Which crops are realistic for vertical farming and which are not?

Realistic vertical farming crops are short, light-loving leafy greens and herbs, lettuce, basil, mint, rocket, kale, spinach types, and microgreens, because they are small, fast, and high value per square metre, which is the only way to pay for the lighting and power. Fruiting or tall crops like tomato, capsicum and cucumber are generally not viable indoors at scale because they need much more light and space, which makes the power cost prohibitive. Root and bulk crops, cereals and most field vegetables make no economic sense indoors at all. So the workable list is narrow: premium greens and herbs for high-end urban buyers. Even within that list, success depends on selling at a strong premium, because you are competing with open field and polyhouse produce that is far cheaper to grow. Pick your crop only after confirming a buyer willing to pay the premium, and validate with an operating vertical farm rather than promotional material.