How much do vertical gardens cost?

As long as humans walk the earth, there will always be a binding connection to nature. The science is in. Biophilic design is now more than well researched and proven…it’s known throughout the world by architects and designers and vertical gardens are part of this new design profile.

We know plants are one way to increase the biophilic effect of an indoor space, but how much will it cost to install and maintain plants that will also make an impression? In our last blog we discussed the price of green walls with some real ideas on what costs are involved. Today we will delve into vertical gardens and why they are less expensive, but still have an incredible ‘wow’ factor along with the essential biophilic affect we just mentioned.

Bringing lush green settings to our offices will only improve our quality of life and doesn’t need to cost a fortune. This is the motivation behind our blog today. We aim to enrich peoples’ lives with plants by showing you the real costs and options available to help you in your research and we understand that price is an important part of that.

You need to plan for the initial budget and any ongoing costs, and this is true for many aspects of your design and will depend on the size or style you require. Skilled professional advice and assessment at the outset is the best advice we can offer. At Green Design, we aim to educate, not sell. This will allow you to compare realistic prices and find out what is best for you…even if it’s not one of ours!

Here are some estimates and as always, you will need a full consultation and quote for your actual costs.

What is the basic cost of a vertical garden?

We will base our price on an average vertical garden of 1m wide x 2.4m high. This will start from less than $1000 and reduce as you order larger scale/quantities of frames (as there is really no limit to how long you want your vertical garden to be). This does not include plants or ongoing maintenance which we’ll discuss later.

As with any project requiring installation, this price range can increase dramatically as you add more options and more elaborate designs, which might include floor/wall/ceiling fixings for larger walls, wall mounting, custom sizing and more.

Overview of pricing

This is a great starting point for making your plans.

DIY installation (with or without plants)

Many who have a smaller office or space will want the DIY option. Keep in mind there could be many variables and hidden costs which you might be unaware of initially. There is almost never the ability to customise your wall. You should follow instructions to the tee to ensure the wall is safely installed. Bad DIY installation can often cause far more trouble and long-term costs, outweighing any savings upfront. Make sure they are for indoor use!

These types of walls start from around $300 per sqm, and do not include plants.

For a lush look, plants for this would be an additional cost of approx. $320 to $640 per sqm. Although there are far less plants than in a Green Wall, they are much larger plants and spaced out in the frame.

You may need to pay for shipping which will vary based on size and location.

You will need to maintain and replace plants ($15 to $30 each) from time to time at your own cost. (Plants can have issues in the initial installation period and even with professional care plants will need replacing over time).

Professional installation and maintenance (with plants)

At Green Design, we fully maintain our vertical gardens once installed, we guarantee the installation and replace any plants that become unhealthy for the entire duration of the maintenance contract. This means your maintenance is all inclusive and your vertical garden will always look great!

Your maintenance contract should not be longer than 2 years so you can ensure you keep your maintenance company accountable and change them if they are not performing. Of course, we aim to keep our clients happy at all times!

Green Design’s vertical gardens, including delivery and installation of all decorative planters (in your chosen colour) and plants, with no plumbing or drainage required, would range from $450 to $1,000 per sqm including installation of all plants (around 5 large to 13 small lush plants per sqm). That’s it…your vertical garden is installed and ready. Of course, this price is adjusted depending on the quantity/size. Smaller walls have a higher rate per square metre.

Maintenance for the above size garden would be approx. $25 to $30 per sqm per month. This includes replacement plants as required and these are in decorative planters and are larger plant sizes. For Interior Designers and Architects, this would be paid direct by your clients, and we can consult with them on this.

All plants need good lighting and Green Design will be able to advise whether or not supplemental lighting is required to ensure your indoor vertical garden survives and thrives. Lighting can also have a wonderful decorative affect on the plants and enhance the entire garden for an impressive office display.

Again, this is an estimate only, but I hope you have gained a better understanding of potential costs for your vertical garden and what to expect when you start considering the process.

We’re happy to help with an actual price for your vertical garden. Green Design can provide more precise estimate when you arrange a free consultation and speak to one of our team. It’s good to know what you don’t know! Simply click the link below.

Other Blogs or Coming Up:

Mobile Green Walls

The Real Cost of Green Walls

The Real Cost of Moss Walls

Do I need plumbing for my green wall?

How long does it take to install a green wall?