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
Clamps
Tape Measure
Pencil
Ear Protection
Eye Protection
Dust Mask
Materials
(4) 5.5″ x 5/8″ x 6′ Cedar Pickets
Sand paper (120 grit and 220 grit)
2.5″ Outdoor Use Pocket Hole Screws
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.
If you want to save this post for later you can pin the image below. π

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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!

Great looking plant stand! Your new pots and healthy plants look so nice on it. Pinned. I’m now following you on Pinterest.
Thanks Allyson. This is the healthiest my plants have ever looked since I’m not traveling for work. I guess that’s one plus of being stuck at home. π
That is beautiful!! Thank you so much for sharing with us at Encouraging Hearts and Home. Pinned.
Thanks for sharing with us at the To Grandma’s house we go link party – I’ll be featuring you on my blog, Instagram and Facebook pages!
Thanks Tarahlynn. π
This looks so lovely, a great way to give some height to an outdoor space. This will be one of the features at Handmade Monday later today π
Thanks so much Julie. π
This stand turned out so good! I got a kreg jig for Christmas and I”m scared to use it. You motivated me to pull it out!
Thanks Pamela. You should totally break that kreg jig out and use it. You won’t regret it. I promise!
Your plant stand is beautiful! Thank you for sharing at Party In Your PJ’s.
Thank you Ann!
Gorgeous! Love the pot colors you’ve chosen as well. Thanks for sharing on craft schooling Sunday, great to “see” you!
That should be “(3) 2Γ2 x 96β³ Cedar Posts” and not “(1) 4Γ4 x 96β³ Cedar Post” – correct?
No, 4×4 is correct. I provided all of the details in the build plans.