DIY Outdoor Plant Stand

If you have been following my progress over the past month you know that I’ve been super focused on upgrading my back deck.  Part of that upgrade involved partnering with Wayfair to add some colorful decor.  With that, I got a bunch of super cute ceramic pots.  They are the perfect size for my herb garden but I didn’t want to just have them sit on the floor of my deck.  To get them off the ground I designed and build a DIY outdoor plant stand made out of a single cedar 4×4 fence post and four cedar pickets.  Using fencing material kept the lumber cost under $40 which I was super excited about!

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Tools

Miter Saw 

Table Saw 

Pocket hole jig 

Drill

Jigsaw

Palm Impact Screwdriver

Clamps

Tape Measure

Pencil

Ear Protection

Eye Protection

Dust Mask

Materials

(1) 4×4 x 96″ Cedar Post

(4) 5.5″ x 5/8″ x 6′ Cedar Pickets

Sand paper (120 grit and 220 grit)

2.5″ Outdoor Use Pocket Hole Screws

2″ Outdoor Screws

Titebond III Outdoor Glue

Teak Oil

Tips for a Successful Outdoor Plant Stand Build

1.) Plane the boards for a more finished look

I used a planer to even out all of my boards but the build plans do not require a planer.  If you plane your boards be sure to account for that lost thickness.  It’s so crazy to think that the slats started out as rough cedar pickets.

This is what all of my pieces looked like after they were cut, planed and the pocket holes were drilled.

2.) Use an Impact screwdriver on the legs

The legs are pretty close together for the sides and it’s pretty much impossible to get a screwdriver with the pocket hole bit into that small space (even with the smaller bit).  I ended up having to use my Palm Impact Screwdriver which you can see in the picture below underneath the tub of screws.  This thing has been such a lifesaver on so many of my builds.

3. Don’t forget to use outdoor materials!

Cedar is naturally weather resistant but when it comes to the glue and the screws be sure to use outdoor ones.  I typically go with the Titebond III Outdoor Glue, Blue-Kote Kreg screws and Deck Screws.

4.) Notch out the slats around the legs

You can use a jigsaw, band saw or even just a hand saw for this step.  Place a leg on top of the slat and mark around it with a pencil.  Then cut out where the legs will go.

5.) Insert screws on an angle

The cedar pickets are only 5/8″ thick but mine were even thinner since I planed them down to exactly 1/2″.  That doesn’t give much meat for the screw to bite into so I drilled 2″ screws through the shelf frames into the slats at an angle.

6.) Finish with a UV protectant Oil

I went with Teak Oil since it protects the wood from sun damage.  This thing is going to sit in the sun most of the day so it needs any help that it can get.  I applied two coats and it turned out great.

DIY Cedar Outdoor Plant Stand Finished Photos

I’m so pleased with this little plant stand.  It gets my herbs and lettuce off of the deck floor so I no longer have to worry about damage if water sits under the pot.  If you’re interested in these specific pots I have a link to them in my patio decor post.

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What kind of plants would you put in your pots?  Are you more of a edible plant person or all about the beautiful flowers?  You really can’t go wrong with either!