How to Make Your Own Tiered Plant Stands

Open the ladder and measure the length and width of the rungs. If the rungs are too narrow to hold a pot or planter box, you must extend the crosspieces. Attach a piece of wood to each crosspiece, making sure to tier each appropriately. Secure the wood extensions to the ladder with screws. For stability, use four screws on each rung, two per side.

Build planter boxes if you're not using existing pots. You can construct a simple planter box using old scraps of plywood or planks cut to fit atop each rung. Build the frame first, securing the pieces together at the seams with wood glue and nails. Nail the bottom to the frame last. Stabilize the four corners by screwing one angle iron to the center of each corner. Line the box with thick plastic; heavy-duty garbage bags work well.

Place your tiered plant stand in a location with good sunlight (a south-facing window is most beneficial for plants) and arrange the planters or pots on the stands.