Biophilic Office Design: Do Moss Walls Improve Air Quality?
Moss walls show up in lobbies, meeting rooms, and open offices because they look calm and feel natural. They also come with a promise that sounds almost too good: better indoor air.
So what’s real, what’s marketing, and what should you do if your goal is cleaner air? This guide breaks down how moss walls work, what science says about plants and indoor air, and how to design a biophilic office that actually improves air quality (not just the vibe).
What “biophilic office design” means (without the buzzwords)
Biophilic office design means you bring parts of nature into the built space. That can be daylight, views of trees, natural materials, water sounds, or living elements like plants and green walls.
Moss walls fit this idea well because they add texture and softness without taking up floor space. Many workplaces use them to:
- Reduce visual stress with a calm focal point
- Cut echo and harsh room sound
- Create a brand moment in reception areas
- Add “green” without daily plant care
Air quality can be part of the story, but it depends on the type of moss wall and how the rest of the building runs.
Moss walls 101: preserved vs living (this changes everything)
When people say “moss wall,” they often mean one of two things. The air quality impact differs a lot.
Preserved moss walls
Preserved moss is real moss that’s been treated to keep its color and feel. It doesn’t grow. It doesn’t photosynthesize. Most preserved moss walls don’t need watering or light, which makes them popular in offices.
For air quality, preserved moss walls:
- Don’t remove carbon dioxide in a meaningful way
- Don’t act like an active “air filter”
- Can help with comfort by reducing noise, which can lower perceived stress
They may still affect indoor air in one practical way: materials matter. If the wall includes adhesives, sealants, or backer boards that off-gas, it can add to VOCs (volatile organic compounds). If you’re trying to improve air, ask for low-VOC materials and clear product data.
Living moss walls
Living moss walls (sometimes part of a living green wall system) keep moss alive with the right moisture, airflow, and light. These systems are harder to install and maintain, but they can have real biological activity.
For air quality, living walls can:
- Add humidity in dry offices (helpful in winter for many people)
- Trap some dust on surfaces (like other plants and textured walls)
- Support microbes in the growing medium that may break down some pollutants
Still, don’t expect a moss wall to replace ventilation or filtration. Think of it as one layer in a bigger indoor air plan.
Do moss walls actually clean the air?
This is where it helps to separate three ideas: removing gases, reducing particles, and improving how a room feels to work in.
Gas removal (VOCs and CO2): limited in real offices
Houseplant studies often happen in small, sealed test chambers. Real offices have much more air movement and higher air change rates, which dilutes any effect from plants.
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency stresses that good ventilation, source control, and filtration are core steps for indoor air quality management. Plants aren’t listed as a primary control method in their guidance for indoor air quality (EPA indoor air quality resources).
If your office struggles with VOCs, start by reducing sources (paints, carpets, furniture, cleaning products) and bringing in clean outdoor air. A moss wall might support the feel of “clean air,” but it shouldn’t be your main tool.
Particle reduction (dust and pollen): possible, but not a substitute for filters
Textured surfaces can catch particles. Living plants can do this too. But trapped dust stays there until you clean it. In an office, particle control usually comes from HVAC filters, standalone air cleaners, and regular cleaning.
If your goal is fewer fine particles (like PM2.5), filtration matters far more than any wall planting. A good starting point is learning how filter ratings work, such as MERV ratings (ASHRAE guidance on filtration).
Comfort and perception: where moss walls shine
Even when the air chemistry doesn’t change much, people can feel better in spaces with natural elements. That can affect focus, mood, and stress. This “comfort boost” isn’t fake, even if it’s not the same as air purification.
If you’re choosing between a bare drywall feature and a moss wall, the moss wall can improve the room experience. Just keep the air quality claims honest.
Air quality goals a moss wall can support
If you treat a moss wall as part of biophilic office design, it can support air quality goals indirectly.
1) Better humidity balance (in the right setup)
Dry indoor air can irritate eyes, throat, and skin. Living walls can add moisture, depending on system type and room ventilation. Preserved moss won’t add humidity.
Before you add moisture, check if your office already runs humid. Too much humidity can raise mold risk. For practical ranges, the CDC offers clear indoor humidity guidance (CDC advice on mold and moisture).
2) Lower stress, which changes how people experience air
People often describe offices as “stuffy” when they feel stressed, fatigued, or overloaded by noise. A moss wall can soften the space, cut echo, and make break areas feel more restful. That doesn’t replace fresh air, but it can change how the room functions day to day.
3) A visual cue that supports better habits
A green feature can push teams to care more about the indoor environment. That might lead to:
- More attention to cleaning practices and product choices
- Faster reporting of odors and comfort issues
- More interest in tracking indoor air data
Those behavior shifts can have a bigger impact than the wall itself.
How to design a moss wall that helps, not hurts, indoor air
Want biophilic office design moss walls for air quality without falling into hype? Focus on these design and maintenance details.
Choose materials that don’t add VOCs
A “green” wall can still pollute a room if it uses high-VOC glues, sealants, or composite boards. Ask the vendor for:
- Low-VOC adhesive and sealant specs
- Information on flame retardants (if used)
- Substrate and backing materials, including certifications
If your project team already uses low-emitting product standards (like for paints and flooring), apply the same rule here.
Plan for dust and cleaning
Dust settles on any textured surface. For preserved moss walls, ask how to clean it without damaging the moss. For living systems, ask how they handle trimming, dead spots, and pest checks.
Build a simple care plan that covers:
- Who inspects the wall and how often
- How to remove dust safely
- What triggers a deeper service call (odor, discoloration, pests)
Watch moisture like a hawk (living walls)
Moisture problems can ruin air quality fast. If you install a living moss wall, insist on:
- A waterproof barrier and proper drainage
- Leak detection and easy access for inspection
- Clear humidity targets for the room
If the wall sits near paper storage, electronics, or enclosed corners with low airflow, rethink placement.
Place it where it has the most impact
Put a moss wall where people spend time, not where it’s hidden. Good locations include:
- Reception and waiting areas (first impression and calmer feel)
- Break rooms (recovery space)
- Meeting rooms with hard surfaces (sound control plus visual comfort)
Avoid spots right next to supply vents if they’ll dry out a living system or blow dust into the wall surface.
What improves office air quality more than a moss wall (and pairs well with it)
If air quality is the main goal, a moss wall works best as a design feature that sits on top of strong basics.
Start with ventilation and outdoor air
Fresh air matters. If your office has recurring odor complaints or afternoon sleepiness, check outdoor air delivery and HVAC performance. The National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) has practical resources on indoor environmental quality and ventilation (NIOSH indoor environment guidance).
Upgrade filtration (HVAC and portable)
Filtration tackles particles directly. Options include:
- Higher MERV-rated HVAC filters (if your system can handle the pressure drop)
- Portable HEPA air cleaners for high-use rooms
- Carbon filters where odors and VOCs are a known issue
Match the tool to the room size. For a practical way to size portable air cleaners, use AHAM’s CADR guidance (AHAM CADR and air cleaner sizing).
Control the sources
If you fix sources, you don’t have to fight them later. Common office sources include:
- New carpet, furniture, and pressed-wood products
- Strong cleaners and air fresheners
- Printing areas with poor exhaust
Switch to milder products, vent print rooms, and schedule renovations when fewer people are on site.
Measure what’s happening
Guessing causes stress and waste. A basic indoor air plan often tracks:
- CO2 as a ventilation proxy
- PM2.5 for fine particles
- Temperature and relative humidity
You don’t need a lab. Even a few well-placed monitors can help you spot patterns (like a meeting room that spikes every afternoon).
Action plan: adding a moss wall the smart way
If you want biophilic office design moss walls for air quality, use this step-by-step approach. It keeps the wall from becoming a pricey decoration with a shaky claim.
- Set a clear goal: air comfort, noise reduction, brand feel, or a mix.
- Decide preserved vs living based on maintenance capacity and humidity risk.
- Ask for material specs: low-VOC adhesives, backing, and any treatments.
- Check placement: high visibility, low moisture risk, sensible airflow.
- Pair it with real air upgrades: ventilation check, filtration plan, source control.
- Measure before and after: CO2, PM2.5, and humidity in the same spots.
Common questions about moss walls and indoor air
Do preserved moss walls purify air?
Not in a meaningful, measurable way. Preserved moss doesn’t grow, so it won’t act like a living plant system. Treat it as a design and acoustic feature, and make sure materials don’t add VOCs.
Can a living moss wall replace an air purifier?
No. Use it as a supporting feature. If you need particle control, choose HVAC filtration upgrades or a properly sized HEPA unit.
Are moss walls safe for people with allergies?
Often, yes, but it depends on the product and upkeep. Dust can collect on any textured wall. Living systems also require moisture control. If allergies are a concern, plan regular cleaning and avoid damp conditions that could support mold.
Conclusion
Moss walls can make an office feel calmer, sound better, and look more human. When people talk about air quality, the truth is narrower: preserved moss walls won’t clean air, and living moss walls offer only modest help compared with ventilation and filtration.
If you want the best result, treat a moss wall as one piece of biophilic office design. Use low-VOC materials, plan cleaning, control moisture, and pair the wall with the basics that truly improve indoor air. That’s how you get a space that looks good and also supports how people feel and work.
