The 6 Best Vertical Garden Kits in 2023

Vertical gardening is rapidly becoming a popular way to grow food and utilizing vertical garden kits makes it easier than ever!

Vertical gardening is a great solution for those living in an apartment or city lot who are short on gardening space. It’s also ideal for avid gardeners (like me!) who like to keep their essentials such herbs and greens close to the house to grab while cooking.

In this article, I break down everything that you need to know to successfully garden vertically while also discussing the top 6 vertical garden kits on the market. 

I even have some discounts for you! Who doesn’t like a good deal?!

Let’s go!

What is a Vertical Garden?

A vertical garden is simply using a framework that holds clusters of soil (eg: pots, growing trays, breathable socks, etc.) to grow plants in a vertical fashion, rather than the traditional horizontal garden bed. Not only is this method a beautiful piece of outdoor decor, but it’s very functional as well!

Why You Should Consider Vertical Gardening

Short on growing space

If you live in a small city lot or apartment, this would be an excellent option for you! By going vertical, you can grow A LOT of food in a very small footprint. Vertical gardening really opens up the possibilities for increasing self-sufficiency if you have limited space.

The beauty of this method is that it can be set up anywhere as long as there is adequate sunlight. Look around and get creative with your options!

• Patio
• Deck
• Garage wall
• Fence
• Rooftop
• Create a privacy wall

Maybe you have a decent sized yard, but your soil quality is poor. Vertical gardening would be a great option for you, too!

Easy access herbs and greens

If you have multiple generations at home or those with limited mobility, vertical gardening is a great way to access growing vegetables and herbs. No need to walk a great distance to a garden plot or bend over a garden bed!

Another benefit is having easy access to your plants while you are cooking. For me, I have a large garden, but it’s far from the house. Having my herbs and greens nearby to grab while cooking is very appealing! I’m sure I’m not the only one who has done the dash out to the garden and back while food is cooking away on the stove!

Less weed pressure and pests

With less visible soil, that means less weeds! Vertical gardening really is a low-maintenance option for those that don’t get excited about pulling weeds on a daily basis. Moving your plants from the lawn to a location like a patio or deck means less pests, too! Consider adding a few pots of flowers nearby to draw in beneficial pollinators.

Ambiance, decor and privacy

This may be the gardener in me, but my favorite way to decorate is with plants and vertical gardens are no exception. They are stunning! Not only are plants often cheaper than traditional decor, but you can eat it, too! What’s not to love?

Have a nosy neighbor or just want more privacy? Set up a vertical garden as a privacy wall! 

Not only are vertical gardens beautiful, but research shows that gardening is associated with reductions in depression, anxiety, BMI, as well as increases in life satisfaction, quality of life and sense of community (Soga, 2017). Sign me up! :).

Types of Vertical Garden Kits

There are several vertical garden kits on the market that make vertical gardening a breeze! There are many different styles, sizes and functionalities. Let’s dig into what option is best for you!

Wall vs Circular Vertical Garden Kits

Vertical Garden Kits

Wall vertical garden kits are an excellent option for all gardeners, large and small. Not only is it a beautiful way to display your plants, but it’s very functional. This is my favorite type of vertical garden for several reasons. 

• All plants have access to the sun at the same time
• Less plastic involved
• It’s a gorgeous way to display your plants, create a privacy wall or liven up a boring wall.
• Some can be permanently secured, so you only need to set it up once!
• Some are free-standing if you want a flexible option

Circular Vertical Garden Kits

Circular vertical garden kits are also popular because they are simple to set up and can be placed anywhere. However, there are some negatives associated with this option.

• Needs rotated frequently so that all plants can have access to the sun
• Largely made with plastic materials
• May tip over in windy areas

Hydroponic vs Soil-Based

There are 2 types of growing mediums out there for vertical gardening. Hydroponic is a soilless option that is appealing at first glance. However, it requires a steady water supply and you’ll find that your results just won’t be as good at the end of the day. Plants should be grown in soil as God intended.

Soil contains a complex mixture of vitamins, minerals, and organic matter for strong plant growth. It also contains a diverse microbiome (beneficial bacteria) that improves your own microbiome, too! Soil is life! Soil is also much more forgiving. If you lose water supply using the hydroponic method, your plants will quickly dry out and die.

While I haven’t personally compared hydroponic to soil-based mediums for vertical gardening, I have compared the two while growing microgreens. The difference was shocking! I quickly gave up on hydroponic and now strictly use soil-based.

Pockets vs Containers

Lastly, there are two different designs when it comes to the container that your plants are actually inserted into. 

Pocket design

• Pros: Utilizes a fabric-like material, which improves temperature regulation and results in a healthier root system. If properly taken care of, this material can last for 7+ years. Often a more beautiful design as well!
• Cons: Often has a small planting hole, so this design is best for small plant plugs or direct seeding.

Container design

• Pros: Uses your traditional plastic pots, so more versatile in what size of plants you can insert.
• Cons: Lots of plastic used in this design and plants can overheat. May not have drainage holes, so you’ll need to drill some yourself.

The 6 Best Vertical Garden Kits

Before we get into the kits, I want to admit something. I’m feeling the pull to start partnering more with small companies rather than the giant, Amazon. This week I reached out to some vertical gardening kit companies and met some great people! It feels so good to partner with other small businesses and I hope you all will see value in it, too!

#1 Vertical Garden Supply – 10% off!

Vertical Garden Supply Outdoor Varden™ Kits

The Outdoor Varden™ Kits utilize rows of 5” diameter mesh socks (Vardensock™) that are filled with a growing medium (soil) and can be used year after year. This design gives the roots plenty of room to grow and breathe resulting in a strong root system. 

These plant socks rest in rows of irrigated trays that utilize a bottom-watering method, which is ideal for plant health and reducing the risk of soil-borne disease. Not to mention, this makes the watering process super easy for you!

This kit arrives complete with all components needed for outdoor install. Includes wire panel cut to size, empty Vardensok mesh for filling with garden soil, cardboard tube for easy sock filling, Varden trays, pre-cut irrigation supply line with fittings, and drip lines with fittings attached. All of the plastic is recycled for a greener option, too!

The Outdoor Varden™ Kits come with wire mounting cleats for easy attachment to walls, fences, posts, etc. However, if you need a free-standing option, you can add on their DIY Garden Stand!

Your Discount Code!

Don’t forget your 10% off discount on their vertical gardening kits and plants! Use the discount code “homesteadingRD” (case sensitive) when you check out!

TIP: the inserts into the mesh socks are small (to maintain the integrity of the sock), so it’s best to use small seedlings or direct seed.

#2 – Watex Green Living – 20% off!

The Watex Urban Farming Vertical garden kits comes with several different types of planters and many feature a drip irrigation kit. This consists of 1/4″ pipes pre-installed behind the panel to deliver water accurately and simultaneously to drippers positioned at each pot. This allows users to set up a water-saving and time-saving irrigation system for the plants that they are growing. If you go on a lot of vacations, the drop irrigation kit is a must!

The Expandable Green Wall Vertical Garden Kit (pictured above) is neat because you can continue to add units to expand your growing space as much as you’d like! While this design may be more plastic-heavy than others, Watex took the extra step to provide a recycled, BPA version.

Lastly, the installation panel works as a barrier between the pots and the wall. Therefore, the irrigation system delivers water directly into the pots from the hose connection given on the side of each panel, rather than leaking on it’s surroundings.

Your Discount Code!

Don’t forget your 20% off discount on their vertical gardening kits! Use the discount code “thehomesteadingrd20” when you check out!

#3 Factory Seconds Vertical Garden Kit

If you prefer to shop on Amazon, this is a great plastic-free option! This vertical garden kit is made out of 100% western red cedar and has a very small footprint (32” W x 45” H x 9” D) thanks to its mounted design. You could fit this anywhere that you have a little wallspace. 

This product offers 7 growing trays that fits a total of 4.5 cubic feet of soil. It even comes with a dripline irrigation system, making watering a breeze!

#4 Six Foot Freestanding Vertical Garden Kit

This is an easy to assemble kit that has 4 different hanging plastic (new plastic; not recycled) containers that are each 27” long. Using large planting bins like this allows you to start with larger, established plants.

This is a freestanding design, so it can be placed anywhere! It does have a larger footprint than your vertically mounted designs, but it is still slim and easy to place on your patio or deck.

TIP: This kit does not come with drainage holes! I highly recommend drilling some drainage holes in the bottom so that your plants don’t get waterlogged.

#5 Four Foot Freestanding Vertical Garden Kit

This 4 foot vertical gardening kit is the little brother to the 6 foot vertical gardening kit above. Identical construction, but on a smaller scale. Each planting container is only 22” long. Using large planting bins like this allows you to start with larger, established plants.

This is a freestanding design, so it can be placed anywhere! It does have a larger footprint than your vertically mounted designs, but it is still slim and easy to place on your patio or deck.

TIP: This kit does not come with drainage holes! I highly recommend drilling some drainage holes in the bottom so that your plants don’t get waterlogged.

#6 GreenStalk Vertical Garden Kit

This 5 Tier GreenStalk Vertical Garden comes with a total of 30 planting pockets Each tier holds 1 cubic foot of potting mix, so this design will give you a total of 5 cubic feet of soil to plant in. One negative is that this design is very plastic-heavy and it is not recycled.

This kit has drainage holes unlike the other Amazon offerings, plus it has a water reservoir system! Simply fill the top water reservoirs to the 5 tier mark whenever they need to be watered. The GreenStalk’s unique, patented watering system will deliver fresh water to each of the tiers/pockets below.

TIP: Since this kit features a circular design, you will need to remember to rotate it frequently so that all plants have access to sunlight.

Bonus: DIY Vertical Garden Plans

Prefer to make one yourself? No problem! Here are some great designs that you can check out for a fun project this spring. 

• DIY Vertical Garden with Drip Watering System by Houseful of Homemade
• Vertical Herb Garden by Kreg Tool
• DIY Vertical Garden by Jessica Welling Interiors
• Vertical Garden with Removable Planters by Real Cedar

How to Garden Vertically 

Best types of plants for vertical gardening

You can plant most anything that has a shallow root system and a fairly compact nature. Vining vegetables like cucumbers, squash and pole beans should be avoided because they’ll make a mess and crowd out the other plants. Vegetables with deep root systems like carrots and potatoes won’t thrive, either. Everything else will do great!

Vegetables – with links to my favorite varieties!

• Greens like lettuce, kale, arugula, spinach, pac choy and chard
• Onion
• Shallots
• Garlic
• Radish
• Kohlrabi
• Cabbage
• Bush beans
• Fennel

Herbs – with links to my favorite varieties!

• Chives
• Oregano
• Basil
• Dill
• Mint
• Thyme
• Sage
• Cilantro
• Parsley
• Green onion
• Chamomile

Watering needs

Your vertical garden’s watering needs will depend on the kit that you purchase. Some of the kits will need manual watering every few days, while others can be connected to a hose to take care of it for you!

Type of soil to use

The best type of soil to use for vertical gardening is an organic, potting mix. Potting mixes are idea over standard garden soil because they contain organic matter like peat moss and vermiculite for adequate drainage.

Sunlight

Most vegetables and herbs require full sun (6-8+ hours of direct sunlight), so finding a sunny location for your vertical garden kit is best. However, some plants do fine with part shade (3 hours of direct sun).

If you’re limited on sunny locations, consider planting the following:

• Greens like lettuce, kale, arugula, spinach, pac choy, and chard
• Radish
• Kohlrabi
• Cabbage
• Garlic
• Green onion
• Chives
• Cilantro
• Parsley

Other Articles You’ll Love

• 10 Tips for Starting Pepper Seeds Indoors
• What Type of Microgreens Should I Grow?
• 5 Winter Tasks Every Gardener Should Do

Final Thoughts on Vertical Garden Kits

Vertical gardening is an excellent way to make the most of a small space and increase accessibility.

I’m confident that you’ll have great success with any of the vertical garden kits that we reviewed above. Please share with us how it’s going in the comments section below!

Happy gardening!