When you are decorating a pergola, the options are endless.
You will never want to keep the pergola simple because it’s not going to stand out. This can become the centerpiece of your setup as long as you are taking the right approach.
A lot of pergola owners don’t do this and that creates a situation where the pergola looks dull. To avoid this, you want to know how to decorate a pergola with plants the right way.
To decorate a pergola with plants, start by using climbing and trailing plants as the core of the design. Next, set up train plants for the beams and ensure they will continue to grow based on the amount of sunlight that hits the pergola. Once done, add string lights to help elevate the look at night.
The overall beauty of a pergola that is covered with plants is that it looks good all the time. IT is not just about the middle of the day but also the night.
This is how you are going to get it to stand out.
For those who want to get started, it’s best to learn how to decorate a pergola with plants with this guide.
Table of Contents
Tips On How To Decorate A Pergola With Plants
1. Use Climbing And Trailing Plants With Distinct Colors
You need to have the right type of plants for a pergola.
Standard plants are not going to cut it and the type of plant you are using for a pergola is going to matter just as much as its quality.
If you are using the wrong type of plant, it’s not going to look good.
You have to be careful and make sure you are using climbing and trailing plants for the pergola. These plants are not only beautiful but are going to cover more space on the fixture too.
You will also want to think about the colors that you are using. Look for bright colors and create a flowing theme that looks the part.

2. Know The Sunlight Exposure For The Pergola
You will want to consider the amount of sunlight the pergola is getting.
This is a mistake some people make and it is not good for the fixture. You have to take the time to think about how much sunlight is going to hit the pergola.
This includes when there will be shade for each plant.
This can often come down to where the sun is going to rise from and where it is going to set. You will also want to look at the amount of sunlight the area gets as a whole.
This is information that can make it easier to choose the right plants for the setup.
3. Set Up Train Plants For Beams
You will want to make sure the beams stand out.
To do this, it is important to use train plants. Once again, you can vary the look of these plants but the type of plant is going to matter a lot.
These plants are great because they do well vertically.
You are going to cover more space on the pergola beam and it is going to stand out. This is where the value of the train plant is going to matter the most.
Do not go for other plants because they will not maintain their shape in such a setting. A vertical plant is required for this type of setup.
4. Use String Lights
Now it is time to think about what is going to happen at night.
The lighting has to be on point for the decorative plants to elevate the pergola. Don’t just have them stand out in the daytime.
Yes, it is nice to have a colorful selection of flowers on the pergola during the day but it should also resonate during the night too. This is where string lights will help elevate the look right away.
If you want the most value from the lighting, you are going to get it with the string lights. The elegance of the look is what will blow you away.
Final Thoughts
When you are looking at elevating the elegance of a pergola, it’s best to understand how to decorate a pergola with plants with the tips here.
To decorate a pergola with plants, it’s recommended to use trailing and climbing plants with distinct colors. It’s also best to use train plants for the beams and make sure to set up string lights to help the pergola stand out at night.
It is these finer details that are going to make sure you are getting full value out of the new decorative look.
A pergola needs to be sturdy but it also has to be aesthetically pleasing. The plants are going to do this for the pergola right away.