Walle Plant: How to Create a Vertical Garden

A search for “walle plant” often brings to mind the iconic movie scene of a single sprout in a boot. In the world of gardening, however, this term relates to wall planter systems that create “living walls” or vertical gardens. These systems transform empty wall space into a vibrant display of plant life. This approach moves gardening from the floor to the wall, offering a new way to integrate nature into homes and balconies.

What Is a Wall Planter System

A wall planter system is a method for growing plants on a vertical surface. These systems consist of modular panels or containers mounted directly onto a wall, often constructed from durable materials like recycled plastic. They feature individual cells or pockets to hold soil and plants, which allows for customizable arrangements. The design provides an air gap between the planter and the building’s surface, which helps prevent mold or mildew.

Many wall planter systems have a built-in irrigation mechanism to simplify watering. Some use a top-down channel where water cascades to lower levels, while others employ drip irrigation to deliver water directly to each plant. These features, sometimes including a reservoir at the base, are designed to ensure even moisture distribution, a common challenge in vertical gardening.

Wall planter systems are advantageous in urban settings where ground space is limited, making it possible to have a garden on a balcony or patio. Beyond saving space, these systems serve as an aesthetic feature, turning a plain wall into living art. The dense arrangement of plants can also contribute to a healthier indoor environment.

Best Plants for a Vertical Garden

Select plants with shallow root systems, as they can thrive in the limited soil volume of a planter’s pockets. It is also beneficial to choose drought-tolerant plants, as vertical systems can dry out quickly. Grouping plants with similar light and water requirements will make long-term care more manageable.

For a lush, cascading appearance, trailing plants are an excellent choice. Popular options include:

• Golden Pothos, which is tolerant of low light conditions.
• Heartleaf Philodendron, a resilient vining plant for various indoor light levels.
• Trailing petunias for sunny outdoor locations.
• Dichondra ‘Silver Falls’ for its stunning silvery foliage that spills over the planter’s edge.

To add structure and height, incorporate upright plants. Good choices for this include:

• Snake Plants (Dracaena trifasciata), which are low-maintenance and tolerate infrequent watering.
• Smaller varieties of ZZ Plants (Zamioculcas zamiophylla) for their glossy leaves and tolerance for neglect.
• Compact ornamental grasses for outdoor systems.
• Heuchera, which provides vertical interest with its colorful foliage.

Vertical planters are also effective for growing edibles like herbs and leafy greens. Herbs such as mint, chives, parsley, and thyme adapt well to the pocket environment. Leaf lettuces, spinach, and kale are also suitable due to their quick growth cycle and shallow roots. Place sun-loving edibles in the upper sections of the planter to ensure they receive adequate light.

Installation and Planting Guide

Choose a suitable location for your vertical garden based on the light requirements of your plants. South-facing walls receive the most direct sun, while north-facing walls are shadier. You must locate a wall stud for secure mounting, as a fully planted and watered system is heavy. A stud finder will help ensure the mounting hardware is anchored firmly.

Mount the planter to the wall using the provided brackets and screws. Use a level to ensure the brackets are installed straight for both aesthetics and proper water distribution in gravity-fed systems. Follow the manufacturer’s instructions to attach the mounting panels securely before hanging the planter trays or pots.

Prepare your plants by gently removing each one from its nursery pot. If the roots are tightly bound, lightly tease them apart with your fingers to encourage them to grow into the new soil. This step helps the plant establish itself more quickly in the planter pocket.

Add a quality potting mix to the individual pockets of the planter. Create a small opening in the soil, place the prepared root ball inside, and then firm the soil around it. Once all the plants are in place, hang the pots on the brackets if they are not already attached. Water the plants thoroughly to help the soil settle.

Caring for Your Wall Planter

Proper watering is necessary to maintain a healthy vertical garden. For systems with a self-watering reservoir, fill it as needed but also monitor the soil moisture directly, as top pockets may dry out faster. For hand-watered systems, water until you see it drain from the bottom, ensuring the entire soil column is moistened.

You may need to adjust the light conditions chosen during installation. Indoor living walls often require supplemental lighting to thrive, especially during winter. A full-spectrum LED grow light can provide the necessary light for photosynthesis if natural light is insufficient. Observe your plants for signs of inadequate light, such as pale leaves or leggy growth, and adjust accordingly.

Fertilizing replenishes nutrients in the container environment. During the spring and summer growing season, apply a balanced liquid fertilizer diluted to half-strength every few weeks. For systems with integrated irrigation, a liquid fertilizer can be added to the water. Slow-release granular fertilizers mixed into the soil during planting are another option that provides a steady supply of nutrients. Always follow the product’s instructions to avoid over-fertilizing.