Grayson West
Who says small gardens can’t dream big and higher? With the right crops, you can grow more and watch your garden bloom upward in layers of green. It’s practical and surprisingly fun to watch. If you want to know which plants thrive when they climb, here are the top ten vertical stars ready to take your garden higher.
Pole Beans
These plants can come to the rescue with their built-in defense system. These skyward-stretching vines climb up a good 6 to 9 feet up trellises or teepees, naturally boost air circulation, and keep fungal issues in check. And here’s the real charm: they keep producing all season long.
Chayote
The chayote is yet another addition that works well in vertical gardens. With its vigorous vines eagerly climbing trellises and supports, it turns overlooked corners into thriving, edible zones. Best of all, nothing goes to waste—its fruits, shoots, and even leaves are all deliciously usable.
Indeterminate Tomatoes
Indeterminate tomatoes are the true skyscrapers of the vegetable world that stretch six feet or more on sturdy stakes. They reward you with a steady stream of juicy fruits throughout the season. Plus, growing upward keeps the tomatoes easier to pick than their ground-hugging cousins.
Cucumbers
With a touch of creativity, you can turn your garden into a living green wall. Vertical cucumber growing is both smart and stylish. It saves space and keeps your plants healthier. As a bonus, gravity helps each cucumber grow straighter and more uniform, which makes your harvest look as good as it tastes.
Malabar Spinach
This climbing wonder takes your garden vertical, winding elegantly up trellises while showing off its thick, glossy leaves. Not only does it look beautiful, but it’s also edible and thrives in hot weather, which makes it both practical and ornamental.
Yardlong Beans
Also known as asparagus beans, Yardlong beans will be your next favorite. These vigorous vines love to climb poles and trellises, and produce astonishing pods that can reach up to three feet long. Despite their name, they’re surprisingly compact and incredibly productive.
Cherry Tomatoes
If you’re an urban gardener, you know the struggle of fitting too much into too little space. Enter cherry tomatoes as the cheerful solution that grows up instead of out. With the help of cages or trellises, they thrive vertically and produce clusters of sweet fruits.
Sweet Potato Vine
The sweet potato vines are multitaskers in disguise. The vines climb with graceful ease, transforming plain fences or supports into lush, cascading displays. The best part is that pretty leaves are nutrient-rich and edible, and add a delicious twist to your garden-to-table story.
Miniature Pumpkins
Miniature pumpkins prove that great things truly come in small packages. Their climbing vines transform simple trellises into living art, complete with dangling orange gems. Growing vertically wards off pests and encourages perfect fruit shapes. It also makes these little pumpkins as practical as they are picturesque.
Bitter Gourd (Bitter Melon)
This tropical climber is a space-saving superstar for vertical gardens. Bitter gourd vines love to sprawl upward on trellises, rewarding you with uniquely textured fruits that dangle like green lanterns. They thrive in warm climates, help shade other plants, and bring a touch of exotic flair (and flavor!) to your edible garden wall.