Felt Pocket Vertical Garden – Your Ultimate Guide To An Above-Tank

Written ByHoward Parker

Are you tired of the same old aquarium setup? Do you look at that empty wall space above your tank and wonder if you could do more with it? What if you could turn that blank canvas into a lush, living wall of green that not only looks stunning but also purifies your aquarium water?

This isn’t just about aesthetics. It’s about creating a powerful, natural filtration system that reduces your maintenance workload and brings a vibrant piece of the rainforest right into your living room. It’s a method that savvy aquarists are using to create healthier, more stable ecosystems for their fish.

Imagine beautiful houseplants thriving on nutrient-rich water from your tank, their roots creating a magical, submerged landscape. You can achieve this with a surprisingly simple tool: the felt pocket vertical garden.

This comprehensive felt pocket vertical garden guide will walk you through everything you need to know. We’ll show you exactly how to merge the worlds of houseplant care and fishkeeping to create a breathtaking, sustainable feature that will be the envy of every aquarist you know.

What is a Felt Pocket Vertical Garden (and Why is it an Aquarist’s Secret Weapon)?

At its core, a felt pocket vertical garden is a piece of durable, porous felt, often made from recycled plastic bottles, sewn into a series of pockets. It’s designed to be hung on a wall, with each pocket holding a plant. While typically used for soil-based gardening in small spaces, we aquarists have adopted it for a much cooler purpose.

In our world, it becomes the heart of a riparium or aquaponic setup. We hang it above the aquarium and use a small pump to gently circulate tank water through the pockets. The plants sit in the pockets with their roots exposed, drawing nutrients directly from the water.

Think of it as a supercharged, all-natural filter. Your fish produce waste, which creates nitrates. The plants in your eco-friendly felt pocket vertical garden eagerly consume these nitrates as food. It’s a perfect symbiotic relationship that creates a cleaner tank for you and a free, all-you-can-eat buffet for your plants.

The Incredible Benefits of a Felt Pocket Vertical Garden for Your Aquarium

Integrating this system into your setup isn’t just a fun project; it comes with a host of amazing advantages. Exploring the benefits of a felt pocket vertical garden shows just how impactful it can be for both your fish and your free time.

  • Superior Nitrate Removal: This is the big one. Plants are nitrate-sucking machines. By constantly feeding on the nitrates in your tank water, they act as a powerful, living filter. This means less algae, healthier water, and often, fewer water changes.
  • A Stunning Visual Display: It creates a breathtaking “wall of green” that frames your aquarium. The combination of lush foliage above and vibrant aquatic life below transforms your tank from a simple glass box into a dynamic, living art piece.
  • Healthier, Happier Fish: The roots dangling into the water provide excellent cover for shy fish and fry, making them feel safer and more secure. The dappled light filtering through the leaves creates a more natural and enriching environment.
  • A Sustainable Ecosystem: This is the heart of a sustainable felt pocket vertical garden. You’re creating a closed-loop system where waste from one part of the ecosystem becomes food for another. It’s a beautiful, efficient, and environmentally friendly way to garden.

How to Set Up Your Felt Pocket Vertical Garden: A Step-by-Step Guide

Ready to build your own? Don’t be intimidated! This process is straightforward and incredibly rewarding. Here’s how to felt pocket vertical garden your way to a stunning aquaponic setup.

  1. Choose the Right Felt Planter

    Look for a planter made from PET felt, which is created from recycled plastic bottles. It’s chemically inert, meaning it won’t leach anything harmful into your tank, and it’s extremely resistant to rot. Ensure it has a waterproof backing to protect your wall from moisture.

  2. Mount and Position It Securely

    This is crucial. Mount the planter on the wall directly above your aquarium using strong hooks or screws anchored into studs. You want it to be completely secure. Position it so you have easy access for planting and maintenance, and consider the light source—either a nearby window or a dedicated grow light.

  3. Create the Water Delivery System

    This is the fun part! You’ll need a small, low-flow water pump (a simple fountain pump works great) and some airline tubing. Place the pump in your aquarium and run the tubing up to the top row of pockets. You can poke small holes in the tubing to create a drip system that slowly and evenly moistens the felt. The felt’s natural wicking action will distribute the water down to the lower pockets.

    Pro Tip: Divert the outflow from your canister filter through the tubing for an even simpler, no-extra-pump setup!

  4. Prepare and Add Your Plants

    Choose your plants (we’ll cover the best ones next!). Gently remove them from their pots and wash all the soil from their roots. This is a non-negotiable step to avoid turning your tank into a mud pit. Once the roots are clean, you can carefully place each plant into a felt pocket, ensuring the roots have room to grow.

Best Plants for Your Above-Tank Garden (And a Few to Avoid)

Choosing the right plants is key to success. You need species that love having “wet feet” and thrive in a hydroponic environment. Luckily, many common houseplants are perfect for the job!

Top Choices for Beginners

Don’t worry—these plants are incredibly forgiving and perfect for your first project. They are practically foolproof!

  • Pothos (Epipremnum aureum): The undisputed king of aquarium plants. It grows fast, sucks up tons of nitrates, and is nearly impossible to kill.
  • Philodendron (Philodendron hederaceum): Very similar to Pothos, with beautiful heart-shaped leaves. It’s another nitrate-hungry powerhouse.
  • Peace Lily (Spathiphyllum): Not only does it have lovely dark green leaves, but it will also produce beautiful white flowers once established. It’s a great indicator plant—it droops dramatically when it needs more water.
  • Spider Plant (Chlorophytum comosum): These are fun to watch as they send out “pups” or baby plants that you can propagate in other pockets.

For the More Adventurous Aquarist

Once you’re comfortable, try these slightly more unique options:

  • Swiss Cheese Plant (Monstera adansonii): Its fenestrated (hole-filled) leaves look incredible cascading down the wall.
  • Arrowhead Plant (Syngonium podophyllum): Comes in a variety of colors from green to pink and thrives in the moist environment.
  • Herbs: Believe it or not, water-loving herbs like mint, basil, and parsley can do exceptionally well, giving you fresh ingredients for your kitchen!

Plants to Steer Clear Of

Avoid any plants that prefer dry conditions. Cacti, succulents, and other desert plants will quickly rot in the constantly moist felt. Also, be sure to research any plant you choose to ensure it’s not toxic if a leaf happens to fall into the tank.

Common Problems with Felt Pocket Vertical Gardens and How to Solve Them

Even the best-laid plans can hit a snag. Here are some common problems with felt pocket vertical garden setups and simple solutions from someone who’s been there.

Problem: Algae is growing on the outside of the felt.
This happens when too much light hits the wet felt. You can solve this by adjusting your lighting to focus more on the plants and less on the planter itself. Ensuring the plant leaves eventually cover the felt also helps shade it out naturally.

Problem: Water is dripping onto the floor.
First, check that your planter has a waterproof backing. If it does, you may have the water flow turned up too high. Reduce the pump’s flow rate so the felt is just consistently damp, not soaking wet and overflowing.

Problem: The plant roots are getting tangled in my filter intake.
As your garden thrives, the roots will grow long and beautiful! To prevent them from causing trouble, you can trim them back periodically (it won’t harm the plant). You can also place a coarse pre-filter sponge over your filter intake or pump for protection.

Problem: My plants look yellow and sad.
This is rare in a well-stocked aquarium, as fish waste is rich in nutrients. However, if your tank is lightly stocked or your plants are extremely fast-growing, they might be missing certain micronutrients. You can supplement with a tiny, aquarium-safe liquid fertilizer, but always dose with extreme caution.

Felt Pocket Vertical Garden Care Guide: Best Practices for a Thriving Ecosystem

Your wall garden is incredibly low-maintenance, but a little attention goes a long way. Following these felt pocket vertical garden best practices will ensure your living wall flourishes for years to come.

This simple felt pocket vertical garden care guide will keep everything in balance.

  • Lighting is Key: Most of the recommended plants thrive in bright, indirect light. If you don’t have a window nearby, a simple clip-on LED grow light on a timer is a fantastic investment.
  • Prune Regularly: Just like any garden, a little trim now and then is healthy. Pruning encourages bushier growth and keeps plants from getting too wild. Don’t forget to trim the roots in the tank if they get too long.
  • Check Your Flow: Once a week, just make sure water is still flowing correctly and all the pockets are getting moisture. Check that the pump intake is clear of debris.
  • Watch for Pests: Houseplant pests like spider mites can occasionally appear. Deal with them immediately by wiping leaves with a damp cloth. Never use traditional pesticides, as they are lethal to aquatic life. A gentle, diluted neem oil solution can be used, but spray it far away from the tank and let the leaves dry completely before they touch the water.

Frequently Asked Questions About Felt Pocket Vertical Gardens in Aquariums

Will the felt material rot or fall apart over time?

Not if you buy a quality product! The best felt planters are made from recycled PET plastic, which is the same stuff soda bottles are made of. It’s incredibly durable, UV-resistant, and will not rot or decay in the constantly moist environment.

Can I use soil or another growing medium in the pockets?

It’s highly recommended that you don’t. Soil, LECA, or other substrates will inevitably wash out of the pockets and into your aquarium, creating a cloudy mess, clogging your filter, and potentially altering your water chemistry. The beauty of this system is its simplicity—just plants and water!

Is this setup safe for my fish and invertebrates?

Absolutely! As long as you choose non-toxic houseplants (like the ones listed above), the system is incredibly safe. In fact, it’s highly beneficial, as it improves water quality and provides a more natural, enriching environment for your tank inhabitants.

Your Aquarium’s Next Evolution Awaits

You now have all the tools and knowledge you need to create a stunning living filter for your aquarium. A felt pocket vertical garden is more than just a decoration; it’s a fusion of art and science that creates a healthier, more beautiful, and more engaging ecosystem.

It’s a project that rewards you with lush growth, cleaner water, and a deeper connection to the natural world you’ve so carefully cultivated in your home.

So why wait? It’s time to grow beyond the glass and transform your aquarium into a living masterpiece. Happy planting!

Howard Parker
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