DIY Succulent Hanging Frame: A Stunning Vertical Garden

Updated at: 05/06/2025

Transform your living space into a vibrant oasis with a stunning DIY succulent hanging frame – a unique vertical garden that's both beautiful and surprisingly easy to create. Succulents, with their diverse textures and captivating colors, offer the perfect low-maintenance solution for adding a touch of nature indoors, and this project allows you to showcase them in a truly eye-catching way. Forget expensive, pre-made options; this guide empowers you to craft a personalized masterpiece tailored to your aesthetic and space. Imagine the compliments you'll receive as your friends and family admire your handcrafted creation.

This DIY project offers a rewarding experience for both novice and experienced crafters alike, requiring only readily available materials and basic tools. Ready to bring your green thumb to new heights? Let's delve into the step-by-step process of creating your own mesmerizing succulent hanging frame.

Preparation and Safety Guidelines

Tools Needed
  • Box
  • Frame pieces
  • Brackets
  • Hardware cloth
  • Acrylic sheet
  • Potting mix (or ingredients: soilless potting mix, perlite, coarse builder sand)
  • Succulents
  • Permanent marker
  • Tin snips
Safety Guidelines
  • Always use appropriate safety glasses and gloves when working with wire, tools, and potentially sharp materials like wood or metal.
  • Ensure the hanging frame is securely fastened to a sturdy support that can handle the combined weight of the frame and succulents. Improper hanging can lead to damage or injury.
  • Select a location for your hanging frame that receives adequate sunlight for your chosen succulents, but avoid direct, intense midday sun which can scorch the plants.

Step-by-Step Instructions

  1. Construct the Frame

    • Build the box that will hold the dirt.
    • Assemble the frame using brackets.
    • Attach the box to the frame with brackets.
    • Insert hardware cloth into the box.
    Insert hardware cloth into the box.Insert hardware cloth into the box.Insert hardware cloth into the box.Insert hardware cloth into the box.
    Construct the Frame
    • Finish the back of the box with an acrylic sheet.
    Finish the back of the box with an acrylic sheet.
    Construct the Frame

  2. Prepare the Soil

    • Fill the frame with a potting mix (either store-bought or a homemade mix of 2 parts soilless potting mix, 1 part perlite, and 1 part coarse builder sand).
    • Let the soil settle for about 15 minutes after adding water.
    • Top off the soil with another layer after settling.
    Top off the soil with another layer after settling.Top off the soil with another layer after settling.Top off the soil with another layer after settling.
    Prepare the Soil

  3. Plant the Succulents

    • Lay out succulents, avoiding overcrowding.
    • Trace around the plants with a permanent marker and carefully cut holes in the hardware cloth using tin snips, ensuring enough mesh remains around plants.
    • Plant the succulents.
    Plant the succulents.Plant the succulents.Plant the succulents.
    Plant the Succulents

  4. Placement and Care

    • Place the hanging frame in a location with appropriate sunlight.
    Place the hanging frame in a location with appropriate sunlight.
    Placement and Care

Read more: Build a Sag-Proof Wood Fence Gate: The Ultimate DIY Guide

Tips

  • Use a dry mix that drains well because succulents don't like sitting in water.
  • Don't overcrowd the space with succulents as they will grow and spread.
  • Water a couple times a week during the growing season.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

1. Overwatering

Reason: Succulents are prone to root rot if overwatered, leading to wilting and eventual death.
Solution: Water only when the soil is completely dry, allowing excess water to drain completely.

2. Improper Drainage

Reason: Lack of drainage holes in the frame or pot can cause water to accumulate, leading to root rot.
Solution: Ensure your frame and/or pots have adequate drainage holes to prevent waterlogging.

3. Incorrect Sunlight Exposure

Reason: Too much or too little sunlight can cause succulents to become etiolated (leggy) or sunburnt.
Solution: Place the hanging frame in a location with bright, indirect sunlight for optimal growth.

FAQs

What type of succulents are best for a hanging frame?
Choose succulents that are relatively small and don't grow too quickly, such as string of pearls, burro's tail, or sedum morganianum. Avoid heavier varieties that could stress the frame.
What kind of frame should I use?
You can use a variety of frames – wooden frames, metal frames, or even repurposed picture frames. The important thing is that it's sturdy enough to hold the weight of the succulents and the soil.
How often do I need to water my hanging succulent frame?
Watering frequency depends on your climate and the type of succulents used. Generally, allow the soil to dry out completely between waterings. Overwatering is a common problem, so err on the side of underwatering.