The Garden Tower 2 is an extremely versatile vertical growing system, enabling the growth of 50 plants or more in a compact 4-square feet of space. While the quantity of plants that can be grown is astounding, equally impressive is the variety of plants that can thrive in this award-winning tower.

But what exactly can be grown in this vertical system you ask? Let's dive into the possibilities, so you can determine what is right for you and your tower.

Best Plants for Garden Tower 2

Fruits, vegetables, herbs, flowers, and vining varieties — it's all possible in this flexible vermicomposting system.

While the list below is not comprehensive, it's a testament to the versatility of what can be grown and thrive in the Garden Tower 2. Each of these varieties, when planted at the proper time and cared for sufficiently, will excel in your tower. The list is extensive.

Vegetables & Fruits

From leafy greens to succulent strawberries and tomatoes, the Garden Tower 2 can produce a number of healthy and organic eating fruits and vegetables:

Amaranth (vegetable type), Arugula, Beans (lima, bush, pole, shell, fava), Broccoli, Brussels Sprouts, Cabbage, Chinese Cabbage, Cauliflower, Chard, Chicory, Collards, Cucumbers, Dandelion, Eggplant, Endive, Escarole, Gourds, Kale, Leeks, Lettuce, Melons, Mesclun, Mustard Greens, Dwarf Okra, Peas, Peppers, Radicchio, Sorrel, Spinach, Squash, Strawberries, Tomatoes

Note: Vining plants grow nicely from the bottom growing positions, as they need room to expand to a trellis, railing, or piece of garden art. It's important that they not grow over or block other plants from receiving sunlight.

Herbs

Whether for aromatherapy, medicinal purposes, or for seasonings and flavorings, your tower can support a wide variety of powerful herbs:

Angelica, Anise Hyssop, Basil, Calendula, Catmint, Catnip, Chamomile, Chervil, Chives, Cilantro (Coriander), Dandelion, Dill, Echinacea (Coneflower), Feverfew, Flax, Garlic Chives, Goldenseal Hyssop, Lavender, Fennel, Lemon Balm, Marjoram, Milk Thistle, Mint, Nettle, Oregano, Parsley, Passion Flower, Pleurisy Root, Rosemary, Sage, Salad Burnet, Saltwort, Savory, Shiso, Stevia, Thyme, Valerian, Wormwood

Flowers

Flowers can be hugely helpful for your food garden, attracting pollinators and beneficial insects, while also providing diversity and a pop of color. You can also eat some:

Edible Flowers: Calendula, Carthamus, Dianthus, Marigolds, Nasturtiums, Pansies, Salvia, Violas

Ornamental Flowers: Ageratum, Amaranth, Ammi, Aster, Bells of Ireland, Bupleurum, Morning Glory, Nigella, Petunia, Phlox, Polygonum, Poppy, Ptilotus, Rudbeckia, Safflower, Salpiglossis, Sanvitalia, Scabiosa, Snapdragon, Stock, Strawflower, Sweet Peas, Verbena, Yarrow, Zinnia

Companion Planting

While it's important to consider the viability of each plant individually, it's equally important to understand how the plants in your tower will work together!

Some plants thrive alongside each other, while others — not so much. Knowing which plants to pair and which to avoid grouping could be the difference between a lousy garden, and a thriving towers of super plants!

Our friends at the Afristar Foundation have prepared a growing Companion Guide to highlight some DOs and DON'Ts when it comes to designing your Garden Tower layout.

For example, carrots and rosemary make a great complementary couple when planted in close proximity. However, planting strawberries alongside your carrots could have a negative impact on both. Avoid it if at all possible.

When designing the layout for your tower garden, simply do a sanity check with this list to avoid any costly mistakes. And if needed, relocate these bad companions opposite each other in your garden. It's really no different than planning your annual family Thanksgiving Day gathering ;-)

Example Salad Layout

The Garden Tower Project team has put together a sample layout that considers a variety of factors, while also producing everything you need for an unbelievably delicious and nutrient-packed salad.

Each of the chosen plants can be started via seed mid-Spring. There are also no companion planting conflicts, as outlined above.

Conclusion

Tower gardens are extremely versatile growing systems, allowing each grower the opportunity to carefully select the varieties that he/she prefers. Few gardens can be rotated, shifted and moved to account for the specific lighting needs of each plant. Having a vermicomposting core that constantly feeds your plants also doesn't hurt!

Check Prices on the Garden Tower 2

While it might take some time to learn what grows best in your particular environment, the possibilities are nearly endless! Have you had success with plants not listed above? Let us know!