Vertical gardens are a fantastic way to add greenery to small spaces, bring life to bland walls, and create a stunning focal point in any area. Whether you’re looking to grow herbs, flowers, or create a lush plant wall, there’s a vertical garden solution for everyone. In this post, I’ll share 20 inspiring vertical garden ideas from around the internet, including my own DIY projects: a PVC pipe vertical garden and a wooden greenhouse self-watering garden attached to a window.
Section 1: My First DIY Vertical Garden Using PVC Pipe
Creating a vertical garden using PVC pipes is an innovative way to maximize small spaces while keeping maintenance low. Instead of using soil, this garden uses a medium like foam to support plant growth and an automated watering system to ensure that your plants thrive with minimal effort. The goal here was to not only grow food but to do it in a low effort way and to make art out of it, to me this vertical garden attached to this frame blends in with our furniture and space and makes the lettuce growing here almost look like an art piece on the wall.
Materials & Tools:
- PVC pipes (4-6 inches in diameter, cut to desired lengths)
- Plastic containers to hold foam medium and plants
- Foam growing medium (such as floral foam or hydroponic foam blocks)
- Water pump
- Air pump (good to add so plants don’t get root root)
- Water basin
- Plastic tubing
- Mounting brackets or rope
- Liquid plant food (can add to basin when plants are mature)
Step-by-Step Guide:
- Prepare the PVC Pipes: Cut the PVC pipes to your desired length, usually around 4-6 feet. Drill holes into the pipes where the plant containers will be inserted.
- Set Up the Containers: Place foam growing medium into the containers to provide support for your plants.
- Install the Watering System: Connect the water pump to a water basin and attach it to plastic tubing. Run the tubing through the PVC pipes, ensuring it reaches each container to water the roots directly.
- Mount the Pipes: Secure the pipes vertically to a wall, fence, or frame using mounting brackets or rope.
- Plant and Water: Insert your plants into the containers with the foam medium, then fill the water basin. The water pump will automatically circulate water through the tubing and pipes to nourish the plants.
Pro Tip: You can easily create this garden on your own with PVC pipes from any hardware store, or get a premade unit for convenience!
Section 2: My Self-watering Vertical Garden Greenhouse Garden
To make the most of my outdoor space while protecting my plants from intense sunlight, I decided to build a vertical greenhouse garden just outside my window. This setup provides the perfect balance of light, shade, and hydration, allowing my full-sun outdoor plants to thrive without getting scorched during peak sun hours. It also features an automatic watering and misting system to ensure the plants receive consistent moisture and cooling, even when I’m away. And in addition to growing food for myself and family, it creates a pretty spectacular view from the window.
Materials & Tools:
- Wooden frame (customized to fit around your window and provide vertical space for plants)
- Sun shade fabric (blocks 50% of the sun)
- Clear acrylic or glass panels (optional for additional protection)
- Outdoor plants suitable for full sun
- Automatic watering timer (Water Timer)
- Water misting system with extensions (Water Misting System)
- Plant self-watering stakes (Self-Watering Stakes)
- Screws, brackets, and nails
Step-by-Step Guide:
- Build the Wooden Frame: Construct a sturdy wooden frame attached to the exterior wall just below your window. Ensure it has ample vertical space for hanging or placing pots, and is strong enough to support the weight of the plants and watering system.
- Install the Sun Shade: Attach sun shade fabric above or over the frame to block out 50% of the sun’s rays. This will protect your plants from scorching during peak sun hours while still providing enough light for growth.
- Set Up the Watering System: Install an automatic watering system by attaching a water timer to your outdoor faucet. Connect it to a Water Misting System with extensions that run throughout the greenhouse frame. Position the misters strategically to provide both cooling and watering at the root level of your plants.
- Add Self-Watering Stakes: Insert Self-Watering Stakes into the soil in each pot or planter. These stakes are perfect for providing extra hydration when needed, especially if you’re planning to be away for an extended period.
- Choose and Arrange Plants: Select outdoor plants that thrive in full sun, such as herbs, tomatoes, peppers, or sun-loving flowers. Arrange them in pots or planters along the wooden frame, ensuring they are evenly spaced for optimal growth and airflow.
- Fine-Tune the Misting System: Adjust the misting system’s settings to provide consistent moisture during the hottest parts of the day. The mist will not only water the plants but also help to cool them down and prevent wilting.
- Monitor and Adjust: Regularly check the watering system, sun shade, and plant health. Adjust the shade position or watering frequency as needed based on weather conditions and plant growth.
Pro Tip: The combination of sun shade, automatic watering, and misting ensures that your plants get the perfect amount of sun and water, making it easy to maintain a thriving outdoor garden with minimal effort!
By incorporating these tools, you can enjoy a lush, healthy garden that thrives with full sun exposure while being protected during peak heat. The automated watering and misting system also means less manual maintenance and more time to enjoy your beautiful green space!
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By creating this outdoor vertical greenhouse garden, I can enjoy vibrant, sun-loving plants with less worry about scorching or dehydration. Plus, the added automation allows for peace of mind, even when I’m away on a trip.
Section 3: 20 Vertical Garden & Living Wall Ideas for Inspiration
- Metal Grid Garden: A sleek and modern approach, perfect for creating a green wall on a balcony or patio.
- Pallet Garden: Repurpose pallets to create a rustic vertical garden.
- Hanging Shoe Organizer: Use a fabric shoe organizer to plant herbs or flowers.
- Ladder Garden: Turn an old wooden ladder into a tiered garden.
- Gutter Garden: Install old gutters on a wall for a cascading effect.
- Succulent Wall: Craft a living wall of succulents in a wooden frame.
- Mason Jar Herb Garden: Mount mason jars on a board for a stylish herb display.
- Cinder Block Planter: Stack cinder blocks creatively and fill them with plants.
- Recycled Bottle Garden: Use plastic bottles to create a vertical garden on a fence.
- Tiered Hanging Baskets: Hang multiple baskets vertically for a cascading garden.
- Wooden Crate Garden: Stack wooden crates to create a rustic vertical garden.
- Living Wall Planter: Use modular planters to create a professional-looking living wall.
- Bamboo Garden: Attach bamboo poles to a frame and fill the spaces with plants.
- Trellis Garden: Grow climbing plants on a decorative trellis.
- Vertical Pipe Garden: Similar to your PVC pipe garden but using metal or wooden pipes for an industrial or rustic look.
- Wooden Shelf Garden: Build shelves on a wall to hold a variety of plants.
- Hanging Pots: Suspend pots from the ceiling or a frame for a floating garden.
- Tiered Planter Boxes: Create a stepped planter with different levels for planting.
- Herb Spiral: Build a spiral of rocks or bricks and plant herbs in the crevices.
- Window Box Garden: Attach window boxes to a wall or fence to create a vertical garden.
Conclusion: Your Vertical Garden Journey Begins Here!
Vertical gardens are an excellent way to maximize space and bring a touch of nature into your home or outdoor area. Whether you’re inspired by my PVC pipe project, the window-attached greenhouse, or one of the other creative ideas listed, there’s a vertical garden for every style and space. Don’t hesitate to experiment with different materials and plants to create your unique vertical garden.
Ready to Start Your Vertical Garden?
Check out these great options for living wall planters:
- Living Wall Planter
- Vertical Garden Planter Kit
- Indoor Living Wall Frame
- Modular Plant Wall System
- Hanging Wall Planters
- Wall Mounted Plant Holder
For more DIY projects and gardening tips, be sure to subscribe to my newsletter. And if you create your own vertical garden, share your photos with me on social media—I’d love to see your creations!