Anyone can stick a few plants on a balcony. But if you want a vertical garden that wows while thriving for years, placement is everything. I’ve designed green walls everywhere from Michelin-starred kitchens to corporate lobbies, and here’s the inside scoop on locations that work (and why).
Surprising Places Vertical Gardens Shine
1. Airports: Stress Relief for Travelers
Picture this: You’re sprinting to catch a flight, and suddenly—a living wall of ferns and orchids at the gate. Airports like Singapore’s Changi use vertical gardens to:
- Cut noise levels (plants absorb sound)
- Improve air quality (bye-bye, stale terminal air)
- Make delays less miserable (studies show greenery lowers traveler anxiety)
Pro tip: Airports need ultra-low-maintenance plants. Think snake plants or pothos—they’ll survive fluorescent lighting and neglect.
2. Rooftop Bars: The Ultimate Mood Setter
A cocktail tastes 30% better when sipped under a living canopy. Rooftop spots like Radio Rooftop in London use vertical gardens to:
- Create privacy (no more awkward eye contact with strangers)
- Grow garnishes (mint for mojitos, basil for G&Ts—harvested on-site)
- Block wind (unlike glass barriers, plants don’t create turbulent drafts)
Watch out: Rooftops get brutal sun. Succulents (like sedum) or herbs (rosemary, thyme) handle heat best.
3. Corporate Offices: Productivity Hack
Google’s Dublin office has a vertical garden in its cafeteria. Why? Employees near greenery:
- Solve problems 15% faster (University of Exeter research)
- Report higher job satisfaction
- Take fewer sick days (plants filter airborne toxins)
Budget alternative: Install a “green partition” between desks using modular planters like Plantui.
4. Schools: Focus Boosters
A high school in Melbourne saw a 20% drop in hallway fights after installing a living wall near the cafeteria. For schools:
- Science classes study plant biology hands-on
- Noise reduction in libraries (moss walls absorb sound)
- Stress relief during exams (even fake plants help—but real ones work better)
Kid-proof pick: Sturdy, non-toxic plants like spider plants or peace lilies.
5. Restaurants: From Decor to Dinner
At Noma in Copenhagen, the chefs pick herbs straight from the dining room’s vertical garden. Benefits:
- Instagram bait (guests always snap photos)
- Fresher flavors (basil picked at 5PM tastes better than store-bought)
- Lower AC costs (evaporative cooling from plants cuts energy use)
Chef’s secret: Grow microgreens vertically—they’re ready in 10 days and fetch $50/lb at farmers’ markets.
Make It Work: Pro Tips for Placement
Sunlight or Shade?
- North-facing walls: Perfect for ferns, calatheas (low light)
- South-facing (full sun): Try strawberries, lavender, or sedum
- Indoors: LED grow lights can replace sunlight (I like Soltech’s Aspect)
Watering Systems: Keep It Simple
| System | Best For | Maintenance |
| Drip irrigation | Permanent setups (offices, homes) | Set it & forget it |
| Self-watering planters | Renters/beginners (e.g., WallyGro) | Refill every 2 weeks |
| Hand-watering | Small walls (<10 sq ft) | Daily check-ins |
Cost hack: Use an old aquarium pump to DIY a recirculating system for under $50.
Plants That Won’t Die on You
- For shady spots: Devil’s ivy, philodendron
- Full sun: String of pearls, cherry tomatoes
- Edibles: Mint (aggressive—give it its own planter), alpine strawberries
Avoid: Plants with deep roots (like carrots) or heavy fruits (eggplants).
Final Thought: Start Small, Think Big
You don’t need a 20-foot living wall to see benefits. A single vertical planter outside your apartment window can:
- Cut street noise by 30%
- Grow enough basil for weekly pesto
- Boost your mood every time you glance outside
The best spot for your vertical garden? Wherever you’ll see it daily. Even a shoe organizer hung on a balcony railing and stuffed with herbs counts.