This method offers numerous benefits, including saving space and air purification. But there are various disadvantages of vertical gardening that we should consider before adopting this technique. Let’s find out the details!
Disadvantages of Vertical Gardening
Vertical gardens are attached to buildings and receive water and nutrients from within the structure. Benefits include space-saving and air purification. The major drawbacks of vertical gardening are as follows.
| Parameters | Cons |
| Complex and Costly | Need skilled person for hydroponic care, high upfront, and operational cost |
| Maintenance and Power consumption | Required frequently and High |
| Pest Infestation | Contamination risk from water, inputs, packaging, staff, and equipment. |
| Pollination | Needs to be done manually |
| Compliance to regulation | Need to comply with local health and regulatory requirements for producing and selling food |
| Inaccurate Infrastructure | Lack of infrastructure for processing the harvest immediately. |
| Risks | Technological failures leading to plant damage. |
| Impact on Rural Areas | Less participation of traditional farmers |
| Limited Plant Species | Suitable only for a few plant varieties and low caloric density crops |
| Cultivation Challenges | Unsuitable for cultivation of tall field crops |
| Inadequate Growing Conditions | Lack of proper sunlight exposure, water, and temperature |
| Damage to House | Improper care may harm ceiling, trims, and walls |
1. Unavailability of Experts
Setting up a vertical garden is a complex task, usually requiring an expert due to its hydroponic nature, involving factors different from conventional farming. Moreover, since vertical farming is a relatively new field, there are few people with experience, making it challenging to find qualified personnel. You can get started right away with an indoor greenhouse.
2. High Upfront and Operation Cost
Investing in a profitable plant is complex and requires a high upfront cost. Without careful planning, changing the concept after construction can lead to unexpected financial burdens. This is one of the initial challenges of vertical farming.
Skilled personnel are necessary to manage both the plant and plant health, but these personnel costs can potentially impact the overall budget.
4. Frequent Maintenance Costs
Considering the cost model for a vertical garden, it’s not just electricity and personnel expenses to think about. The plant’s high complexity and continuous operation mean components will wear out over time, requiring replacement or servicing which will further cost money.
5. High Energy Usage
Running a vertical garden entirely indoors requires providing 100% artificial light, leading to high electricity costs even with LED lamps. Considering a significant portion of our energy is still produced from coal, it raises questions about the sustainability of such a garden.
6. Risk of Pest Infestation
Vertical gardens can face water-borne diseases or pests caused by harmful microbes in contaminated water. Once these microbes infiltrate the water system, they can rapidly propagate among plants due to the interconnected nature of the systems.
If crop inputs, packaging, and staff are not managed properly when entering the growing area, there is a high risk of contamination. For instance, equipment operating near or above growing crops can pose a contamination risk.
Also Read: 20+ Eco-Friendly Inventions for the Future That Could Save the Planet
7. Manual Pollination Challenges
The closed system of vertical gardens means no insects, creating a significant issue for pollination. In a vertical garden without these insects, manual pollination has to be done to ensure a successful harvest. This task requires delicate handling.
8. Requires Compliance with Regulations
Anyone producing and distributing food in its vertical garden must comply with all local health or regulatory agency requirements. Failure to do so without prior notification can result in significant penalties. It is recommended to contact the relevant authorities beforehand to prevent misunderstandings.
Cross-Reference: Biggest Disadvantages of Vertical Farming
9. Lack of Processing Infrastructure
Usually, there is not enough infrastructure for processing the harvest immediately. Consequently, the plants often need to be transported several kilometers for packaging. For this technology to be truly sustainable and environmentally friendly, the infrastructure supporting vertical farming must also expand.
10. Risk of Major Issues from Technological Failures
While the future of vertical farming holds promise, the technology in this new industry is not yet mature. Currently, building a profitable plant requires significant time and investment.
Vertical garden faces a challenge due to its significant reliance on technology. A failure in the irrigation system or electricity can result in substantial damage to the plants. Hence, it’s advisable to implement multiple safeguards for the connected technology to prevent a complete failure.
11. Impact on Rural Livelihoods
In numerous rural areas, people heavily rely on traditional agriculture. If we were to abruptly shift entirely to vertical garden, many farms could face extinction. While vertical farming creates new jobs, there should be opportunities for farmers to participate through retraining or conversion.
12. Limits Plant Profitability and Size
Regrettably, only a few plants thrive well in vertical gardens due to the relatively high growing costs. Inexpensive foods like potatoes are not economically viable (yet). Therefore, the current focus is on selecting plants with high economic potential. Stacking plants vertically restricts their vertical spread.
To encourage growth, large plant pots are required, exceeding the intended setup and limiting their size. In more severe cases, these plants can wither and wilt, ultimately leading to the plant’s death. This counts as one of the worst disadvantages of vertical gardening.
Also See: How to Reduce the Use of Plastic in Agriculture
13. Challenges in Replacing Cultivation of Tall Field Crops
These crops don’t fit well into this system, and the economic feasibility is currently not supportive. This poses a major hurdle for vertical garden to address, especially since a large portion of global farming is dedicated to tall field crops like wheat and soybeans. While vertical farming can substitute traditional field farming for small horticultural crops, it’s not feasible for large-scale.
14. Suitable for Small Caloric Density Crops
Vertically grown food offers only a small portion of daily calorie needs, so it cannot fully meet an adult’s nutritional requirements. Calorie density measures how many calories’ a food has based on its size. The British National Health Service (NHS) recommends 2500 daily calories for men and 2000 for women. Vegetables from vertical gardens, like lettuce and spinach, have low calorie density.
15. Challenges in Watering Reduces Plants‘ Moisture
Plants can become dry when kept away from direct sunlight and rain, especially in container setups. Unlike ground-bound plants, container plants may struggle to absorb enough water, leading to dryness. To retain soil moisture, manage the temperature and lighting in the vertical setup.
To avoid moisture damage, you need to prepare the space for your vertical garden carefully, like adding waterproofing measures. These factors can lead to ongoing challenges and extra costs.
16. Potential Home Damage from Wrong Plants
Selecting suitable plants for your indoor vertical garden is crucial. Fast-growing, invasive species and certain climbing vines can rapidly get out of control if not managed. Improper care can result in damage to your new home’s walls, trim, or ceiling. Also, be cautious as some plants may be toxic to children and pets. Consider this when planning your vertical wall garden.
So today we discovered the disadvantages of vertical gardening but on a wider scale, adopting this method offers various benefits too. We need to manage things properly to make the best out of it.
Also, check out Ways to Conserve Energy at Home
