Vertical Gardening Indoors

Vertical gardening indoors is a hot new trend. Instead of using the traditional way of dedicating your precious floor to accommodate houseplants, you can just create a houseplant wall garden. Here is everything you want to learn about vertical gardening indoors!

 

Nothing is better than injecting a splash of colors and texture into your home through well-placed houseplants. In addition to making your living space look expensive, vertical gardening indoors also opens up small areas and makes them look more spacious.

 

While you can readily find and purchase artificial greens to adorn your home, nothing is better than having real, living houseplants. In addition to gardening being a natural way to reduce stress, bringing houseplants indoors also has a positive environmental effect. They also purify the air, reduce carbon dioxide, and increase humidity.

 

Moreover, creating a houseplant wall garden is also an eco-friendly and inexpensive way to make your home décor look more charming. And even stunning!

 

So, what is vertical gardening indoors?

 

Vertical Gardening Indoors

 

A vertical garden (green wall) is a technique in which you grow houseplants up, vertically, and off the ground, such as posts, fences, walls, and trellises. Vertical gardening indoors involves placing different plants on a vertical structure. Creating a houseplant wall garden is especially advantageous for tiny apartments or small living spaces. They mostly don’t have enough space to accommodate potting houseplants.

 

The technique of vertical gardening often requires plants that can thrive in specific environments. For instance, creating a houseplant wall garden requires you to choose houseplants depending on the climate and the sun exposure of the wall.

 

Moreover, while interior vertical gardens are perfect for small apartments, blocks, or places with space limitations, they still offer many benefits of a large garden. For instance, you can have a green wall for air purification, veggies and herbs production, or as a spectacular piece of décor.

 

Benefits of Vertical Gardening Indoors

 

Who doesn’t like to enjoy and appreciate nature from inside their home or workplace? Think of vertical gardening indoors as a sustainable way to bring a piece of nature inside your home. Creating a houseplant wall garden (green wall) is a delightful trend in sustainable architecture. In addition to pleasing wallflowers, vertical gardening indoors also helps you reap plenty of environmental and health benefits.

 

1.    Vertical Gardening Indoors Add a Touch of Nature

 

Vertical gardening indoors is certainly an out-of-the-box thinking to create your urban garden. It also helps you arrange your plants, upgrade your décor, and bring a touch of nature into your living space. Having a green wall in your home or workplace adds more beauty, visual attention, and awareness to the environment.

 

So, if you feel your home is dull and unattractive, try creating a houseplant wall garden and watch your living space or office transform into a stunning, visually pleasing environment.

 

2.    A Houseplant Wall Garden Improves Air Quality

 

Scientific evidence for phytoremediation (using plants to extract and eradicate elemental pollutants) began with NASA research in the 1980s. Scientists then searched for techniques to enhance the air quality in a sealed spacecraft. They concluded that the houseplants’ roots could help reduce the airborne volatile organic.

 

It also means that vertical gardening indoors filters particles from the air and transforms carbon dioxide into oxygen. One square meter of plant wall can produce the equivalent of a year’s oxygen supply while simultaneously trapping 130g of dust.

 

When you are ready to make a green wall indoors, you may wonder which houseplants to go for. Grass, ferns, herbs, succulents, and perennials such as shrubs are ideal for small indoor spaces.

 

3.    Vertical Gardening Indoors Reduces Energy Cost

 

Energy saving is one of the most underrated benefits of having a houseplant wall garden that we often forget about. Whether an exterior or an interior vertical garden, both helps you save the cost of energy by keeping the air cool in summer. This process is called evapotranspiration (transporting water from the earth to the atmosphere).

 

4.    Vertical Gardens Save Space

 

Gone are the times when people used to live in spacious homes. Nowadays, we have tiny apartments and blocks with minimal living space and can’t even think about cultivating a garden. Gardening enthusiasts with a limited living space are looking for ways to grow their favorite houseplants. It requires you to be creative and learn how to make the most of your little living space.

 

That’s where a vertical garden steps in, allowing you to grow more in a limited space and reap many of the benefits of a full-fledged garden. While potted plants require you to sacrifice some of your precious living space, vertical gardens need no surface and take no more than a blank wall. So, you should only worry about your plant choice and the sun exposure they need to thrive.

 

5.    They Help Reduce Noise Pollution

 

Do you enjoy your indoor space but are tired of noises coming from your neighborhood? Consider creating a houseplant wall garden. A lesser-known benefit of having vertical gardening indoors is that it can help you reduce noise levels. It is worth noting that, unlike a façade, a green wall acts as a sound barrier and can absorb up to 40% of sound.

 

Moreover, plants have also been used along the streets, roads, and highways to reduce noise pollution. So, all the plants that we see on the streets not only add beauty but also help in reducing noise pollution. Houseplants, as sound barriers, can absorb high-frequency sounds, whereas their stems block low-frequency noise.

 

That said, having a vertical wall garden will serve as an additional insulation layer. Blocking, detouring, and reflecting such sounds help reduce noise.

 

6.    Vertical Gardens as Stress Relievers

 

It is undeniable that humans and nature share a deep connection between them. Research indicates that time spent surrounded by nature positively affects and improves mental health and well-being. So, a vertical garden indoors lets you reap all the benefits of nature.

 

According to research, looking at your plants even for as little as three minutes can offer plenty of health benefits. Benefits you can reap by having a vertical wall garden indoors include improved heart health, better brain activity, and tension-free muscles are a few benefits you can reap by having a vertical wall garden indoors.

 

Moreover, plants also offer a climbing effect to humans as they ease stress. That’s why we see plenty of trees, plants, and vertical gardens in and around hospitals to help reduce stress and calm patients.

 

So, how to create a houseplant wall garden?

 

Tips for Creating a Vertical Garden

 

Designing a vertical garden indoors is easier than you think. Here are some tips that you can follow to create a beautiful houseplant wall garden:

 

• Pick Your Favorite Plants

 

So, the first step for vertical gardening indoors is finding the houseplants you want to grow indoors. It must be emphasized that different plant species have varying light, climate, and soil requirements. So, choosing the right plants is essential.

 

For instance, if are willing to grow low-light houseplants, it will save you time finding a location with plenty of sunlight. Similarly, if you plan to create an herb houseplant wall garden, you probably want a perfect design for your kitchen. Remember that some plant needs a suitable setup and proper care to thrive indoors, whereas some varieties are hardy and can tolerate tons of negligence.

 

• Choose a Wall

 

Once you decide what you like to grow on your houseplant wall garden, the next step is to find the most appropriate location according to your plant’s needs. Choosing a suitable wall for your vertical gardening indoor project is pretty simple.

 

For example, if your plants love soaking in indirect sunlight, you can choose a wall with plenty of filtered sunlight near a window. However, ensure that the wall you select shouldn’t get direct sunlight.

 

In contrast, things could get tricky if the plants you choose like getting plenty of light or a lengthy warm environment. For instance, your houseplant wall garden will require you to select a window-facing location with lots of direct sunlight. Alternatively, you may want to use grow lights to provide adequate light that your houseplants need.

 

• Decide on a Vertical Garden Design

 

You have decided on a perfect location and know what plants are perfect for your vertical gardening indoors. So, now it’s time to plan the kind of houseplant wall garden structure you want and what will be ideal for the limited space you have in your home.

 

While plant wall units can be expensive, it’s worth investing in a good foundation. As the indoor vertical gardening system requires proper care and regular watering, you will want an appropriately designed plant wall for growing the plants.

 

Although vertical gardening systems made of breathable materials are cheap and budget-friendly, they are vulnerable to mold development, wall damage, etc. In contrast, plastic-made wall gardening units are usually better because they are more durable and water-resistant.

 

There are many vertical gardening design options for indoors:

 

1.    Basic Shelving

 

Unlike some other complex indoor gardening structures, you can keep your houseplant wall garden as simple as a shelf system. This system will be mounted on or secured against the wall so you can put potted plants or planters. You can find loads of stunning shelve units for indoor gardening on the market. However, if you have a limited budget, you can venture to build a DIY shelving unit.

 

2.    Hanging Pots

 

Hanging plant holders can give an aesthetic feel and are an excellent option for vines, herbs, and flowering plants. With this type of vertical gardening system, you can suspend them from any location you want. In addition, you can hang your herb system on your kitchen window or place it in a corner of your balcony to enjoy a bunch of colorful flowers.

 

3.    Stackable Vertical Gardening Planters

 

Stackable planters are another popular design for vertical gardening indoors. You can readily find such containers on the market as they are available in different shapes and sizes. In addition, each tier of a stackable planter features plant pockets, allowing you to get your favorite plants with varying soil and nutrition needs using a single structure.

 

As a bonus, stackable planters are an excellent option for limited living spaces as they allow you to grow more in small spaces. You can use this system for indoor vining plants such as strawberries, mint, ivy, and more.

 

4.    Self-Watering Vertical Gardening Planters

 

Do you also often forget to water your plants like me? As a gardening enthusiast, either I don’t have time or often forget to water my indoor plants. Fortunately, you can use a self-watering vertical gardening system to simplify this chore. These systems come with a built-in drip watering system that you connect to a water faucet.

 

DIY Vertical Gardening Indoors System

 

Vertical gardening indoors allows you to grow your favorite plants even if you don’t have a lot of horizontal space. In addition, a houseplant wall garden is also a perfect idea if you want to cover an unattractive wall inside your home. Here is how you can build a DIY vertical gardening system:

 

• Choose a Wall

 

First, you must choose a wall inside your home that you want to beautify. You may want to use your balcony wall that looks unattractive or the one that gets plenty of sunlight. When choosing a wall, consider reviewing your plant’s needs for its remarkable growth.

 

• Build a Frame

 

Secondly, you must create a frame for your vertical gardening system. Involving a plastic sheet, fabric, and the wall, this setup is like a three-layer sandwich. According to professionals, using something made of plastic for building the basic structure of the frame is recommended. Know that plastic-made frames are more durable and can adapt to various environments. In contrast,  frames made of wood or metal are susceptible to rot.

 

Likewise, you may also have the option to build a frame on the wall or a separate structure that you can easily change when required.

 

• Attach a Plastic Sheet

 

So, now you have the frame for creating your houseplant wall garden. Then, you need to wrap a plastic sheet over the frame. Covering the frame with a plastic sheet is critical as it will be a barrier between the wall and the fabric (third layer). This plastic wrapping will protect your wall from mold or fungus development when the material has high moisture.

 

• Attach the Fabric

 

Here we add the third layer. For water retention, a layer of fabric must be attached. You can use felt carpet padding or fabric materials that are rot-resistant and can retain water. In addition, you may also want to use two layers of fabric to ensure durability. Now stretch this third layer and then staple it onto the frame using galvanized screws or steel staples. Ensure that the material doesn’t have wrinkles and is appropriately stretched.

 

• Insert the Irrigation System

 

The irrigation system in your houseplant wall garden system is critical. It will provide water to your plants. You can make a DIY irrigation system using poly tubing. In this regard, you need to attach the tube across the frame’s top so the water can drip through it. Once you have installed the irrigation system, connect or mount your frame against the wall using rust-proof hardware.

 

• Connect the Irrigation System to a Faucet and Add Fertilizer

 

Fertilizing your plants is essential for healthy growth. You will need to connect a liquid fertilizer injector to your DIY vertical gardening system’s irrigation system. Connect the irrigation system to a faucet or other water source. Although water dripping to the ground is inevitable, you should place some potted plants underneath your vertical gardening system.

 

• Attach the Pouches

 

You can readily find specific pots or pouches for vertical gardening indoor setups and then attach them in a one-above-the-other pattern. Plant stores are full of colorful pots of every size and shape, so you can purchase a set of appropriate pots for your vertical garden setup.

 

• Add Your Plants

 

Finally, it’s time to add your plants to your vertical gardening indoor system. You can either place your plants on the fabric layer by cutting the outer layer horizontally or create plant pouches by attaching the fabric to the plastic layer. Soon, your plants will be on the frame, leaving you with a stunning houseplant wall garden setup.

 

Best Houseplants for Vertical Gardening Indoors

 

Here are our favorite houseplants for creating a beautiful houseplant wall garden:

 

• Pothos (Epipremnum Aurum)

Low-Light

Pothos houseplants are one of the most popular plants. They are perfect for vertical gardening indoors as they can thrive in low-light environments. Moreover, pothos is ideal for newbies and professionals alike mainly because of their ease of care. In addition to their aesthetic appearance and beautiful leaves, pothos also has air-purifying characteristics.

 

• Lipstick Plant (Aeschynanthus)

Low-Light

 

Who wouldn’t love having stunning flowering plants inside their home? A lipstick plant is one of the aesthetic houseplants you can add to your houseplant wall garden. These plants can thrive in low-light conditions and produce charming red flowers. In addition, lipstick plants are also appropriate for vertical gardening indoors because they grow upward and downward simultaneously.

 

• Laurel Leaf (Laurus Nobilis)

Full Sun to Partial Shade

 

Laurel leaf houseplant is a beautiful plant that you can add to your houseplant wall garden. Because of their smaller diameter, laurel leaves plants will make your vertical garden look denser. These plants are also easy to grow, have minimum requirements, and can adapt to various growing environments.

 

• Air Plants (Tillandsia)

Bright, Indirect Light

Members of the bromeliad family, air houseplants are exciting little plants for your houseplant wall garden. These plants have hundreds of varieties and love to soak in bright, indirect light. Besides, air plants are also not difficult to care for as they need nothing but soaking in the water every two weeks.

 

• Peace Lily (Spathiphyllum)

Indirect, Low to Bright Sunlight

 

Peace lilies are among the most elegant houseplants that you can grow in a vertical gardening system. In addition to their show-stopping white flowers, peace lilies are popular in home and office setups, mainly because of their air-purifying characteristics. Moreover, they are easy to care for and can tolerate low light and humidity levels.

 

Wrapping Up

 

Vertical gardening indoors is a nature-inspired way to upgrade your décor that makes your interior look more expensive and inviting. Besides bringing nature indoors, creating a houseplant wall garden also comes with many health benefits. Air-purifying, improved mental and heart health, and overall well-being are just a few. This post will help you create your very own vertical garden indoors.

You Might Also Like: