35 DIY Vertical Garden Ideas to Show off Your Green Thumb
Here's how to make a vertical garden for any space, indoors or out.
Whether you're tight on space or need to create some screening to provide privacy on a patio, deck, or balcony, vertical is the way to go! Vertical gardening uses upright growth habits or containers to make the most of your growing space. It's a technique that works indoors or out! Brighten up a kitchen or bare wall indoors, and add screening and color outdoors. You also can grow a kitchen garden near your back door or make a dull exterior wall prettier. There's really no limit to what you can do when you're growing up!
Many different types of houseplants, annuals, perennials, and shrubs work well in a vertical space, so you're not limited on what plants you can use. Adding window boxes, hanging pots, or a garden structure such as a trellis or tuteur also provides additional exterior vertical growing space. And you can DIY many different kinds of planters with a few inexpensive craft or salvaged items to create your own one-of-a-kind vertical growing space.
So, get creative and read on to discover a few of our favorite vertical garden ideas for your home, indoors or out.
Hanging Wall Planters
What's better than being able to snip off fresh herbs while you're cooking? This simple but elegant-looking hanging planter idea can dress up any bright window in your kitchen.
Get the tutorial at Julie Blanner.
Bamboo Trellis
Remember that vertical doesn't have to mean complicated. Lash together several pieces of bamboo to create an obelisk or rustic tuteur. Or get thrifty with long limbs salvaged from your yard. Then train annual vines such as morning glories or black-eyed Susan vines up it for a gorgeous focal point.
DIY Vertical Hanging Planter Garden
Bet you never thought you could turn $5 hanging planters into something this gorgeous! A flat-finish paint, some sturdy rope, and washi tape help get the job done.
Get the tutorial at Paper + Stitch.
DIY Succulent Vertical Garden
Landscape fabric and cactus potting mix are two of the secret ingredients in this easy DIY succulent garden. It would look lovely on a mantel, in a bedroom, or on the wall of a dining room.
Get the tutorial at Jen Woodhouse.
Plant a Perennial Vine
Plant a perennial vine to grow up a garden structure or wall. Clinging vines, such as the climbing hydrangea shown here, don't damage mortar like plants such as English ivy. Make sure it's hardy in your USDA Hardiness zone (find yours here).
Upcycled Vertical Garden
Empty plastic containers make up the base of these chic planters. Of if you can't find the right sizes, invest in inexpensive plastic pots and convert to become hanging planters.
Get the tutorial at Almost Makes Perfect.
Ladder Shelving
Here's a super-simple way to add height: Lean an old ladder against the wall and use it as tiered shelving for plants. This wouldn't be hard to DIY with landscape timbers.
DIY Strawberry Tower
No space to garden? This strawberry tower is so easy to make from inexpensive plastic piping. Cut out tiny sections (because strawberries don't need much soil to thrive) and stand up the whole thing up in a weighted clay pot.
Tin Can Fence Garden
Spray painted tin cans make for absolutely adorable, not to mention, extremely affordable, planters.
Get the tutorial at Ciera Design.
Modern Kitchen Garden
Grow your herbs right where you need them—in your kitchen, of course! You can easily customize this tutorial by purchasing pots that match your own decor.
Get the tutorial at Inspired by Charm.
Upcycled Wooden Pallet
Reuse a wooden pallet by creating a wall unit for potted plants--or just lean it up against the wall. It's a genius way to recycle old pallets.
Vertical Herb Garden
On the hunt for something ultra-minimal that still packs a visual punch? This DIY vertical herb garden—made of easy-to-source landscape fabric—is the solution.
Get the tutorial at A Beautiful Mess.
Plywood Hanging Planter
These sturdy planters can handle all your heavier greens. And the natural hue of the plywood looks lovely in just about any home.
Get the tutorial at Deuce Cities Henhouse.
Farmhouse Style Wall Planter
Even the most amateur artists can craft this creation. The more chippy the paint, the more rustic it looks!
Get the tutorial at Twelve on Main.
Privacy Trellis
Neighbor's patio too close to yours? Frame a sheet or two of lattice to create a mini-wall. Then grow annual or perennial vines up to soften the look and provide additional screening. If you're not handy, a premade trellis works, too.
Brass Ring Hanging Planter
This delicate DIY is ideal for a single small succulent or air plant. Because it's so simple, it looks stunning when paired with other potted plants.
Get the tutorial at A Beautiful Mess.
Clay Pot Vertical Garden
If you've been looking to spruce up an apartment balcony, this clay pot vertical garden is a great way to add greenery without taking up too much space.
Get the tutorial at The Horticult.
Succulent Wall Garden
Plant a wall garden with succulents or other shallow-rooted plants such as lettuce or herbs. Incredibly fun and easy!
Leather and Wood Trellis
With this trellis wall garden, you have the option to include several different types of plants.
Get the tutorial at Vintage Revivals.
Stand-Alone Wall
This vertical garden—built by affixing hex wire netting to a cedar frame—can accommodate up to 35 small terra-cotta pots (that's a lot of growing potential!).
Get the tutorial at AKA Design.
Arricca Elin SanSone has written about health and lifestyle topics for Prevention, Country Living, Woman's Day, and more. She’s passionate about gardening, baking, reading, and spending time with the people and dogs she loves.
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