As succulent plants gain popularity, so do the ways in which we display and grow them. One such way is growing succulents on a wall. Innovative gardeners have come up with many ways to use existing walls to support vertical succulent gardens in pots or long hanging planters. Let’s take a look at some of them.
Creating a Living Succulent Wall
Commercial landscapes and even indoors are benefiting from walls made of only plant material. Succulent wall displays in or around businesses are usually maintained through hydroponics (water growth) and often too pricey and complicated for the home gardener.
There are plans for succulent wall planters that grow in traditional soil situations that are both 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.
The ledges can be customized based on the expertise of the user. From the simplest to more complex forms, creating a decorative shelving unit does not have to be complicated. Drainage options should be added or allowed. Choose succulents that cascade to help create the appearance of a living wall.
It is possible to have freestanding ledges or ledges attached to walls. Build them to support themselves, so that weight and moisture isn’t transferred to an existing wall or fence nearby.
Vertical Succulent Gardens
The most popular way to display succulents vertically is in frames. Normally, these frames are no bigger than 20 x 20 inches (50 x 50 cm.). Groups of them are often used to increase their size. 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.
Plant materials such as sempervivums are often used in smaller living walls. To hold soil in, these plants develop a strong root system. 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.