The Overall Best Vertical Garden Plants to Grow

By Calin Oancea and Florin Gabriel

4/12/20246 min read

Vertical gardens are an innovative and sustainable way to cultivate plants in limited spaces. We found that choosing the right plants is very important for a successful vertical garden.

In this article, we will reveal 9 of the best plants for vertical gardening which we grew by ourselves so we have experience with them, but also their unique characteristics and growing needs.

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vertical garden plants with big green leaves
vertical garden plants with big green leaves
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one leafy Pothos plant growing vertically
one leafy Pothos plant growing vertically

Pothos

Known for its heart-shaped leaves and air-purifying abilities, Pothos is a low-maintenance ornamental plant that contrasts beautifully in hanging baskets or vertical gardens. Pothos, a versatile plant reaching lengths of 1-2 m (3-6 ft), and after growing it ourselves indoors we saw that is better for indoor vertical gardens and prefers indirect light and well-drained soil.

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multiple long and green Spider Plant leaves growing together
multiple long and green Spider Plant leaves growing together

Spider Plant

Spider Plant, reaching lengths of 30-60 cm (12-24 in), is a popular choice for indoor spaces similar to Pothos. We concluded that it prefers well-drained soil and indirect light. Known for its easy propagation, Spider Plant adds a dynamic element with its long leaves and baby plantlets.

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dark green English Ivy leaves climbing up a wall
dark green English Ivy leaves climbing up a wall

English Ivy

English Ivy, with its ability to climb up to 20-30 m (65-100 ft), is a classic choice for vertical gardens. It prefers partial to full shade and well-drained soil. This evergreen vine is known for being a dense and leafy foliage plant, which provides year-round greenery and air-purifying qualities, making it ideal for both indoor and outdoor vertical gardens.

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multiple vertical garden Swiss Chese Plant leaves
multiple vertical garden Swiss Chese Plant leaves

Swiss Cheese Plant

Its distinctive split leaves create a dramatic tropical effect, making it a popular choice for adding a bold, green statement to any vertical garden or as a tropical garden plant. Swiss Cheese Plant, reaching heights of 2-3 m (6-10 ft) indoors, is ideal for larger vertical gardens. It likes indirect light and well-drained soil ideal for shade hanging basket settings.

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a tiny green Echeveria succulent
a tiny green Echeveria succulent

Succulents

We saw that scculents, such as Echeveria and Sedum, are excellent for vertical gardens because of their low water needs and compact size. When you are vertically growing these small plants for containers and pods you need to give them full sun to partial shade and well-drained soil. These plants come up in varied colors and shapes and are a popular choice for tinyer, modern, low-maintenance vertical gardens.

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multiple green Fern stems with a bunch of tiny leaves
multiple green Fern stems with a bunch of tiny leaves

Ferns

These shade garden plants, ranging widely in size, prefer shady areas and consistently moist soil. They're excellent for creating a thriving woodland garden and are known for their air-purifying qualities. Ferns add a nice appearance to any shady spot in the garden.

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pink flowers in a tropical garden called Begonias
pink flowers in a tropical garden called Begonias

Begonias

Begonias, with a range of 15-60 cm (6-24 in) in height, are great for adding color to vertical gardens. They prefer well-drained soil and partial shade. With their vibrant flowers and lush foliage, Begonias are ideal for creating a visually striking vertical display in woodlands or shaded vertical gardens.

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one lavender stem with pink flowers
one lavender stem with pink flowers

Lavender

Lavender is one of the best herbs, with its fragrant flowers, grows 30-90 cm (1-3 ft) tall. This evergreen herb prefers full sun and well-drained soil. The purple flowering evergreen bush is celebrated for its calming properties and is widely used in aromatherapy and as an herbal plant for cooking. Its vibrant blooms bring beauty and a soothing aroma to gardens and it's worth adding to your herb list.

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green vertical garden Cerry Tomatoes
green vertical garden Cerry Tomatoes

Cherry Tomatoes

Cherry Tomatoes, ideal for edible vertical gardens, can grow up to 1.5-2 m (5-6.5 ft) in height. They prefer full sun and well-drained soil. These small, flavorful tomatoes are perfect for vertical growing, providing both a culinary treat and a splash of color. Regular pruning and support help manage their growth in a vertical setup for most vertical garden benefits.

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Sources

Nature and Sustainability uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, and other fact-dense and highly trusted sources to support the facts that we use in our articles. Please read our editorial policy to learn more about how we keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy. 

  1. Begonia: How to Grow Begonia Plants (10+ Care Tips) | Garden Design

  2. Pothos: Epipremnum aureum (Devil's Ivy, Devil's Vine, Golden Pothos, Ivy Arum, Marble Queen, Pothos, Taro Vine) | North Carolina Extension Gardener Plant Toolbox (ncsu.edu)

  3. Cherry Tomatoes: Tomato | Description, Cultivation, & History | Britannica

  4. Lavender: How to Plant and Grow Lavender (bhg.com)

  5. Succulents: Succulent plant - Wikipedia

  6. English Ivy: Hedera helix | North Carolina Extension Gardener Plant Toolbox (ncsu.edu)

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Calin Oancea
Calin Oancea
Green Box
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Article By:

Calin has been in the garden industry for 5 years and knows a lot about gardening and plants. He owns this website and is responsible for most of the content.

Reviewed By:

Florin, a more technical guy, is responsible for the design, reviewing the articles and making improvements, and optimizing for SEO so that everything we publish looks deam good.