Build a DIY Wood Plank Wall Planter

After turning my basement storage room into a modern home gym, we needed a pop of color for the walls. To match the room’s sleek design, I opted to build a DIY wood plank wall planter with a faux snake plant.

Watch the video and read the steps below to learn how to build this easy wood plank wall planter using vinyl plank flooring and plywood.

Cut List

• ½” Plywood Backer Board – 60″ W x 25 ½” H
• 1 x 4 Cleat – 1 @ 24″ Ripped in half at a 45-degree bevel
• ¼” x 5″ Wood Planks – About 11 sq feet (or enough to cover the plywood backer)
• 1 x 4 Planter Base – 1 @ 60″
• ¼” x 5 ½” Planter (Front) – 1 @ 60 ½”
• ¼” x 5 ½” Planter (Sides) – 2 @ 4″
• ¼” x 1 ¼” Trim (Top) – 1 @ 60 ½”
• ¼” x 1 ¼” Trim (Sides) – 2 @ 20″

Scroll down for a complete list of materials and tools for this project.

Steps for Building a Wood Plank Wall Planter

1. To get started, I laid out the plank flooring to determine the height of the planter using 5 rows of flooring. I marked that height on a piece of ½-inch-thick plywood and cut using a circular saw. Next, I cut the plywood to the width of the planter and then set the plywood aside.
2. Since the planter will be pretty heavy once the planks are installed, I will create a French cleat from a scrap board to hang it.
3. To create the french cleat, I tilted the angle of my circular saw blade and ripped the length of the board to create two beveled pieces that nest together.
4. Next, I oriented the cleat on the back of the plywood board so that the top board attaches to the planter and the bottom board attaches to the wall to lock in and support the assembly.
5. I also positioned another board of the same thickness lower on the plywood to keep the plywood from tipping if someone pushed against the bottom edge.
6. I applied glue and then adjusted the height of the cleat on the plywood using a combination square to ensure the cleat and planter would set level. Using a drill/driver, I screwed through the strips and into the plywood and then flipped the assembly to screw through the plywood and into the strips to ensure a secure connection.
7. Next, it’s time to install the plank flooring. I like using this because I won’t need to paint or stain bare wood, but anything—wallpaper or vinyl roll—could work as a backdrop for the planter.
8. The planks are about ¼-inch thick and have a groove that locks them together, so I applied glue to the plywood, clicked them together, and then used a pin nailer to face nail them to the plywood.
9. Once I installed the planks, it was time to create the planter. First, I flipped the assembly to install the 1×4 base of the planter. I pre-drilled holes and then connected the parts with screws. Next, I glued and nailed a strip of ¼ inch plywood to the face of the 1×4 board and then enclosed the ends with the same material.
10. To conceal the edge of the plywood and planks, I glued and nailed a strip of ¼-inch thick molding to the top and side edges.
11. It was finally time to fill the planter. Still, faux snake plants can be pretty expensive and come in groupings that might leave gaps in a long planter like mine, so I opted to use individual stems that are less expensive and come in varying heights so I could stick them into foam blocks for a more uniform look.
12. Once the cleat was installed on the wall, I hooked the planter in place and stepped back to enjoy the maintenance-free pop of greenery in our new home gym.

Materials

Note: I used almost all leftover materials for this project except for the faux stems and foam blocks to hold them. If you’re starting from scratch, consider sizing the planter down to accommodate a 2’x4′ plywood project panel or using a standard 1×6 board for the face of the planter, so you don’t have to purchase a full sheets plywood.

• ½” x 4′ x 8′ plywood to create the backer board
• ¼” x 4′ x 8′ plywood to make the face and sides of the planter
• 1 x 4 x 8′ board to create the planter base and cleat
• 1 ¼” wood screws to attach the base of the planter and
• 5/8″ pin nails
• Wood glue
• Paint brush
• Paint in Sherwin-Williams Tricorn Black
• ¼” x 1 ¼” trim molding to conceal the edges
• Wood planks
• Floral foam blocks
• (3) faux snake plant stems
• Moss to cover the foam blocks

Tools