When it comes to the differences between a trellis vs. lattice, there can be some confusion. If you’ve looked online and not found an answer, it’s because they’re often used interchangeably.
Luckily, we’re here to explain the difference, even if it’s a minor one!
Trellis vs. Lattice: The Difference
The easiest way to understand the difference between a trellis and a lattice is to simply describe the two products.
A trellis is a thin frame of wood or similar material that’s used to support plants. Typically, you might see a trellis made of wood sticks (or bamboo canes) sticking out of a plant pot in a fan shape.
A lattice, on the other hand, is made from thicker pieces of wood that are fixed together in a pattern. It’s usually either squares or diamonds. Lattices are bigger, heavier, and have more uses than trellises.
You might also see the term “lattice trellis”, but this isn’t correct. In some aspects, a lattice is a trellis, but it’s a more complex version. Knowing the different uses should help you understand it better.
Uses for a Trellis
We’ve covered the only real use for a trellis: supporting plants. We wouldn’t consider a single supporting cane to be a trellis. Instead, it consists of several wood stakes coming out of the pot. As such, you might use it for the following plants:
- Jasmine
- Honeysuckle
- Raspberries
There’s not much else you can do with a trellis because it’s a pretty basic setup. That said, if you want to support a small plant, it’s pretty helpful.
Uses for a Lattice
A lattice has more uses, although its main purpose is to support plants. However, it does so over a much larger area, so is better for fast-growing climbing plants.
Also, you can use a lattice as the basis for a privacy screen. On its own, it won’t do much, but it’ll provide good levels of privacy when combined with plants or a screen.
That said, a lattice can be a decorative piece on its own. For example, you could use a lattice instead of a wood fence for a bit more decoration.
Trellis vs. Lattice: Pros and Cons
Trellis pros
- Quick and easy to set up
- You don’t need to buy a trellis – you could just use some bamboo canes like these
- Keeps the plant contained in its pot – no external support system
Trellis cons
- Not ideal for large plants
- Can’t support loads of weight – dependent on the material used
Lattice pros
- Much larger basis for plant support
- Can be used for privacy screens
- Comes ready-made – you just install
Lattice cons
- A more expensive option
- Often made using inexpensive wood – could need replacing after a few years
Final Thoughts on Trellis vs. Lattice
Hopefully, you now understand the difference between a trellis and a lattice. If you need to just support a plant, a trellis is for you. But if you’re using the plant as the basis for a larger setup, consider using a lattice instead. Of course, there are other options, but we won’t get started on those!