6 Vertical Garden DIYs for Small Summer Spaces

Finding space for plants is tough when your home or patio is tiny, right? With a vertical garden, you can still enjoy greenery and flowers—even in the smallest corners.

I love how vertical gardens don’t need much room but instantly brighten up a wall or fence. They really bring nature closer, no matter how limited your space feels.

1) Stacked Wooden Pallet Planter

Wooden pallets are everywhere, and honestly, they make perfect planters for small spaces. With just one pallet, you can turn a plain wall or balcony rail into a mini jungle.

First, pick a pallet that isn’t falling apart. Sand it down to avoid splinters—nobody wants a surprise jab while planting.

To create planting pockets, line the back and bottom of each row with landscape fabric or burlap. The fabric keeps the soil in but lets water drain out, which is key.

I secure the fabric with a staple gun and fill each row with potting soil. For plants, I go for herbs, succulents, or small flowers since they don’t need much soil.

Hang or lean the pallet in a sunny spot. If you’re clumsy like me, brackets or hooks help keep it stable.

I water the plants more often in summer because vertical gardens dry out fast. Watching the pallet fill out with green makes my small space feel a bit more wild.

The best part? It’s cheap, quick, and you get to squeeze more plants into less space.

2) Hanging Herb Garden with Mason Jars

Growing fresh herbs is one of my favorite things, even when space is tight. A hanging herb garden with mason jars is a lifesaver for balconies, patios, or sunny walls.

Grab some clean mason jars and strong wire or twine. For good drainage, toss a layer of pebbles or gravel at the bottom before adding soil.

Fill the jars with potting soil and plant herbs like basil, mint, or parsley. Wrap wire or twine around the neck of each jar to make a loop for hanging.

Hang the jars from a wooden board, metal rack, or sturdy hooks on a wall or fence. Just make sure the spot gets plenty of sun—herbs love the light.

Check the soil daily and water when it’s dry. The clear jars actually help you see when things are too wet or too dry, which is kind of handy.

This hanging garden adds a little green and a lot of flavor to your meals. Plus, it’s a fun way to try new herbs and grow something at home, even if you don’t have a yard.

3) Vertical Succulent Wall Frame

A vertical succulent wall frame can turn any boring wall into a living piece of art. It’s a real space-saver and brings a bit of green to apartments or balconies. Succulents are seriously low-maintenance, which is a bonus if you forget to water sometimes.

To start, you’ll need a wooden picture frame and some wire mesh. Staple the mesh to the back, then fill the frame with soil and top it off with sphagnum moss to keep everything in place.

Poke little holes in the moss and gently tuck in your favorite succulents. Make sure the roots touch the soil and the plants are snug so they don’t fall out. Mixing different types—like echeveria and sedum—makes it pop.

Hang your frame on a sunny wall or prop it up outside. Watering? Just a light mist once a week does the trick.

This DIY is both a garden and a cool wall decoration. You can move it around if you want a change of scenery. It’s simple, low-maintenance, and perfect for small areas.

4) Recycled Tire Vertical Planter

I’m all for reusing old stuff, especially when it comes to gardening. A recycled tire vertical planter is a quirky way to add greenery to tight spots. It barely takes up any room and lets you grow flowers, herbs, or even a few veggies.

Start by cleaning an old tire—really scrub it. Paint it with something bright and weatherproof for a splash of color. Drill a few holes in the bottom for drainage.

Hang the tire on a sturdy wall or fence with strong hooks or rope. Once it’s up, fill the bottom with soil. Make sure there’s enough dirt so the roots have space.

Pick plants that don’t need deep soil—petunias, basil, or succulents work great. Tuck them into the tire opening and cover the roots well.

Watering is simple—just pour water from the top and let it soak down. The tire holds moisture, but check the plants every few days, especially if it’s hot.

This project is a fun way to recycle and add a pop of color to your garden wall or balcony. Plus, it keeps tires out of the landfill and gives you more planting space.

5) DIY PVC Pipe Strawberry Tower

A PVC pipe strawberry tower is honestly genius for small spaces. It barely takes up any floor space and lets strawberries grow all around. It’s a fun weekend project that won’t drain your wallet.

You just need a big PVC pipe, a drill, and some good soil. Drill holes along the sides, spaced out a bit, so each hole can hold a strawberry plant.

Fill the pipe with soil, then plant strawberries in each hole. The roots grow inside, while the leaves and berries poke out for sunlight. Place the tower somewhere sunny—balconies work great.

Watering is a breeze. Pour water into the top and let it trickle down to reach all the plants. The tower keeps berries off the ground, so there’s less rot and fewer bugs.

I love that it uses vertical space instead of spreading out. Harvesting is easy—just pick berries right from the sides.

Making my own PVC pipe tower felt pretty creative. It’s an easy way to get fresh berries, even if you don’t have a garden. Friends always ask about it when they see strawberries growing in such a tiny space.

6) Wall-mounted Shoe Organizer Garden

Who knew a hanging shoe organizer could be a vertical garden? The pockets are just right for small plants, herbs, or flowers. I hung mine on a sunny outdoor wall.

I picked a fabric shoe organizer for easy drainage. Each pocket got potting soil and a seedling or seeds. I poked a few holes in the bottom of each pocket for extra drainage—trust me, it helps.

Watering is easy—just pour a little into each pocket. It keeps plants organized and off the ground, so there’s more space for everything else.

For fun, I picked organizers with bright patterns. I even labeled the pockets so I’d remember what’s growing where.

Herbs like basil, parsley, and mint thrive in these pockets. Leafy greens and small flowers do well too. I check them daily to keep the soil moist, especially if the weather is scorching.

Putting one up takes just a few minutes. All you need is a hook or a nail to hang it. Plus, it’s easy to move if you want to rearrange your garden.

Perfect for renters or anyone who can’t dig up the yard. I love watching my shoe organizer garden fill out week by week.

Key Benefits of Vertical Gardens

Vertical gardens are honestly a game-changer for small spaces. I like how they add more greenery and make outdoor areas look so much more inviting.

Maximizing Limited Outdoor Space

Small patios or balconies can make gardening feel impossible. But with a vertical garden, you can grow flowers, herbs, or even veggies without giving up precious floor space.

Attach planters to a wall, hang pots from a fence, or use a tall trellis. Suddenly, those empty walls or porch railings become useful.

With vertical gardening, walkways stay clear, but you still get that lush look. Even a plain wall can become a green feature, and there’s more room left for relaxing or hanging out.

Here’s a quick breakdown:

Growing Style	Floor Space Needed
Horizontal	More
Vertical	Less

It really does make having a garden possible, even when you’re tight on space.

Boosting Curb Appeal and Home Value

A green wall or stacked planter always gets attention from neighbors. Adding a vertical garden makes any space look more cared for and organized.

With colorful or unique plants, you can show off your style. Well-kept vertical gardens give the impression that your place is tidy and loved, which is nice if you ever want to rent or sell.

A few perks:

• Draw attention to boring outdoor spots
• Make entryways friendlier
• Show off smart use of space
• Help visitors and buyers get a good first impression

It’s honestly a quick way to make your small space stand out.

Essential Tips for Small Space Gardening

Gardening in a small space isn’t always easy. Smart plant choices and the right watering solutions really help keep things healthy and manageable.

Choosing the Right Plants for Compact Areas

When space is limited, I go for plants that grow up or stay neat. Herbs like basil, thyme, and mint are perfect—they don’t take over, and you can snip them fresh.

Succulents are another favorite because they’re small and basically take care of themselves. I also look for plants labeled “dwarf,” “mini,” or “compact.” They’re made for tight spaces and containers.

Some flowers, like petunias and marigolds, do great in hanging pots and add a splash of color. For edibles, lettuce and radishes can squeeze into corners and are super easy to harvest.

Here’s a quick plant guide I use:

Type	Popular Choices
Herbs	Basil, Mint, Thyme
Flowers	Petunias, Marigolds
Veggies	Lettuce, Radish
Succulents	Echeveria, Sedum

Efficient Watering and Drainage Solutions

Watering in small gardens can be a bit of a puzzle sometimes. Personally, I rely on self-watering pots to keep my plants from drying out or drowning.

These pots stash some water at the bottom, so the plants just soak up what they want. It’s a relief not having to guess if they’re thirsty or not.

I always double-check that my containers have drainage holes. That way, the roots don’t end up sitting in a puddle and turning mushy.

A layer of gravel or small stones at the bottom of each pot helps extra water escape. It’s a simple trick, but it works.

For hanging or wall gardens, I usually mist my plants early in the morning. Using a spray bottle gives me more control and helps prevent soggy soil.

Light, regular watering just seems to work better than dumping a ton of water all at once.

Frequently Asked Questions

Vertical gardens are pretty great for saving space and bringing a bit of green to patios, balconies, or even inside. Here are a few questions I get about building and caring for a vertical garden.

What are some creative vertical garden designs for small outdoor areas?

I’m a fan of stacked wooden pallets—they actually fit on narrow balconies. Hanging planters or even old shoe organizers have all these little pockets for plants.

I’ve seen folks stack up recycled tires to make sturdy, vertical planters. It’s a bit quirky, but it works!

How can you set up an indoor vertical garden in limited space?

Mason jars mounted on a wooden board are perfect for herbs or small houseplants. I like to hang these near my kitchen window.

Free-standing vertical frames or those little fabric pocket planters can tuck behind doors or into corners.

What are the best plants for a vertical garden in a small space?

Herbs like basil, parsley, and mint are my go-tos. Succulents are low-maintenance and look really neat in frames.

For veggies, I usually stick with compact ones like strawberries or lettuce.

Can you recommend any DIY vertical gardening systems suitable for beginners?

Honestly, a vertical succulent wall frame or a pallet planter is a solid place to start. They’re easy to build with basic tools and you can move them if you need to.

The DIY PVC pipe strawberry tower is also a fun project that doesn’t take much effort.

How can I create a vertical herb garden similar to the ones at IKEA?

I use hanging metal rails, buckets, or mason jars. Attaching them to walls or balcony railings with hooks or screws keeps my herbs close by and saves floor space.

It’s simple, but honestly, it makes a big difference.

What are some tips for growing a vertical vegetable garden in a tiny area?

Honestly, I stick with fast-growing, compact veggies—lettuce, spinach, radishes, that sort of thing. They just seem to thrive in smaller spots.

Sunlight makes a huge difference, so I try to set everything up where it’ll actually get a good dose. Watering regularly helps, but not too much.

Planters with good drainage are a must. Soggy roots are just bad news for most plants.

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