LIVING WALL VS MOSS WALL — WHAT'S THE DIFFERENCE?
"Wait...how can something be real but not need water? And how is a living wall and a moss wall not the same thing?"
Here at Forage and Design, it's one of our favourite conversations to have because preserved moss is an incredible way to bring nature into your home, without the maintenance that living plants require. It looks and still feels soft. But unlike a living plant, it doesn't need watering, sunlight, soil, fertilizers, or pruning.
So yes, there is actually a difference between a living wall and moss wall!
Going away for a holiday? Unlike a living wall, you don't need to have someone pop over to water your moss wall!
While they're made from real moss, moss walls are no longer alive. During a natural preservation process, the moss's moisture is replaced with a plant-based preserving solution that locks in its texture and flexibility while food-based dyes set the vibrant colour. The result? Nature, beautifully preserved in time.
But let's take a minute to look at both moss walls and living walls.
Living Wall: Nature That Never Stops Growing
A living wall, also called a green wall - is exactly what it sounds like: a wall filled with living plants that continue to grow and change over time.
That living beauty comes with responsibility.
Like any garden, living walls need regular watering, pruning, fertilizing, pest management, and the occasional plant replacement. Smaller systems may be watered by hand, while larger commercial installations often rely on sophisticated irrigation, drainage, and lighting systems to keep plants healthy.
Because they contain soil, water, and mature plants, living walls also require careful planning to ensure the wall can safely support the weight of the installation.
The reward is an ever-evolving piece of living art. Plants mature, bloom, and transform with the seasons, making every living wall unique.
Why Choose a Living Wall?
Improves indoor air quality
Helps reduce noise
Encourages creativity and productivity
Supports biodiversity in outdoor spaces
Can help regulate surrounding temperatures
Creates a constantly changing natural feature
Preserved Moss Wall: Nature Without the Maintenance
If you love the calming feeling of nature but not the upkeep, a preserved moss wall offers a similar yet different experience.
Unlike living walls, preserved moss walls require virtually no maintenance. No watering. No soil. No fertilizers. No grow lights.
In fact, watering preserved moss will actually damage it by causing the natural dyes to bleed. Direct sunlight isn't its friend either, as prolonged UV exposure can gradually fade the rich colours.
Preserved moss is happiest indoors, away from direct sunlight and heating vents, where humidity generally stays between 35% and 65%. In the right environment, a moss wall will look beautiful for years with little more than an occasional dusting.
Another reason we love moss walls? They're incredibly versatile.
They're lightweight enough to install on most interior walls without additional structural support. Since there's no irrigation system, there's also no risk of leaks or water damage behind the wall.
Looking for a ‘living wall’ design and look? Moss walls have moved far beyond simple green panels. They can combine preserved moss along with preserved plants, wood, stone, and sculptural elements to create custom installations that blur the line between art and nature.
Whether installed in a corporate boardroom, home, hotel lobby, healthcare facility, or restaurant, every piece is designed to make people stop and admire.
Why Moss Walls Continue to Grow in Popularity
The rise of biophilic design has transformed how we think about interior spaces.
People want environments that feel calming, restorative, and connected to nature. Businesses are investing in healthier workplaces that improve employee wellbeing and create memorable first impressions for clients and visitors.
Preserved moss walls answer that need beautifully.
They deliver the visual impact of living greenery while eliminating ongoing maintenance, making them an increasingly popular choice for commercial interiors, offices, hospitality spaces, and homes alike.
Benefits of Preserved Moss Walls
Virtually maintenance-free
No watering, soil, or sunlight required
Excellent natural sound absorption
Encourages creativity and productivity
Lower long-term maintenance and energy costs
Creates an immediate connection to nature indoors
Which Wall Is Right for You?
The answer depends on what you want your space to do and the energy to maintain.
If you love watching plants grow and have the resources to maintain them, a living wall offers a dynamic, ever-changing display of nature.
If you're looking for a striking feature that delivers the beauty of nature without the maintenance, preserved moss is hard to beat.
Whichever path you choose, you're doing more than adding greenery to a wall. You're creating a space that feels calm healthy and inspiring — a place where people naturally slow down look closer and reconnect with nature.
And if the first question people ask is, "Is it real?"...
...you'll know you've chosen well.
Hi, I'm Heidi!
Each Forest Art creation is designed and crafted by our Chief Designer: Heidi Bekker.
Heidi is passionate about creating art that inspires wonder in our natural world, including the featured commercial designs shown in this blog.
Learn more about Forage + Design's commercial and residential moss wall services here.
Want to learn more about preserved moss wall's low maintenance routine? Read all about it in our blog here.
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