How to: Build a Vertical Hanging Wall Planter

STEP 1: Tear Down Pallets 

I needed three, 48″ long wooden boards to create my vertical hanging wall planter. Since I had some pallet wood leftover from my DIY pallet wood crates, I used three of the longer pieces.

This is a chore. It really depends how your pallets were put together and how old they are. On average, it took me 8-10 mins to pry off one board from the pallet. I will add that my husband is able to complete it much faster, which is frustrating. But know it is doable without a lot of upper body strength with the right technique.  

STEP 2: Measure & Mark

Now that you have your wood, it’s time to make measurements to mark where you will need to drill. On each board, you will need to mark four X’s (two on each end), to drill holes to run the rope through to hold the wood. I measured 1″ in both directions, and marked an X.

You will also want to measure to decide where you want each planter to go. I decided to put mine about every 11 1/2 inches.

I intended to use this  3-1/2 in Hole Saw to make the holes for the pots to fit down into. However, I did not realize I needed an additional attachment along with the saw piece to use it with my drill. Instead, I decided to use the hole saw as a guide to trace around, then cut out the holes with my jigsaw that I already owned. This strategy may have taken a bit longer, but it was completely doable.

STEP 3: Cut planter holes and rope holes

I used a drill and a bit the same size as the diameter of the rope to drill four holes per board, two on both ends. Then, I used my jigsaw to cut around the holes I had drawn to house the terracotta planter pots. I cut four circular holes per board.

STEP 4: Sand

About halfway through this DIY vertical hanging wall planter, I haven’t lost you yet, have I? Once all of the holes were drilled and cut, I used a mouse sander to go over the sides and edges of my boards. My goal was not silky smooth, just enough to take away the risk of splinters. I ran 80 grit sand paper across all surfaces of each board using my mouse sander.

STEP 5: Hang

Once your boards are sanded, its time to hang your vertical hanging wall planter! I measured my wall, and marked the center. Then, I laid out my boards to mark where the cup hooks should be screwed into the ceiling. I used a drill bit to make a hole, then screwed in the hooks by hand.

Once the hooks were in, I measured and cut the rope. I used rope I found at my local Dollar Tree. I looped the top around the cup hook, then ran the bottom through the holes drilled in the wooden boards. I tied knots in the rope underneath the boards to hold them in place.

STEP 6: Decorate

You may have to do a bit of tweaking here and there to make sure your boards are hanging straight but congratulations, you’ve built your own vertical hanging wall planter! It’s time to decorate. You could definitely plant real herbs, flowers or plants in your pots. But with all of my raised garden beds full of vegetables and herbs (read more about  gardening for beginners here), I didn’t want to overextend and plant more than I could manage and take careful care of. So I opted for faux, and I’m not sorry. I found an excellent variety of faux greenery at Ikea in small black pots that fit perfectly inside my  4X4 Terracotta Clay Planters.

Other projects to improve your outdoor patio space include:  DIY custom cornhole boards , a DIY potted string light stand , a DIY wooden pallet AC unit screen, shoe and tool storage and re-painted the exterior .

What do you think? This DIY is doable in a day or two, and brings a decorators touch to outdoor space! Overall, it was a budget friendly update, and with the price of lumber right now who doesn’t love free wood? Don’t forget to pin this tutorial for easy access later, and find the full tutorial along with many more on emilyronehome.com!