Grow More In Less Space with Vertical Gardens
Small spaces don’t have to mean small gardens. Vertical gardening can dramatically change an outdoor space and your view from inside. It’s easier than you might imagine maximizing a limited area for growing on a balcony, patio, or a bare fence or wall in your backyard. By growing upward instead of outward, you can grow an abundant, productive garden filled with herbs, flowers, vegetables, and even fruits and maintain your walking around space.
We’ll share 12 creative vertical garden ideas for small spaces. These innovative approaches are perfect for gardeners of all skill levels, but especially easy when you pick seeds to grow that are in our “for beginners” collections. We’ll also highlight plant varieties that we and our customers have found to be ideal for vertical gardening. Generally, plants with shallow roots like herbs, vegetables, and annual flowers grow best in vertical gardens.
Wall Planters for Herbs and Flowers
Wall-mounted planters are a simple yet stylish way to create a vertical garden. These can be modular systems, hanging baskets, or even DIY solutions made from pallets or old gutters. Perfect for herbs and compact flowers, wall planters turn blank walls into living art.
Best Herbs and Flowers for Wall Planters
- Herbs: Basil, parsley, thyme, mint
- Flowers: Petunias, pansies, nasturtiums, sweet alyssum
Hanging Pocket Gardens
Fabric or felt pocket gardens are an affordable, space-saving option. These wall-mounted pockets hold soil and plants, allowing you to grow a variety of compact plants vertically. They’re ideal for balconies or fences where ground space is limited.
Best Plants for Hanging Baskets
- Salad greens like lettuce, arugula, and spinach
- Compact vegetables: Radishes, baby carrots, cherry tomatoes
- Flowers: Trailing petunias, nasturtiums, strawberries, bacopa
Trellised Climbing Vegetables and Vining Flowers
Use a trellis to grow climbing vegetables and fruits vertically. Trellises can be made from wood, wire, or even netting and are perfect for maximizing space while supporting healthy growth.
Best Plants for Trellis Gardens
- Tomatoes, cucumbers, pole beans, peas,vining squash
- Sweet peas, dichondra, vining back-eyed Susan, purple bell, morning glory
Vertical Pallet Gardens
Repurpose an old wooden pallet to create a rustic vertical garden. Secure fabric or small planters to the slats to hold soil, and plant compact vegetables, herbs, or flowers.
Best Plants for a Pallet Garden
- Herbs: Chives, oregano, cilantro
- Compact vegetables: Spinach, dwarf peppers, vining cherry tomatoes, runner beans, peas
- Flowers: Zinnia, marigold, petunia or try coleus and begonias in shade
Vertical Garden Towers
Garden towers are cylindrical structures with planting pockets along the sides. They are ideal for growing multiple plants in a small footprint, perfect for patios or small backyards.
Best Plants for Towers
- Strawberries, lettuce, bush beans, thyme, mint, cherry tomatoes
Living Walls with Succulents
ucculents are perfect for creating living walls due to their low water needs and compact size. Plant them in a grid-like arrangement using shallow pockets or trays for a striking display.
Best Succulent Plants for Living Walls
- Succulents: Sedum, echeveria, aloe, ice plant, mangave
Hanging Basket Gardens
anging baskets aren’t just for flowers—they’re also great for growing compact vegetables, herbs, and fruits. Hang multiple baskets at varying heights to create depth and maximize vertical space.
Best Plants for Hanging Baskets
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- Cherry tomatoes, strawberries, trailing herbs like oregano or thyme
- Trailing petunias, nasturtiums, lobelia, bacopa
Ladder-Style Vertical Gardens
Repurpose an old ladder or build a tiered shelving unit to create a vertical garden. Each step or shelf can hold pots of herbs, vegetables, or flowers, making this a functional and attractive solution.
Best Plants for Tiered Gardens
- Herbs – basil, thyme, parsley, chives, mint
- Compact flowers – petunias, pansies, marigolds, sweet alyssum, masturtiums
- Dwarf vegetables – cherry tomatoes, peppers, lettuce, radishes, bush beans
A-Frame Vertical Gardens
A-frame structures are excellent for climbing and trailing plants. These setups provide two sides for planting, maximizing productivity in a small footprint.
Best Plants for A-frame Structures
- Zucchini, peas, cucumbers, melons, nasturtiums, sweet peas
Arbors for Vining Vegetables
Add an arbor or arch to your garden to support trailing or climbing vegetables. These structures not only save space but also add architectural beauty to your vertical garden.
Best Plants for Arbors
- Grapes, cucumbers, and vining squashes
Modular Vertical Planter Systems
Modular planters, often made from plastic or metal, allow you to build customizable vertical gardens. These systems are great for urban settings, offering flexibility and scalability.
Best Plants for Modular Planters
- Spinach, kale, lettuce, basil, cilantro, chives, mint, small flowers like lobelia and nasturtiums, try mangave to add some drama
Cascading Plants in Gutters
Repurpose old gutters as planters for trailing plants. Mount them to walls or railings, and stagger them at different heights for a cascading effect.
Best Trailing Plants for Gutter Gardens
- Trailing nasturtiums and cascading petunias
- Vining herbs like oregano and rosemary
- Greens, snap peas, radishes
Tips for Vertical Garden Success
- Start with Lightweight Soil: Use potting mixes designed for containers to ensure proper drainage and nutrient retention.
- Choose Drought-Tolerant Plants: Vertical gardens dry out faster than ground gardens. Succulents, herbs, and certain flowers are great options.
- Use Drip Irrigation: Automate watering to ensure consistent hydration for your plants.
- Fertilize Regularly: Nutrients leach quickly from vertical systems, so feed your plants with a balanced fertilizer every few weeks.
- Consider Sunlight: Position your vertical garden in a spot that gets the required amount of sunlight for your chosen plants.
Why Vertical Gardens Are Perfect for Small Spaces
Vertical gardening is practical and makes a big difference. It lets you grow more in less space, beautifies your home, and makes gardening more accessible in urban environments.
Start your own vertical garden and share your favorite seeds to grow. Tag us and post pictures of your vertical growing spaces. We love to see how you’re growing.
