Making an indoor vertical garden not only enhances interior beauty but also provides health benefits and adds aesthetic value to the area. There are different houseplants that work as air purifiers as they filter out toxic gases from the indoor air. Since a vertical garden contains many plants therefore it is more beneficial than a normal potted indoor plant.
An indoor garden is not only for houseplants, but you can also grow your food like different vegetables and fruits by creating an indoor vertical garden. Nowadays growing your food is extremely beneficial for health purposes and also decreases your daily expenditure on vegetables and fruits. So if you live in an urban area and lack space outdoors for growing a big garden then building a vertical garden indoors will be the best option for you.
Making an indoor vertical garden is almost similar to making an outdoor one, with some special attention.
Table of Contents
How to make an indoor vertical garden
1. Select the right location
First and the most important part of indoor vertical gardening is to find out the right place to set up the vertical garden. During finding the right place you have to consider different things like if your selected plants need full sunlight or indirect sunlight is also ideal for them. If they are all right with indirect sunlight then place your garden in a place where the direct sunlight will not hit the plants. But if your plants required full direct sunlight then you have to set up your garden near a window or a place where plants get the proper sunlight for their growth. Another option that you can opt for is to install LED lights artificially to provide the required lights to your plants. Because shade loving plants also need a certain amount of light and artificial lights can fulfill the requirement for both types of plants.
2. Choose the ideal design
After deciding the right place for your selected plants, the next thing that you have to choose is the ideal structure for your vertical garden which will perfectly fit in your available space. There are different design option is available that you can choose for your indoor vertical garden.
Hanging pots: Most common and great choice for beginners when they first time going to start vertical gardening indoors. It’s really easy to work with these pots and you can grow a lot of vegetables and herbs with the presence of enough light.
Vertical pocket panels: Another popular option for indoor vertical gardening in a limited open space and also the most affordable way to create a living wall. These pocket panels are mounted on a wall so if you are going to choose this design make sure your house walls are waterproof. Small lightweight plants are ideal for this design.
Shelving units: vertical shelves are becoming a trend for indoor gardening. This allows you to grow large and small plants according to your choice. If you are purchasing the complete structure then there is an option available with in-build lights which you can opt for if proper sunlight is not available inside your home.
Stackable planters: One of the best options for a small spaced area because in this design pots are stacked vertically one over the other and also provide extra mobility. Strawberries, leafy vegetables, and herbs grow well in this way.
3. Use quality soil
The soil you are going to use for your vertical garden must be high quality with the required nutrients available for better plant growth. But if you are going to use a hydroponics system then the process is completely different. In that case, plants are grown on water only and you have to add nutrients to the water and maintain the whole process.
4. Prevent drainage problems
Drainage can be a real problem if you don’t pay proper attention. The water can be soaked on your wall or floor and can damage your home. If you are going to purchase any structure from the market then remember there are many vertical garden structures available with waterproof panels. Also, remember that planting containers must be ideal to prevent water leakage.
5. Choose the perfect plants
Even though there are a lot of options but choosing plants for an indoor vertical garden totally depends on you. There are different houseplants, herbs, vegetables, and fruit plants that you can consider according to your choice. Different plants required different amounts of light and space, so you have to think about it before choosing the plants.
Fruit and Vegetables:
Growing fruit and vegetables in your vertical garden for family consumption purposes is the best way to get healthy food and also during the whole process you get the best satisfaction. Before starting keep in mind that most fruit and vegetables require full exposure to the sun. Fruits like strawberries, cucumber, squash, and melons can be grown easily in a vertical garden. And you can grow vegetables like peas, tomatoes, beans, lettuce, spinach, etc. in your garden.
Herbs:
There are different amazing herbs that you can choose to grow and enhance your indoor beauty. Herbs also require plenty of sunlight. Herbs like rosemary, thyme, basil, mint, oregano, etc grow well in indoor conditions.
Houseplants:
Since houseplants are meant for the indoors that’s why they can be grown easily. Different houseplants work as air purifiers and also enhance indoor beauty as home decor. You can go for different indoor plants like english ivy, spider plant, philodendron, pothos, etc.
Maintenance of an indoor vertical garden
- Watering in regular intervals is most important for the better and healthy growth of your plants.
- According to your plants, proper exposure to sunlight is required.
- You need to fertilize your plants as per their requirement. For avoiding the toxicity of chemicals use good quality organic fertilizers.
- If your plants get affected by pest attacks then take the action immediately. If needed use requires pesticide as per the recommendation.
- In your limited indoor space if plants require pruning then do it as per the plant growth.
- Most importantly always keep the vertical garden structure clean to prevent damage.
Benefits of indoor vertical garden
- Improve indoor air quality by absorbing the carbon dioxide in the air and releasing the oxygen that we need.
- The vertical garden acts as a sound barrier and reduces the noise level in your room.
- If you have very limited open space then an indoor vertical garden can help you maximize your space while giving you the full benefits of a garden.
- With little effort, a vertical garden can provide you with healthy food over the year.
- Most importantly an indoor garden connects you with nature without stepping outside and improves your mental health.
- It’s easier to maintain than a normal garden.
FAQs
Are indoor vertical garden worth the money?
Absolutely, because you can grow different fruit and vegetables according to your choice and get healthy food over the year. Also, a vertical garden helps to improve your indoor air quality, decrease noise level, maintain temperature and enhance the overall beauty of your home.
Is an Indoor vertical garden hard to maintain?
Not really, because it’s quite easier to maintain than a normal garden. You just need to check the disease and pest attack, nutrient requirement, and water requirement regularly for better results. The condition of the vertical garden structure needs to be checked at regular intervals if it’s working well or not.
What is the disadvantage of an indoor vertical garden?
If you choose the wrong plant that grows very quickly, it’s required regular checking otherwise it can damage the walls, ceiling, and floor of your home. Also, you have to ensure that the drainage system is working well otherwise, it can make big trouble for you by soaking water all over your home.