# An Introduction Vertical Gardening: Easy Ways To Save Space

- Link: https://lifeandwork.blog/an-introduction-vertical-gardening-easy-ways-to-save-space/
- Published: 2026-09-27T17:55:53-05:00
- Author: Bert Swope

Gardening is a relaxing, useful hobby. One thing that you need whether you are growing
for food or growing for enjoyment is space. Overcrowding plants can stunt their 
growth. Some may die as they fight for the available water, nutrients, and space
in the area. This means that all your hard work is in vain. An easy alternative 
is a more space-friendly way of gardening: vertical gardening. Vertical gardening
lets your choice of plants climb an outdoor area of your home—you can use a fence,
shed wall, or even the wall of your home.

Even though vertical gardening requires some planning, it is relatively easy to 
maintain. Additionally, as long as you are not growing trees or especially heavy
plants, there is no risk of the foundation crumbling.

This article will introduce you to vertical gardening, including its benefits, the
best crops for vertical gardening, and how to grow a vertical garden, including 
the type of equipment needed and expert tips.

## Vertical Gardening Strategies: How to Grow a Vertical Garden

### **Step 1: Choosing the Space for Your Garden**

When growing a garden vertically, you break free from the traditional space constraints
that you deal with when gardening. Before you start buying equipment or choosing
plants, you’ll need to decide where to vertically garden. Some people choose to 
vertically garden up the wall of their home since it is a stable surface that will
not require a lot of work. Other options include archways or trellises, fences, 
window boxes, or shelves. People also build structures for their vertical gardens.

One major factor to consider where you are growing is sunlight exposure. Unless 
you choose plants for your garden that prefer low levels of sunlight, for example,
you should not grow a vertical garden on a wall that blocks the sun. The plants 
will not get what they need to thrive.

![](https://i0.wp.com/lifeandwork.blog/wp-content/uploads/2020/03/50729-arbor-1543673.
jpg?resize=790%2C527&ssl=1)

Garden Arbor

![](https://i0.wp.com/lifeandwork.blog/wp-content/uploads/2020/03/44965-dscn2873.
jpg?resize=790%2C593&ssl=1)

Vines Growing On Fence

![](https://i0.wp.com/lifeandwork.blog/wp-content/uploads/2020/03/99a0b-pumpkin_arbor.
jpg?resize=790%2C729&ssl=1)

Pumpkin Arbor

### **Step 2: Building a Frame**

For a good vertical garden, you’ll need to make a ‘sandwich’ constructed of layers
of the frame, plastic sheeting, and fabric. PVC piping is an easy material to use
for a frame. Then, layer the plastic over the backside. This will prevent the roots
from growing into your walls and stop water damage. On the opposite side, you are
going to stretch a piece of fabric around the frame. Here are some tips as you choose
materials:

1. While there are different materials you can use for a vertical frame, you should
avoid metal and wood. Metal is heavy and may rust with exposure to moisture over
time, while wood is susceptible to water damage and wood rot if it is not pressure
treated. Instead, consider something like PVC piping.

2. The fabric you choose should retain water well. However, it should also be resistant
to rotting. For example, you could use felt carpet padding.

Once you have chosen your materials, use galvanized screws to hold them down. It
is important the fabric is stretched taut, without wrinkles or buckling. You want
at least two layers of fabric to provide enough material for your plants to grow.

### **Step 3: Creating an Irrigation System**

You are not going to climb to the top of your vertical garden set-up every day, 
especially if you grow it on the side of your home or somewhere similar. You can
make an irrigation system using basic irrigation drippers and a standard valve. 
As you consider your options, keep in mind that you need a propagation timer you
can set for seconds. For most plants on a vertical gardening system, you’ll need
a quick flow of water available 3-6 times each day. Of course, this is going to 
change based on how tall your system is (so the water can reach all layers) and 
how much water the plants you have chosen need. You may need to experiment before
finding the right balance—you want the wall to stay wet, but you do not want to 
overwater the plants.

### **Step 4: Adding a Fertilizer Injector**

The typical vertical gardening set up does not use soil to grow. Instead, the steady
supply of water that keeps the fabric wet should be injected with fertilizer to 
provide the nutrition they need. This is an alternative to soil, as it would be 
impractical to try and stick soil to the side of your home or along a fence.

Fertilizer injectors are used with your irrigation system. They periodically release
liquid fertilizer into the water, which is distributed to your plants. Once you 
have the fertilizer injector and irrigation system set up, all that is left to do
with this is connect it to your water supply.

### **Step 5: Selecting and Adding Plants**

We’ll take a look at which plants you should consider adding to your vertical garden
next. Once you have decided, you’ll need a staple gun, stainless steel staples, 
and a knife to install the plants. Cut a slit big enough to fit the root in the 
topmost layer of fabric. Remove as much soil as you can from the root of the plant,
as it can cause root rot or encourage the growth of mold or mildew. Then, place 
the plant root in between the two rows of fabric and use 3-5 staples to attach the
cloth to the plastic backing. This creates an envelope where your plant can sit 
securely. 

One of the most fun parts about choosing plants is the freedom to make unique designs
with your plant. Something to keep in mind is that while plants that grow 2-3 feet
might look nice coming from the top part of your garden wall, they create a layer
of shade beneath them that will not allow some crops to grow. Consider how plants
will cast shade as they are fully grown and plan accordingly.

## Which Plants Are Good for Vertical Gardening?

As you choose which plants you want to grow in your vertical garden, it is important
to consider each plant’s unique needs regarding water and sunlight exposure. Something
else to consider is the overall weight of the plant. The average plant can be grown
on your wall without the risk of it falling off or causing the entire structure 
to pull away. However, you will not want to grow trees or especially heavy plants
like pumpkins. While you are only limited by your imagination, there are some plants
that are more reliable than others for vertical gardening. Here are a few ideas.

### Filler Plants

Not every plant in your vertical garden is going to be a major feature. Filler plants
are those that are ideal for filling up space and create a general sense of ‘greenness’
in your garden. There are many practical filler plants that are easy to grow, including:

 * Lily Turf- Also called liriope muscari, this fine-leaf plant comes from Asia.
   It is grass-like with thick blades, lending to a solid, luscious appearance.
 * Spide Plant- The strappy leaves of the chlorophytum comosum are light green and
   a creamy white color. This plant is native to Africa.
 * Variegated Flax Lily- Also called Dianella variegated form, this is a tough plant.
   Its leaves are wide blades that have pale, creamy stripes. Its design provides
   nice contrast in a vertical garden.
 *  Mondo Grass- The opiopogon japonicus plant is made of finer grass-like leaves.
   It comes from Asia and is a dark green color.

### Texture Contrasts

It is fun to design a vertical garden that has a lot of contrast. These plants are
hearty and designed to create texture in the areas between feature plants. Some 
of the best choices include:

 * Xanadu- The philodendron plant is an evergreen shrub with large, attractive tropical
   leaves. This plant is native to Brazil.
 * Cast iron plant- This is another evergreen plant, featuring wide, long, pointy
   leaves. Also called the aspidistra elatior, it is native to Taiwan and Japan.
 * Swiss cheese plant- The monstera deliciosa is native to Mexico. It features oversized
   and attractive tropical leaves. It is also a climbing plant, which makes it a
   great choice for spreading across a large vertical area.
 * Mistletoe cactus- Unlike the traditional cactus, this has long, thread-like stems.
   It is known for its weeping habits, making it perfect for hanging out on a vertical
   garden wall. The Rhipsalis species has several varieties and is native to areas
   like South and Central America.

### Feature Pieces

These are the plants that are going to stand out significantly on your wall. Most
have a pop of color, but a few others are just beautiful to look at.

 * Blue feather- Blue sedum is an evergreen succulent commonly referred to as blue
   spruce because of its beautiful foliage. It is native to California.
 * Rabbit’s foot fern- Also called Davila fejeensis, this plant is native to the
   tropical parts of Polynesia. Its name comes from its unique fuzzy ‘feet’ that
   are exposed. The creeping roots of this plant stick out from its base. You can
   even use these to grow new plants.
 * Devil’s ivy- This plant has green and gold leaves. It is a trailing vine, which
   lets it expand and fill in any gaps. Also called epipremnum pinnatum Aureum or
   golden pothos, this plant is native to the Solomon Islands and other areas in
   the Pacific. It is especially good for increasing air quality, as it removes 
   VOCs (volatile organic compounds) from the air.
 * Lipstick plant- The aeschynanthus plant climbs upward and trails downward. It
   is named aptly for its bright red flowers but also features contrasting, dark
   green leaves. It is native to tropical climates.
 * Waxflower- Also called hoya carnosa, this plant produces beautiful, incredibly
   fragrant blooms. It is also known for its VOC removal abilities and works well
   in areas with high sun exposure and humidity levels.
 * Party time- The alternanthera plant also goes by cognac, mai tai, and crème de
   menthe. It comes in many vivid colors and grows in a bush formation. It is heat-
   resistant, but susceptible to cold so it will not grow in all areas year round.
 * Purple waffle plant- The hemigraphis alternata plant is also called red ivy or
   red flame ivy. It has silver and purple foliage and works like many others to
   remove VOCs from the area. In the spring and summer, tiny white flowers grow 
   on this evergreen plant. It is native to tropical climates.
 * Geranium- The garden-variety geranium is a perennial commonly chosen for its 
   fleshy leaves and bright flowers. It works well in hot, sunny areas and has a
   wide range of designs. This makes it perfect for providing a bright center point
   and adding variety to your vertical garden.

## A Few Tips from the Experts on Vertical Gardening

You should already have enough information to start your own vertical garden. Here
are a few tips from the experts that will make vertical gardening easier:

1. Build the frame before securing it to the wall. If you build the frame directly
on the wall, it will be difficult to take down. Instead, build it completely and
then secure it.

2. Choose long-lasting materials. If you use typical metal hardware to secure your
vertical garden, you are leaving it susceptible to damage from water and outdoor
elements. Instead, spend the little bit extra for stainless steel that will not 
rust and protect the investment of your time and money.

3. Make the most of your runoff. Even when you adjust the water levels appropriately,
most vertical gardens have runoff. Instead of letting this nutritious water go to
waste, plant a garden in the ground beneath your vertical garden.

4. Alternate sun-loving and shade-loving plants. If you are worried about your plants
getting enough sunlight, alternate them. Grow one row of sun-loving plants and a
row of shade-loving plants beneath them. Then, repeat until you have a beautiful
design. The possibilities are really endless if you think it through.

5. Don’t limit yourself to the plants mentioned above. Some people choose a vertical
setup for growing herbs or other useful plants. The best way to find plants is by
to consider those grown hydroponically, which is the technical method used with 
the drip irrigation and fertilizer system for vertical gardening. You should also
consider factors like visible light and the size of the plant once it is full-grown.

6. Look up design ideas online. In addition to vertical garden walls that were mentioned
in this article, there are many other styles of vertical garden. There is also an
option of fixing pots of soil together in a way that creates a vertical structure
and lets you grow several plants.

7. Choose flexible piping and materials for rounded archways and other vertical 
structures. You can take the basic method of building a vertical garden mentioned
above and adapt it with the right materials to make a vertical garden work virtually
anywhere. If you aren’t sure where to get started, you might be able to find templates
online.

Vertical gardening offers a host of benefits. It is a wonderful hobby and useful
skill that promotes health, better air quality, and relaxation. Once your vertical
wall is finished, the view will also be amazing! Remember that you are only limited
by your imagination—look around for inspiration before starting.

SAVE SPACE with these Trellising Vegetables | Vertical Vegetable Gardening Ideas

## Related References

 * [How To Grow Butternut Squash Vertically](https://lifeandwork.blog/gardening-how-to-grow-butternut-squash-vertically/)
 * [Growing Watermelons Vertically To Save Space](https://lifeandwork.blog/growing-watermelons-vertically/)
 * [Gardening – How To Trellis And Grow Squash Vertically](https://lifeandwork.blog/gardening-how-to-trellis-and-grow-squash-vertically/)
 * [Gardening – How to Trellis Cucumbers](https://lifeandwork.blog/gardening-how-to-trellis-cucumbers/)

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