How to Grow Vines on a Concrete Block Wall

Twining Vines

• 1

  Screw hooks or large-headed screws made for use on masonry into the brick, using a power drill with a masonry bit to make the holes. Space the hooks evenly across the length of the wall, attaching a hook every 5 feet. Run garden wire between the hooks, twisting it around each hook to hold. You will need to install a row of wire every 3 feet up the height of the wall.

• 2

  Plant twining vines at the base of the wall. You can use plants in large pots if there is no soil at the wall's base. Gently wind the vine's stems around the wires, spreading the stems out evenly. As the plant becomes established, it will twine around the wires on its own and spread to cover the wall.

• 3

  Choose vines such as star jasmine, mandevilla, honeysuckle or morning glory to cover your wall by means of tendrils that will curl and grip around the wire supports.

Scramblers

• 4

  Install wooden or vinyl trellises to support scrambling vines that need to be tied in place. If there is dirt at the base of the wall, you can simply push the support base deeply into the soil to hold it in place. If not, you will need to attach the support to the wall using masonry nails or screws and making holes with a drill and masonry bit. Space trellises along the length of wall you wish to cover.

• 5

  Plant vines at the base of each trellis or support. Gently untangle and stretch each stem of the plant out evenly, and tie to the trellis using garden tape or twist ties. Tie loosely enough so that the plant is not cut or damaged, but firmly enough so that the vine is held in place.

• 6

  Check each month, and tie up new growth to encourage the stems to spread and cover the wall evenly.

• 7

  Choose vines such as climbing rose or bougainvillea to scramble across your wall. These will not only provide greenery, but colorful flowers to improve the appearance of your wall.

Self-Clinging Vines

• 8

  Space vines according to mature size, which will be indicated on the nursery tag in the pot. Plant at the base of the wall, angling the vine slightly toward the wall to give it a head start.

• 9

  Help the vines get a start by spreading their stems evenly over the wall and taping gently in place with small pieces of duct tape if necessary. Once the rootlets have a secure grip on the wall, you will not need to assist the vine any further as it will spread and cover the wall on its own.

• 10

  Choose ivy, creeping fig or trumpet-creeper to cling to your concrete wall. Check growth monthly to encourage stems to spread, and trim back unwanted growth.