Aglaonema Silver Queen/Maria

Ideal for: Middle to Lower Rows

Light: Medium to high light

Water: Moderate, allowing the soil to dry out before re-watering

Characteristics: The Aglaonema Silver Queen has striking silver variegation and is extremely hardy. It’s a popular choice for indoor vertical gardens because it thrives in low to moderate light and requires minimal watering.

Dracaena Compacta

Ideal for: Middle to Lower Rows

Light: Low to high light

Water: Keep the soil moderately dry but do not let it dry out completely

Characteristics: Dracaena Compacta has sleek, dark green foliage that grows in tight, compact clusters. It’s slow-growing and thrives in low-light conditions, making it perfect for indoor vertical gardens that need structure.

Aeschynanthus (Lipstick Plant)

Ideal for: Middle to Lower Rows

Light: Medium to high light

Water: Allow the soil to dry slightly between watering

Characteristics: The Lipstick Plant gets its name from its bright red tubular flowers. It thrives in well-draining soil with moderate light, adding vibrant color to vertical gardens.

Asplenium Species (Bird's Nest Fern)

Ideal for: Middle to Lower Rows

Light: Medium to high light

Water: Allow the soil to dry slightly between watering

Characteristics: This fern is perfect for adding lush greenery to your garden. Its wide, bright fronds can tolerate moderate light and consistent, but not excessive, moisture.

Peperomia Carparata (Silver & Red)

Ideal for: Upper/Middle Rows

Light: Medium to high light

Water: Keep soil moderately moist

Characteristics: This compact plant has heart-shaped leaves that range in color from deep red to silver, making it perfect for adding visual interest to the lower sections of a vertical garden. It thrives in moderate light and doesn’t require heavy watering.

Variegated Flax Lily (Dianella tasmanica)

Ideal for: Middle to Lower Rows

Light: Partial to full shade

Water: Moderate watering, prefers moist but well-drained soil

Characteristics: The Variegated Flax Lily is a hardy plant with striking green and white striped leaves. It adds beautiful contrast to vertical gardens and thrives in partial shade, making it ideal for areas with moderate light. It’s drought-tolerant once established but prefers consistent moisture.

Get Creative With Plant Selection

Use our plant suggestions as a guide, but any plant suited to a pot will work in a vertical garden, so get creative and browse your local nursery for inspiration. We also suggest speaking to a staff member at your local nursery who will be able to assist with picking plants that are best suited for your local climate. 

Creating a Balanced Vertical Garden

When planning your vertical garden, think about combining different types of plants to create contrast and balance. Mixing trailing plants like ivy and pothos with upright plants like ferns and herbs can give your green wall more depth and texture.

Designing the Perfect Planting Layout for Your Green Wall

When it comes to building a vertical garden, the layout is just as important as the plants you choose. Arranging plants in a way that mimics their natural environment will help them thrive and reduce the maintenance required over time. Here’s how you can design your green wall for optimal plant health, especially when it comes to managing water flow and sunlight exposure.

Top of the Green Wall: Plants that Prefer Drier Conditions

The top of a vertical garden tends to dry out faster between watering sessions due to direct sunlight and the natural movement of water downward. This is the perfect spot for plants that are more drought-tolerant and thrive in well-drained soil. You can add a wetting agent to the soil in the upper rows to assist with keeping your plants hydrated if you do not wish to use only drought tolerant plants.

• Succulents: These plants are ideal for the top layer, as they store water in their leaves and can withstand dry periods. Succulents like Echeveria, Sedum, and Haworthia will love this elevated position. We particularly love String of Pearls as they cascade down below.

• Herbs: Mediterranean herbs like thyme, rosemary, and oregano are also good choices for the top row. These herbs are accustomed to dry, sunny conditions and can easily handle less frequent watering.

• Golden Pothos: While adaptable, Pothos can be positioned near the top of the wall to give it room to cascade down, making the most of the available light while tolerating slightly drier soil conditions.

Middle of the Green Wall: Plants with Moderate Water and Light Needs

The middle section of your vertical garden generally gets moderate light and receives some water as it trickles down from the top rows. This area is ideal for plants that prefer moderate moisture levels but don’t need to be constantly wet.

• Ferns: Plants like the Boston Fern and Maidenhair Fern thrive in this middle zone. They prefer consistent moisture but don’t like being waterlogged, making this spot perfect as they’ll get just the right amount of water.

• Spider Plants: These hardy plants are flexible, growing well in both high and low light environments. The middle section provides them with the balance they need, and their ability to propagate "spiderettes" adds visual interest to the green wall.

• English Ivy: Since it loves to climb, ivy is perfect for the middle section. It will receive adequate moisture from the water trickling down, while its ability to grow in moderate light makes this an ideal spot.

Bottom of the Green Wall: Plants that Prefer Moist Conditions

The bottom of your vertical garden will receive the most water as it cascades down from the upper levels. Plants here tend to remain moist longer, which is great for varieties that need consistently damp soil. This area may also receive less sunlight, so it’s a great spot for shade-loving plants.

• Ferns and Mosses: Ferns such as Asparagus Fern or Bird’s Nest Fern love moisture and thrive in lower light conditions. Mosses or artificial moss panels can also be used here to add texture and softness to your green wall.

• Peace Lilies (Spathiphyllum): Peace Lilies do well in shaded areas with high humidity. The bottom row of your green wall will be a perfect spot for them to flourish in the extra moisture.

• Philodendrons: Like Pothos, Philodendrons are flexible but often prefer more humid environments. Placing them in the lower rows allows them to benefit from the steady moisture while providing dense, attractive greenery.

Experiment With Your Plant Layout

Most vertical garden systems are designed to let you easily rearrange the pots, making it simple to adjust the plant layout as needed. If a plant isn’t thriving in its current spot, try moving it to another part of the green wall. Over time, you’ll gain a better understanding of the microclimates within your vertical garden, allowing you to identify the ideal locations where each plant can truly flourish.