When talking about home gardening, one image that comes to mind is a well-tended flower garden in a quiet backyard corner. Or maybe, talk about gardening prompts thoughts of long, straight rows of vegetables and herbs planted close to the back door.
But what about gardening in tight urban spaces, or in suburban spaces where space is constrained? In those cases, replacing horizontally laid-out gardens with vertical gardening systems can be a great alternative.
Whether you want to garden in a small space (even indoors), or screen your living space, there’s a vertical gardening system just right for you. Read on for our choices for the best vertical gardening systems, and to learn more about this approach to gardening.
Our Top Picks
Best Overall:
FLEXIMOUNTS Vertical Raised Garden Bed
Best Stackable System:
Happy Place Stackable Planters
Best Trellis:
H Potter Metal Garden Screen Trellis
Best Overall
FLEXIMOUNTS Vertical Raised Garden Bed
One of the issues the novice in vertical gardening systems might face is deciding exactly where a system should be located. Whether to ensure the best screening option, or the healthiest growing environment, placement is crucial to successful vertical gardening.
That is precisely why the Fleximounts Vertical Raised Garden Bed has earned our recommendation as the best overall choice among vertical gardening systems. It features wheels that allow for easy repositioning of the garden bed in case initial site selection is a bit misguided.
The Fleximounts Vertical Raised Garden Bed provides four amply sized planting beds, measuring 2 feet across, to accommodate an array of plants. The planting beds are mounted from ground level to a height of nearly 4 feet.
The planting beds are constructed of food-grade plastic, so you can grow herbs and other kitchen items with confidence. As an introduction to vertical gardening systems, allowing for a combination of flowers, decorative plants, herbs and vegetables, the Fleximounts bed is unparalleled.
Pros
- Easy to assemble
- Excellent space-saving option
- Perfect for growing herbs
Cons
- May be too shallow for some plants
- May not be tall enough for some applications
- May be susceptible to rusting
Best Stackable System
Happy Place Stackable Planters
Stackable planters are a good start into vertical gardening, offering an opportunity to grow a lot of plants in limited space. Happy Place Stackable Planters, comprising five separate tiers, offer versatility in designing your vertical gardening space, and are our recommendation as the best stackable system.
Happy Place Stackable Planters come with a chain that allows you to use them as hanging baskets, boosting their utility for screening. The planters are suitable for growing everything from flowers to herbs to succulents, making your vertical gardening functional and attractive.
Pros
- Easy to stack
- Perfectly sized for patio use
- Sturdy construction
Cons
- Bottom containers may not get adequate water
- May not work well for some plants like strawberries and marigolds
- Attention must be paid to ensure all tiers get adequate sunlight
Best Trellis
H Potter Metal Garden Screen Trellis
Trellises have long been a popular form for vertical gardening systems, and the H Potter Metal Garden Screen is a perfect trellising option. As a result, it has made our list of recommendations as one of the best vertical gardening systems available today.
At nearly 3 feet wide and more than 6 feet tall, the H Potter trellis is hinged in the center. That feature provides a way to screen problematic corners or oddly shaped areas of your home landscape with an attractive planting.
The H Potter trellis works particularly well with ivy and roses, two popular options for vertical gardening. It also works well with honeysuckle and jasmine. And, if you have an area wider than 3 feet to cover, you can simply buy additional trellises.
Pros
- Well-constructed classic design
- Wall mount brackets available from manufacturer
- Perfect for roses
Cons
- May be smaller than some purchasers expect
- Susceptible to rust in some situations
- Packaging doesn’t include enough assembly guidance
Best Wall Planter
MEIWO Hanging Planter
Whether you want to add a colorful accent to an exterior wall, or dress up a fence, the MEIWO Hanging Planter is an excellent option. Comprising seven pockets for flowers, or herbs, or whatever, the MEIWO Hanging Planter is an easy choice as one of our recommended vertical gardening systems.
Constructed of highly durable cloth, the MEIWO Hanging Planter provides a healthy environment for whatever you might want to plant. And the more of the planters you decide to use, the more your chosen space will be transformed into an attractive “living wall” of color.
Easily installed with either zip ties or hooks, MEIWO Hanging Planters are a great way to get started with vertical gardening.
Pros
- Heavy-duty construction
- Keeps edible plants away from animals
- Great way to dress up fences and railings
Cons
- Pockets may absorb more water than expected
- May sag over time
- Pockets may be too small for some plants
Best Indoor System
Gardyn 3.0 Hydroponics Growing System
One thing you’ll discover about vertical gardening systems is that you can use the concept indoors. If you’d like to try it, the Gardyn Hydroponics system is our recommendation as one of the best vertical gardening systems.
One of the reasons for recommending the Gardyn system is that it comes complete with seeds for many vegetables and herbs. With the Gardyn system, you can immediately begin growing cherry tomatoes, sweet peppers, mint, and thyme, among other plants.
The Gardyn hydroponics system comes complete with electronically controlled watering and lighting, and your plants all will grow from just 2 square feet of soil. And don’t worry — assembly is a breeze, requiring no tools.
Pros
- Requires little effort to grow included seeds
- Digital app associated with product is very user-friendly
- Aesthetically pleasing addition to indoor decor
Cons
- Required regular cleaning may be a burden for some users
- Wi-fi connection needed for proper operation
- Some seeded pods may not germinate
Vertical Gardening Systems Buyer’s Guide
As you’ve already learned, there are different types of vertical gardening systems. They can address needs as varied as dressing up a corner of a patio, improving the appearance of a blank wall, or screening you from your neighbors.
But no matter what type of vertical gardening system you’re considering, there are some common questions to ponder. Among those questions are the size of the system, the materials of which it is made, and the kinds of plants it can handle. You may also want to consider portability.
System Size
In terms of the size of the system, you should be guided by your goal for it. If you’re simply brightening up a patio, a container-style system a couple of feet tall should do the trick. If you’re covering part of a blank wall, or screening your property from neighbors, you might want a trellis that’s 6 feet or taller.
Similarly, the width of your system will depend on your goals for it.
Another consideration for the size of a vertical gardening system is whether the planting area will be large enough to accommodate the plants you plan to install. Many container-style and hanging-style systems will have planting areas that may not be suitable for all plants.
System Materials
If your vertical gardening system is to be a permanent part of your landscape, you should be sure that it is constructed of long-lasting material. You may spend a bit more money for higher quality, but that investment will be worth it over the long run.
Broadly, vertical gardening systems are available in plastic, metal or wood. Some plastic systems may degrade after long exposure to the elements. Similarly, inadequately prepared metal systems may rust over time. Systems constructed of wood also may deteriorate if the wood isn’t adequately treated.
System Portability
Another factor to consider is portability. Your vertical gardening system may need to be moved from place to place to take advantage of sunlight or to avoid cold winds. If that is your situation, vertical gardening systems equipped with wheels will be your best choice.
Vertical Gardening Systems Frequently Asked Questions
If you’re new to vertical gardening systems, you certainly have some additional questions about how to sustain this approach to your home landscape. Read on for answers to some of the questions that may have occurred to you.
What plants work particularly well in vertical gardening systems?
Given the space constraints associated with most vertical gardening options, there are two types of plants that typically will do well in that environment. You’ll want to consider plants with small but resilient root systems, and plants that can climb to accentuate the vertical orientation of your garden spot.
Ferns, and succulents like aloe vera and cactus, are good choices for vertical gardening, as are flowers like morning glory and orchids. If you’re looking for vegetables to grow vertically, try peas or tomatoes. Herbs like dill, mint or thyme also make good choices for vertical gardening.
Of course, your plant choices will depend on the type of vertical gardening that you’re doing. Tomatoes, for instance, will likely do best with trellising, while cacti might do best as part of a stacked container planting.
And as a final note, remember to consider the location of your vertical planting system. If it gets lots of sun, choose plants that like the light. If it’s in a location that gets lots of rain, make sure your chosen plants can thrive in that kind of environment.
What plants should be avoided in vertical gardening systems?
It probably goes without saying, but vertical gardening is not suited for all plants. For instance, there’s little point in growing flowers like zinnias, or vegetables like kale, in many vertical situations, since they won’t grow particularly tall.
How should vertical gardening systems be watered and fertilized?
Of course, one aspect of success with vertical gardening systems is to be sure that they are being properly watered and fertilized. As a general rule, vertical gardens should be watered at least every other day. But your watering schedule may vary, based on the types of plants in your vertical garden.
When in doubt about a watering schedule for vertical gardening, follow the recommendations for the individual plants. But also recognize that some adjustments may be needed to accommodate a wide variety of plants.
Fertilizing Your Vertical Garden
In terms of fertilizing vertical gardening systems, if your garden is outdoors, you should fertilize it once every couple of weeks. If you’re growing only herbs or small plants, you can stretch that schedule to once per month.
For indoor vertical gardening systems, fertilizing is necessary just once every two or three months. Hydroponic systems are an exception, because you can buy fertilizer that just mixes with the water in the system’s tank, and it is automatically dispensed.
For non-hydroponic vertical gardening systems, slow-release granular fertilizer will be your best choice. Be sure, though, to carefully match the fertilizer with the types of plants you’re growing.
Can watering and fertilizing wall planters damage the walls on which they hang?
As you might guess, water and fertilizer can seep out of many vertical gardening systems. And if that moisture and those chemicals do reach an interior or exterior wall surface, they can do some damage.
But insuring against that damage is relatively easy. All that you’ll need to do is cut a piece of plywood to fit the space behind your system. Attach your system to the plywood using spacers that will keep it away from any direct contact.
Wrapping up the Best Vertical Gardening Systems
Now that you’ve learned about vertical gardening systems, you’re ready to address whatever challenges at your home could use a little vegetative enhancement.
Want more garden content? Visit our gardening page for in-depth guides, explainer posts, and great ideas!