Gardener Makes DIY Tiered Succulent Planter With Old Frying Pans

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Adorable, low-maintenance succulents are a joy both in the garden and as houseplants. Since they don't require much care, you can spend your time coming up with fun, unusual ways to display them. Instead of letting your favorite greenery take over every windowsill and tabletop, you might want to consider showing off your collection vertically. To create an especially beautiful, space-saving display, follow in the footsteps of YouTuber and succulent aficionado Kaying Vang, who created a multi-tiered, fountain-like container garden using old pans, 3 metal rods, a heavy base, cement, washers, epoxy, PVC pipe, and a drill. With the cement stabilizing the base and the rods creating space between each pan, she crafted a stunning succulent stack.

Woks, pans, small mixing bowls, and other similar shallow dishes are perfect for planting succulents in, since they allow the growing medium to dry out, something these drought-tolerant beauties need. So, even without an involved DIY like this one, those old pans can still find new life as charming little succulent gardens.

To create the tiered effect, Kaying Vang chose three pans of different sizes, with the largest going on the bottom and the smallest on the top. If you're having a hard time finding the perfect ones, be sure to give your local thrift store a visit to see what they have. While you're there, you may also want to keep an eye out for something that could make a good base for your planter. An old table support or Christmas tree stand could be perfect. Alternatively, you could simply use a bucket.

Once you have your supplies, you're ready to make drainage holes in your pans. While you have the drill out, you can also create the center hole in each pan through which a rod is able to fit. A metal rod of about 4 feet long should work well for this. Your upper rod sections should be about 18 inches each, and your PVC pipe should be about 2 feet long. You'll be able to find both of these at Home Depot or your local hardware store. If necessary, you can cut them to the correct lengths using a hacksaw, then use a file to remove any rough edges or burrs. 

Next, ensure your base is stable by filling it with concrete, then securing your PVC pipe into its center. This will prevent a wobbly, top-heavy planter that topples over at the first gust of wind. Center one of your metal rods inside the pipe, secure it with more concrete, and let it harden.

Once the concrete has set, you can stack your bowls into a tower using the other metal rods and washers. Add an epoxy that's designed for metal — this should help to hold each pan and rod in place. Next, fill the pans with a well-draining potting soil, adding stones or shells around each layer as a charming finishing touch. Then you're ready to add in your succulents and enjoy your beautiful display.

Depending on the succulents you choose and your USDA hardiness zone, this container might not support plants outdoors during winter months. Vang appears to fill her tiered planter primarily with sempervivum and echeveria. While echeveria are generally only hardy in zones 9 and higher, sempervivum can sometimes be hardy down to zone 5 or even colder depending on the species. But in a small and shallow container, they might only be hardy to around zone 7. If you have the space in your house, this could still be a stunning display for succulents you raise indoors. Unfortunately, given how heavy the planter will be, it may not be practical to bring it indoors each winter and back outside each summer.

You don't have to use this only for succulents, though, and it could be a perfect way to grow annual flowers or veggies. Just be sure to opt for plants with shallow roots that will thrive in smaller containers. This could be a great way to grow kale, lettuce, and other similar crops depending on the depth of your pans.

If you still want a tiered succulent planter but need something that's a bit easier to move around, consider upcycling an old produce bin. Start with a hanging produce container like the Simple Houseware adjustable hanging fruit basket. Add a coco coir liner to each basket, and then add in your growing medium and succulents. This hanging tiered planter should be relatively lightweight, letting you move your plants easily while still displaying them vertically and saving space.