10 Ideas for a DIY Plant Stand

Whether your green corner is becoming more than a corner and you are looking to maximize space or just for a way to make it look tidier, we have some solutions you might want to try. Try some simple DIY plant stand ideas you can really do yourself, using materials you might even have around the house. You can make it right away.

1. Easy Flower Pot Stand

Turn old flower pots into a new indoor plant stand in no time! Simply put them upside down and place a new pot on top for a quick solution, or stack and glue multiple old pots together for a multi-branch stand. Chose ceramic pots for more resistance and a cleaner look. Paint and decorate them with ropes and accessories.

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2. Old Books as Plant Stand

Stack old, stained, or broken books and put a flower pot on top. Ta-dah, you have a plant stand! Glue the books together and spray paint them, either with color or with clear paint for extra resistance. Experiment with balancing multiple stacks together and create your own book ladder covered in greenery.

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3. An Old Ladder (Medium)

You’re bringing an old ladder indoors so be sure to clean it well and scrape off leftover paint and building materials from its previous life. If the stains run deep, don’t worry about it, they will add flavor to the rustic look of the ladder.

Place planks of wood across from one side of the ladder to the other, underneath it. They can be either all the same size, just big enough to fit the lowest step end-to-end and extend well past the highest one on both sides, or decrease in size to keep the triangle shape of the ladder. Don’t hesitate to skip steps to give your plants enough room. Make your indoor tall plant stand more stable with glue or screws. Look below for more ideas for wooden plant stands!

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4. Cardboard Boxes (Advanced)

Reuse old boxes to make an indoor plant stand, but keep in mind that cardboard isn’t very strong, no matter how sturdy the boxes you have. So we recommend going for smaller plants with light pots. Look at these small indoor plants for inspiration. Be careful when you water the plants in this stand because it’s not going to be waterproof.

Stack your boxes on top of each other and glue them together. Watch how they turn from a pile of scraps into a DIY indoor plant stand. Spray paint them for extra color or leave them blank for a more rustic look. Don’t be shy with accessories, add ropes, string, and small branches, or even pine cones and acorns.

Now that your DIY indoor plant stand is complete, place it in the chosen spot and fill it up with succulents and cacti as they don’t need much watering. Time to bring in the green, paying attention to the amount of sunlight and water your plants will need. Place the ones that prefer moist, shadowy places inside bottomless boxes turned on their side and the ones that like sunlight closer to the top. Check out our guide on the best succulent pots for more inspiration!

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5. Rope and Hooks (Advanced)

Less of a stand and more of a swing, this option is great if you’re really low on space but have a lot of plants nonetheless. The result is more minimalistic and one of the easier on the eye DIY plant stand ideas out there. Ceramic pots aren’t great for suspension, so we advise you to use plastic pots without draining holes and plants that take either a lot of moisture or no moisture at all or pick ones with large plates. Take a look at these indoor hanging plants for more ideas on how to create a small indoor garden!

An easy way to hang your pots is to take 4 to 6 strands of rope, depending on the size of the pot and the thickness of the rope, tie them together with a knot, and place the pot and plate on the knot, making sure it’s centered and simply lift the ends. Tie another knot above the plant and let it sit in the nest. Succulents do very well in suspension but experiment with other plants as well, both hanging and climbing. You can experiment with hanging a pot close to the ground and letting the plant inside it use the ropes as crutches for climbing.

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6. Old Furniture (Easy)

Repurpose grandma’s old dresser into a vintage-looking outdoor plant stand. Just open it and stick some scraps between the sides and the drawers so they don’t close anymore. Pull the lowest drawer out as much as it goes and the next ones less and less to create a step effect. Put your chosen pots inside your new wooden plant stand and let the plants stick out. Store a fancy watering can on top or just go with more plants.

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7. Logs and Stumps (asy)

Next time someone cuts down a tree or you visit a forest or wood patch, look at the logs left behind and choose the ones that appear most rustic. They don’t have to be straight or even, in fact, the more crooked and bendy they are, the better your DIY plant stand will look. Look for some rocks to build around the base. Smooth, round, white ones work best but you can pick your favorites.

Use wood glue to stick the logs together and for extra security, tie the bunch with rope as well. Then even out the bottom to ensure the stand will be stable and adjust the top to keep the pots straight. Paint the bottom with waterproof wood varnish and go up the sides as well, for about 3 inches. Place the stand in the desired place, add pieces of moss and lichens on the surface, and on the ropes, then place the rocks at the bottom in an organized mess.

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8. Metal (Medium)

Pick at least 3 pipes from your local store or from a scrap yard, just make sure to clean them. Chose ones that are the same length for a classic, tidy look or different lengths for a more funky vibe. Also, make sure to select a non-rusty metal to avoid any mess and for safety purposes.

Place your pipes in a pyramid shape, crossing them in the middle or at your preferred height. Use wire matching the pipes to tie the middle and loop it tightly around the bottom a few times as well. Cut the ends with pliers and use a file to make sure they aren’t sharp, then flatten them against one of the legs. Cover both the top and bottom ends of the pipes with plastic caps so you don’t scratch your floors or your hands.

Hang a pot under the middle crossing and place one above it and let the shape do its job. Take a look at this list of drought-tolerant plants for inspiration!

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9. Wood (Advanced)

Think about how big you want your wooden plant stand to be and where it should fit. Then put pencil to paper and make a rough sketch. Follow your plan and get to work. Use screws to fixate horizontal planks to four-posters. We suggest you start from the bottom, leaving about 4 inches of space between the floor and the first shelf.

Varnish your new shelf to match the rest of the furniture, go nuts with colors, or stick to plain wood tones, or even a clear varnish, but make sure the last two coats are waterproof. Bring in the plants, enjoy your stand, and take pride in the fact that you made it yourself. Use the space under the lowest shelf to store potting soil, fertilizer, and tools.

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10. Chairs (Advanced)

Chairs get old and start wobbling and squeaking, but instead of throwing them out, consider turning them in a unique outdoor plant stand. Remove any fabric and material from them and cut a round hole in the seat, to match your pot size. Or remove the seat completely and replace it with a big pot.

Once that is done, bring out the paints and add a touch of color to the wood. Finish off with two coats of waterproof clear wood varnish and let it dry completely before moving it to its place.

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