Up in the Air

11 September 2025

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When space is limited, sometimes the only way is up. Hanging pots are a clever and creative solution for balconies, courtyards, and compact urban gardens. They allow you to layer greenery, introduce texture, and use vertical space without compromising on style or flow. Whether you’re working with a tight balcony or want to add softness to a courtyard wall, this is where small space gardening comes into its own.

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Structure, Then Style

Start by thinking about your framework. Trellises, wall hooks, beam-mounted planters, or even a pergola can offer structure for your hanging garden. Use these supports to train climbers, suspend hanging pots, or weave in trailing species for lushness and depth.

If you're styling a balcony garden or rooftop, consider a mix of floor pots and elevated options to add height variation without crowding. Lightweight fibreglass pots work well here — easy to install and gentle on surfaces, they’re practical without looking overly utilitarian.

Think in Layers

A successful hanging garden is all about layers, and not just in the vertical sense. Combine different textures and foliage shapes to create rhythm and contrast. For example, pair structured greenery like Chain of hearts or Hoya with something more freeform, like Asparagus fern or Cascading dichondra.

The shape of your pots also plays a part. Rounded forms like the 87 Degrees U Jar garden pot bring a soft, organic feel, perfect for offsetting architectural lines or adding interest to a blank wall. For a cleaner, more minimal profile, the 90 Degrees Cylinder offers crisp edges and a modern silhouette, ideal for contemporary outdoor styling.

Try grouping both shapes together to create a curated collection, the contrast between curves and straight lines adds visual depth, especially when paired with trailing foliage. Mixing garden pot sizes also helps draw the eye upward, allowing you to build a layered vertical garden without it feeling cluttered. A cluster of small U Jars hung near eye level, combined with taller Cylinders suspended above or below, creates rhythm and balance in even the most compact courtyard or balcony.

Plant Picks for Hanging Style

The best hanging gardens lean into hardy, low-maintenance plants that won’t suffer if they dry out between waterings. A few options to consider:

Rhipsalis – Sculptural and softly wild, this one thrives with minimal fuss.

Asparagus fern – Delicate texture that contrasts beautifully with hard surfaces.

Hoya – With waxy leaves and trailing vines, it works both indoors and out.

Chain of hearts – Long strands and a sweet silhouette, ideal for repetition planting.

String of pearls – Bold and graphic, especially when allowed to trail from a clean-edged vessel.

Don’t be afraid to play with the unexpected, a trailing succulent in a small round pot, or a flowering climber growing through a metal frame, can turn a forgotten corner into something memorable.

Light, Water, and Practicalities

As with any garden styling project, your plant selection should follow your conditions. A sunny north-facing balcony will need tougher varieties than a shady internal courtyard. Ensure your hanging pots allow for adequate drainage, and if you’re using wall-mounted options, make sure your surfaces can support the load.

A Living Wall, Your Way

There’s no one way to build a hanging garden — which is what makes them such a beautiful solution for small or awkward spaces. You can be as minimal or as layered as your style allows.

Sometimes a single pot, perfectly placed, can make just as much of a statement as a lush vertical wall.