Hey there, fellow craft enthusiasts! Robert Kline here, ready to guide you on another exciting DIY journey. Today, we’re diving into the world of vertical gardening, a fantastic way to bring life and greenery to any space, big or small. I’m going to show you how to create a stunning vertical succulent garden frame using an inexpensive rustic wood frame and box. Get ready to watch your gorgeous succulents thrive in a bed of fluffy sphagnum moss!
My Vertical Garden Inspiration: From Hotel Lobby to Home Décor
My fascination with living walls began during a visit to a local Westin hotel. Remember that feeling of awe when you first encounter something truly captivating? That’s exactly how I felt when I saw their grand, three-dimensional living art piece. It was a tapestry of lush greenery, bursting with vibrant colors, unique textures, and all beautifully framed by simple wood. It was love at first sight!
Inspired, I knew I had to recreate this magic in my own backyard. I envisioned a smaller, more manageable version—a frame embracing a miniature landscape of living plants. After countless YouTube tutorials (thank you, internet!), I decided to base my design on the incredible work of Laura Eubank, an award-winning succulent designer. Her YouTube channel, Design for Serenity, became my go-to resource, and I highly recommend checking it out!
Why This Vertical Garden Design Stole My Heart
There were several reasons why this specific design called out to me:
Simplicity at its Finest
The beauty lies in its simplicity: a box, a frame, chicken wire, some growing medium, and of course, the stars of the show—the succulents! No complicated contraptions or confusing setups, perfect for a DIY novice like myself.
Watering Made Easy
This design is a dream come true when it comes to watering. Simply mist your plants with a hose, and you’re good to go. I wasn’t ready to delve into the complexities of waterproofing or building a self-watering system, so this was a huge plus for me.
Drainage and Air Circulation: Crucial for Happy Plants
The box structure plays a vital role in ensuring proper drainage and air circulation, essential for healthy plant growth. I opted out of adding waterproof paper or landscape fabric to keep things simple. However, remember that prolonged exposure to water can damage the wood backing, eventually requiring a replacement.
If you’re hanging your planter on a wall or fence, consider waterproofing to protect both the surface and the planter itself.
Succulents: The Low-Maintenance Champions
This design is perfect for showcasing the beauty of succulents. Known for their resilience and low-maintenance nature, succulents were an ideal choice for my not-so-green thumb.
When selecting plants for your vertical garden, consider factors like:
- Location: Indoors or outdoors?
- Lighting: Direct or indirect sunlight?
- Root System: Opt for plants with shallow roots.
Sphagnum Moss: The Lightweight Winner
Instead of traditional potting soil, I went with sphagnum moss as my growing medium. Not only does it make the planter lighter and easier to handle, but it also eliminates the mess associated with wet soil. To learn more about using sphagnum moss for your succulents, check out this informative article: [Insert link to a relevant article about growing succulents in sphagnum moss].
DIY Living Wall Project: Two Ways to Craft Your Own
I decided to create two versions of this vertical succulent garden: an easy version and a slightly more challenging one for those feeling adventurous. Don’t worry; I’ll be covering both in detail.
The Easy Route: Perfect for Beginners
For the simpler version, I purchased a pre-made box and frame, keeping the tools required to a minimum: wire cutters, a staple gun, and a drill. I’ll provide a detailed breakdown of materials and steps in the following section.
The Intermediate Challenge: For the Budding Craftsman
This version involved building the box and frame from scratch, requiring some experience with power tools. I’ve dedicated a separate post to this method, so stay tuned for more detailed instructions.
Creating Your Easy Vertical Succulent Wall Planter: Step-by-Step Guide
Ready to get your hands dirty? Let’s gather our materials and create a stunning living work of art!
Materials You’ll Need:
- Wooden box
- Picture frame (slightly larger than your box)
- Chicken wire or wire mesh
- Staples (compatible with your staple gun)
- 4 small screws
- Aleene’s Original Clear Gel Tacky Glue
- Long-Fibered Sphagnum Moss
- Assorted succulent plants (varying colors and shapes)
- Optional: Thompson’s WaterSeal Waterproofing Wood Protector (Clear Aerosol)
Tools for the Task:
- Wire cutters
- Staple gun
- Drill with a spade or large-diameter drill bit
- Work gloves
- Safety glasses
- Dust mask
Project Steps:
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Box and Frame Hunt: Head to your local craft store and pick up a wooden box and a slightly larger picture frame. I found an inexpensive unfinished wooden “plaque” that served perfectly as my box when flipped over. Remember, explore the clearance section for hidden treasures!
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Frame Prep: Carefully remove the glass and backing from your frame and set them aside for future projects.
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Chicken Wire Time: Wearing your work gloves and safety glasses, cut a piece of chicken wire large enough to cover the frame opening. Use your trusty staple gun to secure the mesh to the inside of the frame, trimming off any excess with wire cutters.
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Drainage is Key: Drill several holes into the bottom of your box to ensure proper drainage and airflow. A spade drill bit works wonders, but you can also use a large-sized drill bit or create wider holes by drilling multiple smaller holes close together. Don’t forget your dust mask and safety glasses for this step!
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Optional: Staining and Waterproofing: Although I skipped this step, you can protect your planter from water damage by applying a waterproofing wood protector like Thompson’s WaterSeal. Follow the product instructions for drying time and safety precautions.
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Attaching the Frame: Use four small screws to securely attach the frame to the box. Insert the screws through the sides of the box at an angle, securing them into the back of the frame.
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Sphagnum Moss Filling: Generously fill the box with long-fibered sphagnum moss, inserting it through the chicken wire opening.
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Choosing Your Succulents: Select an assortment of small succulents in various colors, shapes, and textures. When choosing succulents, consider the Hardiness Zone of your area to ensure they’ll thrive in your climate.
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Planting Time: Apply a small amount of Aleene’s clear tacky glue to each succulent cutting to help secure them to the moss. Carefully insert the succulents through the chicken wire mesh, arranging them in a visually pleasing manner.
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Displaying Your Masterpiece: Your stunning vertical succulent garden is complete! Prop it up on a table, hang it on a wall or fence using a picture hook or wire, or simply hang it from a nail through one of the drainage holes.
Living wall made from a rustic wood frame surrounding a bed of small succulents in sphagnum moss
Pro Tip: Watch this video for a visual guide on adding moss and succulents to your vertical planter: [Insert link to video].
Get Creative and Share Your Green Thumb Success!
Congratulations on creating your very own vertical succulent garden frame! Remember, this is just a starting point. Get creative with different frame styles, succulent arrangements, and even incorporate other elements like small stones or decorative moss.
Don’t forget to share your beautiful creations and inspire others to embark on their own vertical gardening adventures! You can also explore my website, Robert Kline Art, for more unique handmade gift ideas and crafting inspiration.