How to Build a Vertical Herb (or Lettuce!) Planter

This easy-to-build vertical planter is a great place to grow herbs or lettuces—right outside your door!

vertical planter with lettuce

Love the taste of fresh herbs? This vertical herb planter lets you grow them all in one convenient place – right outside your door! With removable shelves that can be easily left off for taller growing spaces, this simple project can be completed before lunchtime. We chose to build ours out of naturally long-lasting cedar, which will weather to a beautiful rustic look. Cut the lumber yourself if you have some woodworking experience, or make it easy by having the boards pre-cut at your local home improvement store. To assemble our vertical herb planter, watch the video, scroll down for instructions, or download our printable PDF guide.

Once you've got it put together, fill the shelves with Miracle-Gro® Potting Mix to give the roots of your new plants the very best growing environment. To keep the harvest coming, be sure to regularly trim back the plants and feed them throughout the season with Miracle-Gro® Pour & Feed® Singles, which can be added directly to the water in your watering can. (So simple!) Bonus: This vertical planter is also great for growing lettuces.

Estimated Time: 3 hours*

* Less if you have wood pre-cut

Project Difficulty: Easy to Moderate

List of Materials

  • 1 – 1 x 2 x 8 board
  • 1 – 1 x 4 x 8 board
  • 2 – 1 x 6 x 8 boards
  • 6 – 1 x 6 x 8 tongue & groove boards
  • 2 – 1 x 8 x 8 boards
  • 1 – 2 x 4 x 8 board
  • 2 – 2 x 10 x 10 boards
  • 1 ¼-inch deck screws (68)
  • 2 ½-inch deck screws (18)
  • sealer (optional)
  • 12 – 18 herb plants, depending on varieties (see tags for spacing requirements)
Love salads? Skip the supermarket and grow your own in this handsome planter.
Love salads? Skip the supermarket and grow your own in this handsome planter.
DIY vertical herb planter.
DIY vertical herb planter.

List of Tools:

  • miter saw or circular saw*
  • drill/driver
  • clamps
  • square
  • measuring tape

* or can have lumber pre-cut at home improvement store per dimensions in Parts List

Parts List:

Part Quantity Size
Legs 4 1 1/2 x 9 1/4 x 59 1/4
Leg braces 2 1 1/2 x 3 1/2 x 23
Leg brace supports 2 3/4 x 3 1/2 x 19
Cleats 14 3/4 x 1 1/2 x 5 1/2
Back slats 6 5/8 x 5 1/2 x 50
Back supports 3 3/4 x 5 1/2 x 33 1/2
Bottom support 1 1 1/2 x 3 1/2 x 30 1/2
Top shelf 1 3/4 x 5 1/2 x 30 1/2
Shelves 6 3/4 x 7 1/4 x 30 ½

Click here to download our How To Build a Vertical Herb Planter guide!