Vertical gardens are beautiful, trendy, and engaging. Would your space work for one? Would the garden be able to thrive and grow? Would the vertical garden be worth the investment? Consider these factors before you get to planting your vertical garden.

1- Reliable Anchor Structure

Where would your garden stand, and how would it stay vertical? If you’re attaching a garden to the side of a building, you need to ensure the siding, insulation, and weather-proofing are up to the task of resisting constant moisture while bearing the garden’s weight.

Freestanding structures, like gabions, give you more freedom to position a vertical garden. They’re tougher than many premade vertical garden kits that rely on plastic to stay light enough to anchor to existing walls. Freestanding structures also have the potential to grow plants on multiple sides, taking better advantage of the available space and crafting an atmosphere that feels like natural magic.

2- Sunlight

Sunlight is a critical element in any garden, and you need to understand what’s available in a given space. Take time to observe how the light changes throughout the day. What direction does it come from at different hours? Is it direct light or partial shade? The quality, brightness, and direction of the light will help you determine how to position a vertical garden and what kinds of plants might thrive in it.

Take careful notes. Knowing where the sun generally shines won’t help you when you’re installing the actual garden. One or two feet to the left or right can make a huge difference, especially if you’re putting your garden near other, shadow-casting structures. You can map the sun by marking the light and shadows in chalk with hour marks as the day progresses. Another approach is to use a stationary camera with timed photo or time-lapse features. Remember, indoor gardens are possible with the right growing lights.

3- Available Water Source

A good area for a vertical garden must have access to a water supply. The closer a garden is to water, the easier it is to maintain. Check for outdoor spigots, review hose lengths, and consider potential tripping hazards as you chart the course from water to plants.

A handheld watering can is always an option, but this will limit your garden’s height and volume. The more plants you have, the more trips you’ll have to make with a watering can. It’s a bad idea to climb a ladder to water the top rows, too. That’s an accident waiting to happen. Lacing an irrigation line through the garden or using a misting rig reduces labor.

4- Gaps in Existing Design

Vertical gardens are fantastic solutions for restrictive spaces, areas with lots of foot traffic, and small floor plans. Developing eye-catching designs in these spaces isn’t always easy, and it’s easy to be overwhelmed. Vertical gardens are welcoming oases that can smell as good as they look, depending on what you plant. Exploring design through other senses, like smell, opens even more doors. A restaurant with a patio that smells like aromatic herbs or a spa that always smells like mint or sage will help customers establish connections with not just your space, but your service and brand.