Hop on this small-space vertical garden trend with these tips. Creating the design is important, but choosing the right plants and materials is, too.

Location
You know the importance of location, location, location. And that’s true with your vertical garden, too. Plan the location ahead of time for your garden, paying particular attention to the environment and light your plants will need to grow in.

Additionally, consider the location for its usability in hanging the plants. Depending on the weight of your pots this could be a make or break for the space.

Be Plant-Smart
You should choose plants that have similar light and temperature requirements. For example, if your vertical garden is going to live near a window, you shouldn’t put plants that don’t need to be in direct sunlight with ones that do.

Types of plants to consider:

• Ferns: adaptable and thick, resistant to humidity
• Bromeliads: shallow roots for a small pot, colorful
• Succulent: little maintenance, need sunlight
• Hosta: vibrant green, lush, need shade and cool temperatures
• Lipstick plant: can bloom year-round in most places, cascade from baskets
• Crotons: colorful and thrive in high humidity, minimal watering

Size
It is important to know the size of the container you are planning on using to hold your plants. You need to know if it is big enough to allow your plants to expand, or if you will need to eventually move the plants to bigger containers at some point.

Nifty containers to consider:

• Galvanized metal planters with drainage holes. Look nice and rustic on brick walls!
• Hanging baskets. Useful in open areas like porches.
• Repurposed, stacked gutters. Good for free standing vertical gardens.
• Hanging grid (buy or up-cycle a palette) with traditional terra cotta pots. Easily hung on the siding of your home.

Drainage
Be mindful of the type of container you will be using as well. You don’t want to kill your plants due to overwatering or underwatering, so make sure your container is able to drain well.

Support
Know how heavy your plants will get once they are fully grown. If your vertical system can only support small plants, you will want to make sure that the holder will not break once the plants are 
fully grown. Reinforce with nails and use multiple hangers as a back up if one snaps.

For people who love to garden, finding space to do so can become a challenge. Vertical gardens create endless possibilities for creativity, allowing you to flex your green thumb!