Looking for a way to grow more plants without using up your precious floor space? A hanging trellis on wall setup is the perfect solution for creating a beautiful, space-saving vertical garden. It turns any blank wall into a lush, living feature, ideal for small patios, balconies, or even sunny indoor spots.
This method is simpler than you might think. With the right plan, you can grow flowers, herbs, and even some vegetables. It’s all about using vertical space smartly.
Hanging Trellis On Wall
A wall-mounted trellis is simply a support structure you attach to a wall. Plants climb up it, growing vertically instead of spreading out horizontally. This approach frees up ground space for other uses, like seating or more pots.
It also improves air circulation around your plants, which can help prevent disease. Plus, it makes a stunning visual impact. A wall of green or flowers becomes a living piece of art for your home.
Why choose a vertical garden?
* Maximizes Small Areas: Perfect for apartments, townhouses, and tiny yards.
* Better Plant Health: Elevating plants improves airflow and sun exposure.
* Easy Harvesting: Picking herbs or veggies at eye level is much easier on your back.
* Hides Unsightly Walls: Cover up plain or aging fences and walls with vibrant life.
* Defines Spaces: Can act as a natural privacy screen or room divider on a balcony.
Choosing the Right Trellis for Your Wall
The trellis is the backbone of your vertical garden. You need to pick one that’s strong enough for your plants and suitable for your wall material. The weight of the mature plants, especially when wet, is a key factor.
First, consider the material. Wood trellises are attractive and sturdy, but they need to be made from rot-resistant wood like cedar or treated for outdoor use. Metal trellises, such as powder-coated steel or wrought iron, are very durable and offer a modern or classic look. Plastic or vinyl options are lightweight and weather-resistant, good for simpler projects.
Size and design are also important. Ensure the trellis is proportionate to your wall. A large, blank wall can handle a big, grid-style trellis. A smaller wall might suit a fan or ladder-shaped design. The trellis design should also match the plant’s climbing habit—some need a grid to weave through, others need thinner wires to grasp.
Picking the Perfect Plants
Not every plant is suited for a vertical life. You want climbers, trailers, and plants that won’t get too heavy for the structure to support. The amount of sunlight your wall receives will be the biggest deciding factor.
For sunny walls, consider flowering climbers like clematis, morning glories, or black-eyed Susan vines. For edible gardens, peas, beans, cucumbers, and small squash varieties are excellent choices. Herbs like trailing rosemary and thyme can spill beautifully over the top.
Shadier walls have great options too. Try climbing hydrangea, ivy, or certain varieties of honeysuckle. For edible shade, some leafy greens like spinach or lettuce can work in deeper containers at the base if they get a few hours of light.
Top Plant Picks for Vertical Gardens:
* Flowers: Sweet peas, nasturtiums (they trail beautifully), jasmine, and passionflower.
* Herbs: Mint (in a container to control spread), oregano, thyme, and creeping rosemary.
* Vegetables: Pole beans, cherry tomatoes (use a strong trellis!), Malabar spinach, and gourds.
* Foliage: English ivy, pothos (for indoors), and ferns placed at the base to fill in.
How to Attach a Trellis to Different Wall Types
This is the most critical step for safety and success. A poorly attached trellis can fall, damaging your plants and wall. Always use the correct hardware for your wall material.
For wooden siding or fence walls, you can use long exterior-grade screws directly into the studs or solid wood. Avoid just screwing into thin siding alone. Using a spacer or block of wood behind the trellis to create a small air gap is a smart idea. It prevents moisture buildup and makes it easier for tendrils to grab hold.
Attaching to brick, stone, or concrete requires more specialized tools. You’ll need a masonry drill bit and appropriate anchors or screws, like sleeve anchors or concrete screws. Drill a pilot hole into the mortar joint (it’s easier than the brick itself), insert the anchor, then screw your trellis mounting bracket into it.
For stucco walls, the process is similar to masonry. Use a masonry bit and plastic anchors designed for stucco. Be gentle to avoid cracking the stucco surface. Always check with your landlord or homeowners association if you’re renting or part of a shared community.
A Step-by-Step Installation Guide
Let’s walk through the basic process. Having a friend to help hold the trellis is highly recommended.
1. Gather Your Tools: You’ll need a drill, appropriate drill bits, a level, a tape measure, screws or bolts, wall anchors (if needed), and safety glasses.
2. Mark Your Placement: Hold the trellis against the wall where you want it. Use a pencil to mark the top corners. Use your level to ensure these marks are even.
3. Mark Drill Holes: With the trellis held in place (or by measuring its mounting points), mark the exact spots on the wall where you need to drill. Usually, you’ll need at least four points, one near each corner.
4. Drill Pilot Holes: Put on your safety glasses. Drill your pilot holes at the marked spots. If drilling into masonry, use the hammer drill setting and the correct bit size for your anchors.
5. Insert Anchors: If using wall anchors, tap them gently into the pilot holes until they are flush with the wall surface.
6. Mount the Trellis: Have your helper hold the trellis perfectly aligned over the holes. Drive your screws through the trellis and into the pilot holes or anchors. Don’t overtighten—snug is fine.
7. Final Check: Give the trellis a firm but careful tug to ensure it’s secure. Make sure it’s still level.
Planting and Training Your Vertical Garden
Now for the fun part—adding the plants! You have two main options: planting in the ground at the base of the trellis, or using containers or wall planters attached to it.
If planting in ground, prepare the soil well with compost. Plant your climbers close to the base of the trellis. For containers, choose pots that are large enough for your plant’s mature root system. Secure them sturdily at the base or use attached planter boxes.
Training plants is key. Gently weave new growth onto the trellis. Use soft plant ties, like velcro strips or twine, to loosely secure stubborn stems. Avoid wire, as it can cut into growing plant tissue. Regularly check and guide new tendrils to encourage them to climb where you want them.
Maintenance Tips for a Thriving Wall Garden
A vertical garden needs a little regular care to look its best. Watering is the main task. Vertical plantings can dry out faster, especially in containers. Check soil moisture daily in hot weather. Drip irrigation systems or self-watering planters can be a huge time-saver.
Feeding your plants is also important because nutrients can wash out of containers quickly. Use a balanced, slow-release organic fertilizer at the start of the season, or apply a liquid fertilizer every few weeks during the growing period.
Pruning and pest control are easier at eye level. Regularly pinch back wayward growth to encourage bushiness. Keep an eye out for aphids or spider mites, which can sometimes be more previlent on stressed plants. A strong spray of water or insecticidal soap usually does the trick.
Creative Ideas and Inspirations
Don’t be afraid to get creative. You can use more than one trellis to create a pattern. Try a series of small, square trellises arranged in a grid. Or use a leaning ladder trellis for a rustic, movable option.
Mix plant types for texture and color. Combine a flowering vine with a backdrop of darker green ivy. Add in hanging pots of trailing plants like petunias or strawberries at different heights. For indoors, a simple wooden grid trellis with a pothos or philodendron is a stunning, low-maintenance feature.
Remember, your vertical garden can change with the seasons. You can plant annuals for a burst of summer color, or choose evergreen climbers for year-round structure. The possibilities are nearly endless.
FAQ Section
Q: Can I hang a trellis on a wall indoors?
A: Absolutely! Indoor walls are great for lightweight trellises with houseplants. Just ensure you use proper wall anchors for drywall to support the eventual weight of the plant.
Q: What is the best way to create a space saving vertical garden on a balcony?
A: A hanging trellis on a balcony wall is ideal. Use lightweight containers and a sturdy, well-anchored trellis. Choose plants that suit your balcony’s sun and wind conditions.
Q: How do I water my vertical garden without making a mess on the wall?
A: Water slowly at the base of the plants. Using a watering can with a long, narrow spout helps target the soil. Mulching the top of containers also reduces splashback and keeps moisture in.
Q: Are there any plants I should avoid for a wall trellis?
A: Avoid plants that get excessively heavy, like large mature wisteria, unless you have an extremely strong structure. Also, avoid invasive species like some types of ivy that can damage mortar or siding if not carefully managed.
Q: My wall gets no direct sun. Can I still have a vertical garden?
A: Yes, but you’ll need to choose plants adapted to deep shade. Focus on foliage plants like certain ferns, hostas (at the base), or climbing hydrangea. Your plant growth will be slower but can still be very attractive.
Starting your own hanging trellis on wall project is a rewarding way to garden smarter, not harder. It brings life and beauty to unused spaces with just a bit of planning and care. With these tips, you’re ready to look at your blank walls in a whole new way—as potential gardens waiting to happen.