Top 10 Climbing Vegetables to Grow Vertically (and Save a Ton of Space)

If, like us, you’re forever trying to squeeze just one more plant into your garden, then climbing vegetables are about to become your new best friends. Growing vegetables vertically is one of the easiest ways to save space, maximise your garden space, and still enjoy a bountiful harvest, even in a small space or compact outdoor space.

Vertical gardening isn’t just practical either. A sturdy trellis covered in vigorous vines adds a beautiful decorative element to raised beds, patios, and borders, while improving air circulation and helping keep fruit clean and away from soil borne diseases. Win-win.

Here are my top 10 climbing vegetables, perfect vegetables to grow if you want to maximise space and grow more food without taking over all your ground space.

Introduction to Vertical Gardening

Vertical gardening is a game-changer for anyone looking to make the most of their garden space. By training your plants to grow upward on trellises, cages, or other vertical structures, you can transform even the smallest patch of ground into a productive oasis. This method is perfect for growing vegetables in compact areas, balconies, or patios where ground space is at a premium. Not only does vertical gardening help you fit more plants into your outdoor space, but it also boosts air circulation around your crops, which helps keep them healthy and less prone to soil borne diseases. Plus, a wall of lush greenery or a trellis covered in climbing vegetables adds a beautiful decorative element to your garden, making it both practical and visually appealing.

Benefits of Growing Vegetables Vertically

There are plenty of reasons why vertical gardening is a favourite among gardeners. First and foremost, it allows you to maximise your garden space by growing vegetables upward instead of outward, freeing up valuable ground space for other crops or activities. Vertical gardening also improves air circulation around your plants, which helps prevent common issues like fungal diseases and keeps your harvest cleaner. With better sun exposure, your vegetables, especially natural climbers like pole beans, peas, cucumbers, and tomatoes can thrive and produce more. Using a sturdy trellis or other vertical support system not only supports vigorous vines but also makes harvesting easier and more enjoyable. Whether you’re working with a sprawling backyard or a tiny balcony, vertical gardening opens up a world of possibilities for the vegetables you can grow.

1. French Beans

French beans are the ultimate climbing beans and one of the best examples of natural climbers. Unlike dwarf beans, they grow vertically up tall trellises or a twine trellis, producing tasty pods over a long growing season.

They’re ideal for vertical gardening because growing pole beans vertically saves space and makes harvesting much easier. With fertile soil, plenty of organic matter, and consistent watering, you’ll get a continuous supply of fresh eating beans or dried beans.

Growing tips: Planting seeds directly outdoors in early spring once the soil has warmed works best. Use a sturdy support system – these are vigorous vines.

2. Runner Beans

A classic climbing plant for UK gardens, runner beans happily climb trellises and poles while producing masses of flowers and pods. They’re both productive and ornamental, making them a lovely decorative element in the veg patch.

Runner beans prefer full sun with some shelter from strong winds and benefit from consistent moisture during dry spells. Read more on how to sow and grow beans HERE.

3. Peas

Peas grow quickly and are perfect for cooler weather, making them a great cool season crop. Snap peas and snow peas use delicate tendrils to climb trellises, netting, or an A frame trellis.

Growing peas vertically improves air circulation, helps prevent fungal diseases, and keeps pods clean.

Best for: Small space gardens, raised beds, and early spring planting.

4. Cucumbers

Cucumber vines are brilliant vining plants for vertical supports. Growing cucumbers up a trellis system keeps fruit straight, clean, and easier to spot among the leaves.

Growing cucumbers vertically also improves sun exposure and airflow, reducing the risk of disease. Choose a large trellis or tall trellises for outdoor varieties. Watch our full guide on sowing and growing cucumbers HERE.

5. Tomatoes

When growing tomatoes vertically, indeterminate varieties are the ones to go for. These tomato vines keep growing all season and thrive when trained up tomato cages, strings, or a vertical structure.

Growing tomatoes this way saves space, improves air circulation, and reduces fungal diseases. Determinate varieties, on the other hand, stay more compact and don’t climb in the same way.

6. Winter Squash (Including Butternut Squash)

Yes – you can grow winter squash vertically! Varieties like butternut squash can be trained up a sturdy trellis or large trellis, as long as the support is strong enough to hold the weight.

Growing winter squash vertically keeps fruit off damp soil, reduces rot, and frees up valuable ground space. Some gardeners use slings to support developing fruit.

7. Summer Squash

Only a few varieties of summer squash, specifically trailing and vining types such as climbing courgette varieties, can be grown vertically to maximise space. While not all summer squash naturally climb, tying these suitable types gently to vertical supports works well.

This method improves air circulation, makes harvesting easier, and helps keep plants healthy through the growing season.

For best results, always check the seed packet for specific planting instructions, including depth and spacing, to ensure successful vertical growth.

8. Malabar Spinach

Malabar spinach is a heat-loving climbing vegetable that thrives in full sun. Unlike traditional spinach, it loves warmer temperatures and grows as a fast-moving vine.

It’s perfect for growing vertically on a trellis system and provides a continuous supply of leafy greens for fresh eating throughout summer.

9. Yardlong Beans

Yardlong beans are prolific climbing beans with impressively long pods. They need tall trellises and warm conditions but reward you with a bountiful harvest.

These vigorous vines are ideal if you want something a bit different from other crops and love unusual vegetables to grow.

10. Luffa Vines

Luffa vines are fast-growing climbers that need a vertical structure and full sun. While best known for making natural sponges, young luffa can also be eaten like summer squash.

They’re dramatic, productive, and fantastic for gardeners who love experimenting.

Vertical Gardening for Small Spaces

If you’re gardening in a small space, vertical gardening is your best friend. By growing upwards, you can pack a surprising variety of crops into even the tiniest garden, balcony, or patio. Compact varieties of tomatoes, peppers, and cucumbers are perfect for training up a trellis or other vertical support, making the most of every inch of available ground space. Malabar spinach is another excellent choice for small spaces, it’s a cool season crop that thrives when grown on a twine trellis, providing a steady supply of leafy greens without taking over your garden. With a little creativity and the right supports, you can turn any small area into a productive and beautiful vertical garden.

Choosing the Right Trellis Options

There are loads of trellis options to suit different gardens and crops:

• A frame trellis for peas and beans
• Wall-mounted trellises allow you to grow vertically against a wall or fence, maximizing available area
• Twine or DIY string trellis for lightweight climbers
• Tomato cages for tomato plants
• Large trellis or vertical supports for squash and melons
• Hanging containers are a great method for vertical gardening, especially for maximising vertical space in small areas
• Wooden trellises provide a natural and rustic look to your garden and can be customised to fit your space and style

Vertical gardening can be achieved using various trellis types, including A-frame, wall-mounted, and DIY string trellises.

Whatever you choose, make sure it’s a proper support that can handle the plant’s weight and growth habit.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

While vertical gardening is straightforward, there are a few common pitfalls to watch out for. One of the biggest mistakes is underestimating the need for a sturdy trellis or support system, tomato vines and other vigorous climbers can get heavy fast, so make sure your supports are up to the task. Another frequent issue is planting too closely together, which can restrict air circulation and increase the risk of disease. It’s also important to choose the right varieties for vertical gardening; indeterminate tomatoes and vining peas are much better suited to climbing than their bushy counterparts. By planning ahead and giving your plants the space and support they need, you’ll set yourself up for vertical gardening success.

Troubleshooting Common Issues

Even with the best planning, vertical gardening can present a few challenges. Poor air circulation is a common problem, especially if plants are crowded or supports are too close together, which can lead to fungal diseases. To improve airflow, try spacing your plants a bit further apart or using a fan in enclosed spaces. Pests like aphids and whiteflies can also be attracted to lush vertical gardens, but you can keep them in check with organic pest control methods such as neem oil or insecticidal soap. By staying vigilant and addressing issues early, you’ll keep your vertical garden healthy and productive, ensuring a bountiful harvest season after season.

Climbing vegetables are one of the easiest ways to save space, especially in a small space garden or limited outdoor space. They help maximise space, improve plant health, and make harvesting a joy rather than a chore.

If you’re short on ground space but big on ambition, growing vegetables vertically is the way forward.