13 DIY Planter Box Plans for Free

By
Stacy Fisher
Stacy Fisher, Writer
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.
Learn more about The Spruce Crafts' Editorial Process
Updated on 09/26/23
A person putting flowers in a planter box

Francesca Yorke/Photolibrary/Getty Images

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

    A cedar planter with flowers in it

    DIY Huntress 

    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

    A large cedar planter box with address numbers

    Rain on a Tin Roof

    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

    A tall planter on the front porch of a house

    Cherished Bliss

    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

    A wooden window planter with colorful flowers

    Catz in the Kitchen

    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

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  • 05 of 13

    DIY Trellis Planter Box

    A planter box with a trellis

    Deuce Cities Henhouse

    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

    A tall cedar planter by a pool

    The Navage Patch

    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

    Two white planters by a front door

    The Accent Piece 

    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

    Modern planters on top of a concrete wall

    The Garden Glove

    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

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  • 09 of 13

    Wooden DIY Planter Box

    A wooden planter box on a front porch

    Sustain My Craft Habit

    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

    A wooden planter on a window sill

    Little Yellow Wheelbarrow 

    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

    A wooden planter and bench outside of a garage

     100 Things 2 Do

    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

    A white planter on the side of a house

    A Beautiful Mess

    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

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  • 13 of 13

    Skinny Indoor Planter Stand

    A skinny planter box inside a house

    Design by A Beautiful Mess

    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.