I’ve always loved stackable planters as a way to create a vertical garden. There’s something about a spiralling block of plants that makes any space feel tranquil and relaxing. They’re also a great way to maximise the productivity of your space meaning that even if you’ve got a small balcony or patio space, you can still grow lots of flowers or tasty vegetables.
In this article, I’m going to reveal my top 11 plants to grow in stackable planters. There’s a good range here, meaning that whether you want to grow plants for eating, to look at, or a mixture of both, you’ll be well catered for.
If you’re looking for even more inspiration, take a look at this video to see even more plants that thrive in a stackable planter.
Contents
Herbs
Basil
Basil is one of my all-time favourite herbs to grow, as it smells amazing and the taste is unbeatable when cooking. It thrives in stackable planters due to being naturally compact and having a shallow root system. As a nice bonus, they’re also incredibly easy to look after, simply put them in a sunny spot, water regularly and keep picking to encourage it to have bushier growth.
Mint
Another classic herb, mint is a great addition to any stackable planter as it’s incredibly versatile and gives a lovely fragrance to your space. It’s also great for repelling pests, so if you’re looking for a plant to add to a balcony or outside space, then it’s an excellent pick. I’d recommend planting mint lower in the stackable container to help prevent it from drying out.
Thyme
Thyme is a hardy, low-maintenance herb that I love to use in my cooking. It grows really well in compact spaces, with the small, woody stems spreading out nicely, making it perfect for stackable planters.
Berries
Strawberries
Strawberries are a great addition to your stackable garden, as they offer sweet fruit throughout the summer months. Their shallow root system and bushy growth make them incredibly well suited to growing in stackable containers, so you can be safe in the knowledge that you’ll be enjoying lots of tasty strawberries in a matter of months. It’s important that you plant your strawberry plants in very sunny spot and keep them well watered to ensure that they grow as well as possible.
Raspberries
Raspberries are another excellent choice for your stackable planters, providing really delicious fruit throughout the summer and into early autumn. Like strawberries, their relatively compact growth and shallow root system make them ideal for stackable containers.
Vegetables
Cherry Tomatoes
In my opinion, nothing beats the fresh taste of cherry tomatoes from the garden! I love growing tomatoes and have done so for many years in various containers. Compact varieties such as ‘Tiny Tim’ or ‘Patio’ grow really well in stackable planters as they produce plenty of sweet little tomatoes without needing a lot of space at all.
Radishes
Radishes are an incredibly easy vegetable to grow, taking only 6-8 weeks to develop. I love growing them in stackable planters as they don’t grow deeply into the soil at all and add a pop of colour with their vibrant red and pink skins peeking out of the soil.
Flowers
Marigolds
Marigolds are a brilliant annual that add a bright pop of colour to your stackable garden. They also provide natural pest control in a garden, making them great companion plants for your tomatoes, radishes, lettuce and more. They really are a generous giver when it comes to the garden!
Pansies
If you’re looking for some early spring colour, then you need to plant some pansies in your stackable planters. Their compact growth and vibrant flowers makes them catch your eye whenever you look over at your garden without hogging all of the space. I’d recommend buying pansies in a few different colours to really make a stunning display. Just make sure to plant your pansies in partial sunlight to help their blooms last longer.
Succulents
Echeveria
If you’re looking to add some succulents to your stackable planter, then I’d highly recommend Echeveria. They are one of the most visually striking succulents with their compact, rosette-shaped leaves, and they absolutely thrive in stackable planters due to their little water and space needs. If you choose to buy one, I’d recommend planting it in the top tier of your planter to give it the most sunlight possible.
Sedum
With their strikingly coloured leaves, Sedums are another one of my favourite succulents for stackable planters. They are low-maintenance, and their fleshy leaves come in different shapes and sizes, which adds a really exciting look to your arrangement.
Conclusion
Stackable planters are one of my favourite ways to create a vertical garden. Whether you’re wanting to grow herbs, vegetables, flowers, or succulents, these planters will help you to create the garden of your dreams.
Now that you know what to plant in your garden. I’d recommend that you take a look at our complete guide to creating a vertical garden. If you’re already growing in your space, then take a look at our tips to maximising your vertical gardening produce.
