A vertical garden planter isn't just a cute Instagram backdrop or a trendy apartment upgrade, it’s one of the most practical, space-saving ways to grow plants, especially when you’re working with limited ground space. 

At Epic Agriculture, we’ve helped countless growers turn everything from balconies to bare fences into lush, living walls. And when it comes to choosing what to plant? That’s where things get fun, but also a little tricky. Let’s walk through the options so you can set yourself up for success.

Key Takeaways

• Vertical garden planters maximize space and productivity, making them ideal for small patios, balconies, or urban settings.
• Success depends on choosing the right plants based on sun, wind, and moisture exposure specific to your vertical setup.
• Trailing plants like pothos, ivy, and philodendrons add visual appeal while thriving in lower light conditions.
• Leafy greens, herbs, and compact vegetables grow well in vertical systems when placed according to their light needs.
• Support structures like trellises and cages are essential for vining vegetables and heavier fruiting plants.
• Epic Agriculture offers modular vertical garden planters and tools tailored to help you grow smarter in any space.

Why Vertical Gardens Are Worth It

Benefits for Small Spaces

Let’s face it: not everyone has sprawling acreage or room for a dozen raised beds. But vertical gardening flips the script. When you're short on square footage but still itching to grow, going vertical is the obvious play. Walls, fences, even railings, suddenly they’re prime real estate. You can also buy a vertical garden planter that you can move anywhere you want.

Whether you’re a renter with a tiny patio or a homeowner trying to make every corner count, vertical gardens help you stretch your growing potential. And it’s not just about saving space, it’s about using it smarter.

Aesthetic Appeal and Greenery for Urban Dwellers

Ever stare at a blank wall and think, This could use a little life? We have. Vertical garden planters don’t just add color, they shift the entire vibe of a space. They soften hard lines, hide eyesores, and give you that calming, nature-meets-design look that city life so often lacks.

And here's the thing: you don’t need a sprawling rooftop to pull it off. A single vertical panel with cascading greenery can change how a space feels, making it more alive, more intentional, and honestly, just more enjoyable to spend time in.

Productivity for Edible Gardening in Compact Areas

Now let’s talk about growing food, yes, real food, in vertical setups. It's completely doable, and in the right conditions, surprisingly productive. We’ve seen clients harvest full salads off a balcony. It all comes down to choosing the right edibles and giving them the environment they need.

You won’t be growing pumpkins or giant zucchini, of course, but herbs, leafy greens, strawberries? Totally fair game. With a little planning, even the most compact system can crank out fresh ingredients week after week.

How to Choose the Right Plants for Your Vertical Garden

This is where many first-timers get tripped up. It’s tempting to just pick your favorite plants and plug them into a planter. But here’s the truth: vertical gardens operate by their own set of rules. They dry out faster, they can be more exposed to wind, and different systems suit different plant types. So plant selection? It’s not an afterthought, it’s your foundation.

Consider the Growing Conditions

Before anything else, assess your light. Is your planter soaking up afternoon sun or barely catching morning rays? Some plants (like succulents and strawberries) crave full sun, while others (think ferns or pothos) prefer shadier, more protected spots.

Temperature matters, too. If you’re in a hot climate, go for heat-tolerant varieties that won’t fry by noon. Cooler zones? Lean into shade-lovers or cool-season foliage. And don’t underestimate wind exposure, balconies and rooftops can dry out even the toughest plants unless you build in some protection.

Moisture is the silent killer in vertical systems. They lose water quickly, gravity and exposure see to that, so if you’re not up for frequent watering, lean toward drought-resistant plants or install a simple drip system. We’ve learned the hard way: nothing ruins the vibe faster than crispy lettuce and wilted basil.

Know Your Vertical System

Not all vertical gardens are created equal. And frankly, choosing the wrong structure for your plants is like planting tomatoes in a teacup.

Pocket planters, those fabric or felt walls, are great for small herbs, compact ornamentals, and trailing greenery. They drain fast, so moisture-loving plants might struggle without close monitoring.

Tower systems? Those are your productivity machines. Perfect for leafy greens and strawberries, especially when you want yield without the footprint. We recommend them for anyone looking to grow edibles in a tight spot.

Wall-mounted containers give you flexibility, deeper soil, stronger support, and better moisture retention. They’re ideal for succulents, flowers, or even compact bushy herbs like oregano or thyme.

Best Foliage Plants for Vertical Gardens

Trailing and Cascading Plants

These are the plants that make a vertical garden look intentional, not just like someone stuck some pots on a wall. Pothos is a no-brainer. It’s forgiving, fast-growing, and it spills over the edge with that lush, jungle vibe that’s hard to fake.

Philodendrons bring the same drama but do best in warmer, more humid spots. If you’ve got a covered patio or a greenhouse, they’ll thrive. English ivy, on the other hand, is the workhorse. It’s hardy, cold-tolerant, and fills space fast. Just keep an eye on it, it likes to take over if left unchecked.

Textural and Decorative Options

Succulents like sedum and echeveria are perfect if you’re working with hot, dry conditions. They’re sculptural, low-maintenance, and don’t need constant babying. Just make sure your containers drain well, these guys hate soggy roots.

Ferns (like Boston ferns) offer a totally different look, soft, feathery, and full. They’re great for shady walls or adding a bit of contrast to a hard-edged structure. And if you want something with bold foliage, Heuchera (aka coral bells) is your wildcard. It comes in purples, silvers, even lime greens, and holds up well in cooler weather.

What to Plant in a Vertical Garden: Top Edibles to Grow

Leafy Greens for Quick Harvests

Leafy greens are the MVPs of vertical growing. They’re fast, shallow-rooted, and incredibly forgiving, perfect for when you want a quick win or just don’t have the time (or patience) to babysit your plants.

Take lettuce, for instance. It grows quickly, doesn’t need deep soil, and can be harvested leaf-by-leaf for weeks. Plus, it doesn’t mind being packed into tight spaces, which makes it ideal for pocket planters or vertical towers.

Spinach, on the other hand, is a bit more cold-hardy and does well in partially shaded areas. It’s a solid option for spring or fall planting, and if you’re harvesting small leaves early, it just keeps coming.

Kale and Swiss chard are slower to get going, sure, but they more than make up for it with durability. They’re not just tough, they’re generous. You can harvest from the same plants for months, and those colorful stems? They’re a visual bonus that makes your garden wall look intentional, not just functional.

Herbs That Thrive Vertically

We love basil in vertical setups. It loves full sun, grows like crazy, and brings that fresh, summery smell every time you brush past. If you’ve got a sunny spot near your kitchen or patio, basil should be first on your list.

Parsley is another workhorse. It tolerates partial sun, handles missed waterings better than most herbs, and regrows quickly after each harvest. You don’t need to fuss with it, just snip and go.

And then there are the classics: cilantro, thyme, and chives. Cilantro does best in cooler temps, so don’t try to grow it in the peak of summer. Thyme loves it hot and dry, perfect for higher, sunnier spots on your wall. And chives? They’re low-maintenance, productive, and bounce back even if you forget about them for a week. We’ve all been there.

Vining Vegetables for High Yields

Tomatoes are a crowd favorite, but not all tomatoes are created equal for vertical setups. Stick with cherry or compact patio varieties, they’re easier to manage, and you won’t end up with fruit dragging the whole structure down. Just make sure to give them proper support. A trellis, a cage, or even some well-placed string will keep things tidy.

Cucumbers are another winner. They practically train themselves up a trellis and love warm, sunny walls. Just be sure to pick them regularly; let them over-ripen and they’ll slow production. Plus, they get a little bitter when they sit too long.

Pole beans and peas are incredibly efficient vertical crops. They don’t need much soil, they grow fast, and they’ll climb anything you give them. If you’re trying to grow with minimal space and effort, these are a no-brainer.

Fruit in Small Spaces

Most people don’t associate vertical gardening with fruit, but there’s one major exception: strawberries. These little powerhouses are built for vertical life.

They have shallow roots, produce runners that trail beautifully, and don’t need much space to crank out a solid harvest. Pocket planters, stacked pots, wall-mounted tubes, strawberries adapt to just about anything you throw at them. Bonus: they look great doing it.

Light and Placement Tips

Let’s talk sunlight for a second. It’s easy to forget that in a vertical system, the top rows might get full sun while the lower ones sit in shade most of the day. That’s not a flaw, it’s an opportunity, if you know how to play it.

Full-sun plants like tomatoes, basil, and succulents should always go toward the top. That’s where the light is strongest and most consistent.

Mid-level rows that get filtered or partial sun are great for leafy greens, parsley, and anything that prefers cooler temps. These plants don’t need as much intensity and will actually last longer without burning out.

And those shadier bottom levels? Perfect for non-edibles like pothos, ivy, or philodendron. Sure, they won’t feed you, but they’ll keep your wall looking lush and full, even in low light.

Support and Structure: Helping Plants Climb

If you’re working with vines or heavy fruiting plants, your vertical garden needs more than just good soil, it needs a plan for support. Otherwise, things get messy fast.

Trellises are your best friend for beans, peas, cucumbers, and even some tomatoes. They’re simple, effective, and easy to attach to most vertical frames. You don’t need anything fancy, a basic wooden frame or nylon netting will do the trick.

Heavier plants like tomato vines or fruiting cucumbers may need a bit more structure. Hooks, cages, or modular setups with built-in bracing can help spread out the weight and prevent sagging.

Modular vertical planters are great for organizing your garden while giving each plant its own space to grow and breathe. Think of it like a bookshelf for your crops, neat, efficient, and easy to rearrange if something’s not working.

Grow Smarter with Epic Agriculture’s Vertical Garden Solutions

At Epic Agriculture, we don’t just talk about vertical gardening, we live it. Whether you’re starting with a small herb wall or building a full edible setup, we offer vertical garden planters in every style: pocket panels, modular towers, wall-mounted systems, and more. 

But it doesn’t stop there. We carry the essentials that make your garden thrive, drip irrigation kits, premium soil amendments, organic fertilizers, and smart tools designed for tight spaces. Everything we offer is tested and trusted by real growers. So if you’re serious about what to plant in a vertical garden, we’ve got your back, top to bottom.

Understanding What To Plant in a Vertical Garden Planter

Vertical gardens don’t have to be complicated, but they do ask you to think differently. Your plant choices matter, of course, but how you care for them, especially how you water, is what determines whether your setup thrives or fizzles.

Start by choosing crops that suit your light, climate, and system. Then match their watering needs to your real-life schedule and habits. Be honest with yourself, if you know you're forgetful, lean into automation. If you love hands-on care, hand-watering can work just fine with the right tools and timing.

If you’re looking for a new vertical garden planter or any other growing supplies, just check out our selection here at Epic Agriculture - you’ll be growing healthy plants in your vertical planter in no time at all!