35 Unique Vertical Garden Ideas for Indoor and Outdoor Spaces
Get inspired by these creative DIY ideas for your balcony and other small spaces.
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If you consider yourself to be a plant mom, you likely have a few succulents or florals in your home. And if you're looking for new and creative ways to transform your small or large garden into the oasis of your dreams, there are an array of vertical garden ideas that'll showcase your plants' beautiful colors and textures. These arrangements even work for large or small spaces such as a balcony.
Whether you're hunting for decorating ideas for a dreamy backyard or budget-friendly small garden ideas for your home, our list has simple yet eye-catching options for your plant setup. After finding some of the best summer flowers to plant in your garden or preferred fall vegetable and floral options, it's time to start the decorating process. Some of these ideas are simple and DIY-based (from potted hanging planters to upcycled face-painted containers for any herb or houseplant), while others might take more time (including the vertical herb garden and copper pipe hanging planters). Regardless of the vertical gardening system you choose, it's sure to make a statement.
And for even more plant and gardening tips, check out these year-round evergreen shrubs, indoor herb garden kits, air-purifying kitchen plants and this step-by-step guide to repotting your plants without killing them.
Upcycled Vertical Planters
Believe it or not, you can easily reuse trash bins as planters to dress up a wall or fence. All it takes is rope or twine. If you want to amp up the look, paint them in a bold hue.
DIY Vertical Plant Stand
Since this stand is outdoors, the blogger used cedar wood for the build. Wall planter hooks are used to keep white painted pots in place.
Potted Hanging Planters
One of the easiest vertical gardens to recreate is one where hanging planters are used. Go for patterned ceramic holders and be sure to tie them securely with rope.
Upcycled Wood Pallet
There's beauty in simplicity. For this design, use hanging cup holders as planters and arrange them in a fun pattern on a wooden mount.
Hanging Diamond Planters
This idea is ideal for single small succulents or air plants. It's an easy way to hang your plants in any part of the room, without taking up too much space.
DIY Wooden Box Wall Planter
Amateur crafters can make their own planter using small wood pieces. Create the base to rest the plant in, then hammer your creation to the fence or wall.
Hanging Globe Planters
Perfect for displaying live and artificial plants in your space, this hanging planter has a minimalist yet elegant design. Showcase an array in one section of the room or hang them from your porch ceiling.
Asymmetrical Fence Garden
Try using the same color and size planters for your florals. Nail them to your fence in an asymmetrical pattern. For a more ordered design, use a variation of the same blooms.
Hanging Water Bottle Planters
Don't throw away your empty bottles or cartons just yet. Cut open the bottom part to place your plant and paint faces on the bottle's front. Use rope to dangle them anywhere in your indoor or outdoor space.
Shoe Organizer Garden
Reuse an old over-the-door shoe organizer as planters. Hang it on the fence or wall, and fill the compartments with dirt to display ferns, vines and other forms of greenery.
SHOP SHOE ORGANIZERS
Succulent Shutters
Use new or purchased shutters to display your greenery. Lean them against the wall and fill the slots with mosses or succulents.
Vertical Bottle Planters
After painting, cut out the front part of the bottle. Place your soil inside, along with your plant. Poke small holes at the bottom for drainage. Use rope or twine to position your new planters vertically on a pole, stick or fence.
Raised Flower Beds
If you don't have room for a garden plot, try a raised garden instead. Set your storage tools on the bottom and let your blooms soak up the sunlight on top.
Plant Wall
An indoor or outdoor plant wall makes a gorgeous decorative statement. They're especially ideal if you lack floor space for greenery or have empty walls to fill.
Lattice Green Wall
Instead of letting your plants overtake an entire wall, create a geometric pattern for a unique look. Wrap vines around wire and use hooks to keep the wire positioned in the desired form.
Vertical Herb Garden
Make your own vertical herb garden using landscape fabric. The heavy-duty material will keep your plant babies secure in your DIY pouches.
Hanging Mason Jar Planters
Transform empty and old mason jars into picture-perfect hanging planters. Tie them to wood beams on the ceilings with rope, making sure they're securely fastened around the mason jars to prevent them from falling.
Stacked Recycled Tires
Turn tires into colorful flower pots for your garden. First, spray paint them in your preferred color. Then, use cardboard as your base to keep soil from spilling and plant your blooms inside. Stack them on top of each other for a layered look.
Plastic Drain Pipe Wall Planters
Connect plastic drain pipes together in your desired pattern. Fill the slots with potting mix and plant your greenery upwards. Make sure to drill small holes under the planting slots to help with drainage.
Vertical Cheese Graters
If you thought cheese graters were just for the kitchen, think again. Wire can be used to attach cheese graters to a wooden beam or pole. After adding soil and flowers, your vertical garden is complete. The holes in the grater also aid with drainage.
Mariah Thomas (she/her) is an assistant editor for Good Housekeeping, where she covers home and lifestyle content. Mariah has more than four years of editorial experience, having written for TLC, Apartment Therapy, Women's Health and Avocado Magazine. She received her master's degree in journalism at the Craig Newmark Graduate School of Journalism and published her first book, Heart and Soul: Poems of Thoughts and Emotions, in 2019. She's also the founder of RTF Community, a platform for creatives of color to connect, learn and showcase their work.
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