Vertical gardens are a beautiful and practical way to add greenery to your home or outdoor space. These gardens are created by planting a variety of plants on a vertical surface, such as a wall, trellis, or hanging planter.
Not all plants are suitable for a vertical garden, so it’s important to choose the right ones to ensure your garden thrives. In this article, we will discuss some great non-fruit bearing plants for a vertical garden.
What are some common plants to grow in a vertical garden?
There are many types of plants that can be grown in a vertical garden. Some common types include: ferns, succulents, ivy, herbs, vines, air plants, moss, and sedges.
Each of these plants come in a variety of sizes and shapes, making them a great option for a vertical garden.
Ferns
Ferns are great for vertical gardens because they have delicate, lacy leaves that drape beautifully. Some popular varieties for vertical gardens include Boston ferns and bird’s nest ferns.
What are ferns?
Ferns are a group of vascular plants that reproduce via spores and have feathery, leafy fronds. They are considered to be one of the most ancient groups of plants, with fossils dating back to the Late Devonian period, about 360 million years ago.
Ferns are known for their distinctive, fern-like leaves, which are typically green, but can also be bronze, silver, or even black. They do not have flowers or seeds, and instead reproduce through spores, which are produced on the undersides of their leaves.
Ferns are found all over the world, in a variety of habitats, including forests, meadows, and even deserts. There are over 12,000 known species of ferns, ranging in size from tiny, ground-hugging plants to towering trees.
Ferns are often used as ornamental plants and are popular choices for gardens, terrariums and indoor decoration.
Succulents
Succulents are popular for vertical gardens because they are low maintenance and can tolerate a wide range of temperatures and light conditions. Some popular succulents for vertical gardens include Echeveria and Sedum.
What are succulents?
Succulents are a type of plant that have thick, fleshy leaves, stems or roots that store water, allowing them to survive in arid or semi-arid climates. They are known for their ability to store water in their leaves, stems, and roots, which allows them to survive in dry or desert-like conditions.
Succulents are found in a variety of habitats around the world, but are particularly well adapted to desert environments. There are many different types of succulents, including cacti, agave, aloe, and echeveria.
They come in many different shapes, sizes, and colors, making them popular choices for indoor and outdoor gardens and as houseplants.
Many succulents are easy to care for, and can thrive with minimal watering, making them a good choice for people who may not have a green thumb. They are drought-tolerant and can survive in extreme temperature conditions. They are also popular in terrariums, rock gardens, and as ground covers.
Ivy
Ivy is a great plant for vertical gardens because it is a fast grower and can cover a large area quickly. It also helps to purify the air and can act as a natural air conditioner. English ivy and Boston ivy are popular choices for vertical gardens.
What is ivy?
Ivy is a type of climbing vine that is known for its ability to grow up walls, trees and other structures. Ivy has simple, glossy leaves that can be either evergreen or deciduous, depending on the species. Their aerial roots allow these plants to cling to surfaces.
Ivy is a popular ornamental plant that can be found in many gardens and landscapes. It can be used to cover walls, fences, trellises and other surfaces.
There are many different species of ivy such as English ivy which is a popular evergreen species that is often used in landscaping. English ivy is known for its dark green leaves, which can grow up to 4 inches long. Boston ivy is another popular species, which is known for its red fall foliage.
Ivy can also be used in indoor decoration, since it is easy to grow as a houseplant and is known to be low maintenance.
Some species of ivy is invasive and can damage the surface they are climbing on, especially if not maintained. Therefore it is important to choose the appropriate species and maintain them properly.
Herbs
Herbs are a great addition to a vertical garden because they not only add beauty, but they are also practical. You can grow herbs like basil, parsley, and thyme in a vertical garden and use them in your cooking.
What are herbs?
Herbs are typically small, non-woody plants that are used for a wide range of purposes, including cooking, medicine, and perfumes. They have been valued for thousands of years in many cultures around the world.
Herbs can be annual, perennial or biennial plants, and can be propagated through seeds, cuttings or division. They can be grown in a variety of settings, including gardens, containers, and indoors.
Some popular herbs include basil, rosemary, thyme, mint, cilantro, parsley, and dill. They are often used in cooking to add flavor and aroma to dishes.
Herbs are also used in spiritual practices, as well as, to make teas and essential oils.
Some herbal medicinal properties are supported by scientific research. For example, basil is known to have anti-inflammatory properties, and mint is used to help with digestion.
Vines
Vines are great for vertical gardens because they can be trained to grow up a wall, trellis, or other vertical surface. Some popular choices for vertical gardens include sweet pea, trumpet vine, and black-eyed Susan.
What are vines?
Vines are plants that have long, thin stems that grow along the ground or climb up other structures, such as walls, fences, trees, or trellises. They can be either woody or herbaceous plants and have the ability to cling or wrap themselves around other plants or structures.
Vines can be either perennial or annual plants and can be propagated through seeds, cuttings, or layering.
Vines are often used in landscaping, gardening and indoor decoration for their ability to cover walls, fences, trellises and other surfaces, providing a lush and green look. They can also be used to create natural shade or to provide privacy.
Some vines can be used as food crops, such as grapevine, kiwi, and passion fruit and also as a source of medicine and supplements, such as Ginkgo biloba, which is used to improve memory and cognitive function.
A few popular types of vine plants include ivy, grapevines, wisteria, honeysuckle, and clematis.
Similar to ivy, some species of vines can be invasive, resulting in damage to other plants or structures. Therefore, it is important to choose the appropriate species for the location and maintain them properly.
Air plants
Air plants are great for vertical gardens because they don’t need soil to grow. They can be attached to a variety of surfaces, such as a wall or hanging planter.
What are air plants?
Air plants, also known as Tillandsia, are a type of epiphytic bromeliad that are native to the tropical and subtropical regions of the Americas. They are called “air plants” because they do not require soil to grow, instead, they absorb nutrients and moisture from the air through their leaves. This adaptation allows them to grow on other plants, rocks, or even on man-made structures like wires or nails.
Air plants have long, thin leaves that can be green, silver, or a combination of both. They come in a wide variety of shapes and sizes, from small, compact varieties to large, cascading varieties. They are known for their ability to survive in a wide range of conditions, making them a popular choice for indoor gardens.
Air plants are very low maintenance plants, they only require occasional misting or soaking in water, and bright, indirect light. They can be grown in a variety of settings, including terrariums, hanging baskets, or even mounted on a piece of wood or other natural material.
It’s worth noting that air plants are not suitable for climates that are extremely cold or hot, and dry, they also require specific humidity levels to thrive.
Moss
Moss is a great plant for vertical gardens because it thrives in shady, damp conditions. It can be used to create a lush, green wall, and it doesn’t require a lot of maintenance.
What is moss?
Moss is a type of non-vascular plant belonging to the division Bryophyta, which typically grows in damp, shady environments, such as forests, meadows, and along stream banks.
Mosses are relatively small plants, usually growing to only a few centimeters in height. They are typically found in clusters or mats and some are known for their soft, velvety texture and vibrant green color. They are characterized by their simple leaves and lack of true roots, stems, or flowers. Instead, they have root-like structures called rhizoids that anchor them to the ground and absorb water and nutrients.
They can be propagated through spores or division and can be grown on different surfaces, such as rocks, logs, or soil.
Mosses are important components of many ecosystems and are known for their ability to stabilize soil and prevent erosion. They have a low tolerance to pollution, high temperatures, and dry conditions, so they are often used as indicator plants to monitor the health of an ecosystem.
Some mosses are known for their medicinal properties and are used in traditional medicine to treat a wide range of ailments. They are used as a source of food and forage for livestock. They are also used in horticulture and gardening as ground cover and for decorative purposes.
Sedges
Sedges are great for vertical gardens because they are low maintenance and can tolerate a wide range of temperatures and light conditions. Some popular sedges for vertical gardens include Carex and Fescue.
What are sedges?
Sedges are a group of plants that belong to the family Cyperaceae and are known for their triangular-shaped stems and grass-like leaves, which are often arranged in a spiral around the stem.
Sedges are herbaceous plants, meaning they do not have woody stems. They can grow to be quite tall, reaching heights of up to 2 meters, or they can be short and creeping. They are tolerant to various environmental conditions and are found in a wide variety of habitats, including wetlands, meadows, forests, and even deserts.
Sedges have a wide range of uses, including ornamental, horticultural and ecological. They are often used as ground cover, for erosion control, and for stabilizing soil. Some species of sedges are used for medicinal and food purposes. They are also an important part of wetland ecosystems, providing habitat for wildlife and helping to purify water.
In conclusion, there are many plants that work well in vertical gardens. Ferns, succulents, ivy, herbs, vines, air plants, moss, and sedges are all great options for vertical gardens. When choosing plants for your vertical garden, consider the amount of light and temperature conditions in the space, and select plants that will thrive in those conditions. With the right plants and proper care, your vertical garden will be a beautiful and thriving addition to your home or outdoor space.