You enjoy creating a garden with diverse herbs, flowers, and even succulents along with some vegetables. Unfortunately, you do not have ample space in your home for an elaborate green outdoor area.
Like many other challenges this one too comes with a solution. Vertical gardens use wall planters and are perfect for maximizing wall space.
Like many other challenges this one too comes with a solution. Vertical gardens use wall planters and are perfect for maximizing wall space.
Read on for tips on choosing a wall-mounted planter for your indoor home garden.
How to Choose Wall Planters
The selection of planters has really expanded but the question is what makes one planter better than the rest?
It is important that aesthetics and functionality come together when selecting a planter as they could enhance your interior and be useful at the same time.
So, what options do you have?
Terracotta Wall Planters
These wall planters made from unglazed clay also known as terracotta lose water fast through evaporation making them permeable. As a result terracotta wall planters tend to dry out quickly.
Even though you can plant anything in them, these planters dry fast beneficial for plants like succulents or cacti which thrive in dry conditions.
Pros:
- Excellent for succulents as they require little water
- Helps prevent root rot as they don’t retain water for long
- Available in a variety of shapes and sizes
- Classic farmhouse appeal rarely goes out of fashion
Cons:
- Terracotta is fragile and can easily break and crack in cold climates
- Drilling drainage holes will break terracotta pots
- They retain heat and can burn plant roots if left out in the hot sun
- Terracotta wall planters are porous and require more water than planters made from other materials
Wooden Wall Planters
A sweet addition that complements most homes are woody wall planters. Not only do they serve as an eye-catching centerpiece, but woody wall planters also provide maximum convenience due to their easily accessible height.
Unlike clay pots, a wooden wall planter won’t crack during freezing temperatures or swell with hot weather, making them very versatile both indoor and outdoor use around the home.
However, wood is prone to rot. To increase your wooden wall planter’s lifespan, we advise treating it with a plastic liner which prevents exposure with soil or water.
Be sure to cut drain holes so excess water can get out of the planter box freely.
Pros:
- Resistant to temperature changes
- Easy to drill drainage holes
- Rustic natural look and color to compliment any wall
Cons:
- Prone to rot
- Absorbs water, although you can treat the wood to prevent it from absorbing too much moisture
Galvanized Metal Wall Planter
Untreated metal planters will rust when interfacing with soil and water. Hence, galvanized metal planters are preferable since they do not rust.
Compared to other materials, metal wall planters are offered in various styles and sizes, making them more durable.
Pros:
- Metal is very durable
- Available in a variety of styles and designs
- Resistant to extreme temperature changes
Cons
- Susceptible to rust if not properly galvanized or treated with a weather-resistant sealant
- Heat-absorbent and could burn plant roots if left exposed to extreme heat
- Rarely have drainage holes and can be difficult to drill
Fiberglass, Resin, and Plastic Wall Planters
Any of these lightweight materials would make a great wall planter for indoor use.
Thanks to modern manufacturing methods, these days’s design incorporate technology into fiberglass, resin, and plastic materials used for outdoor planters.
They are easier to shift around since, unlike metal walls and clay planters, these are less heavy.
Pros:
- Affordable and available in unique designs
- Can be made to look like a clay, wood, or metal planter using color
- Can withstand extreme temperatures better than materials like clay
- Easy to drill drainage holes if required
Cons:
- Prone to blowing over when there are strong winds
- Gradually degrade and lose color from exposure to sunlight
- Non-permeable, which means they retain water and don’t drain as easily as other materials
Where to Establish the Garden
Factors like light alongside several others contribute to where you would position your wall planter garden such as:
Light
Certain plants need warm sun exposure in order to thrive. While looking for a place for your wall planter, you need to think about the amount of sunlight the plant requires.
If there is enough sun, dedicate space for sturdy plants. If there isn’t much sun available, go for shade-loving plants such as spider plant or maidenhair fern.
Water Requirements
Does the plant like dry conditions or moist soil? The watering needs also determines the positioning of wall planters in relation to water source.
In the case of indoor plants, watering them creates issues such as spills and splashes on walls. Walls and floors must be cleaned to prevent water damage, which can be time-consuming.
Vertical gardens appear more aesthetic when placed on exterior walls of houses due to their lower maintenance appeal.
Characteristics of Your Plant
What are the side effects to expect? What shape or size will it take in its growth movements? Will it flourish tall, spread wide or mound?
As a general rule, plants that grow too big should not be chosen for wall mounts because they will compete with available space and ultimately be burdensome to maintain easily.
Upright growing planters need to have their mount positioned low. Those that trail require a wall-mounted planter high above gaze level which gives a better flowing effect.
Decide What You Want to Plant
For vertical gardening and wall planters, it is crucial to select plants that thrive in those specific environments. Some of the most suitable plants are:
Succulents
Succulents are divided into various species and are widely used for wall planters due to their:
- They adapt well to different environments
- They’re resistant to fluctuating temperatures and varying climates
Some popular succulents are:
Echeveria
Echeveria succulents have a rosette structure with flower-like heads, producing long flowering stems in summer which can be pruned back.
In terms of size, they typically max out around 12 inches, making them an ideal indoor plant. While Echeveria prefers desert-like conditions, some moisture is tolerated.
Jade Plant
Also referred to as Crassula, Jade Plant is one of the most popular indoor succulents. Identifying features include fleshy, triangular leaves.
During spring and summer, Jade Plant does require additional watering as those seasons provide the best growth conditions.
That said, these plants make great additions to wall planters because they will also thrive in low-water and low-care situations.
Herbs
Wall planters are ideal for growing herbs. These edible plants will enhance both your home and your culinary skills.
Some types of herbs like mint, however, can be very aggressive. Therefore, it is advisable to grow only one type of herb per wall planter. Popular wall planter herbs include:
Basil
Basil is always a great culinary addition to any kitchen. It’s easy to grow, making it an excellent wall planter herb.
Since basil requires warm weather and full sunshine, it should be placed on southern or western windows (or northern windows if you are in the Southern Hemisphere). This ensures adequate warmth and light for thriving.
For those who enjoy using basil in the kitchen but don’t want to place their planters by the windows, grow lights work as a suitable alternative.
To maintain steady supply of fresh basil throughout the year, more seeds need to be planted every few weeks as stems turn woody after a couple of weeks.
Rosemary
Nothing satisfies like rosemary-infused food or drinks during chilly weather. Along with soups and meats, rosemary also complements tomato and cream sauces making this herb essential for your wall planters.
Rosemary can grow in hot, sunny and dry areas, but she prefers cool temperatures.
Light is a crucial element for rosemary; it must be strong throughout its life.
Ferns
Ferns are popular not only because they are easy to cultivate, but also because they readily adapt and thrive in humid environments, making them perfect for wall planters. They will soon overgrow any wall planter.
If you want to raise ferns like mint, which tend to overgrow, then you need to do the opposite in order to maintain balance with ferns given their downward growth habit.
Bromeliads
If you want to brighten up your living wall, Brenomelids will indisputably do so with their ornamental flowers. Moreover, shallow rooted bromeliads work well even in shallow planters.
How to Care for a Live Wall
Even though a wall planter is easier to care for, you still want to attend to the finer details like tenderness and love. Here are some primary actions needed for optimal growth:
Watering – Simplified in comparison to traditional gardening; however, the fundamental principles still apply even in this case like consistency with watering schedule.
If you have a galvanized metal or wooden wall planter with plants on the wall, whether located indoors or outdoors, remember to irrigate from the base of the plant structure.
Watering at the bottom is important for maintaining health and reduces water waste since most of it goes directly where it’s needed. It also suppresses mildew and fungus growth alongside weeds.
void waterlogging your plants by ensuring proper drainage, and practice mulching. While some may consider this technique outlandish, it protects from soil born bacteria which infects plants while still retaining sufficient levels of water.
Tying & Training – Vertical gardens have become popular as many gardeners prefer vining plants.Taking care of vertical garden planters enhances their functionality. Even if vining plants typically have a high climbing capacity, many require assistance for optimal progression.
Feeding or fertilizing clearly outlines nourishment that should be frequently given to the hanging planters since lack will affect its vibrancy deeply without proper circulating nutrients close to their grows setup. Paying attention especially if they are mounted some feet up on walls is essential.
Feeding/Fertilizing the Plants – Feeding or fertilizing clearly outlines nourishment that should be frequently given to the hanging planters since lack will affect its vibrancy deeply without proper circulating nutrients close to their grows setup. Paying attention especially if they are mounted some feet up on walls is essential.
We recommend that you refrain from using synthetic fertilizers while exclusively utilizing organic ones. Synthetic fertilizers can injure your plants and, over time, compromise the soil’s health. In contrast, organic fuels strengthen the nutritional base of the soil.