Plants & Vegetation

Choosing the Right Vegetation for Your GreenGrid® Vegetative Green Roof

Vegetation is the heart of any vegetative green roof system. While substrate and growing medium are essential engineering components, the plants you choose are critical to the system’s long-term success. At GreenGrid®, our experienced horticulturists help you select vegetation tailored to your roof’s unique conditions.

Why Plant Selection Matters

Plants need three essentials to survive and thrive:

  • Light
  • Water
  • Macro- and micronutrients


However, rooftop environments are often exposed to harsh conditions:

  • Intense sunlight
  • Limited water retention
  • Wind and temperature extremes


Choosing the right plants for rooftop conditions—not typical garden plants—is key to a successful green roof.

Using Herbaceous Perennials

While succulents form the backbone of extensive green roofs, herbaceous perennials can be used as accent plants to add color and texture. Keep in mind:

  • Most have limited drought tolerance
  • Best used sparingly without supplemental irrigation
  • Some promising genera include:
    • Alliums
    • Dianthus
    • Phlox
  • Regional and site-specific factors should guide your choices

Options for Intensive Green Roofs

Intensive green roofs have deeper growing mediums (8 in. or more), allowing for a wider range of plants such as:

  • Perennials
  • Native grasses and forbs
  • Herbs and vegetables
  • Small shrubs

GreenGrid® offers modules with 8-in. depth to support these plants. Incorporating native species may also help earn Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED®) points by supporting local habitat restoration.

The GreenGrid® Advantage

  • Years of horticultural expertise
  • Customized plant recommendations based on your site
  • Support throughout your green roof design and installation process


For personalized plant selections and design assistance tailored to your project, please contact your GreenGrid® representative!

Design/Planting Recommendations

Intensive Vegetative Green Roof System Plant Selections
Varieties of ornamental and/or native plants such as groundcovers, grasses, perennials, and in some instances trees and shrubs may be included varieties of ornamental and/or native: groundcovers, grasses, perennials, and in some instances trees and shrubs. Depending on the plant selection, an irrigation system is generally needed and since these rooftop gardens are similar to a backyard garden they will require varying degrees of long-term maintenance and care. When designing an intensive or rooftop garden, consultation with your GreenGrid® representative is strongly recommended; we have trialed numerous species and can help select proven performers for your project.
95% Coverage – Fully Mature System
Plants are grown to full maturity (approximately 95% or greater coverage) under nursery care. Modules are grown out at our partner nurseries in accordance with the client specifications, delivered to the job site, and installed for an instant mature vegetative green roof. In addition to the instant aesthetic appeal, fully grown-out modules provide other functional benefits: a mature vegetative green roof is less susceptible to weed encroachment, and mature vegetation helps protect the growing medium from potential wind scour and water erosion. This translates to a successful vegetative green roof with less maintenance. Lead times vary; consult your GreenGrid® representative.
Sedum Mats – Fully Mature System
Sedum mats grown to full maturity can be either installed at the nursery prior to delivery or installed in concurrence with the modules on the rooftop. Mats are planted with sedum cuttings and are composed of three primary species and a multitude of secondary species. This is an expensive option, but the advantage of instant coverage with short turnarounds makes this a potential option. Upfront watering (four to five times per week for the first 45 days) is vital to long-term success. Consult your GreenGrid® representative for availability and lead times.
GreenGrid® Pre-Vegetated Modules GreenGrid® modules are to be filled with GreenGrid® species desired by the client suitable for vegetative green roof applications. Plants are to be grown to various levels of maturity at the nursery prior to delivery and installation.
Extensive Plant Mix
Deciduous, semi-evergreen, and evergreen "base" species with "accent" species typically comprise our plant mixes. The base mix is generally composed of five to eight species of sedum with one to two accent species. Consult your GreenGrid® representative for plant recommendations.

Customized Plants and Urban Agriculture

The GreenGrid® system has been utilized for food production in installations across the United States. It can successfully support a wide range of herbs and vegetable crops with appropriate maintenance and modified soils. Some examples are listed below.

Trillium Charter School , Portland, OR

“This project is a perfect example of a multi-functioning green roof where you not only have storm water management, but also a space designated for food production. Students are educated about sustainability and the numerous benefits of green roofs. (Courtesy of Edible Skylines, LLC – Erin Altz)
View Video

Daybreak Youth Homeless Shelter, Dayton, OH

“Our goal is to not just give them a safe place to live, but also a safe place to grow and mature and become healthy adults and taxpaying citizens”, said Linda Kramer, Daybreak’s CEO. To reach that goal, the shelter is using a rooftop garden. Kids can go work among the plants, providing therapy for many as well as lessons in nutrition and self-esteem. (Courtesy wdtn.com)

Women’s Housing and Economic Development Co. / Intervale Green, Bronx, NY

Sponsored by WHEDco, this farm serves as a way for residents to learn how to plant seeds, properly harvest produce, compost, and cook healthy meals. In 2010 the roof underwent a transformation. About half of the extensive modules on one roof area were removed and replaced with 8-inch-deep modules, which were then filled with acceptable growing soil. After the roof was reconfigured for farming, it was already mid-summer. However, an astonishing 136.41 lb of produce were still harvested in the late summer and fall. (Courtesy of WHEDco)

Private Residence, Northern Illinois

This private residence has successfully experimented with a wide range of food crops and played an integral role in honing the recommended list of plants for food production in the GreenGrid® system.