DIY Trellis For Climbing Indoor Potted Plants

Indoor plants are trendy nowadays because they look great and provide us with fresh air and oxygen. They also add color to our homes and bring life to our living spaces.

If you want to get some beautiful indoor plants, you should consider building a trellis.

Trellises are usually built using wood or metal materials. However, these materials are expensive and require maintenance.

In addition, they sometimes don’t allow for the vertical growth of plants. On the other hand, plastic trellises are cheap and easy to install.

They are also lightweight and durable. Moreover, they can be easily disassembled if needed.

If you want your plants to grow vertically, you need a sturdy trellis to support their weight. This is where DIY frames come in handy.

You can make one yourself by using wooden poles.

Another option is to use something like PVC pipes to create a custom trellis design. Your trellis could include any number of features such as shelves, ledges, hooks, etc.

Whether you want to go with an elegant design or a simple one, it’s up to you. The only thing important here is that it needs to be stable so it won’t cause harm to the plant when it’s growing.

DIY Trellis For Climbing Indoor Potted Plants Using PVC Pipes

The following tutorial shows how to make a DIY trellis using PVC pipes.

Materials:

  • PVC pipe – 1
  • Drill
  • Pliers
  • Hook
  • Screws

Step 1: Cut The Pipe

First, cut 6 pieces of PVC pipe measuring 30 cm (12 inches) in length for each leg. Please make sure all of them have the same diameter.

Then drill holes into both ends of each piece.

Step 2: Screw Holes

Next, screw three screws onto each end. These screws act as anchors to hold the legs together while assembling the rest of the structure.

Step 3: Assemble The Legs

You’re aiming to put the tops of the pipes together at an angle. This means that there’s a triangular shape of air in the middle when they’re held upright.

So first, cut the tops off the pips at an angle to fit together snugly in a triangular formation. Screw them together when you’re happy with the pitch.  

Next, screw in a thick wooden dowel at the top of each leg where the pipes are attached to one another. This wooden dowel is where you can hang plants from later.

Step 4: Fill The Cracks

To prevent water from getting trapped inside the cracks and causing rot, fill them with silicone caulk. Once done, apply a coat of clear nail polish at the joints between the legs.

This will keep dirt away from the edges.

Step 5: Paint & Decorate

Once everything is dry, paint the entire structure. Then, to give it a finishing touch, use a spray varnish.

Once complete, let it dry completely before installing the plants.

You now have a robust DIY trellis that will not only protect your indoor plants but also improve your home décor.

How To Make A DIY Trellis Using Wood

To make a DIY trellis using wood, follow the tutorial below.

Supplies:

  • Wooden board – 1-2 ft long x 1/2 inch thick
  • Cutting tool – Jigsaw
  • 1/4″ Drill bit
  • Nail gun
  • Painter’s tape

Step 1: Cut Pieces

Make sure to measure the height of the trellis you want accurately before starting. That way, you know what size boards you need to cut.

Also, remember that you’re working with wood, so you better buy quality lumber.

Measure and mark out the dimensions of the frame you want on the wooden board. Next, make cuts along the lines drawn.

For best results, use a jigsaw to minimize waste.

Cut the pieces to size and a hammer to drive the nails. It is wise to wear gloves when working with sharp tools.

Step 2: Nail Together

You’re essentially going for a window frame, so it’s essential to ensure equal spacing between long strips of wood. This means you can prop up the trellis when you’ve finished against a wall. 

After cutting the pieces:

  1. Place them next to each other.
  2. With one layer down, use the nail gun to secure them.
  3. Keep nailing every few minutes, so the boards don’t fall apart.

Step 3: Cover All Joins

Use painter’s tape to cover the joins between the boards. This will stop mold and mildew from forming.

After doing this, get more painter’s tape and cover those areas if you notice some gaps.

Assembling the trellis is relatively straightforward. Now, you just need to hang or lean it somewhere convenient.

A good spot would be near a kitchen window, the front door, or perhaps even outside. Place the trellis where you can see it easily.

How To Build An Outdoor Trellis

Who says an outdoor trellis-style has to be used outside? We don’t make the rules!

You can place the following DIY trellis in your home for an indoor-outdoor bohemian feel. Building this trellis requires different materials than creating a simple garden plant support.

Here’s how to go about building an outdoor frame.

Materials:

  • Strong wood posts
  • Paint
  • Glue
  • Bolt cutter
  • Drill
  • Hammer
  • Carpenter’s square
  • Garden hose

Step 1: Measure The Height

Before beginning to build an outdoor trellis, first determine the length of the frame. You want to make sure that its height is appropriate for the type of plant you want to grow.

For example, some plants like to climb, while others prefer to dangle in midair.

The distance between posts should depend entirely on the type of plants you wish to grow. A tall plant needs plenty of space, while a low-growing plant doesn’t require much room.

Measure the perimeter of the area where you intend to install the trellis. Mark off the distances you need based on the measurements.

A trellis with six feet of clearance should accommodate most plants. 

Step 2: Start Building The Frame

Begin by measuring twice, then cut once. Use the carpenter’s square to ensure your cuts are accurate. Make sure to apply paint right away.

That prevents it from drying out, making it harder to work with later.

Start Assembling The Frame:

  1. Drill holes into the post for attaching bolts.
  2. Attach the end of the base to the bottom of a support beam. Be sure to position the hole, so the bolt does not protrude past the surface.
  3. Attach a crossbeam to both sides of the posts.
  4. Attach another piece of wood between the two beams at the top of the frame. It should extend over the trellis. This holds the framework steady as plants begin to grow.

Step 3: Brackets

Continue attaching the posts and beams until all parts have been assembled. Add steps to the frame if needed.

You may also add braces to prevent any sagging. Drill holes through the wood and fasten the brackets onto the frame using nuts and bolts.

Place the trellis wherever you intend to put it. For example, you might want to put it in your living room against a sunny wall.

You now have a sturdy trellis for your plants. It is ready to serve its purpose and do its job!

How To Create A Trendy Ladder Trellis 

To create a trendy ladder trellis, you will need eight pieces of 1x2s, four 2x4s, and one 4×6 board. The total cost for the supplies will be pretty reasonable.

Cut the boards. To cut the boards, lay out the measurements on the table saw. Start with 1x2s and then move to the other sizes.

Cut each board to length. Make sure they are square.

Install the rails. Lay the 2x4s diagonally across the width of the table saw. Slide a piece of scrap wood under the outer edges of the legs of the 2x4s to make sure they stay flat when cutting.

Adjust the fence, so the blade cuts halfway through the rail. Repeat with the other side.

Install the cross pieces. Position the 2x4s vertically against the leg at both ends of the table saw. Use a level to ensure they are straight.

Slide a piece of cardboard under the corner of the boards to keep them flat. Lower the fence, so the blade just touches the top surface of the 2×4s.

Turn off the motor and remove the panels from the machine.

Screw. Screw all the pieces into place!

How To Assemble A DIY Trellis Kit 

The most important part of assembling a trellis is choosing the appropriate height. Most people choose sizes ranging from 4 feet to 6 feet.

The higher you set the frame, the easier it will be for you to climb on it.

Start by measuring where to attach the supports. Measure from the middle of the floor to the center point of the trellis. Add 16 inches to this measurement.

You want the supports to be positioned above the floor joists. This gives you enough space for the planter soil and helps prevent the trellis from sinking into the ground.

Attach the posts. The next step is installing the posts. Drill holes near the center points of each pillar using a drill bit larger than the screws used to hold the trellis together.

Insert the screws. Tighten until the bars are firmly attached.

Repeat for all sides of the post.

Attach the brackets. Once the posts have been installed correctly, slide the brackets over the rods and install them using screws.

Attach the rails. Attach the two rails to the crosspiece and to the brackets used to attach the crosspiece.

Attach the supports. Using 3/8-inch bolts, attach the supports to the brackets and crosspiece. Secure the support braces to the crosspiece using nuts.

Install the bolts on the opposite end of the crosspiece.

Add the planters. Gently lift the planters onto the trellis. Each planter should rest right below the crosspiece. Fill the pots with dirt and water.

Your frame is ready!

How To Make A Mini Plant Trellis

If you don’t have much space in your home, making a full-size trellis can be unfeasible. So, we recommend constructing a mini plant trellis.

This structure can fit more in with the proportions of a smaller apartment, too! 

Step 1: To make a mini plant trellis, take a piece of wood, 2x4s, 1/2” screws, nails, and metal anchors.

First, nail the piece of wood to the wall where you plan to hang your pots. Next, use a power drill and screw to attach the other bits of wood (2x4s) to each side of the board.

Step 2: Hang Planters On The Wall

Now that you have all of your wood attached to the wall, it’s time to hang them up. Start by drilling three holes in the bottom of each pot.

Next, use 3/8-inch screws to secure the pots to the board. You can get creative with positioning them! 

Next, attach a length of rope to the top of each plant pot. Slide the rope through the eyelets on either side of the pot.

Then, tie a knot at the back. Finally, slip the ends of the ropes under the rim of the pot.

This will create adjustable support so that the pots can grow up away from the wall. Nail this rope to the wood.

You can put the pots anywhere!

Alternative Ideas For An Indoor Trellis

To hang some pots to your trellis, we suggest investing in some galvanized steel rings, which you could get at hardware stores cheaply. These allow you to hang rope planters from wood.

What about using old window frames? They are usually robust and solid and would look great decorating your house for a bohemian and rustic vibe. 

If you have an empty storage cabinet, you can remove the doors and fill it with soil, rocks, or anything else you think looks good alongside the plants. You can even make it look pretty with colored stones.

Trailing Plants We Recommend

An indoor trellis wouldn’t be complete without great plants! There are many brilliant suitable trailing houseplants, including some ferns and ivy wreaths which would look fantastic on your outdoor deck or patio.

Some great trailing options include:

  • English Ivy (Hedera helix) – looks beautiful indoors year – round. Its leaves can be trained to form exciting shapes such as vines and arches.
  • Spider Plant (Chlorophytum comosum; spider plants) – one of the most popular houseplant species. These plants can multiply if given plenty of sunlight and water. They can tolerate cold temperatures, so they make excellent container garden plants.
  • String of Pearls (Gomphrena globosa var. strigosa) – a decorative perennial vine that looks like pearls suspended from strings. It attracts butterflies to your home and blooms profusely throughout the summer.
  • String of Hearts (Euphorbia polychroma) – is a fast-growing climber with numerous heart-shaped yellow flowers.
  • Toyon (Hoya australis) – is native to Japan and China and thrives best in warm climates. Despite being called a “houseplant,” it’s actually quite hearty and does well outdoors. You may need to bring it inside during extreme weather. This flowering plant features long, slender, dark green leaves that hang gracefully downward. It bears yellowish-green flowers in late spring and early fall.
  • Wisteria (Wisteria Sinensis) – the graceful climbing variety of this popular vine requires pruning every few years. It produces small white flowers, which appear at the ends of branches before falling off. The flowers give way to glossy red seeds carried on thin pods.

Decor With Plants

It’s essential to ensure your trellis fits in with the decor in your home, especially if your living room is already full of plants and flowers. For example, if your walls are painted white, try adding some greenery to brighten the space.

Or if your décor includes black & white photos, why not add some colorful foliage and blooms? 

You can also mix textures by combining grasses with ferns and moss. A touch of color can be achieved using red roses or purple clematis.

Adding a splash of pink brings another dimension.

Final Thoughts

Making your own DIY trellis can be such a fun thing to do and make you proud of your creativity! You don’t need massive power tools to create a funky frame for your home.

Instead, you can create miniature versions that will fit alongside existing decor. 

We hope you enjoyed this article and decorating your space with gorgeous plants. For more ideas on interior decorating, please check out our other content!

Happy gardening.

Ida Oliveira
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