Gardening vertically is a smart way for homesteaders and backyard growers to save space and get more from their garden.

It frees up ground space and adds a nice splash of greenery going up instead of out.

In this article, I’ll share some of the best trellis systems and vertical garden kits  – the kind worth checking out if you’re looking to grow up instead of out. 

Before we jump in, just a heads up – I’m focusing on budget to mid-range options that everyday gardeners actually use, so think of it like getting recommendations from a neighbor who’s tested them out.

Disclosure: This post contains affiliate links. If you click through and make a purchase, I may receive a small commission at no extra cost to you. Thank you for your support!

1. Stackable Mini Trellises – Small Support for Potted Plants

Not all trellises have to be towering giants. For your potted plants, indoor vines, or little container veggies, stackable mini trellises are a top pick for small spaces and beginner gardeners.

Usually sold in packs of 3 or 4, these 15-17 inch metal trellises can be used alone or stacked for extra height. The IA Garden 4-pack is a great example – solid iron with a rust-proof coating, sturdy enough for climbing roses or peas, indoors or out.

Gardeners love starting with one piece and adding more as plants grow. They’re budget-friendly (under $15), come with zip ties, and support all kinds of small climbers like peas, morning glories, or cucumbers in pots.

Some even use several mini trellises as a decorative fence or to shape plants. Setup is easy — just stick them in soil, no tools needed. (Heads up: the pointy ends aren’t exactly cat toys!)

If you have a windowsill garden or patio pots that need a little upward help, these mini trellises are worth a look.

2. Metal Obelisk Trellis – A Tower for Climbing Roses and Vines

When you think of a classic English garden, a tall metal obelisk trellis probably comes to mind. These slender towers, usually 5 to 6 feet tall, help your climbing plants grow up neatly.

A popular choice is the WellSign 6.6ft Garden Obelisk Trellis – made from thick, rustproof metal and sturdy enough for clematis, jasmine, climbing beans, and more.

Many kits come with handy extras like plant ties, clips, and even decorative butterflies to keep your vines secure and add a little style to your garden.

Assembly is pretty simple – no tools needed – just snap the poles together and anchor it in the ground. Pro tip: it’s easier with a friend to hold things steady.

Once set up, it’s strong enough to support heavy bloomers like roses, tomatoes, and mandevilla vines. If you want a trellis that’s both functional and decorative, an obelisk is a great pick. Just remember to train your plants onto the rungs gently, and soon you’ll have a lovely vertical display that impresses visitors.

Plus, these trellises aren’t just about looks – they help improve airflow and sun exposure for your plants, which means healthier growth and fewer garden pests. So your garden not only grows up, it grows smart.

3. A-Frame Folding Cucumber Trellis – Veggie Vines’ Best Buddy

If your cucumbers and squash are taking over your garden, an A-frame trellis is a great way to get them climbing instead of sprawling. These folding metal frames create a tent-like shape where vines can climb up both sides, doubling your growing space.

The Lalahoni Garden Cucumber Trellis is a popular choice – it’s about 5.3 feet tall and 5 feet wide, sturdy, and easy to set up.

Most kits come with metal rods, connectors, and a net or mesh for your vines to grab onto. The Lalahoni even includes clips to help guide those wild vines.

Setup is usually tool-free and simple enough to do solo, though having a friend help hold the frame can make it easier. Once up, you can grow cucumbers, peas, pole beans, zucchini, and more.

One fun bonus: as your vines climb, they create a little shady spot underneath – perfect for shade-loving plants or just to hang out.

Plus, the trellis folds flat for easy storage at the end of the season. At under $40, it’s a smart way to keep your veggies tidy and easy to harvest (no more crouching to find those sneaky cukes!).

If you’re ready to tame those sprawling vines and save your back, an A-frame trellis is definitely worth adding to your garden toolkit.

4. Freestanding Tiered Planter Stand – Vertical Garden in a Compact Space

The Outland Living 4-Tier Vertical Garden is a great solution if you want to grow more plants but don’t have a big garden patch to work with.

Instead of spreading out, this vertical planter stacks four roomy trays on top of each other, making it perfect for small patios, balconies, or any tight spot that could use a splash of green.

Whether you’re growing herbs, leafy greens, flowers, or even small veggies, this setup keeps everything organized and easy to reach – no more bending over or crawling around on your knees.

Assembly is straightforward – no complicated instructions or tools needed – so you’ll have it up and ready before your coffee even gets cold. The frame is lightweight but durable enough to handle outdoor weather and hold your plants steady through wind or rain.

It’s also budget-friendly, which is always a win. Plus, gardeners love that it’s versatile enough for beginners and pros alike, fitting nicely into any garden style without taking over the space.

If you’re aiming to maximize your growing space without turning your yard into a jungle, the Outland Living 4-Tier Vertical Garden offers a practical, attractive, and no-fuss way to go vertical.

Just fill the trays, plant your favorites, and enjoy watching your garden grow upward instead of outward. Your back will thank you later!

5. Wooden 3-Tier Planter Ladder – Rustic Vertical Gardening

If you’re into a more rustic, natural vibe, a wooden tiered planter might be just your style.

Usually made from cedar or fir, these look like a ladder or staircase of planters and bring some cozy farmhouse charm to your garden.

One popular option is a 3-tier wooden stand made from pine wood – it’s compact but still offers plenty of space for veggies, herbs, or flowers without any plastic involved (score for eco-friendly gardeners!).

Assembly is simple – just a few screws or bolts – and the sturdy wooden trays come with drainage holes already drilled, so your plants won’t drown.

You can mix and match what you grow on each tier – maybe leafy greens on one, herbs on another, and some colorful flowers for the pollinators on the top.

Keep in mind, wood will weather over time outdoors. Some folks line the boxes with fabric or use a sealant to make it last longer, but others like the natural aging – it adds character.

Plus, you can easily customize it with paint or chalkboard labels, making it both practical and charming. If you want vertical gardening that feels warm and homey, a wooden 3-tier planter is a solid pick. Your garden gnomes will probably give it two thumbs up.

6. GreenStalk 5-Tier Vertical Planter – Stacked Garden Powerhouse

The GreenStalk Vertical Garden is a favorite among home growers who want to pack a lot into a small space. It’s basically a tower made of five stackable planters, each with six planting pockets – so 30 spots total for strawberries, lettuce, herbs, or flowers.

Each tier holds about a foot of soil for healthy roots. Made from durable, food-grade plastic, it fits into just a 2-foot-wide space.

Its built-in watering system lets you pour water on top, which trickles evenly down, so plants stay hydrated without fuss. Gardeners love this “fill-and-forget” feature, especially in hot weather. Just rotate the tower every few days for even sun exposure, or add a wheeled base to roll it around easily.

Though not the cheapest, it’s worth it for the high yield especially great for keeping strawberries off the ground and away from slugs. You can also grow greens, herbs, peppers, and bush cucumbers.

Assembly is simple: stack the tiers and add watering disks. It might look like a fancy tower, but it’s a productive space-saver. If you want serious harvest without a big footprint, GreenStalk is a solid pick.

7. Stackable 5-Tier Planter (Mr. Stacky) – Budget-Friendly Vertical Tower

If you want a stacking tower planter but need a budget-friendly option, the Mr. Stacky 5-Tier Stackable Planter is a popular choice.

It’s five round planters stacked into a tower about 2 to 3 feet tall, with around 15 planting pockets total. Gardeners love it for strawberries and herbs – many build a dedicated strawberry tower that produces plenty all season.

The plastic is lighter than sturdier options like GreenStalk but still durable and UV-resistant. Assembly is zero hassle: just fill, plant, and stack.

Perfect for small patios or balconies, it takes up little space but grows a variety of plants vertically. Users say it looks great – a colorful tower of plants. Watering is easy too: water the top and let moisture trickle down, rotating layers now and then helps keep plants happy.

At around $30-$40, it’s a great deal. It can get heavy with wet soil, so place it on a sturdy surface. It’s best for smaller plants like lettuce, spinach, and herbs since big ones don’t fit well.

Many homesteaders start with this to try vertical gardening affordably. You can unstack layers for easy care or rearrange as needed. Add a center pole or lazy Susan base if you’re feeling crafty.

Overall, it’s a charming, affordable way to grow up instead of out—a little green skyscraper for your porch.

8. Wall-Mounted Planter Pockets – Create a Living Green Wall

Vertical gardening isn’t just towers and shelves – you can grow up walls or fences with wall-mounted planter kits.

These range from felt pocket panels to modular plastic pots that hang on racks.

For example, the Watex Green Wall kit includes mounting brackets and pots with a built-in drip irrigation system, letting you create a living wall of herbs, flowers, or greens at eye level.

Felt pocket hangers are budget-friendly and easy to hang but need frequent watering since they dry fast. Plastic modular kits often have drip lines for automatic watering and are expandable, so you can cover a whole wall if you want.

Installation is simple – secure the panel to the wall, then fill pockets or insert pots. Just watch for moisture damage on wooden walls. Gardeners use these for lettuce, strawberries, mint, and flowers, enjoying saved space and fewer pests (though snails might still visit).

Setting up a wall garden feels like painting with plants – a colorful patchwork of greens and blooms that turns any blank wall into living art. Perfect for DIY newbies and anyone wanting garden space at eye level.

9. Ultomato Tomato Trellis Cage – Tame Your Tomato Jungle

We can’t talk trellises without mentioning tomatoes – those sprawling divas of the garden.

The Ultomato Tomato Plant Cage by Gardener’s Blue Ribbon is a popular, sturdy alternative to flimsy wire cages. It’s an adjustable system with plastic-coated stakes and horizontal support bars you add as your tomato grows, creating a custom trellis cage tailored to each plant.

Gardeners love its flexibility and durability. It fits different tomato sizes, works for both viney indeterminate and bushy determinate types, and can be reused year after year.

Setup is tool-free and simple – just snap the pieces together and add supports as needed.

This cage keeps tomatoes upright and easy to harvest, preventing sprawling messes and broken branches. It also works well for peppers, eggplants, and climbing beans.

Pro tip: install early on young plants for best results. For an affordable, reliable way to tame your tomato jungle, the Ultomato is a favorite among home growers – your tomatoes (and your back) will thank you!

Let’s get growing vertically!

Vertical gardening opens up new possibilities, whether you’re on a balcony or taming a wild pumpkin patch. Best of all, none require you to be a master carpenter or spend a fortune – they’re perfect for everyday gardeners.

Hopefully this rundown gives you a few ideas for your own homestead. I've shared some popular picks and little tips to help you get started.

Give one of these systems a go and watch your garden take off upwards.

Happy gardening – may your trellises be sturdy, and your harvests be heavy! 🌱🌼