As succulent plants gain
popularity, so do the ways in which we grow and display them in our homes and
gardens. One such way is growing succulents on a wall. In pots or long hanging
planters, innovative gardeners have come up with many ways to use an existing
wall to help support a vertical succulent garden. Let’s take a look at some of
these.
Creating a Living Succulent Wall
A wall that appears to be only
plant material is enjoying success in many commercial landscapes and even
indoors. Succulent wall displays in or around businesses are usually maintained
through hydroponics (water growth) and often too pricey and complicated for the
home gardener.
However, there are plans for
succulent wall planters growing in traditional soil situations that are simple
and affordable. Sometimes a handmade shelf with several levels is built from
wood. Others may be adapted from a metal shelf unit or a series of long plastic
planters.
Ledges may be customized to any
type of expertise. From the simplest to more complex forms, creating a
decorative shelving unit does not have to be complicated. Be sure to add or
allow drainage options. Choose succulents that cascade to help create the
appearance of a living wall.
Ledges may be freestanding or up
near a wall. Build them to support themselves, so that weight and moisture
isn’t transferred to an existing wall or fence nearby.
Vertical Succulent Gardens
Frames are a popular way to display
succulents vertically. Normally, these frames are no bigger than 20 x 20 inches
(50 x 50 cm.). They are often used in groupings, making them appear larger.
Some are covered with wire to hold the soil in. Others are compartmentalized.
The general idea is to let roots develop to help hold the soil when it is positioned
vertically.
Sempervivums are often
used as plant material in the smaller living walls. These develop a strong root
system to hold soil in. This type of plant is available in numerous colorful
rosette forms and can take the cold during winter. Combine with different
varieties of creeping stonecrop for added
color and interest.
Smaller living walls in frames
should remain horizontal until roots develop to hold plants in well.
As succulent plants gain
popularity, so do the ways in which we grow and display them in our homes and
gardens. One such way is growing succulents on a wall. In pots or long hanging
planters, innovative gardeners have come up with many ways to use an existing
wall to help support a vertical succulent garden. Let’s take a look at some of
these.
Creating a Living Succulent Wall
A wall that appears to be only
plant material is enjoying success in many commercial landscapes and even
indoors. Succulent wall displays in or around businesses are usually maintained
through hydroponics (water growth) and often too pricey and complicated for the
home gardener.
However, there are plans for
succulent wall planters growing in traditional soil situations that are simple
and affordable. Sometimes a handmade shelf with several levels is built from
wood. Others may be adapted from a metal shelf unit or a series of long plastic
planters.
Ledges may be customized to any
type of expertise. From the simplest to more complex forms, creating a
decorative shelving unit does not have to be complicated. Be sure to add or
allow drainage options. Choose succulents that cascade to help create the
appearance of a living wall.
Ledges may be freestanding or up
near a wall. Build them to support themselves, so that weight and moisture
isn’t transferred to an existing wall or fence nearby.
Vertical Succulent Gardens
Frames are a popular way to display
succulents vertically. Normally, these frames are no bigger than 20 x 20 inches
(50 x 50 cm.). They are often used in groupings, making them appear larger.
Some are covered with wire to hold the soil in. Others are compartmentalized.
The general idea is to let roots develop to help hold the soil when it is positioned
vertically.
Sempervivums are often
used as plant material in the smaller living walls. These develop a strong root
system to hold soil in. This type of plant is available in numerous colorful
rosette forms and can take the cold during winter. Combine with different
varieties of creeping stonecrop for added
color and interest.
Smaller living walls in frames
should remain horizontal until roots develop to hold plants in well.