Indoor air quality in modern buildings is increasingly difficult to maintain without high energy costs, and while vertical green walls offer a natural solution, their inconsistent performance and complex maintenance have limited widespread use. VertINGreen, developed by Hebrew University researchers, solves this by using AI, remote sensing, and plant data to both predict how green walls will perform before installation and monitor their health in real time—making them a reliable, efficient, and scalable tool for improving air quality and reducing energy consumption.
Step into a modern office tower or hospital, and the air you breathe is often carefully engineered, filtered, circulated, and cooled at a high energy cost. Now imagine those same spaces quietly breathing on their own, supported by living walls of plants that not only beautify interiors, but actively clean the air and reduce energy use.
At the Hebrew University of Jerusalem, researchers have taken a major step toward that vision.
In a new study published in Indoor Air, Yehuda Yungstein and Dr. David Helman introduce VertINGreen, an innovative web-based platform that transforms vertical green walls from decorative features into intelligent, responsive environmental systems.
Vertical green walls have long captured the imagination of architects and designers. But behind their lush appearance lies a challenge: their performance is unpredictable. Some thrive and improve air quality; others struggle, requiring constant maintenance and offering little measurable benefit.
“Green walls have enormous potential,” the researchers explain, “but until now, we lacked the tools to truly understand and manage how they function indoors.”
VertINGreen changes that by bringing together remote sensing technology and machine learning, turning plant-covered walls into data-rich systems that can be planned with precision and monitored in real time.
The story of VertINGreen begins with nearly 2,000 meticulous measurements of how common indoor plants “breathe”, how they absorb carbon dioxide and release water under different conditions.
From this, the team built powerful predictive models capable of forecasting how a green wall will perform before it is even installed. The system can estimate:
- How much carbon dioxide the plants will absorb
- How they will respond to indoor climate conditions
- And even how they might help reduce energy use by lowering the need for mechanical ventilation
The result is a planning tool that replaces guesswork with confidence.
“For the first time, designers can ask: What will this wall actually do for my building? and get a reliable answer,” says the team.
But VertINGreen doesn’t stop at planning, rather it continues the story long after installation.
Using hyperspectral imaging, the platform can “see” beyond visible light, detecting subtle physiological changes in plants. Combined with machine learning, this allows the system to:
- Identify early signs of stress
- Map plant activity across entire walls
- Detect problems weeks before they are visible to the human eye
In practical terms, this means fewer surprises, lower maintenance costs, and healthier, longer-lasting installations.
Remarkably, the system achieves this using just a handful of spectral bands, making it accessible even with relatively low-cost imaging equipment.
VertINGreen represents more than a technological innovation, it signals a shift in how buildings are conceived.
Instead of relying solely on energy-intensive systems, indoor environments can increasingly integrate living, adaptive components that work in harmony with technology.
By combining accurate planning with early-warning monitoring, VertINGreen offers a complete framework for:
- Cleaner indoor air
- Lower energy consumption
- More resilient green infrastructure
And perhaps most importantly, it makes these benefits practical and scalable.
For Yungstein and Helman, the goal is clear: to bridge the gap between scientific understanding and real-world application.
“VertINGreen allows us to move from inspiration to implementation,” they say. “It gives architects, engineers, and building managers the tools they need to trust and fully utilize nature inside buildings.”
As cities continue to grow upward and inward, innovations like VertINGreen suggest a future where walls do more than divide space—they help sustain it.
Vertical Green Wall in the Lab Used for This Study | Credit: David Helman Lab
Gas-Exchange System (LI-COR LI-6800) Used to Measure Photosynthesis and Leaf Transpiration | Credit: David Helman Lab
The research paper titled “VertINGreen: A Practical Application for Planning and Monitoring Indoor Vertical Green Living Walls Based on Remote Sensing and Machine Learning Models” is now available in Indoor Air and can be accessed at https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1155/ina/5782002 .
Researchers:
Yehuda Yungstein, David Helman
Institutions:
- Department of Soil & Water Sciences, Institute of Environmental Sciences, The Robert H. Smith Faculty of Agriculture, Food and Environment, The Hebrew University of Jerusalem
- The Advanced School for Environmental Studies, The Hebrew University of Jerusalem
For over a century, the Hebrew University of Jerusalem has been a beacon for visionary minds who challenge convention and shape the future. Founded by luminaries like Albert Einstein, who entrusted his intellectual legacy to the university, it is dedicated to advancing knowledge, cultivating leadership, and promoting diversity. Home to over 23,000 students from 90 countries, the Hebrew University drives much of Israel’s civilian scientific research and the commercialization of technologies through Yissum, its tech transfer company. Hebrew University’s groundbreaking contributions have been recognized with major international awards, including ten Nobel Prizes, two Turing Awards, and a Fields Medal. Ranked 88th globally by the Shanghai Ranking (2025), Hebrew University marks a century of excellence in research, education, and innovation. To learn more about the university’s academic programs, research, and achievements, visit the official website at http://new.huji.ac.il/en.