Turn reclaimed pallets into a stunning multi‑tier wooden planter made from pallet wood with this simple DIY tutorial. After salvaging free pallet boards (and wrestling with them like Hercules), I crafted a stepped planter perfect for succulents or seasonal blooms. You’ll save money, reduce waste and add rustic charm to your garden—all using basic tools and leftover materials.

Before we dive into this tutorial, be sure to subscribe to my bimonthly newsletter to be the first to see my latest projects.  You can also follow me on Pinterest and Facebook, where I also include my unique mixed-media art projects.

Multi‑Tier Wooden Planter Made from Pallet Wood

**This post may contain affiliate links. This means I earn a small commission on links used at no extra cost to you. Please see my disclosure policy for more information.**

Materials Needed

• Untreated wooden pallet boards
• Jigsaw or pry bar (to dismantle pallets)
• Table saw or hand planer (for trimming boards)
• Orbital sander or sanding block (120‑grit)
• Measuring tape & pencil
• Exterior‑grade wood glue
• Nail gun & galvanised nails or exterior‑grade screws
• Clamps (to hold pieces straight)=
• Small stones or gravel (for drainage)
• Styrofoam or packing foam (optional soil filler)
• Exterior stain (e.g. dark mahogany)
• Exterior varnish or sealer (2 coats)
• Drill with 5 mm bit (for drainage holes)
• Safety gear: gloves, goggles, dust mask

Step 1: Gather and Prepare Your Pallet Wood

Choose pallets stamped “HT” (heat‑treated) or “KD” (kiln‑dried) to avoid chemical treatments. Wear gloves and goggles when dismantling. I found a jigsaw worked best—cut along the support beams rather than prying, to save time and reduce damage. To salvage full‑length pallet boards for projects—like my wall‑mounted bar—invest in a pallet buster tool for quicker, cleaner dismantling.

Step 2: Cut the Wood to Size

Measure and mark:

• 4 boards at 330 mm
• 4 boards at 180 mm
• 8 boards at 250 mm
• 4 support blocks at approximately 85 mm × 85 mm

Trim rough edges on a table saw or hand planer, then sand each piece smooth with an orbital sander.

Step 3: Assemble the Planter Box

Form the box by overlapping each pallet board at the corners (as shown below); this tightens the seams and creates crisp, square edges. Begin by assembling the largest section: spread exterior wood glue along each edge, fit the boards into a box, and reinforce with a nail gun. Because pallet timber often runs unevenly, clamp the frame firmly until the glue cures to keep everything square.

Apply wood glue to the ends of two 250 mm boards and join them at right angles to form an L‑shaped bracket. Clamp until the glue cures, then position the L‑shape against two adjacent sides of the 330 mm box frame and secure it with screws, as shown.

Form two more L‑shaped brackets from the remaining 250 mm boards. Position each against the 330 mm frame so they overlap the first L‑shape, then clamp and screw them in place to close the box.

Clamp each section securely with wood clamps while the glue cures—when I did mine, the clamps criss‑crossed so wildly it looked like a game of Twister.

Glue two of the remaining 180 mm boards at right angles to form an L‑shaped bracket. Clamp until the glue cures, then position this L‑shape at the junction of the two stacked tiers. Pre‑drill pilot holes and drive in screws to lock it in place for extra strength, just as you did with the previous supports.

Fit the final board, clamp it squarely, and fasten with a nail gun—its brads hold immediately, so you can move on without waiting for the glue to dry.

Step 4: Fit and Secure the Bottom

None of the 85 mm squares slid into place straight away, as pallet timber varies in thickness and quality. I repeatedly measured each piece and gently sanded off the excess with my table‑top sander until they fit snugly.

Since the base isn’t visible, just ensure the gaps are small enough to keep soil from falling through.

Step 5: Sand, Stain and Seal

Give the entire planter a final sanding to remove any splinters, then wipe away the dust.

Apply your chosen exterior stain (I used dark mahogany), allowing it to dry fully.

Once the stain is set, brush on two coats of exterior varnish for durable weather protection.

I had some scraps of wood leftover from a barn quilt I recently made, which were nailed onto the front for decoration.

Step 6: Plant and Enjoy

I designed this multi‑tier planter specifically for succulents, which thrive on minimal soil and moisture. To save on potting mix and ensure good drainage, I first packed each tier’s base with cut‑to‑size Styrofoam blocks, then topped up with succulent‑specific soil before arranging my plants.

Completed Multi‑Tier Wooden Planter Made from Pallet Wood before adding plants.

When adding succulents, choose varieties that are easy to separate and replant once they outgrow their slots.

This planter slots neatly into a corner, transforming an empty nook into a vibrant display of greenery.

More garden planter ideas

I repurposed a dead tree‑fern stump into a succulent planter by filling its hollow base with soil and tucking in assorted cuttings.

Here’s another planter you can craft from pallet wood to achieve this distinctive layered look.

If you’d like to find any of the items used in this project, we’d greatly appreciate it if you used our affiliate links. These links provide us with a small commission at no extra cost to you, allowing us to continue creating and sharing more inspiring projects. We’d also love to hear your thoughts—feel free to leave a comment or share this post!