60 DIY Vertical Garden Ideas for Small Spaces (2024)

From vertical herb gardens to DIY container gardens for vegetables and flowers, there are plenty of DIY vertical garden ideas on a budget that are perfect for apartments, patios, small yards, balconies, and more.

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Skip the traditional garden and maximize your indoor and outdoor space with these vertical garden ideas for small spaces like your porch or patio. There are DIY garden projects for trellises, wall gardens, hanging gardens, tiered planters, and more. These DIY garden ideas use less space because they utilize walls and unused space. You will find both indoor and outdoor garden ideas here. Whether you are looking for herb garden ideas or pallet gardens, there are plenty of different types of gardening projects to choose from.

In this roundup, we’re thrilled to introduce you to over 50 innovative DIY gardening ideas perfect for small spaces. These ideas combine practicality, creativity, and sustainability, showing you how to create your own slice of paradise regardless of your available space. Whether you’re an expert botanist or a budding gardener, you will find an idea that piques your interest and fits your space.

Before we dive into various DIY projects for inspiration, let’s first briefly introduce the topic and discuss the basics of vertical gardening for those new to the concept and/or beginner gardeners.

Vertical Gardening Basics

What is a Vertical Garden?

In its simplest form, it is growing plants upward using various support structures rather than spreading them across the ground. This gardening style can include everything from sprawling ivies climbing up a trellis to carefully curated living walls within interior spaces. The key idea is to defy gravity and maximize the use of vertical space.

Benefits

  • Space Optimization: They allow you to utilize vertical spaces such as walls, fences, or balconies, making them perfect for homes with limited ground space.
  • Improved Air Quality: Plants naturally filter the air by absorbing carbon dioxide and other pollutants. Having more plants in a vertical layout can improve the air quality in your home or yard.
  • Aesthetic Appeal: They can transform a drab wall or an unused space into a dynamic focal point, adding color, texture, and beauty to your surroundings. They make great landscaping ideas for your yard.
  • Increased Biodiversity: These gardens can host a wide variety of plants in a relatively small area, promoting a rich biodiversity.
  • Temperature Regulation: In urban environments, they help regulate temperature, reducing the heat absorption of walls and helping to keep interiors cooler.
  • Noise Reduction: These gardens act as a sound barrier, absorbing and refracting sound waves, which is particularly useful in urban environments.
  • Easy Maintenance: Many of these types of gardens allow for more accessible plant care, with simplified watering and pruning.
  • Enhanced Privacy: They can act as a green screen, providing privacy.

What can you grow in a vertical garden?

They can host a wide variety of flora. From hardy succulents and aromatic herbs to lush ferns and vibrant flowers, your plant choices are vast and can be customized to your personal preferences and local climate.

  • flower gardens (annuals and perennials)
  • annual herbs
  • strawberries
  • cherry tomatoes
  • pole beans
  • carrots
  • garlic
  • onions
  • salad greens
  • radishes
  • peas
  • squash
  • succulents
  • vines and ivy
  • air plants and other small plants

What do you need to make a vertical garden?

Here are some essentials you will need for most DIY projects:

  • Vertical Structure or Support
  • Planters
  • Quality Soil
  • Plants
  • Gardening Tools
  • Watering System
  • Hardware for building and/or securing your garden
  • Fertilizer or Mulch (optional)

Keep in mind, these are general supplies that may be needed. Each specific project will have its own unique list of required materials.

When sourcing your materials, consider re-purposing items or buying second-hand to add an element of sustainability to your project. Not only will this be kinder to the environment, but it can also add a unique and personal touch.

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Photo Credit:hellocreativefamily.com

Upcycled Rainbow Pallet Flower Planter

This is a cheap and easy project that only requires pallets, paint, and some terra cotta pots. It’s a great choice if you don’t have a lot of room outdoors. It would even work for apartments or condos too! Whether you want to add some annuals or turn it into a herb garden, this would work well with a variety of different plants and flowers.

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Photo Credit:2momsandastartup.wordpress.com

Pallet Flower Garden

Another easy vertical pallet project using weed-blocking fabric and potting soil! This idea would work well for a variety of different types of plants and flowers. They used a mix of flowers and fresh herbs: petunias, begonia, vinca vine, lobelia, rosemary, oregano, basil, mint, and romaine lettuce. The mix of different types of plants creates a lot of visual interest with all the different shapes and colors.

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Photo Credit:www.pinkwhen.com

DIY Pallet Herb Planter

This planter is so cute and easy to set up. Just paint your old pallet any color you want, add some pretty labels and your choice of potted plants. You can store a lot of small pots here! It’s great for small spaces like patios, porches, balconies, and more!

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Photo Credit:lovelygreens.com

Pallet Cucumber Trellis

Transforming a pallet into a vertical trellis is so easy that it doesn’t even require any tools! There are a lot of benefits to keeping vegetables like cucumbers off the ground such as eliminating fungus or mold and making them easier to pick when it’s time to harvest. This would work with any climbing plants really! You don’t need a lot of space for this one either and it allows you to maximize your backyard space since you can plant some greens below the trellis.

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Photo Credit:homemadelovely.com

DIY Vertical Garden Wall

This stylish arbor garden is not only a decorative piece but also functional! It works great for areas without much space and makes a perfect backdrop of greenery for your porch or patio area. What makes this project unique is that it is a standalone wall. All you need is some cedar posts and planks along with wire netting and tools! While it does require a bit more effort, this beautifully designed wall garden is well worth it!

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Photo Credit:freshmommyblog.com

Hanging Herb Garden

These hanging planters would be perfect to hang from a ceiling in your kitchen. It only takes a few hours from start to finish! They are very aesthetically appealing and transform a boring wall into a lively yet natural space with edible greenery. This project would also be a great way to add an edible garden to your porch or small outdoor space.

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Photo Credit:theinspirationboard.com

Vertical Plant Hanger

This cute project is an easy way to display your succulents without taking up a ton of room. All you need is some scrap wood, rope, terra cotta pots, and some basic tools. The amazing idea behind these vertically-hanging succulents is that when you are watering, any excess water will drip onto the plant below.

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Photo Credit:thehorticult.com

Hanging Clay Pots for Your Plants

This idea made hanging your terra cotta pots much quicker and easier! It uses a special hanging kit that goes through the center but still allows drainage. It’s a good idea for indoor and outdoor use. Since it’s a kit, it has everything you need to assemble it. You can make it as big or as small as you want!

Add style to your outdoor space with this vertical wood wall planter. It only takes less than an hour and $20 to make! You only need some pine wood, rope, tools, paint, and pots to make this one! It is a great choice for a little greenery like these Vinca vines or even flowers for a pop of color that will add some visual appeal to a bare wall on your front or back porch.

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Photo Credit:goodshomedesign.com

Hanging Gutter Garden

Make an affordable garden by repurposing old gutters! It is a great way to take advantage of the vertical spaces around your home to grow various vegetables and plants. It also makes a stylish and budget-friendly space divider and privacy screen.

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Photo Credit:empressofdirt.net

Succulent Wall Planter

Transform old picture frames into a cute wall planter! It’s a frugal project allowing you to make a living wall without spending too much money. You can use succulents, annuals, or other shallow-root plants.

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Photo Credit:simplestylings.com

DIY Paint Can Herb Garden

Give your exterior wall a nautical makeover with this decorative design by reusing your paint cans! She uses edible plants so it’s great for someone without a green thumb and super simple to make and only requires wood board, paint cans, and cleats.

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Photo Credit:inspiredbycharm.com

Simple & Easy Herb Garden

Create some curb appeal with this outdoor wall garden. It is a super easy project that doesn’t require any tools or building and is made with a basic file organizer and coco liners. You can easily customize it with spray paint or labels to give it your personal touch too.

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Photo Credit:makinglemonadeblog.com

Container Herb Garden

Make vertical garden planters in 3 quick and easy steps! It will provide beauty and interest to your deck. All you need to do is hook up these organizer containers to a trellis and add your choice of flowers!

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Photo Credit:www.hertoolbelt.com

Hanging Gutter Planter and Stand

Make a stand for your plants with some gutters and 2x2s. The stand is lightweight and easy to move. Free building plans are included in this step-by-step tutorial. It would make a great privacy screen on the porch and patio too.

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Photo Credit:rebeccasbirdgardensblog.blogspot.com

Mason Jar Wall Herb Garden

It couldn’t be any simpler to make a stunning herb garden with this idea that just needs fence boards, hose clamps, and mason jars. This one definitely has a rustic design that would match country-style home decor if you chose to add it indoors.

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Photo Credit:angelamariemade.com

DIY Wall Planter Ladder

Add some charm to your back patio with this cute little wall planter. It’s absolutely simple to build and an affordable project that adds a big wow factor without taking up any floor space.

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Photo Credit:www.myrepurposedlife.com

Repurposed Shutter Succulent Wall Planter

Make a vibrant DIY planter by repurposing an old shutter. She uses chalk paint and plaster of Paris to make the colors stand out. Then, small galvanized buckets of succulents were added to create a farmhouse-styled planter.

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Photo Credit:www.drinkingwithchickens.com

Shoe Organizer Herb Planter

Using shoe organizers is a cheap way to build a vertical garden wall on a budget. You can fill the pockets with soil and plant directly in them. It doesn’t get any easier than that!

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Photo Credit:www.remodelaholic.com

DIY Monogram Planter Tutorial

Give your front porch some major curb appeal with this one. It includes a step-by-step tutorial and woodworking plans to build this in the initial of your choice. It’s a more detailed and costly DIY project but it is definitely quite stunning!

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Photo Credit:housefulofhandmade.com

DIY Garden with Drip Watering System

This cedar vertical garden has plenty to grow your favorite herbs and plants. The built-in drip irrigation system will make watering your vertical garden even simpler.

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Photo Credit:www.ana-white.com

Cedar Vertical Tiered Ladder Garden Planter

Build your own cedar vertical ladder planter for about $20 using cheap cedar fence pickets. It’s perfect for little backyards or patios or balconies – even if you live in a small apartment in the city.

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Photo Credit:www.thehandymansdaughter.com

DIY Vertical Garden Wall Planter with Plans

This is easy to build and fits on a deck or any small outdoor space. It will also hide eyesores like pipes or air conditioner units. The bottom box can be used as an additional planter or for outdoor garden storage!

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Photo Credit:weheartthis.com

Topsy Turvy Flower Planter

Make your outdoor space a little whimsical with these topsy turvy terra cotta pots. It is a striking DIY project that you can finish up in an afternoon to add visual drama to your landscape.

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Photo Credit:www.manmadediy.com

Space Saving Vertical Vegetable Planter

The vertical orientation lets you grow many veggies, herbs, and flowers in a tiny footprint. It is customizable to fit your space. All you require is a solid wall or fence to attach it to.

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Photo Credit:www.thecraftpatchblog.com

Fence Slats Vertical Planter

This one is made with cedar fencing and terra cotta pots and is the perfect way to grow herbs or flowers in little spaces or to add some height to the decor on your porch or patio.

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Photo Credit:www.thekimsixfix.com

PVC Pipe Vertical Garden

Create an affordable garden using two cedar fence boards and several PVC elbow joints as planters, which are cheaper than flower pots! To jazz them up, add some spray paint, and voila, a cute garden without needing space to plant anything.

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Photo Credit:www.creatingreallyawesomefunthings.com

How to Build a Vertical Planter

Liven up a blank backyard wall with this project. They look great natural or you can paint each one a different color for some added interest. You could even make the planter with store-bought crates too.

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Photo Credit:www.ashbeedesign.com

Flower Ladder Trellis

Add some curb appeal to your porch with this vertical trellis made out of black birch saplings. It’s perfect for corner space and can be modified year-round with different climbing plants for a seasonal look.

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Photo Credit:helpfulhomemade.com

DIY Vertical Planter Garden

This project is made from stair risers, planter boxes, and some wood. It’s a fairly simple project that will cost less than $100 and take about a day or less

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Photo Credit:chickenscratchny.com

Easy DIY T-Post Garden Trellis

This affordable DIY garden trellis is made with a few t-posts, zip ties, and tree branches so you can make this for next to nothing. It has a rustic style and it can be completed in just one afternoon.

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Photo Credit:www.stonegableblog.com

DIY Tower Gardens

Tower Gardens are a wonderful way to enjoy veggies, herbs, and flowers when you don’t have the space for a garden or don’t want the responsibility of a conventional garden. It grows 30% more plants and 30% faster with 98% less water.

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Photo Credit:hydrangeatreehouse.com

DIY Tiered Strawberry Planter

Plant some strawberries with this tiered raised garden bed. With 3 tiers of boxes, you can plant a lot so it’s great for small space gardening. If you have a patio or porch but want to grow edibles, strawberry is the best choice!

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Photo Credit:www.gardengatemagazine.com

Rain Gutter Movable Vertical Planter

This movable garden is made out of rain gutters makes it so easy to grow lettuce and other greens. Since it is movable, you can extend the growing season by moving them elsewhere in the colder months.

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Photo Credit:angelamariemade.com

Vertical DIY Plant Stand

Add some privacy to your backyard with this project. Have fun decorating it for different seasons by switching out the plants for fall, spring, and summer.

Conclusion

This roundup of gardening ideas is designed to inspire and guide you to create your own garden oasis, no matter how small or unconventional your space may be.

I hope you’ve found these ideas inspiring and are ready to roll up your sleeves and get your hands a little dirty.

I encourage you to embrace the process, let your creativity shine, and most importantly, have fun with it.

I’d love to hear about your experiences and see the beautiful, thriving spaces you create. Happy gardening!

Vertical Garden FAQs

The choice of plants largely depends on the specific setup and environmental conditions. Generally, small, hardy plants that don’t require deep rooting systems are ideal. Succulents, ferns, ivy, and certain herbs and vegetables work well. Always consider the light, water, and soil requirements of the plants you choose.

The watering frequency depends on several factors, including the type of plants, the climate, and the specific setup. However, because these types of gardens tend to dry out faster, they generally need to be watered more frequently than traditional gardens. It’s essential to monitor your plants regularly and adjust watering accordingly.

If your plants are not doing well, consider factors like light exposure, watering frequency, and the type of plants you’ve chosen. It may be that your plants are not getting enough light, or perhaps they’re getting too much. Overwatering or underwater watering can also be a problem.

  1. Tomatoes: With a trellis or cage for support, determinate and indeterminate tomato varieties can grow vertically well.
  2. Cucumbers: Cucumbers need support like a trellis or cage to grow vertically like tomatoes.
  3. Peas and Beans: Peas and beans naturally want to climb and are excellent choices.
  4. Zucchini and Squash: While these plants can take up quite a bit of room, with a robust support system (like a sturdy trellis), they can be trained to grow upwards.
  5. Spinach and Lettuce: These leafy greens don’t necessarily climb but are shallow-rooted and can be grown in vertical pocket planters or tiers.
  6. Peppers: Peppers can thrive vertically, especially in hanging planters or vertical stacks of pots.
  7. Strawberries: Strawberries are perfect for vertical gardens as they don’t require much root space. They work well in hanging baskets, vertical pouches, or stacked planters.
  8. Herbs: Many herbs, including basil, parsley, thyme, rosemary, and others, are well-suited for vertical gardening due to their small size.

Remember, the success of these vegetables will depend on the specific conditions of your garden, such as the amount of sunlight it gets, the quality of your soil, and how regularly it’s watered. Always keep the specific needs of each vegetable in mind when planning your garden.

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Vertical gardening is a popular trend that allows individuals to maximize their indoor and outdoor space by growing plants upward using various support structures. It is especially beneficial for those with limited ground space, such as apartments, patios, small yards, and balconies. Vertical gardens utilize walls and unused space, transforming them into dynamic focal points that add color, texture, and beauty to the surroundings. They offer several advantages, including space optimization, improved air quality, aesthetic appeal, increased biodiversity, temperature regulation, noise reduction, easy maintenance, and enhanced privacy.

Vertical gardens can host a wide variety of plants, including flower gardens (annuals and perennials), annual herbs, strawberries, cherry tomatoes, pole beans, carrots, garlic, onions, salad greens, radishes, peas, squash, succulents, vines and ivy, air plants, and other small plants.

To create a vertical garden, you will need a vertical structure or support, planters, quality soil, plants, gardening tools, a watering system, hardware for building and/or securing your garden, and optionally, fertilizer or mulch. It's important to note that specific projects may require additional materials.

Now, let's take a look at some DIY vertical garden ideas for small spaces:

  1. Upcycled Rainbow Pallet Flower Planter: This project involves using pallets, paint, and terra cotta pots to create a colorful and space-saving flower planter [[27]].

  2. Pallet Flower Garden: Another pallet project that utilizes weed-blocking fabric and potting soil. This idea allows for a mix of flowers and fresh herbs, creating visual interest with different shapes and colors [[28]].

  3. DIY Pallet Herb Planter: This planter is perfect for small spaces like patios, porches, and balconies. Simply paint an old pallet, add pretty labels, and choose your favorite potted herbs [[29]].

  4. Pallet Cucumber Trellis: Transform a pallet into a vertical trellis for cucumbers or other climbing plants. This project helps eliminate fungus or mold and maximizes backyard space [[30]].

  5. DIY Vertical Garden Wall: Create a standalone wall garden using cedar posts, planks, wire netting, and tools. This stylish arbor garden acts as a decorative piece and a functional backdrop of greenery for your porch or patio area [[31]].

  6. Hanging Herb Garden: Hang these aesthetically appealing planters from your kitchen ceiling or porch. They provide an edible garden space with fresh herbs [[32]].

  7. Vertical Plant Hanger: Display your succulents in a vertical hanging planter made from scrap wood, rope, terra cotta pots, and basic tools. The excess water from watering will drip onto the plant below [[33]].

  8. Hanging Clay Pots for Your Plants: Use a special hanging kit to hang terra cotta pots, allowing for easy drainage. This idea works well for indoor and outdoor use [[34]].

  9. Wood Planter for the Wall: Add style to your outdoor space with a vertical wood wall planter made from pine wood, rope, tools, paint, and pots. It's a great choice for adding greenery and visual appeal to a bare wall [[35]].

  10. Hanging Gutter Garden: Repurpose old gutters to create an affordable garden that takes advantage of vertical spaces. This project is ideal for growing various vegetables and plants and can also act as a privacy screen [[36]].

These are just a few examples of DIY vertical garden ideas. The possibilities are endless, and you can customize your garden based on your preferences and available space. Remember to consider the specific needs of the plants you choose, such as light exposure, watering frequency, and root space requirements.

I hope these ideas inspire you to create your own vertical garden oasis. Remember to have fun, embrace the process, and let your creativity shine. Happy gardening!

60 DIY Vertical Garden Ideas for Small Spaces (2024)
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