Small garden? Tiny patio? No ground space at all? That doesn’t have to stop you from growing your own vegetables. When space is limited, the solution is to look up literally.
Vertical gardening lets you turn walls, fences, or even a balcony railing into a lush, edible oasis. This roundup features 17 edible living wall ideas that give you a chance to grow fresh food almost anywhere.
Strawberries, salad greens, aromatic herbs, these ideas make use of every inch and add beauty to the space, too. Many of these vertical gardens are built using recycled materials, making them a smart and sustainable option for urban gardeners.
If you’ve been craving your own harvest, these edible wall gardens can bring you closer to nature no matter where you live. Dive in, get inspired, and pick your favorite vertical setup to start growing today.
#1 Strawberry Vertical Garden
Source: Serenalee
This setup uses a wooden wall with horizontal slats to grow strawberries in narrow rows of soil. It saves space and works well in small gardens or patios. The plants grow up instead of out, so you can fit more into a small area.
To build one, use a wood frame, add slats with enough space to hold soil, and tuck in strawberry plants. Make sure the spot gets plenty of sun and water often so the soil stays moist. It’s an easy way to grow your own fruit even in tight spaces.
#2 Living Salad Wall
Source: Seattlegardenideas
This compact vertical garden is filled with leafy greens like lettuce, arugula, and herbs. It’s designed for easy harvesting and doesn’t take up ground space. You can grow everything in one panel, making it ideal for small patios or balconies.
To make your own, use a wooden or fabric wall planter with pockets or small compartments. Fill them with potting mix and add your favorite greens. Water often and trim as needed for a fresh salad anytime.
#3 Plastic Bottle Vertical Garden
Source: Youtu
This vertical garden uses rows of recycled plastic bottles as planting containers, hung on a simple wooden frame. Each bottle is cut and filled with soil, then planted with leafy greens like lettuce and mustard.
At the top, a line of water-filled bottles serves as a drip irrigation system to keep everything hydrated. This setup saves space and water, and it’s easy to build with scrap materials.
It works well in small corners, patios, or even indoor areas with good light.
#4 Metal Shelf Wall Garden
Source: Flickr
This living wall is made from long, angled metal shelves attached to a sturdy green wall, turning vertical space into rows of fresh greens.
It holds various types of leafy vegetables in each row, creating a compact garden perfect for tight spots. The angled shelves help water drain properly and keep the plants healthy.
To make your own, use recycled metal or wood shelving, attach them securely to a wall or fence, and plant lettuce, spinach, or herbs in each row. It’s a smart way to grow more without using much ground space.
#5 Wall-Mounted Wooden Herb Planter
Source: Etsy
This vertical herb garden uses angled wooden boxes fixed to a board and mounted on a brick wall.
Each planter tilts slightly forward, making it easy to water and harvest herbs like mint, rosemary, and lavender. The compact design works well in small spaces like balconies or narrow patios.
To make one, build slanted boxes from wood, screw them onto a wooden backing, and secure the whole unit to a wall with anchors. It’s a practical and tidy way to keep fresh herbs within reach.
#6 Hanging Pocket Wall Planter
Source: Ingodseconomy
This setup uses a fabric shoe organizer repurposed into a vertical garden. Each pocket holds a small plant, perfect for herbs, leafy greens, or compact veggies. It’s easy to hang on a fence or wall using hooks or nails.
Fill each pocket with potting soil and insert your chosen plants. Make sure there’s good drainage and avoid overwatering. This is an affordable way to maximize vertical space and grow a variety of edibles in a small area.
#7 Hanging Ladder Shelf Planter
Source: Etsy
The ladder is hung with a strong rope or cord from a wall hook, allowing it to sit flat against a vertical surface. Terracotta pots fit neatly on each step, ideal for herbs, small veggies, or vining greens.
You just need a sturdy hook, rope, and a compact ladder shelf. Attach the rope securely at both ends of the top rung and hang it where it gets light. It’s a simple way to grow edibles without taking up ground space.
#8 Tin Can Herb Wall
Source: Thegardenglove
This idea uses recycled tin cans to grow a mix of herbs vertically on a narrow wooden board. The cans are cleaned, have drainage holes added, and are then screwed onto the board in a staggered pattern.
To make your own, collect six to eight cans, drill holes at the bottom, and attach each one securely to the board with screws. Add soil and herb seedlings like basil, mint, oregano, or thyme. Mount the board to a wall or prop it against a sunny surface.
#9 PVC Pipe Lettuce Garden
Source: Heatherednest
This wall garden makes use of horizontal PVC pipes cut open at the top and connected with elbow joints for a flowing, tiered layout. Each pipe holds a row of leafy greens like lettuce or romaine, growing neatly along a vertical bamboo fence.
To build something similar, cut large-diameter PVC pipes in half lengthwise, drill drainage holes at the bottom, and secure them to a wooden or bamboo backing. Use pipe fittings to link each level for visual interest and even watering.
Fill with potting mix and plant seedlings close together. It’s efficient, reusable, and ideal for small urban walls.
#10 Pallet Wall Herb Garden
Source: LizCoughlan
This DIY vertical garden uses a recycled wooden pallet turned upright, with each horizontal slat acting as a pocket for herbs and leafy greens.
It’s a clever way to grow parsley, mint, thyme, or lettuce in a compact space, especially if you have limited ground area.
To create your own, pick a sturdy pallet, sand it down, and staple landscape fabric behind each row to hold the soil. Fill the slots with good potting mix, then tuck in your herb seedlings. Place it where it gets sunlight for several hours a day.
#11 Indoor Chalkboard Herb Wall
Source: Nonagon
This compact herb garden grows right on your kitchen wall, making it easy to snip fresh herbs while cooking.
It uses a blackboard backing where you can label each plant like mint, lemon thyme, oregano, or sage, with chalk for a tidy look. The frame holds small planter pockets securely, keeping everything vertical and within reach.
To build something similar, attach a sturdy wooden frame with fabric or plastic planting pouches onto a board, paint the board with chalkboard paint, and mount it near a sunny window. It’s perfect for apartments and small kitchens.
#12 Marson Jar Vertical Garden By A Window
Source: Savingbydesign
This DIY mason jar herb garden is a simple way to grow fresh herbs right by your kitchen window. Each glass jar is filled with soil and mounted on a rustic wooden board using metal hose clamps, holding them securely in place at an angle.
This setup allows easy drainage and sunlight exposure while keeping your herbs within arm’s reach. You can grow parsley, rosemary, mint, or anything you like.
To make one, just screw hose clamps onto a board, tighten them around your jars, and hang the piece on a sunny wall. It’s a neat, space-saving option that adds some greenery indoors.
#13 Wooden Planter for Salad Greens
Source: Thegreeneberger
This tiered wooden planter is made from simple plywood and works great for small outdoor spaces. The angled boxes create layers so each row gets sunlight, making it ideal for growing leafy greens or herbs.
It’s built by attaching long wooden boxes to a sturdy vertical frame, each one slightly offset to prevent shading. Fill each box with soil, plant your seeds, and water regularly.
You can place it along a fence or wall for added support and easy access. It’s a low-cost, efficient way to grow food at home without needing a large garden.
#14 Hanging Planters and Pallet Boxes
Source: Instagram
The crates are attached directly to the wood frame and filled with a mix of herbs, greens, and flowers. Above them, metal containers hang from hooks to hold more trailing or bushy plants.
To make your own, start with a wood grid or lattice panel as your base. Use screws or hooks to secure small wooden boxes or pots in place.
It’s easy to rearrange and ideal for patios or balconies with limited room. Plus, the layout makes watering and harvesting simple.
#15 Edible Green Wall Packed With Aromatic Plants
Source: Instagram
Rows of basil, sage, thyme, and marigolds spill out of hidden planting slots built into a modern terracotta-toned frame. The dense arrangement creates a thriving green wall that’s both decorative and delicious.
To recreate this look, build a sturdy planter box structure with staggered planting pockets. Fill each section with nutrient-rich soil and tuck in compact herbs or edible flowers.
#16 A Living Wall of Edible Greens
Source: Instagram
With its rich brown slats acting as both structure and frame, this vertical setup holds rows of vibrant lettuces, curly parsley, herbs, and even kale, all thriving in horizontal slots.
The warmth of the wood contrasts beautifully with the crisp greens, giving it a cozy, rustic feel. If you’re dreaming of fresh salads straight from the wall, this is your go-to inspiration.
Build staggered rows using strong wooden planks or repurposed fencing, and insert shallow containers or fabric grow bags filled with compost-rich soil.
