Vegetables That Love to Climb

Vegetables That Love to Climb (And Whether You Need a Trellis!) 

It’s so fascinating watching the growth of a bean vine twist its way up a pole or seen cucumber tendrils reach out like little green fingers, some vegetables just love to climb! If you’re short on space or just want to add some vertical interest to your garden, growing climbing vegetables is a great way to maximize your harvest. But not all climbers are created equal—some need a little support, while others can manage just fine on their own. Let’s talk about some of the best vegetables that love to climb and whether or not they need a trellis to thrive. 

Using trellises in your garden is a fantastic way to save space and increase productivity. By growing vertically, you free up valuable ground space for other crops while keeping climbing plants healthier and easier to harvest. Plus, a well-placed trellis can add structure and beauty to your garden design! An added bonus of trellising vegetables is they can provide some natural shade for certain crops that don’t like the heat as much.  

1. Pole Beans

• Do they need a trellis? Yes!

• Pole beans are one of the best-known climbing vegetables. They will happily wind themselves around poles, trellises, or even a simple teepee structure. Unlike bush beans, which grow in a compact form, pole beans stretch upward and keep producing for weeks. Plus, picking beans at eye level is way easier on your back and easier to see! 

2. Peas

• Do they need a trellis? Yes, but a simple one will do.

• Peas are another vining vegetable that loves to climb, though they are more delicate than beans. They use tiny tendrils to latch onto fencing, netting, or strings. A lightweight trellis or even some twigs stuck in the ground can give them enough support. And since they’re an early-season crop, you can plant them before most other veggies get going. I’ve found peas sometimes need a bit of training early on to get them growing the direction you want. 

3. Cucumbers

• Do they need a trellis? Highly recommended, but not required.

• Cucumbers can technically grow along the ground, but they’re much happier (and healthier) when they have something to climb. A trellis helps keep cucumbers straight, prevents rot by keeping them off the soil, and makes harvesting easier. If you like your cucumbers clean, uncurled, and easier to see give them a support system! 

4. Tomatoes

• Do they need a trellis? Yes, or at least a sturdy cage. 

• While tomatoes don’t climb in the traditional sense, indeterminate (vining) varieties will grow as tall as you let them! These plants need cages, stakes, or trellises to keep them from sprawling all over the garden. Without support, they become a tangled mess and are more prone to disease. Determinate (bush) varieties, on the other hand, stay compact and don’t require trellising. All of the varieties I’ve grown do great with a cage but I may give a trellis a try so I can talk more about how to do that!

5. Squash (Certain Varieties)

• Do they need a trellis? Optional, but helpful for smaller varieties. 

• Squash plants are notorious space hogs, but some varieties—like acorn squash or delicata—can be trained to climb a trellis. Just be sure to provide extra support for heavier fruits, like tying slings around them. Zucchini and other summer squash don’t climb but can benefit from staking up a bit but they need to sprawl on the ground instead. 

6. Melons

• Do they need a trellis? Recommended for smaller melons. 

• Like squash, melons can be grown vertically to save space. Small melons, such as cantaloupe, are perfect for trellising. Just be prepared to support the fruit with netting or cloth slings so they don’t break off the vine. Watermelons, on the other hand, tend to be too heavy to trellis unless you’re growing a miniature variety. Growing melons on a trellis also helps with pests. 

7. Sweet Potatoes

• Do they need a trellis? No, but they love to spread. 

• Sweet potatoes grow on sprawling vines, but they don’t climb like beans or peas. Instead, they creep along the ground, covering large areas. If space is tight, you can train them up a low trellis, but they’re perfectly happy trailing across your garden bed. 

8. Nasturtiums (Yes, they’re edible!) 

• Do they need a trellis? Some varieties do. 

• While many people grow nasturtiums for their bright, cheerful flowers, their leaves and blooms are actually edible which is why I am including them! Trailing or climbing varieties can be trained up trellises, while bush types stay more compact. Nasturtiums are a fun, colorful addition to vegetable gardens and attract beneficial insects. I have purchased the trailing varieties this year and I am so excited to see how well they do!

9. Loofah Gourds

• Do they need a trellis? Yes, definitely! 

• If you want to grow your own natural sponges, loofah is a fascinating plant! These vigorous vines need a strong trellis, as the gourds can get quite large. Just be patient—loofah takes a long time to mature, but the payoff is worth it. I have not tried loofah plants yet but I added them to my list because I am really excited to give them a try, I’ve heard such great things about them!

Choosing the Right Trellis for Your Garden 

Now that you know which vegetables love to climb, how do you decide what type of trellis to use? Here are a few simple options, along with their pros and cons: 

• Teepees: Great for pole beans and peas. Easy to set up and take down, but they may not be as sturdy in heavy winds. 

• Cattle Panels or Fencing: Perfect for cucumbers, melons, and squash. Very durable, but can be more expensive and require more setup. 

• String or Netting: Lightweight and great for peas or small vining flowers. Affordable and easy to move, but may not support heavier crops. Plus string or netting seems to weaken as the year go on and will need replaced. 

• Tomato Cages or Stakes: Essential for indeterminate tomatoes and useful for peppers or eggplants, too. Convenient and easy to use, but can be flimsy for larger plants unless well-anchored. 

Final Thoughts 

Growing climbing vegetables is a great way to save space and keep your garden looking neat. Whether you’re training cucumbers up a trellis or watching pole beans race to the top of a teepee, vertical gardening can be fun and productive. So, if you need to make the most of your space, give these climbers a try and watch your garden grow—upward! A fun experiment to try is using things you grow such as corn or sunflowers to serve as a natural trellis.