Nature is becoming integral to urban development, with cities enhancing liveability and climate control by incorporating plants. Yet, urban projects often have lengthy and complex timelines, and green elements are typically addressed last, making them vulnerable to budget cuts and design compromises. By integrating plants from the outset as a core design element, their inclusion boosts effectiveness. In subtropical Australia, living walls are emerging as key features of contemporary architecture and urban greening strategies. These installations often rely on a limited range of tropical species, inspired by global models like Singapore and Ho Chi Minh City. While visually appealing and resilient, these tropical plants may not be ideal for regions like subtropical Queensland that have its own rich native flora. This chapter explores plant integration in building design, emphasising native species as more ecologically appropriate and supportive of local biodiversity and identity. We investigate living walls in Brisbane through case studies, highlighting their role as micro-landscapes that enhance urban resilience. We then explore how selecting suitable native plants adapted to subtropical climates can boost ecological health to create place-specific aesthetics. This chapter also addresses risks, such as vulnerability to extreme weather, pest issues, and structural concerns such as water infiltration and maintenance. Still, the ecological advantages of native plants outweigh these challenges, offering greater resilience for subtropical cities among other benefits. Drawing on field investigations and comparative studies, we propose a preliminary framework for advancing living wall design as a tool for tomorrow’s sustainable urban futures.