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This page shares the complete story of the living wall redevelopment we designed and installed for the Portola Hotel & Spa using our proprietary system.

What you see on the wall is a custom 155 sq ft living wall in Monterey — 783 bench-grown plants across 9 curated species. A vertical garden built for one of California's premier coastal hotels.

Use the navigation above to explore the wall specs, planting schematic, plant guide, and the hotel — or scroll down for the full before & after story.

Completed living wall vertical garden at Portola Hotel and Spa Monterey Bay — biophilic hotel design by Elevation Living Walls
Portola Hotel and Spa at Monterey Bay living wall by Elevation Living Walls

LIVING WALL INSTALLATION  ·  PORTOLA HOTEL & SPA — MONTEREY, CA

783 Plants.
9 Species.
One Remarkable Wall.

Total Plants
783
BENCH-GROWN
Species
9
CURATED VARIETIES
Wall Area
155
SQUARE FEET
Installation
Mar 29
2026
LIVING WALL INSTALLATION · PORTOLA HOTEL & SPA — MONTEREY, CA

Where Nature Meets
Coastal Hospitality

A complete living wall redevelopment at the AAA Four Diamond Portola Hotel & Spa — at the back entrance gateway to the Monterey waterfront, Fisherman’s Wharf, and the Convention Center.

Designed and installed by ELEVATION LIVING WALLS using our proprietary system, this installation transforms a key arrival experience into a living, breathing focal point of the property.

Portola Hotel living wall installation Elevation Living Walls Monterey
PLANTING PLAN

The Schematic

A precise layout of all 783 plants across the 155 sq ft installation. Each zone was designed for density, color variation, and long-term maintainability.

Portola Hotel living wall planting schematic 783 plant layout Elevation Living Walls
PLANT GUIDE

The Living Palette

Nine species selected for resilience, contrast, and year-round visual rhythm.

A
Echeveria 'Lily Pad'
Echeveria spp. · Crassulaceae
Mexican Rosette · Origin: Mexico and Central America. Calm, symmetrical, grounding. Classic rosette-forming succulent with layered, spoon-shaped leaves. Full sun; low water. Design Role: Provides structure and visual rest.
B
Calandrinia spectabilis
Calandrinia spp.
Montiaceae Calandrinia · Origin: Chile & coastal South America. Bold, theatrical. Low-spreading succulent with fleshy blue-grey foliage, vivid magenta blooms throughout the warm season. Full sun; low water.
C
Echeveria imbricata
Echeveria imbricata · Crassulaceae
Blue Rose Echeveria · Origin: Mexico. Classic, composed. Blue-gray rosettes forming tight clusters with geometric symmetry. Bright sun; minimal water. Design Role: Introduces cool-toned contrast.
D
Aeonium arboreum
Aeonium arboreum · Crassulaceae
Tree Aeonium · Origin: Canary Islands. Dramatic, architectural. Branching succulent with elevated rosettes, often deep burgundy or green. Full sun to partial shade; moderate water. Design Role: Adds vertical dimension.
E
Carex 'Evergold'
Carex oshimensis 'Evergold' · Cyperaceae
Variegated Sedge · Origin: Japan. Light, flowing. Fine-textured grass with gold and green striped blades. Partial sun; moderate water. Design Role: Softens the composition.
F
Asparagus densiflorus
Asparagus densiflorus · Asparagaceae
Asparagus Fern · Origin: South Africa. Airy, lush. Fine, feathery foliage creating soft volume. Bright indirect light; moderate water. Design Role: Adds fullness and softness.
G
Crassula arborescens
Crassula arborescens · Crassulaceae
Silver Dollar Jade · Origin: South Africa. Bold, resilient. Rounded silvery-blue leaves with red margins. Full sun; low water. Design Role: Strong structural contrast.
H
Crassula spp.
Crassula spp. · Crassulaceae
Jade Plant · Origin: South Africa. Reliable, grounding. Dense clusters of glossy green leaves. Full to partial sun; low water. Design Role: Unifies the planting.
I
Philodendron 'Xanadu'
Thaumatophyllum xanadu · Araceae
Xanadu Philodendron · Origin: Brazil. Lush, expressive. Deeply lobed green leaves with tropical presence. Partial shade; moderate water. Design Role: Adds lush contrast and biophilic richness.

Installation Documentation · Living Wall Monterey · Vertical Garden Portola · Biophilic Hotel Design

Before, During & After

The Complete Redevelopment Story

Before — original living wall condition at Portola Hotel Monterey prior to redevelopment
Before
Before — living wall at Portola Hotel Spa Monterey before vertical garden renovation
Before
Demo — demolition of old living wall system Portola Hotel biophilic design redevelopment
Demo
Rebuild — installing new proprietary living wall system Portola Hotel Monterey biophilic design
Rebuild
Rebuild — vertical garden frame construction Portola Hotel Spa Monterey by Elevation Living Walls
Rebuild
Rebuild — living wall rebuild progress Portola Hotel biophilic hotel design Monterey CA
Rebuild
Plants — bench-grown succulents for living wall Monterey vertical garden installation Portola Hotel
Plants
Plants — 783 curated plants for vertical garden Portola Hotel biophilic design Monterey
Plants
Plants — plant species selection living wall Monterey 9 curated varieties by Elevation Living Walls
Plants
Plants — variety of plant species for biophilic hotel design vertical garden Portola Monterey
Plants
After — completed 155 sq ft living wall Portola Hotel and Spa Monterey biophilic design
After
After — vertical garden at Portola Hotel Monterey Bay completed installation 155 sq ft 783 plants
After
After — living wall Monterey final result biophilic hotel design Portola Hotel and Spa California
After
After — completed vertical garden Portola Hotel Spa courtyard view living wall Monterey night
After
LOCATION

The Portola Hotel & Spa
at Monterey Bay

Located at the gateway to Fisherman’s Wharf and the Monterey waterfront, the Portola Hotel & Spa is the premier full-service hotel in Monterey, California.

The living wall installation greets guests at the back entrance — the primary pedestrian arrival point from the waterfront, wharf, and Convention Center.

Portola Hotel and Spa location Monterey Bay waterfront California

2 Portola Plaza
Monterey, CA 93940

Steps from the Monterey Bay Aquarium, Fisherman’s Wharf, and Old Fisherman’s Grotto.

The wall is visible from the central courtyard — the social heart of the hotel.

EXPLORE MONTEREY

You’re in One of California’s
Greatest Destinations

Monterey is more than a location — it’s an experience. World-class dining, the famous aquarium, breathtaking coastal scenery, and a rich cultural history make it one of the most beloved destinations on the Pacific Coast.

Monterey Bay Aquarium steps from Portola Hotel and Spa

Monterey Bay Aquarium

World-renowned marine sanctuary just steps from the hotel. Over 35,000 animals across 550 species.

Fishermans Wharf Monterey walking distance from Portola Hotel

Fisherman’s Wharf

Historic waterfront destination with fresh seafood, galleries, and spectacular bay views.

Monterey Conference Center adjacent to Portola Hotel and Spa

Monterey Conference Center

The adjacent Convention Center makes the Portola the premier choice for business travelers and events.

Cannery Row Monterey

Cannery Row

Historic waterfront street lined with shops, restaurants, and the spirit of Steinbeck's Monterey.

Point Lobos State Reserve Monterey

Point Lobos

Stunning coastal reserve with turquoise coves, rugged cliffs, and world-class natural beauty.

Del Monte Beach Monterey

Del Monte Beach

A beautiful stretch of Monterey coastline perfect for walks, sunsets, and coastal exploration.

ELEVATION LIVING WALLS

Design · Build · Grow

Orange County, CA  |  (949) 627-0580

elevationlivingwalls.com

© 2026 ELEVATION LIVING WALLS. All rights reserved.

Portola Hotel & Spa — Monterey, CA