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Basement garden design

last year

I'd appreciate feedback on designing a basement garden, including ideas on specific things to use (or not use), and approaches to adding unobtrusive lights etc.


The space is 3’x15’, enclosed by glass doors, and with operable skylights above. My current plan is to turn the back and side walls into vertical garden green walls featuring herbs, leafy greens, and some flowers using fabric garden pockets. I plan to use polished stones on the ground and leave the floor open or add a couple of large decorative plants there. Current plan is to finish the concrete wall shown in the photo with a light grey smooth mortar.


The space has plumbing and I can add electrical outlets anywhere since we are in the middle of construction. My goals for the space are to provide natural light and a visually pleasing green canvas to a basement that does not have windows -- maxing out on garden production is not important.




Comments (13)

  • PRO
    last year
    last modified: last year

    I ave no idea what you are planning. If using the stuff you grow is the plan how will you get it ? How does the window tunnel relate to the space in the first pic? You will need to do some serious reading to understand all the issues with these wet walls or the mold will be the issue next. These take real planning and for sure water drainage is one huge issue.

  • last year
    last modified: last year

    @millworkman always a good idea to check on the obvious. Yes, there is a floor drain (and, yes, the ground is pitched to it).

    @Patricia Colwell Consulting the framed out area in photo #1 will be a a giant glass sliding door. I'm not sure what you mean by tunnel -- photo #2 is from the inside of the garden looking up at the skylights.

  • PRO
    last year

    This is where you start



    AI OverviewTo plant a living wall in a windowless basement, focus on selecting low-light tolerant plants, providing artificial light, and using appropriate planters and irrigation. Consider using a modular system with individual pots or a felt wall hanging with pockets. Ensure adequate drainage and choose plants that thrive in the humidity and lower light conditions of a basement.

  • last year

    How green is your thumb? How much light do those skylights bring in? Particularly on winter days? I'd probably just put in shelves for the plants, rather than planting pockets. A green wall is pretty hard to maintain. You can easily put in ugly lighting behind the upper wall --- no one will see it. For good plant lights, you'll probably want something like fluorescents --- ugly. But behind the wall, no one will see it.

  • last year

    @Sigrid thanks what aspect of a green wall is hard to maintain? What kind of work/management does it require?

  • last year

    Is this in a cold climate? I have seen these locally in SoCal - the first in a shopping mall, the other near my dentist's office.



  • last year

    There are all kinds of possibilities for this wall and floor. Plenty of lighting and watering options have developed to support areas of the country to legally grow marijuana. Other cash crops also, like wasabi.

  • last year

    If you look at the second picture @sealavender posted, all the plants are the perfect size for the wall. But plants grow, usually one or more is more vigorous than the others and it takes over. Often one or more don't thrive, so you start with a beautiful wall and you end up with something else. You'll have to constantly edit, which means removing the too vigorous plants and the doing-poorly plants and replacing them. The plants that do really well can overgrow their space and decline because they are root-bound, The plants that don't love your space will also be a problem.


    Next, most plants need a fair amount of soil. Those walls probably have some kind of soil-less medium, which requires the right amount of fertilizer at the right time. Ditto watering. They will be putting a lot of humidity into your basement, which may be a problem, as basements often get a little damp.


    Plants in pots are just a lot easier. You repot when your plant is really happy and growing. Family Handiman magazine had a design for a plant wall that was essentially shelving. It looked really nice.

    How To Make a Living Wall | Family Handyman

  • last year

    Thanks @Sigrid that's really helpful to know!

  • last year
    last modified: last year

    Another idea is to paint the wall a deep rich green that recedes nicely.

    A decorative trellis as a nice backdrop for plants.

    A sculpture would also be a nice focal point or a garden lamp.

    Plumbing for a drip irrigation system, and with misters for ferns.

    Ambient lighting, string lights, etc.


    These I made in AI




    Here are photos you can glean ideas.










  • last year

    Thanks @tracefloyd great inspiration here! I especially like the trellis, sculpture, and ambient lighting ideas!

  • last year

    A floor lamp or wall llight with a bright full spectrum grow light for plants a few hours a day. Mimic sunlight when you want and light up the basement if need be. Make sure the bulb is not visible from indoors.