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Tipsy Pot Gardening for Small Spaces

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Tipsy pot gardening is a type of vertical gardening that involves stacking pots of different sizes and shapes at different angles, creating a unique and whimsical look with a cascading effect.

The larger pots are usually placed at the base and the smaller ones at the top, with each pot tilted slightly to one side. This creates a tiered effect and allows for a variety of plants to be grown in a small space. The term “tipsy” refers to the tilted position of the pots, giving the appearance of being slightly off balance.

Tipsy pot gardening is a popular DIY project and can be a fun and creative way to enhance your outdoor living space. It’s an excellent choice for apartments, walkways or other small space areas that limit your gardening abilities! Here is an easy, do it yourself, stackable garden. . .tipped pot herb garden

One of most frequent issues people seem to have when gardening is time and space. This handy Tipsy pot garden is a great space saver (indoors or out) and with the clay pots, weeding won’t be an issue! Each of the pots rests on edge of the one below it creating a cascading tipsy pot.

Tipsy Pot Garden Directions- How to Make Tipsy Pots

You’ll Need:
3-6 Clay Pots (depending on how high you want to stack them) or to make a stackable Pumpkin Planter- 4-5 Plastic Pumpkins
1 Sturdy Plant Stake or Piece of Rebar
Potting Soil/Dirt
Seeds of your choice

clay pots lined up in a row

  1. First, Drive the stake or rebar into the ground about a foot. Leave enough space to slide each of the pots down over the stake. Slide the first pot down the stake through the drainage hole in the bottom of the pot:
  2. rebar pounded into ground with a clay pot on bottom

  3. Fill the pot with soil, plant seeds of your choice, water, then tilt the pot slightly sideways. Slide the next pot down the stake, leaning it on the opposite side of the first pot. The bottom of the pot will rest on the edge of the first pot.
  4. Once the pot is in place, fill it with soil, add seeds, water and repeat until all the pots are used or you run out of rebar/stake.
  5. friends gather here tipsy pot welcome sign with live plants

  6. This can be done with pots that are all the same size, like the photo at the top of this “How-To,” or with varying pot sizes, such as this one:

    tomato plant thriving in tipsy pot garden

    As you can see from the above photo, in this case we actually used an existing “Small Welcome Flag Pole” as our tipsy pot stake.

  7. tipsy pots stacked using a garden flag post

  8. Since the flag pole is less sturdier than a heavy duty stake or rebar, we chose smaller pots. Remember to take into consideration the weight of the plants once they sprout.

tipsy pot gardens lining walkway to home

Indoor Tipsy Pot Garden

This method isn’t limited to outdoor use, this can be done inside as well. All you need is a small block of wood, a wooden dowel, and a screw. Place the wooden dowel in the center of the small wooden block, screw through the wooden block up into the dowel, be sure to start slowly to avoid cracking or splintering the dowel.

tipsy-pot-gardening-for-small-spaces

Then place the wooden dowel on a clay saucer, feed the first clay pot onto the dowel and plant/seed as directed above. The dowel method works well for small counter-top herb gardens.

staggered pots for seedlings

Be aware that using a dowel outside long-term isn’t a great idea as the wood will rot with moisture.

Other Tips

Water each pot slowly and give it time to absorb; this will prevent the pots from running over into each other.

tipsy pot garden stacked on top of each other

Topsy Turvy Pumpkin Planter Directions:

To Make a Stackable Pumpkin Planter simply drill holes in plastic pumpkins and stack them, alternating the side of the holes for each pumpkin.

Aka- bottom pumpkin drill hole to the right of the face, feed through the stake, 2nd pumpkin- drill hole to left of face, feed through the stake to stack, fill with soil/flowers before adding next pumpkin.

How to make a Topsy Turvy Pumpkin Planter Tutorial

Tipsy Pot Gardening FAQ

What is Tipsy Pot Gardening?
Tipsy Pot Gardening is a unique gardening technique that involves stacking pots in a tilted manner to create an eye-catching vertical garden display.

How do I create a Tipsy Pot Garden?
To create a Tipsy Pot Garden, stack pots of varying sizes on top of each other, with the largest at the bottom. Tilt each pot slightly to allow for drainage and fill them with soil to plant your desired flowers or herbs, such as basil.

What types of plants work best for Tipsy Pot Gardening?
Various trailing plants like petunias, ivy, and lobelia work well in Tipsy Pot Gardens. Herbs such as thyme, rosemary, and mint are also popular choices.

Can I use any type of containers for Tipsy Pot Gardening?
Yes, you can use a variety of containers such as clay pots, plastic pots, or even recycled containers as long as they can support the weight of the plants and have proper drainage holes.

becky hillmann tipsy pot garden
Image Credit to Becky Hillmann
How do I ensure proper drainage in a Tipsy Pot Garden?
Ensure each pot has drainage holes to allow excess water to escape. You can also use a layer of small rocks or broken pottery at the bottom of each pot to enhance drainage.

Do I need to secure the pots together in a Tipsy Pot Garden?
It is recommended to secure the pots together using stakes, a sturdy pole, or a metal rod inserted through the center of the pots. This helps keep them stable and prevents them from toppling over.

How often should I water my Tipsy Pot Garden?
The watering frequency will depend on various factors like plant types, weather conditions, and pot size. Check the moisture level of the soil regularly and water when the top inch feels dry.

Can I grow vegetables or herbs in a Tipsy Pot Garden?
Yes, you can grow certain vegetables and herbs in Tipsy Pot Gardens. Compact varieties like cherry tomatoes, lettuce, and herbs such as basil and parsley work well.

How much sunlight do Tipsy Pot Gardens need?
Most plants in Tipsy Pot Gardens thrive in full sunlight, so it’s ideal to place your garden in a location that receives at least 6 hours of direct sunlight per day.

Can I add decorative elements or paint the pots in a Tipsy Pot Garden?
Absolutely! Adding decorative elements like colorful ribbons, wind chimes, or painting the pots with vibrant colors can enhance the visual appeal of your Tipsy Pot Garden and make it more personalized.

How do I determine what size stake or rebar to use in a tipsy pot garden?

When determining the size of stake or rebar to use in a Tipsy Pot Garden, consider the overall height and weight of the stacked pots. It’s recommended to choose a stake or rebar that is sturdy and long enough to reach through the center of all the pots, providing stability.

A diameter of 1/2 inch (12.7 mm) or larger is generally suitable, ensuring it can support the weight of the pots without bending or wobbling. Additionally, consider the depth of the pot stack to ensure the stake or rebar extends below the lowest pot for secure anchoring into the ground or container.

How to Make a DIY Tipsy Pot Garden- Print Now

tipsy pot gardening 1
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How to Make a Tipsy Pot Garden

Budget101.com by Melissa 'Liss' Burnell
Tipsy Pot Gardening is a creative gardening technique where planters are stacked in a tilted manner, creating a visually interesting and space-saving way to grow various plants, herbs, or flowers.
Resting Time 1 hour
Total Time 1 hour

Equipment

Instructions
 

  • Drive the stake or rebar into the ground about a foot. Leave enough space to slide each of the pots down over the stake.
    Piece of Rebar
  • Slide the first pot down the stake through the drainage hole in the bottom of the pot:
  • Fill the pot with soil, plant seeds of your choice, water, then tilt the pot slightly sideways.
    Potting Soil/Dirt
  • Slide the next pot down the stake, leaning it on the opposite side of the first pot. The bottom of the pot will rest on the edge of the first pot.
    3-6 pots Terracotta Pots, Galvanized Buckets, or Plastic Pumpkins
  • Once the pot is in place, fill it with soil, add seeds, water and repeat until all the pots are used or you run out of rebar/stake.
    Seeds of your choice
  • This can be done with pots that are all the same size, like the photo at the top of this "How-To," or with varying pot sizes.

Equipment & Materials

Notes

Remember to take into consideration the weight of the plants once they sprout.
Note:

The information on this DIY site is for general informational purposes only. We do not guarantee the accuracy or effectiveness of the content shared. The site owner and authors are not liable for any damages or injuries. Use the information at your own risk and seek professional advice when needed.

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17 thoughts on “Tipsy Pot Gardening for Small Spaces”

  1. i will be trying this i have limited space. i think cucumbers in the top one will work great they can run down if they are not to heavy.

    Reply
  2. i’m’a thinkin of smaller to bigger pots with the plants mimicking a waterfall… starting at the top with something like hen n chicks and adding whatever you call those draping grean pearl-like things and ending in alyssum in the bottom to be like frothy bubbles.

    Reply
  3. how do you handle the watering? doesn’t it come out the bottom? or do you plug up the bottom pot?

    think i will give it a try for the spring.

    Reply
  4. i think i will do a nice flower arrangement instead of a garden due to we only have 3 months of summer anyhow. Thanks, great idea!

    Reply
  5. once seen this before but didn’t get a chance to try it. i love growing succlents and this set up will allow me to grow many different plants 🙂 🙂

    Reply

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