The Science Behind Vertipots
Engineered for density, efficiency, and sustainability — here's what makes the system work.
How It Works
Four key principles make Vertipots fundamentally different from traditional growing systems.
Vertical Columns
Individual pots stack vertically on a central column structure, reaching up to 8 levels high. This allows 32 plants to occupy just one square metre of floor space.
Precision Irrigation
Water and nutrients are delivered to each pot through an efficient irrigation system. Quick cycles of around 2 minutes ensure consistent moisture without waterlogging.
Integrated Drainage
Excess water is captured and channelled away from the growing area. This recirculation approach minimises waste and prevents the standing water that breeds disease.
Pot Exchange
Any individual pot can be removed, inspected, or replaced without affecting its neighbours. This enables root monitoring, diseased plant removal, and rapid replanting.
Vertipots vs Traditional Growbags
A side-by-side look at how Vertipots outperforms conventional growing methods.
| Feature | Vertipots | Traditional Growbags |
|---|---|---|
| Plant Density | 32 plants per m² | 8–12 plants per m² |
| Water Usage | Highly efficient — recirculated drainage | Significant runoff waste |
| Disease Spread | Isolated individual pots | Shared growing medium spreads disease |
| Root Monitoring | Visible — pots are removable | Hidden — roots buried in bags |
| Growing Medium Waste | Zero — reusable pots | Bags discarded after each cycle |
| Plant Replacement | Swap individual pots instantly | Difficult — disrupts adjacent plants |
| Structural Load | Lightweight columns (2.5 ton capacity) | Heavy ground-level bags |
| Harvesting | Clean — elevated and accessible | Ground-level — bending required |
The Vertipots Advantage
Water Efficiency
Traditional growbag systems lose significant water through runoff and evaporation. Vertipots collects and recirculates drainage, ensuring that water and dissolved nutrients are used as efficiently as possible. In water-scarce regions like South Africa, this is a critical advantage.
Recirculated Drainage
Disease Isolation
In shared growing media, diseases and pathogens spread rapidly between plants. Because each Vertipots plant occupies its own individual pot, infections are contained. A single diseased plant can be identified and removed without disturbing its neighbours — protecting the rest of the crop.
Maximum Density
By growing vertically across 8 levels, Vertipots achieves a planting density of 32 plants per square metre — up to 4 times more than traditional flat growbag systems. For commercial growers, this means significantly more yield per tunnel or greenhouse without expanding floor space.
More plants per m² than growbags
Sustainability & Organic Growing
Vertipots eliminates single-use plastic growbags — a major source of agricultural waste. The reusable pots are durable and can be cleaned and reused across multiple growing cycles. The system is fully compatible with organic growing practices and supports clean, elevated harvesting that reduces contamination.
See It in Action
Browse our gallery for real-world photos of the Vertipots system, or get in touch to learn more.