How to Create a Stunning Vertical Garden
Vertical gardening is one of the hottest trends in gardening right now. Bringing plants to eye level is fun to brighten a garden or inside space. It’s also great for urban dwellers to garden in small spaces, such as apartments or balconies. Because vertical gardens are upright, they’re easier on your back and legs!
Frequently Asked Questions About Creating a Vertical Garden
Plants grown on upright structures to save space. It’s an old idea—think vines on a trellis, fence, or wall—now refreshed for small spaces and style. Bringing plants to eye level adds visual height and comfort for your back and legs. Patio Productions loves how vertical gardens transform tight patios and balconies beautifully.
Choose what to grow and where it will live. Pick edible vs. ornamental, permanent vs. movable, and match plant needs to site sun. A sunny wall can even cool your home by absorbing heat before it enters. Let function drive the frame and container choices you’ll make next.
Pots, hanging planters, bottles—and creative frames. Use pots, hanging planters, or upcycled plastic bottles. Try vertical gardening trays, or frames like ladders, shutters, crates, pallets, trellises, and fences. You’re limited only by imagination—Patio Productions champions functional, stylish setups that fit your space and vibe.
Hand-water or install simple drip irrigation. Hand watering is fine if you can reach the top. For bigger builds, use drip systems—from punched holes that cascade water down, to hose-and-timer setups that regulate delivery. Consistent, gentle watering keeps plants thriving with minimal effort.
Use potting soil; let pallet frames root flat first. Fill containers with potting soil. If your frame is also the container (like a pallet), grow it horizontally for a few weeks so roots set and soil stays put. Place plants that need less water at the top—they get more sun and dry faster.
Grasses, succulents, flowers, vines, ferns, herbs—plus veggies. Shallow-rooted plants excel: annuals, perennials, vines, ferns, and herbs. Vegetables like peppers, pole beans, salad greens, radishes, vining cucumbers, and cherry tomatoes also thrive. Mix textures and heights for living art that’s delicious or dazzling.
It multiplies greenery, comfort, and style—upright. Perfect for apartments, balconies, and compact patios, vertical gardens bring plants to eye level, add height and interest, and make gardening easier on your body. It’s a creative, space-smart way to grow more with less.
The term may be new, but vertical gardening is an old concept in which plants grow on upright structures. A classic example is vines growing on a trellis, fence, or wall. So how do you create your own stunning vertical garden? The options are endless, and you’re limited only by your imagination.
Like many gardening projects, vertical gardens can range from simple to complex. You first need to decide what you want to grow and where you will grow it. Are you interested in an edible garden, or do you want a wall of vibrant color? Do you want a permanent structure, or do you want to be able to move it inside during the colder months? Remember that what you grow depends on the amount of sunlight available in your chosen area. A vertical garden on the sunniest side of your home may actually keep your home cooler by absorbing the sun before it hits your house.
You can use almost any kind of container in a vertical garden, including pots, hanging planters, and old plastic soda bottles. Another popular option is a vertical gardening tray available at many garden shops or home improvement stores. Popular options for the frame include ladders, shutters, crates, pallets, or the time-honored trellis or fence.
Irrigation is another important factor. Your plants will need water, so you’ll need a good water delivery system. Hand watering is always an option (ensure you can reach the plants at the top!). A drip irrigation system is another popular choice, especially for bigger vertical gardens. This system can be as simple as evenly placing holes in your containers or frame to allow water to drip onto the plants. More sophisticated systems with hoses and timers regulate the amount of water delivered to the plants.
Once you’re ready to plant, use potting soil to fill your containers. If your frame is also your container (such as a pallet), let it grow horizontally for a few weeks. This will help the roots get established and keep the soil in place. Place the plants needing less water at the top of your structure. These plants will get the most sun, and the soil will dry out sooner.
Grasses, succulents, annual flowers, perennial vines, ferns, and herbs do very well in vertical gardens. Vegetables will also thrive, including peppers, pole beans, salad greens, radishes, vining cucumbers, and cherry tomatoes. Basically, any plant with shallow roots would be an excellent addition to your vertical garden.
The possibilities for vertical gardens are endless. They add visual interest and height to outdoor gardens and bring natural beauty to indoor spaces. Vertical gardens are a fun way to combine your creativity and your green thumb to take your gardening to an entirely different level.
