How artificial plant walls are made

Recent years have seen a greater emphasis by businesses on improving their work environments to support employee wellbeing, especially since Covid regulations have meant a lot of change to people’s working environments. One effective method of increasing workplace satisfaction has been the addition of natural elements such as plant walls. These visually striking, health-boosting structures needn’t require a great deal of maintenance. Here we discuss how using artificial flowers and greenery can be just as impactful; and explore how phs Greenleaf can deliver high-quality artificial plant walls made to suit your needs. 

Benefits of bringing nature into the workspace 

Numerous studies have reported the benefits to businesses and employees of incorporating plants and natural components into our work environments. ‘Biophilic design’ – the term used to describe the practice of creating a closer connection between nature and the built environment – has become, not just an architectural buzzword, but an important factor in the development of our workplaces and spaces. Increased employee wellbeing, workplace satisfaction, creativity, and productivity, and a reduction in stress and absenteeism have all been evidenced in research focused on the use of nature in environments such as offices.  

One indoor design innovation that has seen a tremendously positive effect on workers is the plant wall (also known as green walls, living walls or vertical gardens). These vertical structures featuring different types of plants and other greenery and have been found to boost the happiness of building users by 58%. At phs Greenleaf, our horticultural experts are accustomed to creating high-quality, low maintenance green walls for a variety of indoor environments and can provide a full consultation service to help businesses benefit from these wellbeing-enhancing installations. 

Artificial plants make a real difference 

Understandably, some businesses may question whether installing a real, living plant wall is the right decision, given the maintenance and environmental requirements (such as light, temperature, moisture and air flow) involved. However, whilst we might assume that only real plants can bring about the documented benefits of mixing nature with our built environment, this is not the case according to research that indicates artificial plants also have a health-boosting impact. 

Environmental psychologist and author of the Psychology Today blog, People, Places, and Things – The psychology of design: How to create an environment in which you will thrive, Sally Augustin Ph.D. said: 

“Seeing artificial plants seems to have the same sorts of psychological benefits as seeing real ones — as long as the artificial plants really, truly look real.” 

Although artificial plants can’t filter the air like living plants, looking at plants, flowers and foliage – be they real or good quality artificial – has the all-important effect of improving mood, wellness, productivity and reduction of stress levels. Thus, businesses can reap the benefits of adding nature to the work environment with no maintenance required. 

Further advantages of artificial plant walls are that they can be placed literally anywhere they can be supported and can be taken with you should you move premises. Artificial plants are also completely non-toxic, unlike some species of living plant and require zero use of pesticides. 

The ‘fake’, ‘plasticky’ appearance of artificial plants that might be off-putting for some is also no longer an issue. In recent years, artificial flowers and greenery have become much more realistic. In fact, the most recent artificial plants supplied by phs Greenleaf are virtually indistinguishable from the real thing to most of our clients and employees. 

How artificial plant walls are made 

Modern artificial plant walls, like those supplied by phs Greenleaf are lifelike, low-maintenance and long-lasting. Unlike the flammable, fast-fading silk flowers and foliage of the past, our artificial plants use a range of materials that are fire retardant. They also look and feel more realistic, and many are sealed in a protective UV blocking layer to avoid sun damage and increase lifespan significantly. 

Being artificial also means the plants aren’t seasonal or climate-dependent, which opens up a huge range of wonderful, colourful and quirky options to enable you to create a truly unique and striking display.  

The best thing about artificial plant walls is that they can be placed anywhere. Typically, an artificial living wall will be made up of interlocking panels mounted easily to any wall using nail plugs, screws or cable ties (whichever is best suited to your wall surface), or assembled as a free-standing, moveable display. Each panel can then hold several high-quality plant products – including artificial shrubbery, flowers and foliage – to create an artificial plant wall that’s hard to differentiate from the living variety. 

With 25 years’ experience as the UK’s leading supplier of office plants and artificial plants for offices, we have a lot of experience providing our services in a variety of sectors and premises including office buildings, hospitals, retail stores, educational institutions and beyond. 

From living walls and grounds maintenance services to artificial flowers and indoor gardens, our services provide everything you need to transform your workplace and employees. 

We have over 8,000 clients across the UK, each of whom is assigned their own account manager to help with the process. 

To learn more about the UK’s leading office plant services and maintenance, contact us now!