LIVING WALLS
Reconnecting People With Nature
Reconnecting People With Nature
Artificial Plant Walls
Also called faux or fake green walls offer low-maintenance greenery, but they come with several notable drawbacks compared to real living walls.
No air-purifying or ecological benefits
Artificial walls do not photosynthesize, so they provide no oxygen, carbon dioxide absorption, or air filtration.
They offer no ecological value
No support for biodiversity, pollinators, or microclimate cooling that real plants can provide.
Potential indoor air quality and health concerns
Many artificial plants are made from plastics (PVC, PE) and can off‑gas volatile organic compounds (VOCs) and other chemicals, potentially affecting indoor air quality and occupant health.
Synthetic foliage tends to accumulate dust due to static charge, which can worsen allergen loads and require frequent cleaning.
Aesthetic and design limitations
Faux walls are static: they don’t grow, change with seasons, or develop the dynamic look of living plants. Plant variety is limited to what manufacturers produce; custom species or natural variation are hard to replicate. Lower quality panels can look obviously fake, fade in UV light, or lose leaves/fronds over time.
Environmental and sustainability issues
Most artificial greenery is made from non biodegradable plastics, contributing to long term waste and pollution. They have a “use-and-dispose” lifecycle; when damaged or outdated, they typically end up in landfill rather than being composted or recycled.
Maintenance and durability caveats
While they don’t need watering, artificial walls still require periodic cleaning to remove dust and maintain appearance. Cheap or UV unstable materials can degrade outdoors, fading or becoming brittle, which increases replacement costs.
Panels can be knocked loose or damaged in high‑traffic areas, requiring re-fixing or part replacement.
Psychological and biophilic limitations
Fake plants don’t deliver the same biophilic benefits as real ones (e.g., stress reduction, connection to nature) because they lack life cues like growth, movement, and scent. For spaces aiming to improve wellbeing or meet green-building credits, artificial walls often don’t count toward biophilic or sustainability targets.
Fire hazzard
An artificial living wall (plastic greenery or faux-plant panels) can be a significant fire hazard, especially if it is untreated, densely installed, or near ignition sources. Artificial foliage can ignite and allow flames to spread rapidly across a wall or ceiling.
Main risks
Plastic foliage and backing: Many panels contain combustible plastics, foam, fabric, or polypropylene modules.
Rapid flame spread
Once ignited, flames may travel across the surface and through gaps behind the panels.
Plant of the month
Succulents
380,587 Plants
12,855 Square Meters
19 Countries
380,587 Plants
12,855 Square Meters
19 Countries
Contact Us
- On Main, Farrarmere, GP
- Berg Lane, Bo'Kaap, WC
- info@livingwalls.co.za
067 628 6726
Office Hours:
Monday - Friday 09:00 - 16:30
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