Temporary gardening for renters has become a modern solution for people living in apartments, dorms, shared homes, and short-term rentals. Not everyone can drill into walls or permanently install a garden. But every renter deserves plants — whether for food, beauty, or personal comfort.
This guide shows how to build a garden that’s portable, removable, and totally deposit-safe — even in the smallest of spaces.
What Is a Temporary Garden?
A temporary garden is a plant setup that:
- Requires no drilling or wall mounting
- Can be removed without leaving damage
- Fits small, awkward spaces
- Moves with you when you relocate
These flexible gardens can sit on balconies, windowsills, tables, carts, shelves, or even over kitchen sinks. They’re built to be functional, cheap, and portable.
Why Renters Need Temporary Solutions
Renters face:
- Limited space
- Restrictions on modifying walls or railings
- Moving often
- A need for fast, removable setups
Temporary gardening is ideal because it removes all the risk of property damage — and keeps your plants with you no matter how often you move.
Solution #1 — Stackable and Modular Planters
These are compact planter systems that stack upward:
- Minimal floor space required
- Easy to assemble and collapse without tools
- Versatile — can sit indoors or outdoors
- Good for herbs, greens, and shallow-root vegetables
If you’ve got one sunny spot in your living room or balcony, a stackable planter tower is all you need.
Solution #2 — Freestanding Indoor Plant Shelves
These allow a vertical garden near a window or sliding glass door.
Benefits:
- No mounting or drilling
- Store multiple pots on one unit
- Can work as decor or storage when empty
Choose units no taller than your shoulder to keep watering easy and stable.
Solution #3 — Clamp-On Balcony Planters
These are removable railing planters that clamp into place — no screws required.
Perfect for:
- Balconies with metal or wood railings
- Growing herbs or edible flowers outdoors
- Maximizing exposure without covering the floor
Tip: Use plastic or lightweight pots to avoid putting too much weight on railings.
Solution #4 — Rolling Grow Carts
Great for indoor renters with no sunlight or balconies. These carts:
- Include built-in grow lights
- Can be wheeled near any outlet
- Hold dozens of seedlings in tiers
- Make harvesting and watering easier
Perfect for year-round lettuce, microgreens, or kitchen herbs.
Solution #5 — Hanging Gardens With Tension Rods
Curtain tension rods or shower rods can support lightweight hanging pots.
Use S-hooks, wire baskets, or mini buckets to create a plant curtain over:
- Windows
- Kitchen counters
- Patio doors
Installation takes seconds, and nothing touches the wall.
Best Plants for Temporary Gardens
Choose plants that work well in small containers and don’t need deep soil:
Edible:
- Basil
- Cilantro
- Mint
- Lettuce
- Microgreens
- Radishes
- Dwarf tomatoes
Ornamental:
- Pothos
- Snake plant
- Spider plant
- Peace lily
- Ferns
Avoid fruit trees or plants that need deep roots or large outdoor space.
Renter-Friendly Tools and Accessories
- Fabric pots (lightweight and root-friendly)
- Stick-on grow lights (cheap and universal)
- Removable plant labels (no staining)
- Self-watering planters for low maintenance
- Portable potting trays to avoid dirt spills
These tools keep your plants thriving without creating mess or weight problems.
Avoid These Temporary Gardening Mistakes
- Using too many heavy ceramic pots
- Not protecting floors from water buildup
- Overloading balconies with weight
- Starting plants that need infinite space to grow
Stick to compact setups and easy-care plants.
Temporary Garden Checklist
Before you begin:
- Measure your available space
- Check balcony rules for visible objects
- Test railing stability before hanging planters
- Budget for lightweight pots and soil
- Place drip trays under everything
Final Thought
Temporary gardening is not a second-rate compromise — it’s a smarter way to grow food and beauty without being tied to a location. Whether you have 30 square feet or a tiny kitchen window, temporary gardening for renters gives you the freedom to create a living, breathing green space that moves when you move.
Your garden doesn’t need permission. It needs portability and creativity — the rest is up to you.
Read Next
Read next: “5 Plants That Love Apartment Air Conditions”
