DIY These Vertical Vines for a Living Wall-Type Look

Some of the most iconic outdoor plants are porch- and wall- climbing classics like grape, wisteria, clematis, and ivy. For some indoor gardeners, healthy vines like pothos can become a nuisance as they tumble off tabletops and reach across the floor, seeking new space to grow. I don’t find the trailing habit of these plants a problem; rather, I use their superpower to create indoor installations that defy gravity and add color and texture to dead corners and boring spaces. In your bedroom, have a philodendron frame the window and your view outside. Or subdivide your space with orderly rows of adjacent plants that climb up walls and across the ceiling. While you can use bendable wire if you want to create a topiary shape, natural fibers provide the plant with a bit more natural traction if you are working with straight lines. For beginning gardeners, this is also a very rewarding effort. Plants like pothos and ivy are fast growers, and you’ll see your project begin to take shape very quickly. Pothos also tolerate low light, making vertical vines an option even for hallways, dark corners, or offices. Materials

• 1 trailing plant, in a 12-inch or larger pot
• Brass or clear thumbtacks
• Jute, twine, or monofilament
• 1 wooden stake (optional)

Situate your pot and plan for future growth. As the plant climbs, you will need to provide it with a solid foundation and something to grip onto. For vines that might need extra support, insert a wooden stake into the pot and gently wind the tendrils around the stake. This will give the plant stability as it transitions from soil to another surface.

For one single vine, you can train it as you go, placing thumbtacks in a slightly zigzagging pattern to hold the plant to the wall and guide it where you want it to go. This is the simpler and less obtrusive of the options.

Alternatively, you can insert thumbtacks and then weave the string between them, placing string wherever you want to train the plant to go.

Whichever you choose, make sure you place your plant in a semipermanent location. Provide the first supports near the soil or the wooden stake to give the plant a sturdy perch from which to climb. If it becomes necessary, trim your plant to keep its shape or to promote the growth of certain tendrils. Care: Depending on the plant you choose, provide moderate to low light. Some plants, like pothos, do not like extreme heat and shouldn’t be placed in direct sun. Water weekly or when the soil becomes dry to the touch. Add an organic fertilizer with nitrogen to give an extra boost to the vine.