A tipsy plant tower, also known as a topsy-turvy planter or stacked flowerpot tower, is a gardening system where pots are stacked in an angled, seemingly gravity-defying arrangement. This design offers a visually interesting way to display various plants in any garden space, patio, or balcony.
Why Create a Tipsy Planter
Tipsy planters maximize growing potential in limited spaces like small balconies or patios. They enable vertical gardening, allowing more plants to thrive within a compact footprint. The elevated design also improves accessibility for planting, watering, and harvesting, benefiting those who prefer to avoid bending or kneeling.
Materials and Tools Needed
To construct a tipsy planter, gather the following:
Terra-cotta pots of varying sizes, starting with a larger base pot and decreasing for subsequent tiers.
A central support rod, such as a 1/2-inch diameter rebar or galvanized pipe.
Potting mix suitable for your chosen plants.
Tools including a hammer or mallet for driving the support rod, and potentially a drill with a masonry bit if any pots lack a sufficiently large drainage hole.
Building Your Tipsy Planter
Begin by selecting a location for your tipsy planter that receives appropriate sunlight for your chosen plants. Drive the central support rod, such as a 6-foot piece of 1/2-inch diameter rebar, 18 to 24 inches deep into the ground. This depth supports the weight of the pots, soil, and plants. Next, thread the largest pot onto the rebar through its drainage hole, sliding it down to rest firmly on the ground. Fill this base pot with a well-draining potting mix, leaving about an inch or two of space from the rim.
For the second pot, slide it onto the rebar, resting it on the rim of the pot below, tilting it in a desired direction. The soil’s weight helps maintain this “tipsy” angle. Continue with the remaining pots, using progressively smaller sizes and alternating their tilt direction. Ensure the rebar extends through each pot’s drainage hole. Once positioned and angled, fill each pot with potting mix, leaving space for planting; the soil helps secure its angled position.
Choosing the Right Plants
Select appropriate plants suitable for a tipsy planter. Choose plants with shallow root systems or those that do not require extensive space, as pot compartments are limited in depth. Herbs like basil, parsley, mint, and rosemary are well-suited due to their compact growth habits. Salad greens such as lettuce, spinach, and kale also thrive in these vertical arrangements.
Trailing plants are excellent choices for lower tiers, cascading over the edges. Examples include sweet potato vines, calibrachoa, or lobelia. For the top tier, an upright plant can create a focal point. When choosing, consider the sun exposure of your location and select plants with compatible light and water requirements for each tier. Sun-loving plants should be placed in the most exposed pots, while those preferring partial shade can be situated in more shaded positions.
Caring for Your Tipsy Planter
Consistent watering is important for tipsy planters, as pots in vertical arrangements dry out more quickly than those in traditional garden beds. Water slowly from the top pot, allowing excess water to drain down through the tiers, ensuring all plants receive moisture. Some gardeners use watering spikes or a gentle watering can to prevent water from running out too quickly due to the angled pots.
Monitor soil moisture daily, especially during hot weather; some planters may require watering twice a day in high temperatures. Fertilize according to your plants’ needs, typically with a balanced liquid fertilizer during regular watering. Manage pests by routinely inspecting for insects or disease and promptly treating with appropriate organic or chemical solutions.
Seasonal maintenance includes rotating the planter for even sun exposure, pruning plants for bushier growth, and replenishing potting mix as needed. In colder climates, terra-cotta pots may need to be disassembled and stored indoors to prevent cracking from freezing temperatures.
Creative Variations and Ideas
Tipsy planters offer personalization beyond the classic terra-cotta stack. Consider the following variations:
Using alternative materials like galvanized watering cans or old metal teapots, provided they can be modified with drainage holes.
Adapting the design for specific themes, such as a dedicated herb tower, a succulent display, or a vibrant annual flower arrangement.
Incorporating small solar lights within or around the pots for an illuminated element.
Creating a smaller indoor tipsy planter with a tile base and a sturdy dowel for year-round enjoyment.