are vertically planted and grown on a wall using a specific system, such as BioMontage Live. You may have heard living walls also be referred to as green walls, live walls, plant portraits or vertical gardens.
No matter the name we call them, living walls intend to bring nature to people in all walks of life, in both indoor and outdoor environments. They are especially great for people who live in areas that do not have access to nature daily, such as those who live in large cities or apartments.
They are also great for people with pets, as living walls keep potentially dangerous plants out of reach from animals.
Benefits of Living Walls
There are many benefits of living walls. Humans have a direct need to be in touch with the natural world. The biophilic design of live plant walls creates a general sense of well-being for people. Plants reduce stress, boost creativity, enhance productivity, and simply make people happier. Living walls can also reduce ambient noise and assist in regulating the temperature of a room.
Plants reduce the temperature of a room by a process called transpiration. Transpiration is when moisture evaporates from a plant’s leaves, and that moisture is released into the air. That process can help lower the temperature of a room, which is especially nice for those in hotter climates!
You can read more about the benefits of living walls here.
What is BioMontage Live?
BioMontage Live by Pottery Designs is a self-watering DIY living wall that displays live plants in a sleek and elegant wall planter.
No two living walls will ever be the same because there are so many design opportunities. The versatility is incredible! Create your own distinct design with flowers for a pop of color in your home or keep it simple with greenery to bring the natural world to you.
There is no need to get messy and direct plant with BioMontage Live. Each plant tray can hold about 3-4 plants in their original grow pots. BioMontage Live holds up to 12 plants total. The recommended size grow pot for BioMontage Live is 4”. Pottery Designs doesn’t recommend using anything larger than a 4” grow pot, as the grow pot would not fit in the planter trays and the system would not work properly.
BioMontage Live is extremely simple to set up and plant. Simply insert the supplied wick into the grow pot and place the grow pot directly in the tray. The wick absorbs the water and gives your plants the perfect amount of water to flourish and grow to their full potential long-term.
Each plant tray has its own water reservoir that can water the plants for a month! Its self-watering irrigation system makes caring for your plants low-maintenance and easy. No more over-watering or wondering if your plants are getting enough water.
The water level indicator in each reservoir is simple and straight forward, always letting you clearly see how much water is in there and when it needs to be manually refilled. This indoor living wall has three 2-liter reservoirs and an average watering cycle of 4 weeks.
This living wall system is made of virgin ABS plastic and comes in three finishes: Anthracite, White, and Black. You can choose one color or mix and match them to build your own unique look.
Plant & Lighting Selection
When it comes to picking out plants for your living wall, we have a few different recommendations.
First, take into consideration where you plan on installing your Living Wall.
Indoor Space with Low, Indirect Light
For this type of space, we recommend Ivy plants such as Pothos or Philodendrons. Spathiphyllum, otherwise known as Peace Lily does very well here too. Your Spathiphyllum should be turned every water cycle because the plant follows the light. It also really loves water!
For a pop of color in your living wall, Anthurium Andraeanum is a good addition. They are a beautiful flowering plant that is originally native to Colombia and Ecuador. They grow natively in warmer climates, such as Hawaii, but wouldn’t survive being outside in cold temperatures. That is why we generally recommend them for indoor use only. You can find these in a variety of vibrant and gorgeous colors.
Indoor Space with Medium Light
Ferns do well in spaces with medium light. Although some may feel intimidated by ferns or perhaps had a hard time in the past growing them, this is usually due to their thirsty appetite. Fortunately, the BioMontage Live system constantly delivers water to the plant in the correct proportion with its self-watering, wicking technology. For these plants, we recommend keeping the reservoir full, rather than allowing the plants to dry out in the last week of the self-watering cycle. Ferns need a ton of moisture to thrive!
Outdoor or Indoor Space with High Light
Succulents will flourish in high light environments. Did you know that succulents can go 6 weeks in between being watered? They have low-water needs, which are perfect for people on the go or those who can be quite forgetful when it comes to watering their plant babies.
Optional LED Lighting
Want more flexibility in your plant choices, or don’t have the natural lighting your plants need? We offer optional LED lighting to make all your living wall dreams come true.
BioMontage Live Care Instructions
This live wall needs minimal effort to maintain itself. Besides manually refilling the water reservoirs about once a month, you will take care of your plants in your living wall as you would any other potted plants. Remove any dead leaves or flowers from your plants as you notice them.
When it comes to watering your BioMontage Live, keep in mind there may be a difference in the amount of water your plants need depending on the climate you live in and the location of your plant portrait. If you keep your plant portrait outside in a dry, hot climate, it will need more water than it would inside in a cooler climate. It will most likely go through its water in three weeks instead of four.
After three weeks, you should notice that the reservoir is out of water. Once the reservoir is out of water, Pottery Designs recommends waiting another week to make sure the plants’ soil has become dry before manually refilling the reservoir. The reservoir should be completely dry between each watering.
Pottery Designs also recommends only filling the water reservoir to level 1, so as to avoid overwatering your plants.
To clean your BioMontage Live Wall Planter, simply wipe it down with mild soap and water.
BioMontage Live was created as an indoor vertical garden to reconnect people to the natural world, but it can be used outdoors too. This system is so simple to set up that it can be used pretty much anywhere. If you decide to install your living wall outdoors, please note the coloring of the frame may fade over time as many things typically would if left outside in the sun. If you live in a freezing climate, please also be aware that water and plants left in the planter, may cause damage to the system.
Step by Step Installation Instructions
Installing this system is as easy as hanging a picture on a wall!
First, you’ll want to take your living wall out of the box and place it face up on a flat surface (Steps 1 & 2). Then, place one hand down inside the top opening to hold the bottom down as you give one hard pull up with your other hand (Step 3). Don’t worry, you won’t break it! This will detach the front cover from the back plate.
After removing the front cover, remove at least the bottom reservoir to have access to the bottom mounting holes (Step 4). Next, use the mounting holes on the back plate to mark the screw holes on the wall you are planning to hang your BioMontage Live on (Step 5).
Once marked, pre-drill the pilot holes and if attaching to drywall attach the drywall anchors (Step 6). Then, mount the frame on the wall, noting the “UP” direction (Step 7). Slide in the reservoirs as seen in Step 8 of the photo below. Re-attach the front cover to the back plate with the openings facing up (Step 9).
Installing Your Plants
Next, you’ll want to set up your plants. Insert the wicks into the bottom of each grow pot (Step 10). You’ll want to make sure they’re inserted halfway in, at about a 45 degree angle. Then, place your plants in the plant trays of your living wall (Step 11). Keep in mind there should only be three to four plants per plant tray.
Lastly, gently push the left most plant to the side to make room for filling the reservoir. Stop filling when the water level indicator hits 1. The reservoirs and the plant trays are the same size, so you won’t need to worry about any water spilling out. This system does not leak!
Choosing the Right Hardware
One thing to keep in mind when you are installing BioMontage Live is the type of wall you will be attaching it to. If you are attaching it to drywall, you will need drywall anchors. For a wood wall installation, you will need wood fasteners with washers. To attach it to concrete/masonry, you will need masonry anchors.
Purchasing BioMontage Live Wall Planter
You can reconnect with the natural world and purchase BioMontage Live Here:
Want the natural look but kill every plant you touch? Try our preserved mini moss walls that need zero maintenance!
