All your questions about preserved planting & moss walls answered

We’ve already explored the living, breathing drama of green walls and the careful choreography it takes to keep a living wall thriving. But what about the other two players in the story of vertical planting? When a fully maintained living wall isn’t quite possible, when perhaps the lighting is not sufficient or the maintenance is too demanding, what can you do?

Enter preserved planting and moss walls. They offer the same acoustic baffling brilliance, biophilic calm, and rich visual presence as living walls, but without the challenge of maintenance. Whilst they might not quite offer the same air-purifying proficiency, they still pack a superb biophilic punch.

Preserved planting walls (a subset of which is the brilliant moss wall) are both lush and adaptable; capable of turning any wall into a canvas of green

Preserved planting is where plants are preserved with glycerine by placing their freshly cut stems into a warm solution of vegetable glycerine and water. This means the plant keeps its shape and colour, rather than drying out or moulding.

They retain the look and feel of live planting, but are easier and cheaper to maintain! They are different from replica planting because replica plants are made from plastic.

Moss walls are a specific type of replica planting. Live Moss walls are very difficult to irrigate properly, meaning that most moss walls are typically preserved!e best office plants for low light here.

Simply put: preserved planting walls are far easier to maintain than living walls! They don’t need watering, pruning, or plant replacement, which simplifies upkeep, and also reduces costs compared to their living counterparts.

Despite their low-maintenance requirements, preserved planting walls still deliver the same acoustic and aesthetic benefits as living walls. Moss walls in particular are very effective at absorbing sound, making them both practical and visually striking.

Preserved planting walls need very little looking after!

Their longevity mostly depends on where they’re placed: as long as they’re kept out of strong, direct sunlight and in a space with controlled humidity, they’ll stay looking fresh. The only real care they need is an occasional light dusting to keep the foliage clean.

The lifespan of preserved planting walls depends on where they’re installed. In safe, out-of-reach locations, they can look vibrant for up to ten years. In high-traffic areas, where walls are more likely to be touched or knocked, their lifespan may be shorter.

Moss walls have a similar longevity. When kept indoors and protected from excess handling, they’ll stay lush and beautiful for many years, making both options a long-lasting way to bring greenery into your space.

Preserved planting walls are best used indoors, in the spaces where you want maximum greenery with minimum fuss. Think offices, reception areas, corridors, or meeting rooms; places that could use a little lift without losing valuable floor space. Because they don’t need water, light, or pruning, they’re a clever way to add plenty of green surface area while keeping everything easy to manage.

Moss walls are often the show-stoppers. They work brilliantly as feature panels, eye-catching signage backdrops, or in any space that needs a touch of acoustic magic. Open-plan offices, busy cafés, or lively breakout areas are all perfect spots where a moss wall can soften sound and steal the spotlight at the same time.

One little rule to remember: preserved planting and moss walls are strictly indoor stars. If they get wet, they won’t thank you for it.

It really depends on what you’re looking for. Living walls bring the drama of real, growing plants, but they also need the right light, irrigation, and regular maintenance to thrive. If you want a dynamic, ever-changing wall and you’re happy to care for it, a living wall could be the perfect choice.

Preserved planting walls, on the other hand, give you the look and feel of greenery without the commitment. They don’t need water, light, or pruning, which makes them ideal if low maintenance is a priority. Moss walls add another twist: rich texture, brilliant sound absorption, and endless design flexibility.

So, if you want living, breathing greenery, choose a living wall. If you’d prefer lasting impact with minimal effort, preserved planting or moss walls are the smarter option.

Costs vary depending on size, planting style, and design complexity, but preserved planting walls are generally more affordable than living walls. Moss walls are often priced by the square metre, making them easy to scale up or down depending on your space. If you’d like to explore options and see example prices, take a look at our planting price guide.

Yes, absolutely. Preserved planting walls can be tailored with different plant types, colours, and arrangements to suit your design vision. At Plant Plan, we often create bespoke layouts, from subtle greenery to bold, layered foliage walls.

Moss walls are also highly customisable. They can be shaped into feature panels, branded signage backdrops, or even designed to match specific colours. We can incorporate logos, respond to unique design requests, and make sure your wall feels one of a kind.

Here at Plant Plan, we’ve been designing and installing preserved planting and moss walls for nearly fifty years. That experience means we know exactly how to make greenery work in all kinds of spaces, from offices and retail to hospitality and beyond.

Over the years, we’ve delivered projects of every scale, from bold moss feature walls to subtle preserved planting that quietly transforms a room. Our portfolio includes everything from acoustic solutions to branded statement pieces, so whatever your vision, we’ve probably created something similar before. And if not, we’d love to design it with you.

Preserved planting and moss walls are a clever way to bring greenery into spaces where living walls might not be practical. They offer the beauty and biophilic benefits of nature without the upkeep, while also adding acoustic comfort, design flexibility, and long-lasting impact!

If you’d like to explore the possibilities further, our team at Plant Plan would love to help. Get in touch today to start designing a wall that’s perfectly tailored to your space.