This website contains affiliate links. Some products are gifted by the brand to test. As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases. The content on this website was created with the help of AI.
Creating a DIY vertical pallet planter is an excellent way to add a touch of greenery to your space, especially if you’re limited by a small yard or balcony. This DIY project is cost-effective and environmentally friendly, as it repurposes old pallets that might otherwise end up in a landfill. Below, you’ll find a comprehensive step-by-step guide to creating your very own vertical pallet planter, complete with images to help you through each stage of the process.
DIY Vertical Pallet Planter: Step-by-Step Guide
Creating a DIY vertical pallet planter is an excellent way to add greenery to small spaces like patios, balconies, or yards. It’s budget-friendly, eco-conscious, and transforms an old pallet into a functional, beautiful vertical garden. Follow this step-by-step guide and start planting today.
Step 1: Choose and Prep Your Pallet
Look for a sturdy pallet marked with the “HT” stamp (heat-treated, not chemically treated). Sand down rough edges to avoid splinters. Optional: paint or stain the pallet to match your outdoor décor.
Step 2: Add Landscape Fabric
Cut landscape fabric to cover the back, bottom, and sides of the pallet. Secure it with a staple gun, making sure it’s tight so soil won’t spill out.
Step 3: Position the Pallet
Set the pallet upright in its final spot before filling—once loaded with soil, it’s heavy to move. Lean it against a wall or fence for stability.
Step 4: Fill With Soil
Pour potting soil into each row of the pallet, gently packing it down. Don’t over-compress the soil, so water can drain properly.
Step 5: Plant Your Plants
Insert herbs, succulents, or flowers into the pallet’s openings. Shallow-rooted plants like thyme, basil, pansies, or succulents thrive best in this setup.
Step 6: Water Well
Give the planter a deep initial watering to help plants settle. Keep an eye on soil moisture—pallet planters dry out faster than traditional gardens.
Step 7: Maintain
Water regularly, trim overgrowth, and check for pests. Replant or refresh as needed to keep your pallet garden looking full and healthy.
Amazon Shopping List
- Wooden Pallet (repurposed or new)
- Sandpaper Set or Electric Sander
- Staple Gun with Staples
- Landscape Fabric Roll
- All-Purpose Potting Soil
- Herb and Flower Plants/Seeds
- Outdoor Paint & Brushes (optional)
- Gardening Gloves
- Garden Trowel
- Watering Can
This DIY project can be completed in a weekend and adds a beautiful, functional green wall to any outdoor space.
This website contains affiliate links. Some products are gifted by the brand to test. As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases. The content on this website was created with the help of AI.

