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“Well-lit” means under shade, but a spot that has a lot of light. For example, a covered patio, a wall between 2 large windows, a pergola. A location likes this allows for a wonderful variety of plants that grow downward from their container, creating a solid vertical wall of living greenery. Here are a few plants that will do well:

1. Asparagus ferns are fluffy, tough and fast growing. The lime color and prickly looking foliage are used to highlight other plants. They would need to be thinned out from time to time.
2. A number of other ferns can be used beautifully, too, such as lobster claw and Boston.

3. Wandering Jews have purple and green leaves, and are tender (so they break easily). They need to be planted tightly together to look their best.
4. Lipstick plants hang downward with masses of orange-red tiny blossoms and are very easy to grow.
5. Piggybacks have wide leaves and put off masses of “babies”, much as spider plants do. They’re fun to grow, and look healthy and full.

More and more interior designers and architects are planning for vertical walls of living plants. Many companies design systems that can be plumbed in, or added later (and need hand watering). Green walls are inside huge corporate offices (see Twitter’s HQ), shopping malls, and various organizations, while many are on exterior walls of buildings. (Use photos)

If you want a focal point in your office or home, but aren’t a corporate giant, here are some tips for planning and success:

1. Buy or make a frame that hangs on the wall—kind of like a picture frame with a back.

2. Hang the frame where it gets even light, or the plants will grow lop-sided. A good grow light fixture placed right above the frame both highlights the plants and helps them grow properly.

3. Our favorite containers are the WallyGro. They hang singly or in groups, in a frame or on the wall, and are self watering. (You still have to water, but not as often.)

4. Plants should be chosen according the amount and type of available light.

5. Green walls aren’t for everyone, as they require care and attention. But since they are a focal point, it’s important they look good all the time.

For a vertical garden, we prefer plants that flow lushly from the container, that spread as they grow, and aren’t necessarily upright. Color, texture and leaf shapes can be used for variety. Since living walls can be a challenge to water, choose self-watering containers, or at least pots that contain enough soil to hold moisture for 2 weeks.

The following plants don’t need direct sun, and can grow well with fluorescent light only.

1. Philodendron is easy to propagate, and has charming heart-shaped leaves. It’s happy anywhere but in hot, direct sunlight.

2. Pothos is similar to philodendron, and comes in a variety of green colors: lime green, speckled and varigated. Pothos is simple to propogate and trim.

3. English Ivy is charming, but has a tendancy to get spider-mites. These are easy to control, but must be treated at once.

4. Christmas cactus is a delightful addition to a green wall, and occasionally blooms. 

5. Spider plants send off long curving stems with "babies" growing at the ends. They come in variegated crème/lime green and regular green. They grow quickly and root easily.