When space is limited, one effective solution is to grow upwards. Utilizing trellises, lattices, and netting can significantly increase your yield by maximizing available vertical space. This approach not only suits small gardens but also offers a versatile way to incorporate more plants into your existing garden layout. In fact, many climbing and vining varieties can be incorporated anywhere in your garden to double or triple your harvest.
Here’s a comprehensive list of 20 such plants that include an assortment of vegetables, fruits, and edible flowers in various shapes and sizes.
Climbing Peas
Cool-season climbers like Pisum spp. thrive in temperate climates with short growing seasons. They’re sensitive to heat, making spring or autumn a great time to plant them. While they prefer milder direct sunlight, they can also tolerate shade well, making them an ideal choice for areas that don’t get full sun. This characteristic makes them perfect for planting alongside nightshades and cucurbits, which require more intense sunlight.
To make the most of their climbing abilities, you can train your peas to grow up tipi or other trellis structures, or get creative and build your own DIY climbing system. Our current setup features lean-to frames strung with twine-like looms. To ensure a healthy harvest, be sure to water at the root level to prevent powdery mildew. With proper care, you can start harvesting in around 50-60 days.
Pole Beans
Regardless of your geographical location, there’s a pole bean variety well-suited for your region. For optimal results, consider choosing a cultivar native to your area or one from a similar growing zone. When cultivating pole beans, provide them with the right support by training them up trellises, mesh, or twine. Additionally, ensure that the soil is in good condition and receives sufficient sunlight, as these climbing and vining plants require adequate light to thrive.
Cucumbers
While many gardeners cultivate cucumbers along the ground, this versatile vegetable actually thrives when provided with support. In fact, training cucumber vines up a trellis or hoop tunnel can be a game-changer for yields. One effective method is to create a tunnel using cattle fencing and plant your cucumber seeds on either side. As the plants grow, gently direct their tendrils upwards, allowing them to wrap around the fencing.
This will enable you to easily harvest the fruit as it matures, with the added benefit of keeping it off the ground where it can become damaged or infested with pests. For smaller spaces, consider selecting dwarf varieties specifically bred for compact growth and early production. These can be supported using a trellis attached to a sunny wall, allowing you to maximize your space and enjoy a bountiful harvest.
Cucamelons
The Cucurbitaceae family is closely related to both cucumbers and melons, making cucamelons (Melothria scabra) an excellent choice for gardeners with limited space. Whether you’re cultivating a patio or balcony garden, these versatile plants are sure to thrive. Climbing and vining in nature, they’ll effortlessly wrap around any lattice or support, requiring minimal maintenance.
Nonetheless, it’s crucial to opt for disease-resistant cultivars, as cucamelons can be quite susceptible to various mosaic viruses.
Vining Tomatoes
Tomatoes (Solanum lycopersicum) may not be natural climbers in the classical sense, but they are indeed vines that can thrive when provided with support. As such, they’re a great fit for this list of climbing and vining plants. With some simple training, you can guide their vines up a trellis, twine lattice, or even a wire fence. To keep them secure without causing damage, use garden tape or rags to gently hold the stems in place.
It’s essential to choose indeterminate varieties, as bush types won’t have the natural inclination to climb.
Sweet Potatoes
While many gardeners content themselves with growing sweet potato vines (Ipomoea batatas) at ground level, they can also thrive in vertical gardens, leveraging their natural climbing ability. As members of the morning glory family, these plants have an inherent tendency to ascend, making them a great choice for trellises or hoop tunnels. In fact, when I lived in California, we would often grow vining and climbing plants over these structures, including sweet potatoes.
By planting tubers in deep raised beds and allowing their green vines to cascade over the tunnels, we could harvest an abundance of sweet potatoes in just a couple of months. But it’s not just about the tubers – remember that sweet potato leaves and stems are also edible, with a flavor profile similar to spinach. Cultivating multi-purpose plants like these can significantly increase your overall harvest yield.
To get the best out of your sweet potatoes, make sure they’re planted in well-draining, sandy loam soil with plenty of sunlight. Provide both of these conditions, and you’ll be rewarded with a bountiful harvest of delicious tubers.
Kiwifruit
Kiwis (Actinidia spp.) can thrive in most climates, as long as you select a cultivar adapted to your region’s conditions. For instance, in zone 4b, we require hardy kiwis (A. arguta), originally cultivated in Russia and northern China. This variety is well-suited for our local climate. If you prefer to grow kiwis vertically, be aware that multiple plants are necessary, as these fruits are diœcious – each plant is either male or female.
Consequently, a combination of both male and female plants is essential to ensure proper fertilization.
Summer Squashes
Passionfruit
For enthusiasts of luscious fruits living in USDA Hardiness Zones 5+, growing passionfruit vines (Passiflora incarnata) can be an incredibly rewarding experience. Not only do they produce stunning purple flowers that are a feast for the eyes, but they also yield delicious and versatile fruits that can be enjoyed raw or transformed into juices and preserves. Furthermore, Passiflora incarnata is a valuable medicinal plant with nervine and anxiolytic properties.
The leaves, flowers, and fruits of the plant all possess anti-anxiety effects, making it a potential natural remedy for alleviating anxiety, insomnia, and stress. Simply consuming the fruit or brewing a tea or tincture from the plant may provide a calming and relaxing experience.
Melons
Melon vines, like their squash, pumpkin, and cucumber relatives, are perfectly suited for growth over trellises or arched supports. Nevertheless, it’s crucial to select robust materials for these structures as mature melons can become surprisingly heavy. To ensure a successful harvest, consider employing sturdy hammocks or other support systems to help distribute the fruit’s weight as they ripen.
Failing to provide adequate support may result in the melons dropping to the ground, leaving you with an unpleasant mess.
Canary Creeper
For tropical garden enthusiasts in USDA Hardiness Zones 10+, cultivating canary creepers (Tropaeolum peregrinum) can be an exciting endeavor. These versatile plants thrive as climbing or vining specimens, boasting vibrant yellow flowers that are not only visually striking but also edible. With a flavor profile akin to nasturtiums, their peppery taste makes them a popular addition in Indian and Middle Eastern cuisine.
Malabar Spinach
For tropical gardeners in USDA zones 10 and above, another excellent option is Basella alba, also known as Malabar spinach. Unlike other types of spinach, which typically thrive in cooler climates, this species excels in hot and humid conditions. As a climbing perennial vine, it’s relatively easy to care for and yields flavorful, succulent leaves that are perfect for adding some excitement to your salads.
Strawberries
While strawberries (Fragaria spp.) are known for spreading out along the ground, they can also be trained to grow upwards on trellises. In fact, some gardeners take it a step further by suspending their strawberry plants in hanging baskets and guiding them down towards the supports. When selecting strawberry varieties, prioritize those that offer disease resistance to ensure healthy growth.
Additionally, consider implementing measures to safeguard your fruit from wildlife, such as squirrels, birds, and other hungry critters.
Grapes
Grapes (Vitis spp.) are an essential addition to any list of climbing and vining plants. With a wide range of varieties available, it’s easy to find grape vines that thrive in your unique climate. Whether you’re looking to enjoy fresh table grapes or cultivate wine grapes for a tasty beverage, there’s a variety out there for you. Some dual-purpose grape varieties can even be used to make jelly or other preserves.
However, if you have an allergy to bee or wasp stings, it’s essential to exercise caution when growing grapes. These insects are particularly drawn to grapes and will likely become a constant presence throughout the summer months.
Chayote
For gardeners residing in Zones 7 through 11, cultivating chayote fruits (Sechium edule) is a great option. As members of the Cucurbitaceae family, they share similarities with other gourds that thrive in environments mirroring their native habitats, such as Mexico, Guatemala, and Honduras.
Nasturtiums
While nasturtiums (Tropaeolum majus) are often admired for their vibrant blooms, they also possess a hidden culinary treasure trove. The entire plant is edible, featuring a trifecta of flavors: peppery flowers, savory-spicy leaves, and pungent roots. Some enthusiasts even preserve the young buds by pickling them, much like capers, unlocking a burst of flavor that’s sure to delight.
Roses
Climbing roses (Rosa spp.) are likely familiar sights in many gardens, but did you know these lovely plants also hold secrets as edible and medicinal treasures? As we explore climbing and vining plants suitable for homesteads, it’s only natural to give a special nod to the culinary and therapeutic potential of these rose varieties. For those eager to get started, I recommend diving into our comprehensive guide on the best edible roses to select a cultivar that suits your needs.
Once you’ve made your choice, be sure to reap the rewards by harvesting petals and hips for use in jams, jellies, and other creative applications.
Peppers
Peppers, like tomatoes, offer the option of training certain varieties (Capsicum spp.) to climb trellises and other vertical supports, providing a visually appealing display. With numerous spicy or sweet options available, you’re likely to find a type well-suited to your specific growing zone.
The adaptability of peppers is impressive, as they can be grown in a wide range of environments, from sub-Saharan Africa to Siberia, making it highly probable that you’ll discover one that will thrive in your garden.
Chocolate Vine
Unfamiliar with the Akebia quinata? This plant, also known as Chocolate Vine, originates from parts of China, Japan, and Korea, making it suitable for hardiness zones 5 through 9. It thrives in well-lit conditions, so be prepared to provide ample sunshine. As a reward for your efforts, you’ll be treated to vibrant purple blooms and succulent seed pods that emit a rich, chocolatey aroma. The pulp of these pods even boasts a taste reminiscent of creamy tapioca pudding.
Tips For Choosing
When selecting climbing and vining plants for your outdoor space, consider the size of the species to ensure a harmonious fit. For patios, balconies, or small gardens, compact varieties are perfect, while larger species thrive in larger spaces with training opportunities like hoop trellises or wall-mounted supports. Make the most of available vertical areas by using makeshift structures made from wood, string, or wire if needed.
Embrace the limitless possibilities of upwards growth and let your creativity shine.
