This study examines the potential of façade greening with deciduous climbing plants to improve the energy balance of buildings and reduce urban heat islands. In a practice-oriented test installation, ten different species of climbing plants were systematically measured, and their shading effect as well as thermal performance on glass façades were analysed. The results show that densely leafed green façades can reduce façade and indoor temperatures by up to two degrees Celsius in summer. This leads to a noticeable reduction in cooling energy demand and lowers the risk of summer overheating. Despite high levels of shading, up to 20% of solar energy still passes through the plants due to scattering and transmission within the leaf structure. As a result, natural daylight levels inside the building remain pleasant, and rooms are naturally lit even in summer. In winter, the loss of leaves allows almost unimpeded solar heat gain, maximising the energy benefit for heating. For practical application, it is crucial to select plant species with a high leaf volume in summer and reliable leaf fall in winter. User acceptance is also important: while dense vegetation provides maximum shading, more translucent plants offer better views and may be perceived as more pleasant. The findings provide planners and property owners with a solid foundation for the targeted use of façade greening and for making full use of its energetic potential. Façade greening with deciduous climbing plants thus represents an effective, flexible and sustainable instrument for climate-adapted urban development.