13 DIY Planter Box Plans You Can Build Today (2024)

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13 DIY Planter Box Plans You Can Build Today (1)

Stacy Fisher

Stacy Fisher is an expert on crafting, sewing, and frugal finds, sharing her knowledge of hands-on DIY creations, finding freebies, and budgeting. Stacy was a guest on "The Dr. Oz Show" and featured in Woman's World Magazine. She has nearly two decades of writing and editing experience.

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Updated on 09/26/23

13 DIY Planter Box Plans You Can Build Today (2)

Showcase your flowers, plants, and herbs with this compilation of free DIY planter boxes in all shapes and styles. They'll give you a place to grow your plants and the small details you add will really add some style to your planter boxes.

These are beginner woodworking projects that will only take you a few hours to build and cost less than $50. There a great project for a first-time woodworker because you're mostly working with straight lines.

Adding a DIY planter box to your porch or yard is a great way to add some curb appeal for just a little effort and money. You could even build a DIY plant stand or an Adirondack chair to complete your outdoor makeover.

  • 01 of 13

    Modern Cedar Planter

    13 DIY Planter Box Plans You Can Build Today (3)

    This DIY planter box plan is made out of beautiful cedar boards that really elevate the simple design. It's a classic planter that won't ever go out of style and will look great no matter what you plant in it. A tools and materials list, cut and parts list, diagrams, and written instructions are available to make this project a reality.

    Modern Cedar Planter from DIY Huntress

  • 02 of 13

    DIY Cedar Planter Box

    13 DIY Planter Box Plans You Can Build Today (4)

    Made out of fence parts, cement boards, and cedar planks, this DIY planter box is large enough to display your address. You can also leave it as is for a planter that you can place anywhere.

    DIY Cedar Planter Box from Rain on a Tin Roof

  • 03 of 13

    Tall Planter Tutorial

    13 DIY Planter Box Plans You Can Build Today (5)

    This planter box plan builds a 36-inch tall planter that's deep enough to hold a large plant or even a small tree. The rope added in an "X" formation in the front of the planter gives it a coastal and rustic feel while still being refined.

    Tall Planter Tutorial from Cherished Bliss

  • 04 of 13

    DIY Window Box

    13 DIY Planter Box Plans You Can Build Today (6)

    Take your planter to the next level with this DIY window box planter project. Built out of cedar and trim boards, this planter is perfectly long enough to sit under a window. There's also a free plan on building shutters to match.

    DIY Window Box from Catz in the Kitchen

    Continue to 5 of 13 below

  • 05 of 13

    DIY Trellis Planter Box

    13 DIY Planter Box Plans You Can Build Today (7)

    If you like flowering vines, this DIY planter box is just for you. There's a trellis attached to the top so your flowers can wrap themselves around it while they grow, making for a stunning display.

    DIY Trellis Planter Box from Deuce Cities Henhouse

  • 06 of 13

    Cedar Planter Plan

    13 DIY Planter Box Plans You Can Build Today (8)

    Here's a plan for a tall planter that allows you the option of adding wood stain that has color to it to create some interesting contrast. It's 36 inches tall and 15 inches wide, making it the perfect size to pop a plastic planter into.

    Cedar Planter Plan from The Navage Patch

  • 07 of 13

    Box Planter Tutorial

    13 DIY Planter Box Plans You Can Build Today (9)

    Using leftover scrap wood and a few coats of paint, these DIY box planters look great on a front porch. You can even make two so that they flank your front or back door. They have legs that elevate them, keeping the style easy and light.

    Box Planter Tutorial from The Accent Piece

  • 08 of 13

    Modern Outdoor Planters

    13 DIY Planter Box Plans You Can Build Today (10)

    These DIY modern planters are long and rectangular, making them perfect to sit on top of a fence. It's a wonderful addition to a privacy fence, creating a vertical garden that lets you add plants, herbs, or flowers to it. You'll love the additional privacy you get and the neighbors will benefit from the lovely plants that you've added. Photos and written instructions will help you build these planter boxes for your home.

    Modern Outdoor Planters from The Garden Glove

    Continue to 9 of 13 below

  • 09 of 13

    Wooden DIY Planter Box

    13 DIY Planter Box Plans You Can Build Today (11)

    This wooden DIY planter box uses cedar fence boards to make it fairly large so you can make quite the statement with it. You can even customize the size of it so it fits your chosen spot perfectly. It looks so good that everyone who visits will think you spent a good portion of your paycheck on it. A few power tools are required but it's easy enough to put together that an intermediate woodworker can easily finish it. All the instructions and photos you need to build this for yourself are included.

    Wooden DIY Planter Box from Sustain My Craft Habit

  • 10 of 13

    Pretty Wooden Planter

    13 DIY Planter Box Plans You Can Build Today (12)

    A planter doesn't have to be about clean smooth edges all the time. Try something different with this DIY wooden planter that uses wood shims to create a unique design with lots of texture. You can leave it as is or put on a couple of coats of paint or stain to get a look unique to you. This is a quick project (less than 20 minutes in fact) that would look great anywhere in your home, inside or out. This is a wonderful project for the beginner. You'll really be impressed with the finished product.

    Pretty Wooden Planter from Little Yellow Wheelbarrow

  • 11 of 13

    Porch Planter Bench

    13 DIY Planter Box Plans You Can Build Today (13)

    Why not solve just one problem with can solve three? This planter will give you a place for your plant, room to sit, and a place to store some throw pillows. Besides being a planter, this also builds a bench. Open up the bench and you have a decent amount of storage! It's a great solution for a small porch where you need a little bit of extra storage for deliveries or porch cushions and also a place to sit. Straight cuts into cedar make this an easy build, with no angles required. It's a great-looking planter that would look wonderful on your porch.

    Porch Planter Bench from 100 Things 2 Do

  • 12 of 13

    Modern House Number Planter

    13 DIY Planter Box Plans You Can Build Today (14)

    This modern house number planter couldn't be easier to make and is a great project for someone who just wants to get started working with wood. It's a simple build that consists of a plaque and a box. The whole thing is painted white and accented with modern-looking house numbers. You can plant anything in the little planter but the succulents here look simply adorable.

    Modern House Number Planter from A Beautiful Mess

    Continue to 13 of 13 below

  • 13 of 13

    Skinny Indoor Planter Stand

    13 DIY Planter Box Plans You Can Build Today (15)

    A Beautiful Mess has something a little bit different that you don't want to miss. This planter box is meant to go inside, although you certainly could put it outside if you like. It's the perfect way to showcase your plants even during the coldest parts of the year. The extra-skinny profile fits in even the smallest of spaces. The gold legs and pink box makes it a chic project that would look lovely in your home.

    It all starts with a window box and insert that you add legs to. It's painted to make it stand out but you could go for a more neutral look if you like. You can even adjust the height so it's perfect for your room. This is an easy project that even the beginner can tackle.

13 DIY Planter Box Plans You Can Build Today (2024)

FAQs

What kind of wood do you use for a planter box? ›

Cedar and Redwood are two of the most wood types available and you can't go wrong with either one. Cedar is particularly favoured due to its durable, lightweight and crack resistant qualities. Redwood, on the other hand, is naturally rot resistant and has increased longevity but can be a more expensive alternative.

How do you make a sturdy planter box? ›

  1. Step 1: Choose your wood. You've got several options for wood, as follows: ...
  2. Step 2: How big do you want your planter? ...
  3. Step 3: Cut your wood to size. ...
  4. Step 4: Assemble your wooden planter. ...
  5. Step 5: Create your drainage holes. ...
  6. Step 6: Finishing. ...
  7. Step 7: Preparing your planter.

What do you use to line a planter box? ›

Plastic sheeting is the best material for lining a planter with. Pond liners work well for lining the bottom of planters as they are robust and can easily be shaped into the perfect size to fit the dimensions of your planter. Pond liners are also thick enough to reduce any evaporation of water from the soil.

What do you put in the bottom of a wooden planter box? ›

Line the planter with porous landscape fabric: The landscape fabric will allow water to drain out of the container while preventing wet soil from directly contacting the wood and reducing its lifespan. The fabric also will prevent soil from escaping through any wide gaps in the wood.

Do wooden planter boxes need to be lined? ›

Lining a wooden planter for flowers and vegetables can help retain moisture, prevent soil erosion, and protect the wood from rotting. There are several effective ways to line a wooden planter, and the best method depends on your preferences and the materials available.

Why should you not put rocks in the bottom of a planter? ›

Therefore, when you add gravel or other coarse materials to the base of your pots, water lingers around plant roots instead of draining, which increases the likelihood of root rot developing.

How thick should planter box wood be? ›

Railroad ties are an absolute no-go, as they contain creosote. Use lumber that's at least 2″ thick. Many beds are built of 2x6s, because a 6″ deep bed will grow nearly anything except carrots and parsnips.

Do planter boxes need drainage holes? ›

The short answer is yes, planter boxes should have drain holes. Proper drainage is critical to growing healthy plants, because the roots need access to air. Plants sitting in stagnant water have a high chance of developing root rot, which is a serious and often lethal condition for plants.

What do you put in the bottom of a planter box for drainage? ›

One of the best things to put at the bottom of a planter for drainage is broken pieces of pot. You can use any unwanted plant pots or chipped crockery for this – simply smash them up into small to medium-sized pieces. Adding a layer of broken pieces of pot like this will prevent compost loss out of the drainage holes.

Should you line the inside of a planter box? ›

Embracing Natural Drainage

By forgoing the lining of planter boxes, you can promote natural drainage. Allowing water to flow freely through the soil prevents excess moisture buildup, minimizing the risk of root rot and ensuring optimal conditions for plant growth.

How many plants should be in a planter box? ›

Generally, using three or four plants in 10 to 12-inch planters, four to six plants in 14 to 16-inch planters and six to eight plants in 16 to 20-inch planters will fill out containers nicely while allowing room for the plants to grow without excessive crowding.

What is the best depth for a planter box? ›

Some types of plants, such as lettuce and herbs, have shallow roots. So, they can thrive in a gardening container that's only 6 inches deep. Other plants like tomatoes, carrots, and potatoes require more rooting depth. They need a planting box that's at least 12 inches deep.

Should you use pressure treated wood for planter boxes? ›

The chemicals in the wood can leach into soil and in turn, be taken up by plants. Root crops like carrots and potatoes take up more chemicals than leafy vegetables. Pressure-treated lumber is not recommended for raised beds for growing vegetables.

How do you seal wood for a planter box? ›

I recommend at the very least coating your lumber in linseed oil or beeswax to preserve them for the long haul. Some gardeners use lining between the interior of their raised bed and soil to protect the wood. Even with the lining, you'll get seepage of water that will penetrate that wood and linger.

What wood should not be used in a raised garden bed? ›

Avoid using older types of wood treatments such as CCA, creosote, and Penta-treated lumber. Research from Oregon State University showed that pressure-treated lumber does increase soil copper concentrations by a minor amount, but only within 1 inch of the raised-bed edge.

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