How It Works

The Florafelt Pleated Pocket Water Wicking System is designed to make planting and irrigation easy. The entire system is lightweight, weighing only about five pounds per square foot when planted. You can hang the system using hooks or mount it permanently on a wall.

To water the wall, install drip irrigation or set up a recirculating system with an automatic timer. The felt material wicks moisture directly to the roots while allowing air to circulate, which helps keep the front of the planter dry. Any excess water will drip down to the garden below or to a gutter at the base that directs water neatly to a drain.

Plants will grow into the system to create a living ecosystem that just gets better as it grows. 

The panels come with nylon tabs at each corner so they can be hung on hooks, nails, deck screws, or even chains and carabiners. Set hooks or mounts 24 inches apart vertically. This will allow the panels to shingle which allows the water to flow downward nearly to a gutter below. Easy removal allows for seasonal planting, winter storage, or non-permanent fixture installation for building code requirements.

See: Hang On Hooks

Mount on Plywood (permanent)

The most permanent method for mounting is to use smooth coated deck screws that connect the panels to a sturdy plywood surface.

2. Waterproof the plywood surface

Florafelt Pocket Panels have a rigid backing that keeps moisture away from the walls however they do not provide full protection. Small drips may find their way behind the wall over their life so it is very important to provide a waterproofed surface for permanently mounted panels. Choose a waterproofing system that is best for your situation.

• Sheet-Based Membranes: These are pre-formed sheets made of materials like modified bitumen, HDPE, or PVC. 

• Fluid-Applied Membranes: These are liquid coatings (e.g., rubberized asphalt) that are sprayed or rolled onto the wall.

4. Attach panels with smooth coated deck screws

Use smooth coated deck screws at each corner placed in the staple indents at the top pocket fold.

Recommended screw location:

• 1 inch from the sides.

• 2 inches from the top and bottom.

• Add additional screws for windy areas.

• For extreme conditions, add screws ½ inch below the top fold of each pocket edge.

Do not over-tighten, keep screws at the felt line so they can be easily removed. A gentle hold will maintain an air gap between the panel and waterproofing surface. Screw heads that are buried into the felt are very difficult to remove.

Recommended Fastener: Grip-Rite – 8 x 1-5/8 inch Philips Bugle-Head Coarse Thread Sharp Point Polymer Coated Exterior Screw – Home Depot

• Always use smooth coated screws (recommended above)

• Textured or self-tapping screws will bind with the Florafelt

5. Pull the top flap outward

When stacking the panels it is important to bring the top fold outward so the water dripping from the bottom of the panel above will be captured by the top fold and directed back into the panel below.

To direct water flow back into the wall:

• Pull the top flap outward.

• Position the bottom of the panel behind the flap.

6. Stretch Open The Pockets

Before you plant, stretch open all the pockets using a small pipe or tool handle to get leverage.

• Pull firmly but not excessively.

• The felt pocket will stretch to about 2 ½ inches out.

Drip Irrigation Systems

Automatic irrigation is highly recommended for the Florafelt Pocket Panel system. Living walls require frequent irrigation cycles therefore hand watering will rarely provide good results.

• Battery Operated Hose Timers provide reliable irrigation and can be set to frequent cycles hourly or set times depending on the type of unit.

• Irrigation controllers connected to valves on centralized systems require an independent ‘zone’ for the living wall. Make special notes near the controller unit highlighting the living wall timing requirements to prevent others adjusting the living wall settings.

Drip tubing and emitters

Drip irrigation tubing should be located on the top row only for Florafelt systems. Water wicks downward to all the pockets typically favoring the lower pockets.

• Provide two drip emitters per pocket.

• Locate drip emitters near the sides of the pocket to prevent over-watering the top plant.

Use the right drip emitter

Choose emitters with flow ratings that together provide adequate flow for correct operation of systems’s pressure regulator.

Recirculating Systems

Living walls without access to a drain require a self-contained system. These systems use tanks to store water and a pump to circulate it. Water is pumped to the top of the wall then flows through the felt pockets collecting in the tanks. The system is controlled by a grounded 110V timer set to optimize moisture levels. A gutter can be added to direct water to a vessel or hidden tank.

Drain Trays

For outdoor gardens located where water can drip directly into the garden consider adding a French drain or rock bed to receive runoff. This will help to prevent flooding in the garden below.

In areas that must remain dry, install a drain tray or gutter at the base to capture the runoff and direct it to a floor drain or sewer connection. We offer gutter solutions that you can connect to a standard garden hose.

For new construction, specify a gutter drain below the wall and slope floors toward the drain to catch potential water that may splash from the wall.

Planting

Select plants for your environment and create an arrangement that not only looks beautiful but also places plants in their ‘happy place’. Research water needs and sun requirements for each species to create a living ecosystem that will thrive for years to come. Your living wall will grow in and evolve to become a living healing experience.

Typically use 4 inch potted plants that will grow into the wall or 6 inch potted plants with soil removed to create an instant filled in look. Be creative with your combinations or start with just soil and plant your wall with seeds and cuttings.

Florafelt Root Wraps

An essential part of the Florafelt system are the Root Wraps. They are a very thin version of the same water-wicking materials as the Pocket Panels and ensure the roots grow through and into the living wall system. Root Wraps make plant handling and change out easy while holding the soil together to prevent air gaps. They can be cleaned and reused or you can order fresh new ones.

Do not add soil directly to the pockets

Adding soil directly to the pockets is messy and makes it difficult to remove plants. Root Wraps ensure the small hydroponic roots will emerge from the wrap then tap into the moist felt making it easy to change and rearrange your planting design.

Water Soluble Plant Food

We recommend Jack’s All Purpose Plant Food 20:20:20 or similar. Use very light concentrations.

Do not over-feed as this will cause the leaves to emit sugars that attract insects and cause plants to grow too quickly. Feed only in spring and summer because plants go dormant in fall and winter.

Plant Food Injector

A simple pressurized bottle feeder is silent and simple. With each irrigation cycle the bottle expands and contracts to add trace amounts of plant food into the wall, then produces concentration to provide a rinse cycle. See our irrigation products to learn more about our Plant Food Injector.