Do you have limited ground space but still dream of a vibrant garden? Or are you looking to maximize your garden output without creating an overgrown jungle of growth? You might also just be tired of dealing with pests and plant diseases that are more common when they’re in contact with the ground.
Enter trellises, your new best friend and the answer to many potential gardening woes. Using trellises allows plants to grow upward instead of outward, turning the smallest nook into a lush garden. But not every plant is cut out for the trellis life. Some need extra care, while others are just happy to climb and thrive.
To save you some trial and error, here is a list of 15 plants that are best to grow on a trellis. These plants are perfect for tight spots like balconies, rooftops, or even slim walkways.
Choosing Our Top Picks
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We took to the online space and dug around (figuratively) for all the best tips we could find. These tips cater to gardeners, or wannabe gardeners, that have small spaces or only a patio to work with.
We included flowers and plants that naturally like to climb, do well in pots or tight spaces, and have been proven to be the best on trellises. Thus, you can choose to turn your space into a beautiful oasis and productive producer with the options shared below. You might be surprised, too, what type of vegetables like to grow upward!
1. Sweet Peas
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Whether you’re concerned about your green thumb or have a knack for growing, sweet peas should be your go-to. These plants smell heavenly, and with little effort, they will happily climb a trellis, giving your space a great look.
They grow best in cool weather, so plant them in early spring or late summer, depending on your climate. They thrive in full sun and well-drained soil. With a simple trellis or netting, these vines can reach up to 6 feet tall, making them perfect for balcony railings or window boxes.
Regular watering and feeding with a balanced fertilizer or compost every few weeks will keep your sweet peas in full swing. Make sure to tie young shoots gently as they begin to climb. However, unlike garden peas, sweet peas are not edible and should be kept away from children and pets.
2. Clematis
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Clematis is a climbing plant that produces big, beautiful flowers in purple, pink, white, and blue. These vines like to wrap their stems around whatever is closeby, so make sure your trellis has thin pieces they can grab onto, like wire, string, or narrow wooden slats.
The plant prefers full sun on its tops and shade at its roots, so you can add some rocks, mulch, or a small plant at the base to help with that. Spring and early summer are great planting times, and it adapts well to containers with trellis support. It can also climb fences, arches, or wall-mounted lattices with ease.
Clemati vines climb using leaf stems and need a sturdy trellis or wires to twine around. Different varieties bloom at different times, so choose one based on your season and desired color scheme.
3. Morning Glory
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Morning glories are fast-growing vines that produce trumpet-shaped flowers in vibrant colors like blue, purple, and pink. They love full sun and warm temperatures, so plant them in late spring after frost danger has passed. They are perfect for fences, trellises, and even hanging baskets with vertical mesh to climb.
Morning glory’s ability to cover trellises rapidly makes it excellent for quick privacy screens. However, keep an eye on them—they self-seed prolifically and can become invasive in some regions if not managed.
4. Nasturtiums
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Nasturtiums are easy-going, edible plants with bright, cheerful flowers and lily pad-shaped leaves. Some people enjoy the licorice flavor raw or baked into goodies like cookies for a pop of color. There are many varieties, and some, like Tall Climbing nasturtiums, are perfect for vertical growing. Sow them directly outdoors in spring and place them near a trellis or mesh, on which they will climb up naturally with minimal care.
Nasturtiums are valued for their pest-repellent properties and edible nature, making them multifunctional plants for small spaces. They grow well in poor soil and don’t need fertilizer, which can actually reduce blooming. Just water regularly and let them climb.
5. Passionflower
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Passionflower is a stunning vine with unique flowers that elevate the look of your place in no time. Native to the southeastern US, it grows best in warm and sunny locations, making it ideal for balcony trellises or patios with plenty of sunlight.
Multiple studies support the potential medicinal properties in its use for anxiety and sleep disorders. Provide a strong trellis or pergola, as these vines can get heavy. Trim them back after flowering to control their growth and encourage new blooms.
6. Climbing Roses
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Climbing roses are classic and romantic, perfect for vertical gardening if you want both beauty and fragrance. Unlike bush roses, these have long canes that need support. Plant them in late fall or early spring in a sunny spot and train the canes horizontally along a trellis for maximum blooms.
Climbing roses need consistent pruning and training to shape their growth and boost flowering. With the right support, they can cover walls or archways in 2–3 seasons, making them great for enhancing fences or creating floral privacy screens.
7. Cucumbers
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Cucumbers are another great option for trellises. Vertical cucumber growing improves airflow and reduces the risk of fungal diseases. Sow seeds after the last frost and use netting, wire mesh, or an A-frame trellis. They need full sun and moist, well-drained soil.
Trellised cucumbers produce straighter, cleaner fruit and allow for easier harvesting. Vertical growing also frees up container space for other plants underneath. Try bush varieties for smaller setups, or vining types for larger trellises.
8. Black-eyed Susan Vine
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This cheerful plant gives bright yellow to orange flowers with a black center. It’s often grown as an annual in cooler regions but can be everlasting in tropical climates. Start seeds indoors 6–8 weeks before the last frost, or sow directly after frost danger has passed.
The black-eyed Susan vine prefers full sun but tolerates partial shade, making it perfect for covering fences, railings, or small obelisks. It grows rapidly and twines naturally around vertical supports.
9. Pole Beans
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Pole beans are a crowd favorite for vertical growth. They need minimal ground space and reward you with nutritious pods. Plant seeds after the soil warms up in spring and use a sturdy teepee, lattice, or netting for support. They will climb naturally as they grow.
Vertical growing makes harvesting much easier and less labor-intensive, which makes it perfect for container gardeners. It’s also an excellent cover crop for replenishing nitrogen levels int he soil, making it an excellent companion for many types of plants.
10. Wisteria
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Wisteria has beautiful hanging flowers that look like purple waterfalls. It’s pretty but really prolific, so if you grow it on a trellis, make sure the trellis is strong too. Wood or metal works best. It needs a strong, permanent structure like a pergola or arbor, as mature vines become very woody (even looking like a tree). Plant it in spring or fall in full sun, and it can take a few years to bloom.
When mature, it’s breathtaking, but keep in mind that some species are invasive in certain areas. For small spaces or pots, try American wisteria; it grows slower and is easier to manage than other types.
11. Snap Peas and Snow Peas
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Peas are cool-season climbers that work wonderfully in container setups. In mild climates, plant them in early spring and again in fall. Use mesh, bamboo stakes, or chicken wire to support their delicate tendrils. They don’t need much soil depth, which is great for limited space.
Peas grown vertically have better airflow, reducing powdery mildew. Snap peas and snow peas are particularly well-suited for trellis gardening, and if you pick pods regularly, you can keep harvesting for weeks. Try staggering planting these in the spring and fall for a continual delicious harvest.
12. Jasmine
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If you want a fragrant, flowering vine, jasmine is a top pick. It grows well in pots with support and blooms in warm seasons. Plant it in spring in well-draining soil, and provide a trellis or wire to train it up. Choose varieties like Arabian jasmine or star jasmine for container growing.
Jasmine plants also have calming effects, making them a great choice for relaxing balconies or windows. Prune lightly after flowering to control the plant’s shape and keep it blooming through summer.
13. Bougainvillea
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Bougainvillea is a colorful, drought-tolerant climber perfect for warm climates. It thrives in containers and can climb trellises when tied and trained. Plant it in spring or early summer and make sure it gets plenty of sun for at least 6 hours a day.
It blooms more when slightly root-bound, making it ideal for container trellis gardening. Just be cautious, its stems have sharp thorns, so gloves are a must when pruning or training.
14. Grapevines
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Grapevines are surprisingly well-suited for container and trellis growing. Choose dwarf or patio-friendly varieties, and plant them in spring in rich, well-drained soil. To train them properly, they need strong support and regular pruning.
Vertical training systems improve fruit exposure to light and air, leading to better flavor and fewer fungal issues. While grapes take a couple of seasons to produce heavily, the results are totally worth the wait.
15. Ivy
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English ivy or other ivy varieties are classic climbers that add lush green cover to trellises and walls. They grow well in shade and partial sun, and are quite forgiving with soil types. Just keep the soil lightly moist and give them a sturdy surface to latch onto.
Ivy is also excellent at filtering indoor air pollutants, making it a top pick for indoor trellis gardens too. But be cautious, ivy can become invasive outdoors, so keep it trimmed and confined to containers when possible.
16. Berries
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There are many vining varieties of berries that can thrive in a trellis setup as well. Options include raspberries, blackberries, boysenerry, hardy kiwi, and American cranberry.
Which options work best depends on where you live, see our full guide on vining fruits.
A Thriving Vertical Garden
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Having a smaller space or backyard is no longer a problem for anyone daydreaming about gardening. With the right trellis and plants, you can turn empty walls or balconies into beautiful, green spaces. Choose fragrant flowers, edible plants, and some classics to make your vertical garden.
Many plants want to grow upward, you just have to give them a little direction and care, and once it’s done, you will definitely fall in love with the view.
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