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    Home » DIY Projects

    How to Make an Inexpensive Tiered Planter

    by Patti Estep · May 9, 2022

    Jump to How-to Card
    Tiered planter over a set on a front porch.

    This easy and inexpensive DIY tiered planter project makes a great statement and is perfect for all of your favorite flowers this season.

    Flowers planted in DIY double pot planter

    Now that we have a single front door I'm always looking for new ways to decorate it. Last year I made Flower Pot Trellis that flanked the door, but this year I'm trying a 2 tier planter approach.

    Of course, they are super easy and affordable to make. That's the whole reason I like to make them. It's fun to get creative and keeping the cost down is a bonus.

    This post contains some affiliate links (that means if you make a purchase after clicking a link, there’s no additional cost to you, but I will earn a very small commission. ) i.e. as an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases. Click here to read my full disclosure policy.

    Shades of purple and pink annuals in a homemade tiered planter on a porch.

    Supplies for Tiered Flower Planters

    • Base flower pot
    • Dollar store 10-inch hanging basket
    • Styrofoam cone
    • Dowel rod
    • Black spray paint
    • Sphagnum moss
    • Potting soil
    • Flowers
    Styrofoam cone in hanging basket

    Making Flower Tiered Planter

    I re-used the dollar store hanging baskets from my Hanging Moss Globe Planter, from last season.

    They have a large hole in the bottom that was perfect for inserting a Styrofoam cone. The cones were already in my stash of crafts but I'm pretty sure I've seen them in the dollar store too.

    Dowel rod in styrofoam holding basket in pot

    I cut down some of the foam to make plenty of room for the plants.

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    Next, I used the same dowel rods from the Pumpkin Topiary project in the fall and pushed them into last year's flower pots, and up through the foam cones. 

    Before inserting the dowel rod use a pencil or other similar shaped object to make a starter hole in the Styrofoam. Then add a little hot glue into the hole just before inserting the dowel rod.

    Use some black spray paint on the dowel rod and the foam to help them blend in well with the other pieces.

    A two tiered flower planter on porch

    The basket is lined with sphagnum moss. I really like the cottage feel it brings to the planter. You could also use a simple coir liner. Just cut a hole in the bottom to fit over the dowel and foam.

    Now all you need to do is add your flowers. 

    Flower Choices for a Tiered Planter

    I chose plants that enjoy a mix of sun and shade because now that our maple tree is gone this porch gets a fair amount of sun, but it's still shady.

    At the top in the center, I planted some verbena and impatiens for height.

    I also chose plants that will spill out over the edges as the season progresses. White alyssum in the top. Two purple calibrachoas, and a pretty green and white lamium in the middle.

    Two tiered planters on front porch

    I love the way they look.

    You could also try this with fresh herbs in a sunny spot on your patio. This would be especially convenient for those who have a small space to garden. Try tall plants like basil and parsley on the second tier at the top and trailing rosemary, oregano, and thyme on the bottom. Even strawberry plants would be fun and the close proximity to the house makes harvesting so much easier.

    Close up of flowers in tiered planter.

    Creating a simple tiered planter for your front entrance is easy and I think adds a beautiful statement and great curb appeal.

    Patti signature

    More Flower Planter Ideas

    • Flower Pot Trellis
    • Hanging Sphagnum Moss Planter
    • Hanging Moss Globe

    Click Here to Save to Pinterest!

    Two tiered flower planter with rounded basket top filled with trailing purple and pink flowers.

    Two tiered flower planter with lamium and calibrachoa.
    Print

    DIY Tiered Flower Planter

    This easy DIY tiered planter is a great showpiece for your front door bursting with flowers all season long.
    Active Time1 hour hr
    Total Time1 hour hr
    Course: Gardening
    Yield: 1
    Author: Patti Estep
    Cost: $10-$15

    Equipment

    • Hot glue gun and glue sticks

    Materials

    • Base flower pot
    • Dollar store 10-inch hanging basket
    • Styrofoam cone
    • Dowel rod
    • Black spray paint
    • Sphagnum moss
    • Potting soil
    • Flowers

    Instructions

    • Fill your base planter with soil.
    • Insert a styrofoam cone into the bottom of a dollar store hanging basket.
    • Spray paint the dowel rod black.
    • Push the dowel rod up through the styrofoam cone securing it with a little hot glue.
    • Then push the other end into the soil, leaving 10 or so inches between the bottom of the basket and the top of the soil in the base pot.
    • Line the basket with sphagnum moss that you have soaked with water.
    • Add soil to the basket.
    • Plant flowers in the basket and all around the dowel in the base planter.

    Notes

    Choose flowers that will grow well in the area you plan to set the planter whether a porch or patio. If you have a sunny location you might want to plant herbs or strawberries.
    Trailing flowers work best in the bottom base pot while upright look good in the top basket.
    Tried this project?Tag @hearthnvine on Instagram
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    About Patti Estep

    Patti is the creator of Hearth and Vine, a home and garden blog filled with projects to inspire your creative side. She loves crafting, gardening, decorating and entertaining at her home in Pennsylvania. When she is not working on a project at home or searching for treasures at nurseries and thrift stores with her girlfriends, you’ll probably find her with family and friends, at a restaurant, or home party enjoying new and different food adventures.

    Reader Interactions

    Comments

    1. Barbara Chapman

      May 22, 2019 at 11:07 am

      I love your two-tiered planter idea, Patti! I am waiting for some rock to come from a friend's home to put down in the new flower bed out back for drainage, then I'll be planting my roses (even though it's late in the season). After that, though, I'll have pots free for planting! It'd be fun to make up a couple planters like yours for summer. 🙂

      Thank you for the wonderful tutorial on how to create them.
      Hugs,
      Barb 🙂

      Reply
      • Patti Estep

        May 22, 2019 at 11:17 am

        Thanks Barbara. Your roses always look amazing.

        Reply
    2. Debbie

      May 21, 2019 at 8:27 pm

      This is so awesome! Love it, pinned it for later!

      Reply
      • Patti Estep

        May 22, 2019 at 7:10 am

        Thanks Debbie!

        Reply
    3. Janet

      May 20, 2019 at 7:31 pm

      I love this idea Patti...may have to give it a try myself so will pin for later.

      Reply
      • Patti Estep

        May 21, 2019 at 6:55 am

        Thanks Janet. You could make this any time of year where you live.

        Reply
    4. Nikki Gwin

      May 20, 2019 at 2:13 pm

      I had no idea how easy this was! Thanks for sharing, I am off to the dollar store for supplies!
      🙂 gwingal

      Reply
      • Patti Estep

        May 20, 2019 at 3:04 pm

        Thanks, Nikki. The dollar store has some great finds.

        Reply
    5. Sandy

      May 20, 2019 at 11:42 am

      Looks good! Have you used trailing vinca? New to me this year - blossoms are bigger than regular vinca. We’re selling pink - great to use at edge of pot!

      Reply
      • Patti Estep

        May 20, 2019 at 3:03 pm

        Sandy, I do have some variegated vinca growing on our back hill. It sometimes gets a pretty purple flower but not often. Still the foliage is pretty. I have used it in pots before and it grows well. Thanks for the reminder.

        Reply
    6. Meegan

      May 20, 2019 at 11:30 am

      I love this creative idea! I could definitely do this on my back porch. Thanks for always inspiring me with your fresh ideas, Patti.

      Reply
      • Patti Estep

        May 20, 2019 at 3:00 pm

        Thanks Meegan. I'm so glad you like it and I hope you get a chance to make one for yourself.

        Reply
    7. Roxanne

      May 20, 2019 at 10:11 am

      I've never seen this done this way, brilliant idea!

      Reply
      • Patti Estep

        May 20, 2019 at 10:57 am

        Thanks Roxanne. I'm pretty happy with the way they turned out.

        Reply
    8. Pam

      May 20, 2019 at 8:04 am

      Those are so cute! I was just planting my porch flowers yesterday and was at a loss for how to make them different than the same old same old I do every year. Love this idea!

      Reply
      • Patti Estep

        May 20, 2019 at 8:27 am

        Thanks Pam. They were so easy to make. I'm hoping they will hold up well for many seasons.

        Reply
    9. Kristi

      May 20, 2019 at 7:47 am

      Wow, I absolutely love this idea! Thank you so much for sharing. I can’t wait to try this!

      Reply
      • Patti Estep

        May 20, 2019 at 7:56 am

        Thanks Kristi, it's so easy and fun to create. I think you'll love it.

        Reply
    10. Carole West

      May 20, 2019 at 7:45 am

      Loving this Patti - I always look forward to see how you're going to change things out on your front porch. These planters are really creative and look so inviting. I miss not having a front porch to dress up, I guess there are trade offs when you go tiny? It's all good though because I now take more time to enjoy what others are doing. Hope your week is great! -Carole

      Reply
      • Patti Estep

        May 20, 2019 at 7:56 am

        Carole, you could still make one of these for anyplace near your tiny home but I get it. We can't do everything and you do plenty, my friend. Have a great week!

        Reply

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    I'm Patti

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