Ever felt like a dull wall or balcony in your home needs a splash of green magic? Do you love plants but find it hard to make space to accommodate them inside your living space?
Well, it's time to wave a magic wand and turn your dull walls into a dramatic display of lush succulent plants with vibrant colours and marvellous shapes.
Succulents are generally low-maintenance plants, do not need constant watering, and are perfect for an urban vertical succulent garden.
Whether you are a DIYer, a new gardener, or a plant lover, especially of succulents, building a succulent wall garden is easier than you'd imagine.
In this blog, we will explore five fabulous ways to build a vertical succulent garden on your own to liven up your cramped or small living space.
Why Build a Vertical Succulent Garden?
Here are some excellent reasons why!
Space-saving: Horizontal gardens require less floor space, which can often be a challenge in compact areas like balconies, patios, or small courtyards. An indoor wall garden saves you space and transforms your wall into a beautiful and unique presentation with its wide variety of shapes, colours and textures.
Low-maintenance: Succulents are drought-tolerant and can survive with minimal watering. Vertical gardens can be an ideal environment because soils dry out quickly in a vertical garden, and succulents can handle that very well.
Sustainable décor: If you are into sustainable living, vertical gardens are a fabulous option, as they can be built using reclaimed materials like pallets, shoe racks, or vintage frames.
5 Creative Ways to Build a Vertical Succulent Garden
1. The Recycled Wood Pallet Succulent Wall Planter
It's easy to transform a timber pallet into a DIY succulent wall planter.
This is how you do it!
1. Repurpose an old or aged wooden pallet by re-stacking the planks to create planting pockets.
2. Fill the pockets with a weed mat(to prevent weed growth) or geotextile material (to allow water to pass through while blocking soil).
3. Paint the pallet with exterior paint. Alternatively, you can leave it as is to maintain a rustic look for your vertical garden.
4. Secure the pallet by making it stand against a wall, fixing it to a fence, or attaching support legs.
5. Fill the pockets with potting mix and plant your favourite succulent plants. Ensure they are suitable for your sunlight conditions.
6. Water them gently until the soil is thoroughly soaked, and then water again only when the top of the soil is completely dry.
2. Terracotta Pot Hanging Succulent Garden
Create a beautiful hanging succulent garden using terracotta pots suspended from a wall.
How to:
• Suspend metal rings or pot holders on your wall in a neat grid.
• Pot up your preferred succulents—a string of pearls, jade, or echeveria into each pot and plant with the cactus mix.
• Hang and enjoy the Mediterranean charm it provides.
This is great on balconies or any sun wall.
3. Framed Succulent Wall Garden
Design a living piece of art with this hip succulent wall garden idea.
1. Use an old grid metal frame like a trellis. (If you do not have one available, you can get one built by arranging metal rods in a crisscross pattern. Ensure there is sufficient space between the squares to accommodate the pots in a pot ring.
2. Mount the frame to the wall using screws and brackets.
3. Screw pot rings onto the frame to hold the terracotta pots. Ensure that they are securely attached to the frame and are firm enough to hold the pots.
4. Paint the frame and the pot rings in a dark colour for a modern look. You could also add LED lights if it is an indoor setup.
5. Fill the pots with well-draining soil. Plant your favourite succulents. Do not overwater.
4. Shoe Organizer Succulent Planter
Turn an old canvas shoe rack into a wall planter for succulents!
Here's how you can create this interesting wall planter with a few easy steps.
1. Choose a sturdy shoe organiser that can hold plant and soil weight.
2. Hang the frame on a wall inside or on the balcony using strong hooks and a mounted rod. Ensure it's secure enough to hold the plant's weight.
3. Place plastic liners inside each pocket. You can then place nursery pots with your favourite succulents planted inside.
4. Water them gently with a spray bottle or a small watering can.
5. Ladder Shelf Succulent Display
Love a country vibe? Utilise a wood ladder shelf to achieve a freestanding vertical succulent garden.
1. Lean an old wood ladder against a wall.
2. Place pots of succulents on every rung.
3. Vary pot sizes and plant types for a more layered look.
This makes a great addition to balconies, entryways, or sunny kitchen corners.
Here are some examples of suitable succulent genera and species commonly used for vertical gardens
Rosette-forming Succulents
- Echeveria spp. – Compact, colourful rosettes in various shapes and shades.
- Graptopetalum paraguayense (Ghost Plant) – Pale grey rosettes with trailing stems.
- Sempervivum tectorum (Hens and Chicks) – Hardy, tightly packed rosettes.
Spreading and Trailing Succulents
- Sedum morganianum (Burro's Tail) – Long, trailing stems with plump leaves.
- Sedum rubrotinctum (Jelly Bean Plant) – Small bean-like leaves, red tips in the sun.
- Sedum dasyphyllum – Tiny, blue-grey beads; excellent for filling gaps.
- Crassula pellucida subsp. marginalis – Small variegated heart-shaped leaves.
Where to Buy Succulents in Australia?
Feeling inspired? You'll need healthy, gorgeous, succulent plants to get started.
Head on over to PlantArk - Australia's go-to online marketplace for indoor plants, succulents and many more. Whether you want to green up your wall with a hanging succulent garden, build a succulent wall planter, or add greenery to your space.
Why PlantArk?
• Australian online marketplace
• Easy, secure online shopping
• Verified sellers
• Blog with helpful articles
Ready to Green Up Your Wall?
With some imagination, even the smallest space can be infused with some greens. Suppose you're creating a walled garden of succulents, hanging pots along your balcony, or turning a wooden pallet into a beautiful vertical piece of art. In that case, there's something very fulfilling about owning your mini wall of greens.
So what are you waiting for? Visit PlantArk today, check the availability of your favourite succulents and buy beautiful, hardy succulent plants online.
Start building your very own incredible vertical succulent garden today!