Together, succulents and vertical planters offer a number of advantages. Succulents are relatively low care and require less water than other types of garden plants. Vertical planters can conserve critical ground space while bringing interest to otherwise boring walls and fences. When you combine the two, you get a planter that is stunning and doesn’t need a full-time gardener.
With a few simple techniques, you can make a variety of vertical succulent planters at a fraction of the price of store-bought ones.
1. For the foundation of your planter, use miniature crates, shadow boxes, picture frames, or plain wooden boxes. Pick a box that is about 2 inches (5 cm) deep to use as your planter. Deeper planters may cause the soil to contract, move, and sink.
2. Use 0.25 inch (0.5 cm) mesh wire hardware cloth to cover the planter’s top. It keeps the soil and plants in place while still allowing them room to expand and flourish.
3. Make use of plants that all require similar maintenance. Your plants will need to be overwintered because it will take more than one season for them to mature and fill out the planter box. Recognize that some succulents require a time of dormancy, others can endure cold climates, and some need to be kept indoors. Create a plan for it.
4. Before hanging the vertical planter, let it sit on a flat surface for two to three months so that the plants have time to establish the robust root systems that will allow them to survive and keep falling out of the planter.
5. For a week after planting, don’t water your vertical succulent garden to allow the roots to set down and harden. In the summer and spring, water once a week; in the winter and fall, once a month. To prevent the soil inside from being washed away, remove the entire planter from the wall and place it on a flat area.
6. During the summer growing season, fertilize once a month using a solution of one part liquid houseplant fertilizer to four parts water.
Succulents may be grown vertically.
It’s critical to understand how wall gardening differs from regular gardening in order to grow plants successfully. Although you are doing it, I never considered gardening in pots or on the ground to be horizontal gardening. Although there are variances in slope, traditional gardening has typically been horizontal. Succulent plants are frequently found growing on cliffs, clinging to any soil they can find support in or growing in the cracks between rocks or on the brink of cliffs. They are a wonderful choice for vertical gardening due to their capacity to survive on little soil.
It is vital to choose the right kind of container for the plants being used and the structure the containers are being grown on in order to handle plants growing on a wall. I’ve decided to use two different types of containers for my vertical succulent planting. The first is a frame I created in the initial part of the 1980s. With a wire mesh front, the frame is constructed similarly to a picture frame.
This frame is intended for minor applications when each frame is not constructed to be larger than approximately 18 x 24. The frame gets uncomfortable and requires significant adjustment as you go over that size to prevent problems like soil droop. I’ve used this style of frame most frequently in the sizes 6×12, 12×12, 12×18, and 18×24. Each of these is roughly two depths. The challenge of elegantly filling a bigger wall space can be overcome by hanging a collection of these frames together. These low-tech frames lack watering systems, therefore in order to flatten each frame for watering, it is necessary to remove them from the wall or hang them on a hinge system. The frames can be altered to accommodate a drip system, especially given the variety of drip materials readily accessible today.
The other technique I employ is a 19.5×19.5×2.5 polycarbonate panel made specifically for vertical planting. This is a high-tech device that can be scaled to any desired size and is intended to receive drip. There are 45 slanted pockets on each panel, allowing water to flow from one pocket to the next. This design foresees some of the problems with large-scale vertical gardening. Uniform watering, soil slump, ease of mounting, and simplicity of removal are a few of the main problems.
When gardening with each of these categories of frames or systems, there are some contrasts and some parallels. A description of each system and how to utilize it, from planting through hanging and care, is provided below.
Gather Materials for Your Succulent Garden
You desire a succulent garden since it requires less upkeep, aren’t you? If you have the necessary resources, creating a succulent garden is also rather straightforward.
- You eagerly anticipate showing off your garden space.
- The succulents you prefer (but you’ll get those later).
- a mix of organic matter and coarse drainage elements, such as sand, grit, pumice, perlite, small gravel, or broken granite, that has good drainage.
- a transplanting trowel
- gloves for gardening.
Know your plant hardiness zone
Extreme temperatures can be harmful to some succulent plants. For information on which succulents will thrive in your region, see your plant hardiness zone. In your zone, some plants will thrive more than others.
Note: Despite the frigid conditions, some succulents may thrive in your yard since they are more cold-hardy than others. Sedums and sempervivums, like hens and chicks, are extremely cold-hardy ground coverings and do not require indoor storage during the winter.
Find the right spot for your succulent garden
You must first identify the ideal location for your succulent garden before making any plant purchases or getting too far ahead of yourself. You’ll have a better sense of which succulents will flourish in the space and how many to buy after you know the size and amount of sunlight the area will receive.
The needs for sun and shade will change for different succulents. Succulents vary in their preference for shade, sun exposure, and full sun.
While aloe, aeoniums, and agave demand lots of sunlight, snake plants, jade plants, and other similar species may take moderate shade.
Ensure proper soil drainage
Poor drainage will force these plants to spend too much time in wet, soggy soil, which will lead to root rot. Succulents can also grow in rock gardens and demand sandy, well-drained soil.
You might have to go through a process of trial and error and run a few percolation tests in order to get a soil mixture with good drainage. Organic matter, such as compost, and coarse drainage materials, such as sand, grit, pumice, perlite, small gravel, or broken granite, should be included in a healthy soil mixture.
Play with succulent arrangements
While your plants are still in their pots, you should arrange them in the garden. By putting them in place, you can see the finished product and make any necessary design modifications.
While they are still in their nursery pots, moving your plants around for a more appealing appearance will be much simpler than replanting them.
You’re ready to proceed to the following step and construct your succulent garden once you’ve put your plants in place and are satisfied with the garden layout.
Transplant your succulents
Succulents might be difficult to transplant, yet they are hardy plants. Succulents often bounce back quickly from minor injuries, such as a few torn roots or a plant that has been moved about a bit.
Tap or brush the roots of your succulent after carefully removing it from the nursery pot to get rid of the soil. The nursery potting mix might occasionally have poor drainage, which can cause the soil to stick to the roots and keep them from accessing the water they require. It’s acceptable if you need to break or cut some of the roots in order to remove the nursery potting soil.
Place your succulents into the soil after letting the roots dry out for approximately a day if they are moist.
Watering and caring for your succulents
Before watering your succulent garden, let the roots a day or two to recover and adapt.
When the earth is fully dry, only water. Examine the first few inches of soil. Skip the watering if the ground is wet. However, if the soil is dry, water heavily and then wait a little before watering again. Every week or two, give your succulent garden a drink.
Root rot can affect your plants if you keep them in wet soil. Since root rot is considerably harder for them to recover from than dryness, it is preferable to submerge than overwater.
Check the leaves, as a pro tip. The leaves of an overwatered succulent will often appear mushy, transparent, and squishy. The leaves of a submerged succulent will appear shriveled or wrinkled.
Are vertical gardens challenging to keep up?
A simple estimation of the time required to maintain a vertical garden is given below:
- One hour each week when using an automated watering system.
- 2-3 hours each week without an automated watering system.
In comparison to a standard garden, vertical gardens are typically simpler to manage. Working at eye level will just be easier on your body than bending over. Additionally, since the plants are in pots, battling pests and disease will require less of your time.
An outdoor vertical vegetable garden may require more frequent fertilizer than its flat in-ground cousin when it comes to fertilization, which is the exception to the rule.
We carefully considered the weekly and occasionally daily tasks you will need to do in order to make that assessment. The following is a short list of maintenance duties for vertical gardens:
- Watering
- Fertilizing
- Trimming & Pruning
- Moving plants whose root systems have expanded
- combating disease and pests
To find out what these involve, keep reading. The kind of vertical garden you have will determine a number of things. Will it be compact or expansive? Outside or inside? Are you going to plant flowers, herbs, or vegetables? Read the full post if you’re attempting to determine how difficult it will be to maintain a vertical garden because all of these factors are important.
Aside from that, remember that this tutorial is about maintenance, not setup. Once you’ve completed properly assembling your vertical garden, you’d need to accomplish this.
How deep should a wall planter for succulents be?
In a straightforward wooden box with a depth of about two inches, numerous vertical succulent gardens are cultivated (5 cm.). The ideal box size should not exceed 18 inches by 24 inches (46 x 61 cm.). When hanging on a wall, larger sizes have a tendency to get out of control and lose soil or even plants.
Succulents may establish themselves in barely an inch (2.5 cm) of soil since their roots are typically shallow. To promote root growth, use rooting hormone or even a sprinkling of cinnamon. Several weeks should pass before watering.
Include a wire screen in the box to create a vertical garden from cuttings. This aids in keeping the soil and the plants in place. Push treated cuttings through the holes after working in the appropriate quick-draining soil and give them time to take root. Then simply hang it on the wall.
Once established, roots hold the soil in place. Give roots two to three months to establish. They should adjust to how much sun they will be exposed to while hanging during this period. Once vertical, the box can be mounted to a wall without the dirt spilling out. Combine numerous boxes to cover the wall completely or at your desired level.
To water the boxes, remove them. Although they require watering less frequently than conventional plants, succulents nevertheless require it occasionally. When it’s time to water, the bottom leaves will wrinkle.
How can I keep my vertical garden’s soil moist?
To provide the necessary drainage, drill drainage holes in the bottom side of the planter box. Milorganite should be added, followed by potting mix, and the opening should be covered with landscape fabric fastened to the frame. The plants and soil are kept in place by the taut fabric cover.
Can succulents be grown in just rocks?
It should be obvious that succulents will thrive when planted in rocks given these circumstances. They drain very well and do not retain water, which eliminates the possibility of root rot. This does not include another component of soil, though, since all plants need nutrients.
Although succulents are not particularly hungry plants, they do need certain nutrients to grow. Other micronutrients like zinc or iron are needed in smaller levels, whereas macronutrients like nitrogen, phosphorous, and potassium are essential. The plant won’t grow at all or last very long without these nutrients.
By their very nature, rocks don’t release nutrients quickly enough to keep the plants alive. They are composed of minerals, but since they decompose so slowly over time, they are not appropriate for growing on their own. Additionally, they often don’t retain enough moisture, allowing the roots to quickly dry out after draining practically instantly.
Sadly, this means that succulents cannot thrive permanently without soil in rocks. If not given regular care, they may survive for several weeks or even months on the nutrients found in the stems and leaves.
What vegetation thrives in a vertical garden?
Fruiting vines like kiwi (Actinidia deliciosa), Siberian gooseberries (Actinidia arguta), edible flowers like vining nasturtiums, and vertical garden crops like peas, squash, tomatoes, and pole beans are examples of edibles that adapt well to vertical planting.
Columnar Plants
Columnar plants add interest to vertical gardening. Many can grow successfully without a frame. Think about growing Lombardy poplars, arborvitae (Thuja occidentalis), columnar apple trees, or junipers (Juniperus scopulorum) (Populus nigra).
How frequently should my vertical garden be watered?
How frequently ought I to water my garden? Although everyone’s conditions are different, it is advised that you water your garden once every two to three weeks.
Are succulents tolerant of crowds?
Speaking with individuals about succulent care or watching succulent care “in the wild” has made me aware of some of the misconceptions around succulent plants in the horticultural community. Just stroll through the nurseries in garden centers, where staff members are highly qualified. There are numerous excellently kept ornamental plants, fruit trees, and beautifully managed bedding plants, all of which have been nourished, watered, and maintained. then go for the section with succulents. You’ll find plants that have been improperly labeled, overwatered, underwatered, and generally neglected. In response to requests for assistance from merchants and landscaping contractors, I pondered this for a long time.
Successful succulent care is a synthesis of numerous elements, just like taking care of other plants. soil, water, fertilizer, exposure, control of pests and diseases, upkeep, and most importantly, observing and asking questions about the health of the plants.
Observing the plants and wondering what is going on with them. Yes, I believe that this is the most crucial element in keeping succulent plants healthy and beautiful. Applying what you have learnt to this group of plants will go a long way toward success with them if you are a gardener with prior success cultivating other types of plants. A plant is most likely not healthy if it does not appear to be so. Like any other plant that does not appear to be healthy, a plant that is unhealthy is likely dealing with challenges relating to soil, water, fertilizer, pest and disease control, upkeep, or a combination of these issues.
Due to their adaptation to places where water is scarce for extended periods of time, succulent plants differ somewhat from normal herbaceous perennial plants. As a result, their relationship with water plays a significant role in what makes them special. When it comes to gathering and preserving water, succulent plants are particularly effective. Additionally, they are more vulnerable to issues if exposed to excessive water. One of the most important determining aspects in maintaining the health of succulents is water management.
Here are some general care instructions for succulents, including everything from water to soil to sunlight.
Soil
The secret to soil mix in containers and in the landscape is good drainage and aeration. The majority of commercial soil mixtures are a little too dense and hold a lot of water for succulents. Adding coarse perlite, crushed lava, or pumice to conventional potting mixtures will usually be sufficient to transform them into effective succulent potting mixtures. Normally, I advise mixing 1 part amendment with 4 parts potting mix. For succulents like cactus that require even more drainage and aeration, the proportion of amendment can be increased.
There are a number of high-quality choices available on the market if you want to purchase pre-mixed soil, including the E.B. Stone Cactus mix that we carry at the nursery.
Water
Thick stems and leaves that effectively gather and store water are characteristics of succulent plants. Traditional plant varieties have thin leaves and require more frequent hydration and watering. Even though the soil is damp, a plant like a coleus may wilt on a hot day. For the coleus to have more humidity and water availability, more regular watering is required. The succulent is less prone to wilt since it has water stored in its leaves and stem. Before being watered, succulent plants prefer to get close to being dry. The plant’s root ball stores the rest of the remaining moisture when the earth dries out. It’s time to water when this area is almost completely dry. Water the plant thoroughly so that the soil is completely saturated and some water runs out the bottom of the plant. Watering a succulent is very much the same as watering any other plant, only not as frequently.
When the environment is unfavorable, there is an exception to how you water a succulent. Poor air circulation, cloudy, dark days, and inadequate lighting may be examples of this. The plant will dry out extremely slowly in these conditions, so it will require controlled watering—giving it tiny doses of water—to prevent being overly wet for an extended period of time. Again, keeping plants healthy requires paying attention to what they need.
Fertilizer
Like most plants, succulents like being fed. Succulents vary from other plants in that they require less fertilizer less frequently since they are so effective. I do not suggest giving succulents any particular fertilizer. As you develop your plant-growing skills, experimenting with various fertilizers may improve the quality of your plants and/or blooms. Use a balanced fertilizer in the interim, such as 10-10-10 or 20-20-20. To maintain a healthy, growing plant, a fertilizer that is well-balanced is essential. There are a variety of all-purpose fertilizers that will work; at the nursery, we carry and advise Maxsea All-Purpose Plant Food.
An overabundance of fertilizer will promote excessive growth, which gives the plant a weedy appearance. Insufficient water will cause the plant to go into suspended animation and appear to be motionless. I advise halving the stated dosage rate and fertilizing no more frequently than once per month. Since most succulents become dormant throughout the winter, it’s usually not required to fertilize them.
Exposure
Succulent plants, like the majority of plants, prefer a climate with plenty of sunlight and clean air. Many people have misconceptions about succulents. One of the topics that people misinterpret is sunlight. When the topic of succulents is brought up, many people immediately think “desert.” In actuality, succulent plants grow most attractively when given a little sun protection. Succulent plants can develop good color and form without being dried out by the heat of the midday sun if they are grown in a few hours of early sun throughout the warmer months of the year. Shade fabric, lattice, or even the partial shadowing offered by a tree will help break up the heat of the sun in a southern exposure when the sun is shining on the area all day. More light exposure will aid the plant in preserving its good shape and color as winter draws closer. The plant will seem parched and burnt out if it receives too much sunlight. Too little sunshine causes the plant to extend out in search of more light, losing its beautiful compact structure.
Cold Tolerance
Information on the cold tolerance of several succulent plants was lacking until recently. If you don’t know a plant’s resistance to cold, I advise thinking it will freeze or suffer harm if the temperature falls below 32 degrees Fahrenheit, or freezing. Plants can be protected from light frost using inexpensive materials like frost cloth. These materials work well to increase your level of protection by 4 to 6 degrees.
Pest and Disease Control
Aphids are always going to be aphids. Like other plants, succulents will be attacked by insects. The idea is to observe your plants, look more closely, and explore anything that seems abnormal. Like any other plant, succulents require the ideal exposure or location, as well as decent soil, appropriate watering, and fertilizer. You are less likely to encounter bugs if these factors are properly balanced.
Succulent plants are susceptible to the same bugs and diseases that affect other plants, which is a fact of life. Succulents require the same level of pest and disease monitoring as other plants. As with other plants, aphids typically target the blossoms and new growth on succulents. Like other plants, measly bugs live on the roots of the plant and lodge between the leaves near new development. They can also infest the soil. Earwigs and snails both eat on the leaves. Succulent leaves may get powdery mildew, especially after extended periods of bad weather. Not to mention the ants, of course. Farmers are ants. Ants use plants like succulents to develop bugs that will help feed all of their ant companions, just as you may rototill the dirt and plant carrot seeds for your habit of drinking carrot juice. Any ants you see on your plants, get rid of them.
Therefore, these so-called succulent plants are not bug-proof. Although they are hardy and can endure an infection for a long time, healthy, attractive plants must be watched over, and when an infestation does arise, it must be treated with.
You decide how to handle an infestation. To help identify the bug or disease, you may speak with someone at your neighborhood nursery or your acquaintance who is an avid gardener. You decide whether to utilize organic materials or nuclear weapons, water, soap, q-tips, or chemicals. The most important thing is to address the issue as soon as you become aware of it.