A vertical garden is an innovative way to grow plants and conserve space. It can provide an aesthetically pleasing environment as well as improve the air quality in your home. Plants can also block high frequency sounds to help reduce intrusive noise from a raucous environment. An indoor vertical garden is a virtual art form, limited only by your imagination, and can be constructed in a multitude of sizes, shapes and configurations. The supporting structure can be created from a wide range of materials such as wood, iron or wire. Alternatively, you can simply suspended plants from tiered nylon lines to form a wall. Your vertical garden can be comprised of lush greenery, flowering plants, herbs or edible fruits and vegetables. With proper care, it will flourish and become an exquisite living masterpiece.
Selecting Plants
An indoor vertical garden can consist of most any type of plant; however, some grow better under certain lighting conditions. For example, ornamental plants such as snake plants, golden pothos and philodendrom grow well in low light conditions while poinsettias, English ivy and bromeliads thrive under medium light. Grapes, blueberries, tomatoes and cucumbers are fruits that will flourish in dim light. Vegetables such as cabbage, broccoli, carrots and sweet potatoes will also grow well with minimal lighting. Peas and beans can be grown indoors but will not produce as well as in direct sunlight. If you’re new to gardening, some of the easier plants to grow indoors include spider plants, button ferns and peace lilies. For fruits and vegetables, lettuce, tomatoes and herbs are good choices.
Growing Containers
The type and size of container used for growing will depend on the plants you choose and the vertical structure you have designed. Window boxes and large stainless steel containers allow plants to be grouped together. Terracotta clay pots come in all sizes and are quite versatile. They allow individual plants to be positioned about the vertical structure. You can create colorful mosaics with ceramic pots and stoneware. Plastic pots and planters are available in a wide assortment of colors and are more lightweight than clay or ceramic containers. The roots of your plants will benefit from improved aeration in pressed paper containers. These planters are biodegradable and typically need to be replaced every year, but they’re quite inexpensive. Coir planters are made from coconut shells and can be found in a variety of sizes, shapes and colors. They offer many of the benefits of pressed paper containers but are more durable.
Preparing Soil
The soil provides nutrients needed for your plants to grow. The potting soil you purchase from a garden center is primarily composed of peat moss. While it does offer the advantage of remaining loosely packed to allow oxygen to reach the roots, it is often low on nutrients and dries out quickly. Preparing your own potting blend will provide an environment rich with minerals where your plants will thrive. Annual flowers will fare better in a soil mixture of two parts peat moss with one part compost. For lettuce and tomato, mix one part peat moss, one part garden soil, and one part compost. Add slow release fertilizers to the soil regularly.
Choosing a Vertical Structure
The frame for your vertical garden can be constructed from wood, metal or stone. You can use a trellis, lattice panel or any type of recycled materials. One of the simplest ways to create the structure for a vertical garden is to attach chicken wire to an old frame. You can also tier nylon fishing line for hanging baskets. Construct shelves along a wall to serve as planters or install a simple metal framework to support plant containers. Use the arrangement of plants to form triangles, circles and other geometric designs to provide even greater interest. Make sure the structure is strong enough to support the weight of the plants.
Watering Systems
As with all plants, your vertical garden will need to be watered regularly. You can choose to do this manually or install an automatic irrigation system. If you choose to water the plants yourself, there are a number of apps available that allow you to set a reminder. When opting for an irrigation system, you can choose to purchase a complete system or buy the parts to construct it yourself. A waterproof mat will protect your floor from water damage.
Lighting for Indoor Gardens
Lighting is essential for an indoor vertical garden. Incandescent lighting is not bright enough to grow plants and generates a great deal of heat. You will also need to install grow lights to produce healthy plants. Fluorescent lights work well for seedlings, greens and herbs but don’t produce sufficient light for fruit bearing plants. High intensity discharge (HID) lights are more efficient than fluorescent lights but are more expensive. LED’s are incredibly bright and can be found in blue and red. These are the only wavelengths plants absorb; therefore, they are much more efficient. Like, HID’s, LED’s are more expensive, but their greater efficiency and longevity can add up to substantial cost savings.
Caring for Your Vertical Garden
Your vertical garden will require consistent maintenance to keep it healthy and maintain its appearance. Periodically, you will need to remove dead leaves and flowers and prune the plants to make room for new growth. Some plants tend to grow out and must be trained to grow vertically. You may need to tie or clip them to the structure. If you use an irrigation system, you should inspect the pump and timer regularly to ensure they are functioning properly.
