A wood wall planter adds the perfect pop of greenery and style to any space. For this project, all you need is a small planter pot, a 1 x 2 board, and Original Gorilla Glue.
Steps for Making a DIY Hanging Planter:
Step 1: Mark the cuts
Using the cut list above, mark the cut lines on the 1 x 2 board.
Step 2: Cut the pieces
Position the angle of the cut on the miter saw. Cut along the first line. Reposition the miter saw, and then cut the second line. Repeat to cut the remaining pieces.
Step 3: Layout the pieces
Position the pieces so that they create a diamond shape. Place the planter support piece in the center of the diamond, just below the centerline.
Step 4: Dampen one side of the first connection
Because Original Gorilla Glue is activated by moisture, first wet the end of the first board with a damp cloth.
Step 5: Apply glue to the first board
Apply a thin bead of glue to the edge of the adjoining board.
Step 6: “Clamp” the board with tape
Position the boards, and then wrap the joint with a small piece of Gorilla Tape to “clamp”, or hold, the connection tightly in place. Repeat to secure the remaining 1 x 2 boards using a damp cloth, glue, and tape.
Step 7: Add the crosspiece
Dampen the inside edges of the diamond, just below the centerline. Apply glue to the ends of the crosspiece, and then position it in place. Clamp the joints with tape.
Step 8: Mount the pot
Wet the front of the crosspiece. Apply Original Gorilla Glue to the outside rim of the pot. Center the pot on the crosspiece, and use a hand clamp to hold it in place. Allow the glue on the entire assembly to cure for 24 hours.
Step 9: Sand the assembly
Remove the clamp and tape from the wall hanging planter. Sand the parts, and any visible glue, using a sanding sponge.
Pro Tip: When sanding the assembly in Step 9, start with a medium-grit sanding sponge to remove any dried glue residue, then follow up with a finer grit to eliminate scratches and smooth the edges and corners. An orbital sander fitted with 220-grit sandpaper works well for smoothing surfaces and easing edges, followed by 320 grit for a scratch-free finish.
Step 10: Install the planter
Hang the planter from a hook, or drive a screw through the planter and into the wall to hold it in place. As always, using a wall anchor or hitting a stud is recommended.
Pro Tip: When mounting the planter to the wall in Step 10, use a stud finder to locate framing behind the drywall. Driving a screw directly into a stud ensures your planter—especially once it’s filled with soil and a watered plant—stays securely in place. If you can’t hit a stud, a heavy-duty wall anchor rated for the combined weight of the planter, pot, soil, and water is essential.
Tools:
Materials:
- (1) 1 x 2 x 6 Board
- (1) 3 1/2″ Planter Pot
- Original Gorilla Glue
- Gorilla Tape
- Gloves
- Cloth or Rag
- Sanding Sponge
For a tiered planter project on House One, Jen used pocket holes and wood glue along with 1.5-inch screws to join boards — a reliable technique for small planter builds. When assembling planter walls from narrower boards, drilling pocket holes along one edge of each pairing creates a strong, clean joint that holds up to the weight of soil and plants.
Pro Tip: When building planter projects, pressure-treated pine is a smart choice for pieces that will be exposed to moisture. For a similar hanging garden project featured in This Old House Magazine, the materials list called for 1×6, 1×4, and 1×2 pressure-treated pine boards along with galvanized-steel planter boxes—a combination that resists rot and holds up season after season.
