Selecting Outdoor Vegetation for Winter Maintenance Minimization: A Case Study in South Korea

Abstract Selecting plant species that can withstand low temperatures and maintain visual appeal during winter is crucial to minimizing maintenance costs and promoting the adoption of outdoor green walls. The study limited its experiments to five commonly used plant species for wall greening. The experiments were conducted in controlled environments with varying temperatures to assess the plants’ responses to cold stress. Measurements included visual assessments, chlorophyll content, and microscopic cellular changes. The study shows that Rosmarinus officinalis is the most resilient plant for winter conditions, followed by Brassica oleracea and Peperomia sandersii (almond peperomia). In contrast, Calathea ornata and Philodendron Con-go are unsuitable for outdoor winter conditions without additional care. This research supports the selection of appropriate vegetation for urban greening projects, particularly in climates with harsh winters.