Plantable
Retaining
Walls

What are Plantable Retaining Walls?

As the world’s focus shifts to global well-being and sustainable development, Plantable retaining walls bring an environmentally friendly, engineered solution to life. Plantable walls house and grow shrubs, greenery, small trees and flowers directly within the hollow core blocks which can function as planter pockets to increase green space. Inspired to improve global sustainability, MaxumStone’s Plantable retaining walls empower creative designs to thrive in greener landscapes. The hollow core blocks use 40% less concrete than solid block systems, which creates larger cavities for planting that can reduce heat island effects in city centers. Combined with the block’s naturally rugged aesthetics, plantable retaining walls incorporate and expand greenery without compromising the wall’s looks or performance.

Why Build Plantable Retaining Walls?

Plantable retaining wall designs offer the best of both worlds, MaxumStone’s proven strength and building solutions that recapture green space. The system’s large hollow cores offer exceptional horizontal and vertical drainage features that serve multiple purposes. They bolster the retaining wall’s efficient drainage capabilities to improve its strength and performance. Plants grow and flourish in the process, benefitting from water and nutrients that flow through the blocks before draining.

Environmental Impacts of Plantable
Walls

This retaining wall solution is perfect for LEED-certified green building projects that lower carbon emissions and develop healthy, prosperous environments. Urban cityscapes benefit most from Plantable walls:

Plantable Retaining Wall Design Considerations:

Reduce heat island effect with this alternative to steel and asphalt ground cover
Create more natural green spaces in densely populated city centers
Continue to deliver MaxumStone’s signature strength and versatility

Common Applications for Plantable Retaining Walls

Beautifying waterfront retaining walls
Adding greenery to terraced walls
Tall residential and commercial walls
Entrance features for communities
Terraced bridge abutments
Placing shrubs and trees between the blocks

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Advantages of Plantable Retaining Walls

Use MaxumStone’s top blocks to provide extra space for more topsoil atop the Plantable wall

MaxumStone’s large hollow core blocks reduces cement usage and increases the amount of topsoil that can be added to the hollow core to promote more green space

The canopies of greenery in Plantable walls reduce heat island effects of concrete surfaces and increase evapotranspiration

MaxumStone’s hollow core blocks provide valuable LEED credits by reducing the carbon footprint of concrete and transportation emissions for completed projects

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WHAT GREENERY SHOULD BE PLANTED IN THESE APPLICATIONS?

Every project has different soil conditions and considerations that are unique to its location and climate. Using filter fabrics for Plantable retaining walls will eliminate soil migration to keep plants in the areas they’re intended to be.

It’s recommended to contact a local horticulturalist to find out more about which low maintenance plants, shrubs, small trees and flowers will grow best in your Plantable retaining wall.

Global stability will always be a factor but especially with terraced structures
Looking at the local soils and surrounding areas
How many terraces are required and for what purposes
Tree and shrub root balls and how much space they require