Preserved Gardens, Moss Walls and Planter Inserts: Specification and Material Health FAQ

Specification

Which CSI MasterFormat section do preserved gardens and moss walls belong in?

GOTW’s current HPD v3.0 classifies the Preserved Wall Garden System under 09 77 00 Special Wall Surfacing. The project specifier should choose the section appropriate to the application, including wall, ceiling or planter work. Coordinate the section numbering and requirements with the design team rather than assuming every preserved application belongs in the same section.

What is the difference between a preserved garden, a moss wall and a planter insert in a specification?

A Moss Wall emphasizes preserved moss. A Preserved Garden combines moss and preserved foliage in a designed composition. Preserved Planter Inserts integrate botanicals into horizontal containers or millwork. Specify the actual application, dimensions, palette, backing and installation details, then confirm which documentation applies to that assembly.

What is the typical lead time after design approval?

Lead time is confirmed for the project based on approved design, verified dimensions, material selection, fabrication, access and installation sequencing. Share milestones early and allow for submittal review and field coordination. Do not assume a standard small-project schedule applies to a complex, overhead or phased installation.

Can the garden integrate a logo, signage, a monitor or a data outlet?

Cutouts, signage, monitors, outlets and adjoining finishes should be coordinated in shop drawings. Identify structural support and the responsibilities of electrical, AV and other trades before fabrication. Review heat and ventilation with GOTW. Lighting should follow the installation’s display guidance; see the design and installation FAQ.

Fire and code

What flame spread class does a preserved garden need under the International Building Code?

Required interior-finish classifications depend on the adopted code, occupancy, location, installation and other project conditions. Submit the applicable test report for review by the architect and Authority Having Jurisdiction. A Class A ASTM E84 result describes tested surface-burning characteristics; it is not automatic approval of every use or a fire-resistance rating.

Will the fire marshal treat a preserved garden as an interior finish or as decorative material?

The reviewing authority determines how the proposed installation is classified and which tests and limitations apply. Provide the actual assembly, location, mounting and reports early in the review. An ASTM E84 classification should not be represented as satisfying every interior-finish or decorative-material requirement without project-specific acceptance.

Is moss flammable? What is actually in the tunnel when a preserved garden is tested?

Do not assume preserved moss is noncombustible. Examine the report’s specimen description, including botanicals, adhesive, substrate, mounting and any treatment. Compare that specimen with the proposed installed product and ask about differences. GOTW supplies applicable documentation for the project review.

Why does Garden on the Wall® refuse post-installation fire retardant sprays?

GOTW does not recommend applying unapproved liquids or treatments to preserved botanicals. A proposed fire-retardant treatment can change appearance, material composition and the tested assembly. Follow the documented system and obtain written technical guidance before any treatment. Do not assume every retardant has the same chemistry or service requirements.

Does a preserved garden affect sprinkler coverage or smoke detection?

Coordinate the garden’s actual depth and extent with the fire-protection and reflected-ceiling plans. Ceiling work, columns and features near sprinklers or detectors require review for obstruction and clearance. A shallow profile does not remove the need to check the applicable installation requirements.

Material health

What is preserved moss preserved with?

Preserved botanicals use preservation processes and colorants that can vary by material. Review the product-specific disclosure rather than assuming one recipe covers every component. GOTW’s current HPD v3.0 describes the garden system at its stated threshold, including qualifications and undisclosed entries. Request the applicable supporting documents for the proposed palette and assembly.

Is preserved moss toxic? Does it contain formaldehyde or flame retardants?

Review the complete installed system, not only the moss. The current HPD v3.0, Declare information and applicable emissions results answer different questions and should be considered together. An HPD is disclosure and hazard screening, not an assessment of exposure or a universal safety certification. Confirm the scope and current status of every document.

What does CDPH v1.2 compliance mean, and how is it different from "no VOCs"?

CDPH Standard Method v1.2 evaluates specified VOC emissions using chamber testing and modeled exposure scenarios. Compliance is different from a claim of zero emissions or zero VOC content. Review the certificate, product identity, specimen and scope. Project teams determine how the evidence contributes to their low-emitting material requirements.

What does 100% bio-based content prove?

ASTM D6866 uses radiocarbon analysis to determine the biobased carbon content of the tested sample. The result does not by itself prove that an entire installation is completely natural, harmless, biodegradable or compostable. Identify exactly what was tested and use separate evidence for composition, emissions and end-of-life claims.

Does preserved moss release spores, pollen or allergens?

Preserved botanicals do not grow or reproduce as living plants do. That does not establish that an installation is allergen-free, sterile, mold-proof or pest-proof. Natural materials, dust and individual sensitivities still need consideration. Review the current HPD v3.0 and facility requirements; the maintenance and longevity FAQ addresses appropriate display conditions.

Where do the botanicals come from, and is the harvest sustainable?

Ask for sourcing and chain-of-supply information relevant to the botanical materials proposed for the project. GOTW’s environmental documentation describes the product and life-cycle assumptions it covers. Fabrication location, harvesting location and preservation location are distinct facts and should not be used interchangeably.

What happens to a preserved garden at the end of its life?

Discuss reuse, refurbishment, rejuvenation and take-back possibilities before removal. Available options depend on the installation’s condition, construction, location and intended next use. An EPD reports modeled life-cycle scenarios; it does not guarantee that every project will follow the same end-of-life route.

LEED, WELL, Fitwel and procurement

Which LEED v4 and v4.1 credits can a preserved garden contribute to?

Depending on the rating-system version, product scope and project requirements, an EPD, HPD, Declare information and emissions documentation may support relevant material or indoor-environment pathways. Credits are earned by the project. The current HPD v3.0 includes its own LEED pre-check information; the consultant should confirm eligibility and calculations.

How do preserved gardens support WELL v2 and Fitwel?

A preserved garden may support a project’s nature-related design intent, while disclosure and emissions documents may be relevant to material criteria. WELL and Fitwel have distinct versions and requirements. Ask the project’s assessor to identify the applicable pathway; no product should be described as automatically earning project certification or points.

Can a preserved garden be specified on a Living Building Challenge project?

Provide the current Declare label and supporting ingredient documentation for the exact proposed system. The project team must check label status, scope, exceptions and the requirements of its Living Building Challenge pathway. A label supports review but does not make every application automatically acceptable.

Are preserved gardens Buy American and Build America, Buy America compliant?

Domestic fabrication, domestic-content rules and embodied-carbon procurement requirements are separate issues. Ask GOTW for the documentation needed for the particular contract, then have the procurement team assess eligibility under the applicable Buy American, Build America Buy America or state requirements. A US factory address or EPD alone is not a universal compliance determination.

Does Garden on the Wall® qualify for supplier diversity requirements?

Request current WBE and SBE certificates and confirm that the certifying body, scope and dates meet the buyer’s requirements. Supplier-diversity eligibility is determined under the particular procurement program; a certificate is not a guarantee of acceptance by every agency or customer.

Can a preserved garden be specified for a healthcare project under Practice Greenhealth?

Healthcare buyers should compare the proposed product and current documents with their Healthy Interiors or other procurement criteria. GOTW can provide disclosure and testing information for that review. Facility-specific acceptance and the exact product scope should be confirmed rather than assumed from a general marketing statement.

Site conditions and performance

What acoustic performance can be assigned to a preserved garden?

Use an acoustic report that identifies the specimen, mounting and test method applicable to the proposed installation. Ask whether the result applies to the selected botanical design. NRC is a laboratory absorption metric, not sound isolation or a percentage reduction in room noise. An acoustic consultant should evaluate the installation within the room design.

What humidity, temperature and light conditions does the specification need to protect?

Use the project’s current care and display instructions. GOTW guidance calls for climate-controlled interiors, protection from liquids and uncontrolled UV, and separation from unsuitable heat and airflow. LED lighting should provide an even wash and observe the stated minimum setback. Confirm conditions before specification; see the maintenance and longevity FAQ.

Can a preserved garden be installed in a space with exterior glazing?

Exterior glazing requires review of solar exposure, UV protection and heat at the garden location. Window orientation alone does not establish suitability. Coordinate glazing, shading, palette and position with GOTW before fabrication; a future service visit should not substitute for appropriate display conditions.

Who supplies the backing, and how is the garden attached?

Identify the receiving wall, backing, fixing and each party’s scope in the project drawings. GOTW coordinates the garden-panel installation and seam finishing with the approved details. Do not assume bare drywall or a standard backing is suitable for every design. See the design and installation FAQ.

Healthcare, accessibility and public spaces

Can preserved gardens be used in hospitals, and what does infection control ask?

Submit product disclosures, applicable reports, mounting details and the proposed dry-cleaning approach to the facility. No irrigation or soil is required, but the product is not a sterile surface and should not be exposed to disinfectant liquids without approval. Infection-prevention and facilities teams determine acceptable locations, particularly near high-risk clinical areas.

How does a wall-mounted preserved garden comply with ADA protruding-object limits?

Have the architect review garden depth, location and circulation against the applicable accessibility requirements. Recessing or changing the location may be appropriate. Furniture, floor-level elements or guards only help where their actual geometry and permanence meet the applicable rules; they should not be treated as automatic solutions.

Which species hold up best in high-traffic or high-touch locations?

Review species, density and placement for expected contact. More resilient botanical choices may help, but preserved materials can still be damaged by handling and do not regrow. Avoid describing any palette as touch-proof. Coordinate protective layout choices and confirm care and repair responsibilities.

Can a preserved garden go in a restaurant, café or fitness space?

Review moisture, humidity, grease, splash, cleaning equipment and heat before approving a location. Selected dining, reception or lounge spaces may be suitable; wet, steam-heavy or grease-laden areas may not be. Confirm site conditions and care requirements with GOTW before installation.

Submittals, substitutions and "or equal"

What should the submittal package for a preserved garden contain?

A coordinated package may include product data, shop drawings, applicable fire and emissions reports, HPD, Declare information, EPD, relevant biobased or acoustic results, samples, warranty and care instructions. Require the documents that the project needs and check their scope against the actual proposed assembly.

How should a specification be written to prevent an inferior substitution?

Write objective, project-relevant performance and documentation requirements, including assembly scope, mounting, warranty, care and installation accountability. Define the substitution review process and require comparable evidence. Procurement rules may affect permissible restrictions; the specifier should align the requirements with the project’s contractual obligations.

What does "or equal" actually require for a preserved garden?

Evaluate an alternative against the actual specification, not simply a photograph or price. Compare test scope, material disclosures, dimensions, installation method, warranty and service responsibilities. Component documentation should not be silently treated as proof for an entire assembly. The project’s designated reviewer decides whether the alternative meets its requirements.

Does Garden on the Wall® contract directly with the general contractor?

GOTW can coordinate directly with general contractors through a defined project scope. Confirm insurance, installation personnel, schedule, site access and closeout obligations in the subcontract. Personnel training should be described accurately, including OSHA 30-hour training where applicable. Bonding and other commercial terms must be confirmed; they are not implied by a warranty.

Who do we call during plan review if the examiner has a question?

Send the examiner’s question, location, installation details and applicable report request to GOTW. Our team can clarify the product documents and coordinate with the design and construction teams. The reviewing authority makes the approval decision. To begin, contact our project team.