Benefits

Increased Building Value
Green buildings have been proven to sell for more and sell faster. A living wall is one of the best ways to show the green approach taken with the building.

Improved Air Quality
Living Walls can improve indoor and outdoor air quality. For example, 1 m2 (10.76 ft2) of grass roof can remove 0.2 kg of airborne particulates from the air every year. Also, 16.15 ft2 of uncut grass produces one years worth of oxygen for one person. Furthermore, indoor walls can be planted with plants that excel and taking volatile organic compounds out of the air like benzene and formaldehyde. Living walls also help lower the amount of dust in the air.

Sound Proofing
Living walls are extremely effective at insulating against sound pollution.

Insulation
Living walls act as an insulation layer and provide a tremendous cooling effect as the protect the thermal mass of a building from direct sunlight. Furthermore, the use of perennial plants can provide foliage for protection in the Summer time and drop it’s foliage for the winter time when the sun helps warm the building.

LEED Credits
Sustainable Sites Credit 7.1:
Landscape Design That Reduces Urban Heat Islands, Non-Roof (1 pt) Exterior green walls reduce the solar reflectance of a structure, thus reducing the urban heat island effect.

Water Efficiency Credits 1.1, 1.2:
Water Efficient Landscaping (1 to 2 pts) Buildings can incorporate a stormwater collection system for irrigation of the green walls and other landscape features. Using only captured, recycled, or nonpotable water may enable the project to achieve this credit.

Water Efficiency Credit 2:
Innovative Wastewater Technologies (1 pt) Green walls can be utilized as wastewater treatment media for gray water. Other features, such as the incorporation of compost tea from a composting toilet, is another way for green walls to aid in the reduction of wastewater.

Energy and Atmosphere Credit 1:
Optimize Energy Performance (1 to 10 pts) Green walls can provide additional insulation and natural cooling, which reduces a building's reliance on mechanical systems.

Innovation in Design Credits 1-4:
Innovation in Design (1 to 4 pts) Green walls may contribute to innovative wastewater or ventilation systems.