Last Updated on April 15, 2024 by Real Men Sow
What are the best plants for vertical gardens, you may ask? Well, read on because we’ve got you covered.
Historically, vertical gardening is a practice that has been around for many centuries. The Hanging Gardens of Babylon, as an example, with their lush green waterfalls and rooftop gardens, are the ultimate representation of Heaven. They offer a breathtaking view of abundance.
This vertical gardening guide will help you choose the right plants for your living walls. It takes into account many factors. The selection of the right plants is an important part of any gardening venture.
Best Plants For Vertical Gardens
Ferns
These plants are adaptable and can quickly cover large areas. They are ideal for vertical gardening because they grow down. Blue star ferns, blue bird’s nests, and sword ferns are some of the best options. For a stunning vertical piece of art, add some perennial flowering trailing plants to walls to bring out the rich and subtle colors of their hanging ferns.
Bromeliads
Bromeliads are great for living walls because they have shallow roots that require little space. and are the best for long-lasting, funky blooms. However, they can be grown indoors in a heated conservatory or a heated room. There are also a few cold-loving hardy varieties that can be safely grown outdoors (Aechmea species).
Succulents
These plants are cool and don’t require much attention. They are adaptable and can be killed by neglecting them. It might even grow better on its own. You can include varieties like sedum, echeveria, and crassula in your green wall project.
Vines
These plants can be grown on walls without much effort, love indirect sunlight, and spread quickly. Some vine species produce amazing blossoms such as wisteria and clematis.
Air plants
Air plants cannot grow in soil and they also need sunlight. Most air plants require several hours of direct sunlight each day. You could create a vertical garden entirely with tillandsia and then display it as a wall-mounted levitating plant wall.
Herbs
Plant herbs to give your vertical garden more purpose. Basil, mint, and Parsley are good choices. They can mature quickly and require low light. Vertical gardening adds value to herbs and can be used to spice up your home-cooked meals.
Best Plants for Vertical Gardens: What to Consider
Conditions
Take into consideration the growing conditions. Consider whether it will be in shade or receive plenty of sunlight during the day. If you have a north-facing wall, for example, you’ll need different plants than a south-facing one that gets hours of direct sunlight. Sun-loving plants, for example, should be grown north-south so that the sun shines from the East, and vice versa from the West. The rule of thumb is to choose the best orientation for your plants.
Your vertical green wall will need good drainage. You also need to give your trailing plants the proper nutrition so that they thrive.
Creativity
To get the best out of your living walls, creativity is key. A container is a great habit for any gardener, whether you are a novice or an experienced one. You can add wild species to your garden by walking in hilly areas.
Aesthetics
While taste is personal, it is important to maintain some symmetry in vertical gardening. You can try different flowering plants, combine different-sized leaves, or add lights to enhance the garden’s magic appearance.
Biodiversity of Plants for Vertical Gardens
Vertical gardening can be a great way to promote biodiversity in urban areas. It is our responsibility to preserve nature. Your outdoor vertical garden will look more complete if wildflowers are added. This will provide a natural habitat for bees, butterflies, and other insects.
Final Remark on the Best Plants for Vertical Gardens
Vertical gardening can be fun for beginners, no matter how small your space is. Doing this will allow you to expand your botanical knowledge, enjoy experimentation with design, and also give you the opportunity to grow more varieties of plants since they don’t take up any ground space. Vertical gardening can also be used inside your home. You can make a stunning display of indoor plants in your conservatory with a well-designed living wall.
