Modern Vertical Succulent Planter

Vertical succulent gardens are so popular right now, from home decor to wedding decorations, and Walnut Hollow has some beautiful wood pieces that are perfect for creating a modern-looking vertical succulent planter. I used the Large Hexagon Wall Decor to create mine.

Supplies

Large Hexagon Wall Decor
Painters tape
White acrylic paint
Polyurethane
Picture frame hanger (optional)
Craft chicken wire—about 4 inches wide
Burlap fabric—about 12 inches by 12 inches
Sphagnum peat moss
Succulent clippings

Tools

Paint brush
320 grit sand paper
Staple gun
Small, sharp scissors

Tutorial

Place three strips of painters tape down the hexagon about an inch apart from each other. I made my first tape strip line up with the end of the top and bottom boards on the hexagon. Paint the stripes between the tape and remove the tape. Let the paint dry then sand lightly.

Apply 2-3 coats of polyurethane to entire hexagon box and backing. Do not use a water-base finish like polycrylic, it will wear away when you water your succulents. Let the polyurethane dry thoroughly and sand between each coat.

You can add a picture frame hanger to the back if you would like to be able to hang your succulent planter.

Cut a piece of chicken wire a little wider than the hexagon. Use a staple gun to attach it to the inside of the hexagon.

If you’d prefer to use fake succulents, you can start gluing them in now. There is no need to add the burlap and peat moss, just glue them onto the chicken wire.

Place a piece of burlap cloth inside of the chicken wire. Then fill the inside with peat moss, pressing and compacting the peat moss as you fill it. You want the peat moss to be firm enough to hold in the succulents. When it’s full, wrap the burlap around the top of the peat moss and tuck it in.

Gather your succulent cuttings and plan how you want your arrangement to look. You should have one focal point, a few clippings that spill out of the frame, and lots of monochromatic filler pieces. You may also want a few more colorful smaller pieces to make it more interesting.

Use scissors to poke a hole in the burlap cloth, then press the stem of a succulent into the hole. You may need to use the scissors to enlarge the whole if the stem is large. Be gentle because some succulents break easily. Repeat the process until the burlap is filled with succulents.

I found it easiest to put the filler pieces in first, then slowly add the rest of the clippings, ending with the focal point succulent.

Water your succulent planter about once a week to begin with, draining off any excess water. It will take about 6-8 weeks for the succulent cuttings to start growing roots that will hold them firmly in the peat moss, so you may want to wait until then to hang up your vertical planter. If a succulent falls out at any time, just stick it back into its hole in the burlap.

Order the Large Hexagon Wall Decor at Walnut Hollow. It’s made from solid pine with a birch plywood back. There’s also a smaller version available too. Both made in America using environmentally friendly processes, like all of Walnut Hollow‘s products.

Thanks for stopping by. You can read more of my craft, gardening, and DIY projects on my blog, Simple Practical Beautiful.

My name is Rebecca, and I am a homemaker. I build, bake, sew, design, paint, and everything else that goes into making a home happy and fulfilling. I believe homemaking is an art. And I love showing others how I make all of my projects and ideas.