Turn Your Balcony Into a Beautiful Vertical Garden & Grow Herbs & Veggies at Home

Limited space doesn’t mean you have to give up on greenery. A vertical garden is a smart way to grow plants without taking up much room. Whether you live in a small apartment or just want to add more plants to your home, vertical gardens can fit almost anywhere.

Why start a vertical garden?

Vertical gardens are not just a space-saving solution. They also:

• Purify the air and improve indoor air quality
• Reduce heat and keep indoor spaces cooler
• Make any space look more vibrant and inviting
• Provide fresh herbs and small vegetables for home use
• Require minimal maintenance with the right setup

Simple DIY vertical garden ideas:

1. Iron mesh and hanging pots

An iron mesh is one of the easiest ways to create a vertical garden.

• Fix an iron mesh onto a wooden frame and attach it to a wall.
• Place a plastic sheet behind it to protect the wall from moisture.
• Use pots with hooks to hang plants at different heights.
• If you want a budget-friendly option, upcycle plastic bottles — cut slits, fill them with soil, and tie them onto the mesh with strong string.

This method works well for herbs like basil and mint, small flowering plants, and indoor plants like ferns.

2. Shelf-style garden

If you have a balcony railing, fence, or sturdy wall, a shelf-style vertical garden can be a great option.

• Install wooden planks or curtain rods at different heights.
• Use lightweight planters and place them on the shelves.
• Upcycle old tins, plastic containers, or glass jars to make the setup more sustainable.

This method is ideal for succulents, small flowering plants, and leafy greens.

3. PVC pipe planters

PVC pipes are useful for hydroponic or soil-based vertical gardens.

• Cut PVC pipes in half vertically to create long planters.
• Drill holes for drainage and attach them to a sturdy frame.
• Arrange them in layers and fill them with a mix of soil, compost, and cocopeat.

This method works well for leafy greens like coriander, spinach, and lettuce.

4. Hanging organiser garden

An old shoe organiser or baby storage pockets can be repurposed into a vertical garden.

• Hang it on a wall and secure it with nails.
• Fill the pockets with a mix of soil and cocopeat.
• Plant herbs, small flowers, or microgreens in each pocket.

This method is best suited for rosemary, basil, chives, and small flowering plants.

5. Window Gardens

Even a small window can be turned into a vertical garden.

• Drill hooks onto the window frame and suspend nylon ropes.
• Upcycle plastic bottles by cutting them in half and creating drainage holes.
• Tie them onto the ropes at different levels and fill them with plants.

This method works well for herbs, trailing plants, and air-purifying greens.

Caring for your vertical garden

To keep your vertical garden thriving:

• Choose plants that match the available sunlight — low-light areas are best for ferns and money plants, while sunny spots are ideal for herbs and flowering plants.
• Set up a simple drip irrigation system to maintain moisture without overwatering.
• Use a plastic sheet or tiles to protect walls from water damage.
• Use lightweight soil with a mix of cocopeat, compost, and organic fertilisers.
• Trim plants regularly, check for pests, and fertilise when needed.

So, what are you waiting for? With the right setup, you can grow fresh herbs, enjoy colourful flowers, and improve air quality, all without taking up much space.

Edited by Khushi Arora