Imagine coming home to a gorgeous green wall that instantly makes your place feel brighter and more inviting. Vertical gardening is a simple, creative way to incorporate greenery into your house without requiring a lot of floor space. If you live in a city flat or have a small balcony or yard, vertical gardening allows you to transform walls, fences, or even old ladders into lush, blooming gardens. It’s an excellent way to add greenery, cultivate your own herbs and vegetables, and create a distinctive, beautiful element in any indoor or outdoor space. My fiance, Iasmina, and I love to design our vertical garden at home. I hope you’ll enjoy it too!
Let’s now explore the world of DIY vertical gardens, from plant selection and placement to design and maintenance!


What Exactly Is Vertical Gardening?
Simply put, vertical gardening is a method of growing plants upward rather than outward. Rather than sprawling across the ground, your plants are arranged vertically, allowing you to take advantage of walls, fences, or trellises. This method is ideal for anyone with little space, and it may provide natural beauty to a variety of indoor and outdoor locations. Vertical planting may create a full wall of greenery, a tiny herb garden for your kitchen, or even a plant-based outside privacy screen.
Going vertical not only improves the appearance of your plants, but it also makes plant care easier. Having them all in one location means less bending and fewer weeds to deal with, which is a huge advantage if you want a low-maintenance landscape. Also, with some creative designs, you can save water since certain vertical designs let water to drip down from one plant to the next.
Why Vertical Gardening is Perfect for Small Spaces
If you’re limited on space yet want to reap the benefits of gardening, going vertical is a no-brainer. Vertical gardens enhance space by transforming bare walls into beautiful green displays. Imagine a rich herb wall in your kitchen or a pleasant outdoor area with cascading plants that transforms your room into a tiny haven. This arrangement is especially helpful for those who live in apartments or shared places where a typical garden is not feasible. A small amount of vertical plants can change even the most tiny balconies.
Vertical gardens are ideal for small places, but they may also be used to create zones in bigger areas. For example, you could use a vertical garden as a natural room divider or to create a living wall feature in your backyard. This not only adds elegance but also acts as a sound barrier, making it a practical choice for urban areas with high noise levels.
Choosing the Right Plants for Your Vertical Garden
Vertical gardens are highly customizable, which is one of their best features. You can grow a variety of plants based on your goals. Here are some popular choices:
- Herbs: If you’re interested in cooking, herbs like basil, mint, parsley, and chives are excellent choices. They’re easy to grow, smell great, and don’t require a ton of sunlight.
- Succulents: Succulents, such as aloe vera, jade plants, and echeveria, are ideal for beginners because they require little maintenance. They do not require much water, making them perfect for busy people or interior situations with plenty of indirect light.
- Leafy Greens and Veggies: Leafy greens like spinach, kale, and lettuce grow well in vertical gardens, as do compact veggies like cherry tomatoes and peppers. These are perfect for an edible garden if you have access to plenty of sunlight.
- Vines and Climbers: Plants like ivy, pothos, and philodendron can add a cascading effect to your garden, making it feel fuller. Vines are also perfect for trellises and allow you to cover more area vertically.
- Flowering Plants: Want some color? Consider flowering plants such as petunias, marigolds, and even ferns. They give brilliant colors and textures to your vertical garden, enhancing its appearance.
Tips for Plant Selection
When selecting plants, consider the requirements of your space. Low-light plants, such as snake plants or ZZ plants, may thrive in an indoor garden. Sun-loving plants such as lavender and rosemary can thrive in brightly lit outdoor environments. Remember to check the watering requirements of each plant. Vertical gardens can dry out faster than ordinary gardens, so choose plants that can withstand some dryness.
Setting Up Your Vertical Garden: Creative Ideas for Every Space
One of the best things about DIY vertical gardening is how many different ways you can set it up. Here are some popular ideas, each with a unique twist, so you can choose what works best for your space and style.
1. Hanging Pocket Planters
Fabric hanging pocket planters are simple to use and install. Simply mount the fabric (typically felt) to your wall, and you’ll have several compartments to plant in. This design may be used both indoors and outdoors and is great for growing herbs, miniature flowers, and trailing plants.
2. Repurposed Pallet Gardens
Wooden pallets are popular for DIY vertical gardening because they are durable, readily available, and quite adaptable. To make a pallet garden, line the spaces with fabric, fill with soil, and plant herbs or small flowers. You may even attach miniature pots to the pallet slats for a cleaner appearance. Furthermore, pallet gardens can be readily personalized with paint or stain to match your decor.
3. Upcycled Ladder Garden
If you’ve got an old ladder lying around, consider giving it a second life as a vertical garden. Just lean it against a wall, place some shelves or pots on each step, and you’re good to go! This type of garden is easy to move around, making it perfect for renters who need something temporary. You can also experiment with adding different plants at each level for a layered look.
4. Gutter Gardens
Gutters may not be the first thing that comes to mind when thinking about gardening, but they are ideal for creating a long, narrow planting space. Hang a couple of gutters horizontally on your wall, one above the other, and fill them with small plants like strawberries, lettuces, or herbs. Drill a few drainage holes and fill with moisture-retaining soil.
5. DIY Trellis Garden Wall
A DIY trellis may give your garden a more structured appearance and is ideal for plants that naturally climb, such as ivy and certain flowering vines. You may hang tiny pots from the trellis or allow plants to grow straight on it.
6. Frame Gardens with Mason Jars
Using mason jars or small glass containers, you can create a beautiful framed garden that doubles as wall art. Attach jars to a wooden frame, add potting mix, and plant small herbs or succulents. This setup is easy to water, looks charming, and is perfect for kitchens or small living rooms.
Tips for Choosing Containers
The containers you choose will make a big difference in how well your vertical garden performs. Here are a few tips to keep in mind:
- Weight Matters: Clay and ceramic pots look beautiful, but they’re heavy and can add a lot of weight to your wall. For wall-mounted gardens, lightweight materials like plastic, metal, or fabric are often better choices.
- Drainage is Key: Always make sure your containers have drainage holes to prevent root rot. If you’re using recycled containers, drill holes if necessary, or add small stones at the bottom to help with water drainage.
- Size and Spacing: The size of your containers should be appropriate for your plants. Herbs and small flowers usually do well in smaller pots, but veggies or larger plants may need more space to grow. Consider giving each plant room to breathe, as overcrowding can lead to issues with airflow and light.
Soil and Watering Tips for Vertical Gardens
Soil and watering are essential components of a good vertical garden. Soil dries out faster in a vertical position due to gravity and increased wind, so choose a high-quality potting mix that maintains moisture well. You can also add some compost or slow-release fertilizer to give your plants an extra nutrient boost.
Watering vertical gardens might be challenging, but here are a few options:
- Manual Watering: Use a recycled spray bottle or watering can for smaller setups. Water gently to avoid soil runoff.
- Drip Irrigation: Drip systems are an excellent choice for larger or outdoor vertical gardens, as they deliver water directly to the roots and prevent overwatering. You can even install a timer for convenience.
- Self-Watering Planters: Some containers have built-in reservoirs to keep the soil moist longer. These are especially useful for indoor gardens where you might not have easy access to water.
Maintenance Tips to Keep Your Garden Thriving
Vertical gardens are low-maintenance, but a little care goes a long way in keeping them vibrant:
- Monitor Sunlight and Adjust: Depending on the plant, you may need to rotate or move your garden to catch enough light. Indoor setups often benefit from grow lights, especially during winter.
- Prune and Harvest Regularly: Regular pruning keeps plants healthy, prevents overcrowding, and encourages new growth. Harvesting herbs regularly also promotes regrowth, so go ahead and snip away!
- Check for Pests: Verticals can attract bugs. A simple organic insecticidal soap can help, or try wiping leaves with a damp cloth if it’s an indoor garden.
Design Tips to Make Your Garden Stand Out
Once your vertical garden is set up, it’s time to add some personality. Here are a few ways to make your garden uniquely yours:
- Play with Plant Colors and Textures: Mix plants with different leaf shapes, sizes, and colors. For example, combining bright green herbs with purple-leafed plants like basil adds variety and visual interest.
- Use Decorative Containers: Pots in vibrant colors or unique patterns can add charm to your garden. Paint or decorate plain containers to match your room or outdoor decor.
- Add Lighting: String lights or small, solar-powered spotlights can make your vertical garden a focal point, especially for an outdoor space or balcony.
Budget-Friendly Tips for DIY Vertical Gardens
Vertical gardening doesn’t have to be expensive. Here are some ways to save while still creating a gorgeous setup:
- Use Recycled Materials: Old cans, plastic bottles, or unused wood pieces can be repurposed into planters. Thrift stores are great for finding inexpensive containers, shelves, and even old picture frames to make creative garden setups.
- Start Small: Instead of investing in a full setup, start with a single row or a couple of pots and expand as you go. This lets you experiment and see what works best for your space.
Propagate Your Plants: Propagating plants means growing new plants from cuttings, which can save a lot on buying new ones. Many plants, like pothos, mint, and succulents, are easy to propagate.
A vertical garden can bring a lot of joy and relaxation into your life. Watering, pruning, and caring for your plants can all be considered self-care activities. Plus, having fresh herbs or vegetables to use in the kitchen is quite fulfilling, and you could feel proud to know they came from your own garden.
A DIY vertical garden is more than just a way to conserve space; it’s an opportunity to bring a little bit of nature into your life. So get some pots, choose a wall, and begin changing your home with greenery. Whether you’re interested in the beauty, fresh herbs, or the peace of mind that comes with plant care, a vertical garden is a great way to actually grow up and bring some life to your house.
Happy gardening!