Succulent Planter Box with a Drawer Pull

Have you ever been somewhere and saw something you liked and the first thing that crosses your mind is….How can I make that? or How can I improve upon what I see or just make it with my own flair? This pretty much sums me up each time I go anywhere. So I put my version of the Succulent Planter Box project with plans here for you so you can build one too!

I believe every one of us has this feeling from time to time and this one particular day I was with my Mom shopping at a local nursery. Something we’ve loved doing for many years. While taking in all the eye candy (plants) I spotted a wooden box with some succulents in them.

Yup! There went my mind! The ones we saw were distressed painted and I had my heart set on bare wood instead of this project. I wanted my succulent planter box to have a distressed feel, not perfect, with Character!

Come see how I built the Succulent Planter Box with a Drawer Pull. It’s super easy and another budget friendly project.

♥ Special shout out to my Gary who helped me with this project from beginning till the end. Here’s to many future projects together! ♥

Supplies

• 1 Redwood or Cedar Fence board per succulent planter box
• 1 1/2″ Finish Nails
• Drawer Pull

Tools

• Drill
• Speed Square
• Nail Set
• Phillips Screwdriver
• Smooth Face Hammer
• Fine Tooth Hand Saw
• Tape Measure
• Pencil
• End Nippers
• Random Orbital Sander or Sand Paper/Sanding block

Step 1 – Sand

With either an Electric Sander (Easy) or by hand (Difficult) sand Front, Back and Sides of fence board until desired finish is achieved.

Very easy to use this sander.

Much quicker than just sand paper. I’ve linked both options above in Tools. Be sure to sand the edges as well.

Step 2 – Measure and Cut

• Drawer front: 12″
• Drawer sides: 5″
• Drawer back: 10 5/16″
• Drawer bottom: Dimension will vary depending on wood dimension and straightness of fence board. It may be necessary to put together the front, back and sides to get a true measurement. Average measurement of our project was: width: 10 5/16″ X 4 7/16 Deep

Always cut off factory end of fence board to square it up. See below…

Step 3 – Choosing sides of cut boards

Choose the side of the cut boards you would like to face out. On drawer front only, ease the edges to a 45° angle (see photo below) so it looks more like a cabinet drawer.

Step 4 – Install Drawer Pull

On drawer front find center: approximately 6″ to center in width and 2 9/16″ Height. Depending on type of drawer pull: some screw in front and some require you to drill through and screws come in through the back of the drawer. Center the drawer pull on lines (See Photo below)

If the drawer pull screws from the front install at this time.

If it screws through the drawer through the back side, one more step may be necessary. This is what we had to do, see above for indentations in picture: If you lay the drawer pull on the center and it rocks back and forth it may have dimples to accept the screws. If this is the case, center the pull on the center line and tap lightly with the hammer to mark holes.

Drill 3/16″ holes to accommodate screws and if needed go to 1/4″. You can use the Phillips Bit in Drill to enlarge holes for dimples in drawer pull on drawer front if needed.

Step 5 – A little more sanding

Lightly sand off all pencil notes.

Step 6 – Install Drawer Pull

Drawer pull screws for this thickness of wood are typically longer than needed. Put screw through the hole at the back of the drawer. You only want 1/4″ sticking out of the front. If it’s longer, clip with end nippers or use a hack saw. Once screws are at correct length, install drawer pull.

Step 7 – Assembly of Succulent Planter Box

Attach side pieces to back piece with 1 1/2″ Finish Nails. Bonus Tip – Sometimes nails refuse to go in straight. If you have an electric drill you can insert one of the 1 1/2″ nails into the drill and drill a pilot hole. It will be much easier! Typically 3 nails equal distance apart is plenty: One in the center and split the difference of the center to the edge of the wood for the other two nails. See photo below…

Now you should have a U shaped Box. Lay U shape box on it’s back and attach drawer front making sure you have approximately 1/4″ overhang on both sides of drawer. See picture below.

Attach drawer front with 3 nails on each side. Mark center line for nail penetration into side if needed. See below…

Step 8 – Drawer Bottom

Attach drawer bottom to back and sides with 3 nails on each side. If it’s a little loose don’t worry (the water has to drain somehow right?)

Succulent Planter Box pictures of different angles to help visualize

We actually made 2 Succulent Planter Boxes…I have to say it was quite difficult getting pictures during a very hot California day plus we get a ton of reflection from our pool for the photos. The photo in the Pinterest is true to color for the wood.

I also wanted to touch base and mention that when I planted the succulents I first lined the planter boxes with coffee filters. These are intended to be outdoor planters but I wanted something to hold the dirt from flushing through when watering.

I’d still be careful when watering. I take mine, set on grass then water with hose, then once drained place back on a patio table. Hope this tip helps! 😉

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♥ Create with Love ♥