A wooden planter can give flowers a place of their own beside a doorway, on a patio, or in a garden. A hexagon adds a distinctive shape, and this design combines six tapered sides with a wide top rim.
If you’re planning to build one, the Milltree Designs Hexagon Planter Plans provide the materials list, cutting details, assembly diagrams, and printable templates for this project.
Before choosing your lumber, it helps to understand how the planter goes together and what experience the build requires.
Will This Planter Fit Your Space?
The finished planter measures:
- 27 inches across its widest corners
- 23¼ inches between opposite flat sides
- 16¼ inches high
The two widths measure different directions across the hexagon. When choosing a spot beside a door or walkway, allow room for the widest corners and for any plants that may spread beyond the rim.
Its six-sided shape works well as a feature at an entrance or as part of a group of outdoor containers. Think about its position before filling it with soil, since moving it will become more difficult afterward.
Choosing Wood for a Hexagon Planter
Cedar is the recommended wood for this project. It suits the natural appearance of the planter and gives you a good starting point for an outdoor build. Pressure-treated lumber is another option for the design.
Choose straight boards and inspect them before cutting. Knots, splits, and warped stock can make fitting the angled pieces more difficult. Allow for saw cuts and any unsuitable sections when planning your materials.
The plan uses several lumber sizes for the framework, panels, rim, and top rails. Read the materials list before shopping so you have the right stock for each part.
For a broader comparison, see our guide to choosing wood for outdoor projects.
Understand the Table-Saw Work Before Starting
This project includes intricate table-saw cuts and is best suited to someone experienced with that tool.
The corner posts need a shaped side, and the corner panels use left- and right-hand cutting jigs. The plan includes diagrams and jig templates to explain these parts of the build.
If you are not an experienced table-saw operator, have an experienced operator make or directly guide those cuts. Read the caution and study the relevant diagrams before deciding whether to tackle this part yourself.
This is a project to work through carefully. Accurate cuts and well-fitted joints matter more than rushing the assembly.
How the Planter Goes Together
The build begins with six bottom-rim sections joined into a hexagon. The corner posts attach to that framework and provide the fixing points for the tapered side panels.
The corner panels come next. There are six left-hand pieces and six right-hand pieces, so keeping them identified as you work will help during assembly.
Once those panels are in place, measure the remaining openings for the centre panels. The plan gives a nominal width, but the actual fit can vary with the wood and assembly. Cutting these pieces to fit their openings helps produce tighter seams.
The inner rim, outer rim, and top rails complete the upper part of the planter. Some pieces are deliberately fitted during assembly rather than cut to their final size at the beginning.
That is why it pays to read the entire plan first: the cutting list and the assembly instructions work together.
Check the Printed Templates Before Using Them
The PDF includes printable templates for the bottom and cutting jigs, along with a print-scale test page.
Print the test page at 100% or Actual Size, then measure its marked rectangle before printing or using the templates. Printer settings can shrink or enlarge a PDF even when it looks correct on screen.
The test rectangle must measure 6 inches wide by 8 inches high. The template grid uses quarter-inch squares.
Taking a moment to check the print size can prevent making incorrectly sized templates—and cutting lumber from them.
Line the Planter and Allow Water to Drain
The plan recommends lining the planter with one sheet of plastic. Make drainage openings in the bottom of the liner so excess water can escape.
The liner helps keep soil and muddy water from working through the seams between the side panels. It should allow drainage rather than form a sealed container.
After filling the planter, trim the plastic level with the soil. This keeps the liner out of sight while leaving the wooden rim visible.
Finish It to Suit Its Surroundings
The wide rim and tapered panels give the planter its character. Choose a finish that suits the wood and the setting—whether that is beside a painted entrance, on a deck, or among other wooden garden projects.
Plan for finishing as part of the job, rather than treating the last screw as the end of the project. Follow the chosen finish’s application and drying instructions before putting the planter into use.
Ready to Build Your Hexagon Planter?
The Hexagon Wooden Planter PDF Plans bring the materials list, illustrated parts list, cut-out schedule, assembly instructions, and templates together in one downloadable plan.
Review the project and its tool requirements first, then use the plan to work through the build in order.
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