Not every wall is created equal. Choosing the right spot for your vertical garden is an important step to make sure it thrives. If you’ve ever wondered where to put a vertical garden, this guide will help you find the ideal location for lasting success.
🌞 Sunlight
Most plants need at least 4–6 hours of indirect sunlight each day. The amount of sun your wall receives will determine which plants will grow best:
☁️Shady Walls
Perfect for ferns, philodendrons, and shade-loving foliage plants.
- Foliage: Philodendron, Syngonium, Spider Plant, English Ivy, Flax Lily, Dracaenas, Liriope, Japanese Sedge
- Ferns: Boston Fern, Maidenhair Fern, Bird’s Nest Fern
- Herbs: Mint, Parsley, Coriander, Oregano
☀️ Sunny Walls
Best for herbs, veggies, flowering plants, and ornamental grasses.
- Foliage: Golden Pothos, Succulents, Japanese Sedge
- Flowering: Marigolds, Nasturtiums, Petunias
- Herbs: Basil, Rosemary, Thyme, Parsley, Sage, Oregano
Tip: East or north-facing walls are often the best spot for a vertical garden in Australian backyards.
🧱 Wall Strength
Your wall or fence needs to hold the system once it’s filled with plants, soil, and water. Brick, solid timber, or sturdy fences are ideal. Avoid flimsy screens or thin cladding that may not handle the weight of a living wall.
💧 Water Access
For the easiest irrigation setup, place your vertical garden somewhere with access to a tap or hose. This makes watering simple, especially if you plan on adding a drip irrigation system. Under 10 meters from a tap is ideal.
🌱 Pro Tip
If you’re not sure how much sunlight your wall gets, stand by it at different times of the day. This quick test will help you match the right plants to the right location. Choosing the ideal location for a vertical garden saves you time, water, and plant replacements later on.
🌿 If You Can’t Change the Wall, Change the Plants
Not everyone has the “perfect” wall for their vertical garden. Sometimes, you can’t choose where to put it, but that’s okay. The trick is to select plants that match your wall’s conditions:
- Shady wall → Ferns, philodendrons, and leafy foliage plants.
- Sunny wall → Herbs, vegetables, grasses, and flowering plants.
- Windy wall → Succulents or hardy native plants.
With the right plant choices, almost any wall can work as the best place for a vertical garden.
👉 Need inspiration? Check out our Plant Suggestions Guide for the best plants to grow in your wall garden.