Are you ready to take your indoor gardening game to the next level? Building a plant propagation wall is the perfect way to showcase your green thumb while adding a gorgeous, living piece of art to your home. 

Whether you’re a seasoned plant parent or a beginner, this DIY guide will walk you through creating a propagation wall that’s both functional and fabulous. Let’s dig in!

Supplies Needed:

2” x 2” x 8’ Pine Wood Boards
Glass Test Tubes
Drill Press
1” Drill Bit
Stud Buddy
Paint
Paint Brush
Sand Paper
Ruler and/or Tape Measure
Plant Clippings
Water
Level
Marker
Pencil
Hangers
Screws
Plant Pruning Shears

Also, I’m going to go ahead and throw it out there. This is not the easiest DIY project. I’m all for encouraging you to give it a shot, but you may consider these plant propagation wall options that are ready-made if this DIY is just more than you want to get into!

Plant Propagation Wall Option One
Plant Propagation Wall Option Two

Step 1: Choose the Perfect Spot and Plan Your Layout

First things first: pick the wall where your propagation masterpiece will live. Make sure it gets plenty of natural sunlight — your budding plant babies need that light to grow strong roots.

Next up, decide on the number of wooden slats that you want and the width of each, as well as the spacing between the test tubes. Since each test tube hangs 4 inches below the slat and plant clippings may extend 4 to 6 inches above, ensure there are at least 8 inches of vertical space between slats to accommodate this growth. 

For a balanced look, make the space between the tubes equal. I spaced my test tubes 3.5 inches apart from center to center, which allowed me four tubes per slat. 

Additionally, I’d recommend that you keep the outside margins on the slat beyond the outermost tubes equal, in an effort to achieve a symmetrical appearance. I left 2 inches on each end of my wooden slat. 

With these measurements in hand, calculate the amount of wood you’ll need to buy.

Step 2: Purchase, Measure, and Cut Your Wood Slats

Head to your local hardware store (I chose Home Depot) and pick out your wood. I used 2” x 2” x 8’ long pine boards. The slats I determined I needed for my plant wall were 18 inches long and I wanted 4 rows, so I calculated that I only needed one piece of wood. 

Once I purchased my board, I cut my wood into 18-inch long pieces.

PRO TIP: Most stores, like Home Depot, will cut the wood for you.

Once your wood is cut, sand down the edges and ends to ensure smoothness — we are shooting for perfection after all!

Step 3: Mark and Measure Holes for Test Tubes

This part requires some precision but is manageable with a step-by-step approach, so grab your measuring tape, a pencil, and your patience pants. 

The first thing you need to do is draw a light line that runs the length of your wood slat to identify the center of your slat from front to back. To do this, simply divide the width of your slat in two, and make a few marks along your slat. Then align a ruler with those marks and draw a line in pencil all the way down your slat. We will call this your center line. 

At this point, you should have decided how far apart you want your test tubes and how far they should be from the edge of the wood.

To start, from the edge of the wood, measure your margin amount plus .5 inches which is half the width of the test tube, and make a mark. Ensure your dot is on your center line. This indicates the center of your first test tube. If you forgot what your center line is, reread this step from the beginning. 

Then, from that first dot, measure the distance that you determined you wanted between each tube, center to center. For me, this was 3.5 inches. Make another mark and be sure it is on your center line. 

You are going to repeat this process until you have marked all the centers of your tubes on each wood slat. 

Take your time here; accuracy is key in this step.

Step 4: Drill the Holes

Here’s where we start using the power tools. 

You’ll need a drill press with a bit that is just slightly smaller than the lip of your test tube. If you are using the test tubes I used, you will need a 1” drill bit. 

First off, align your drill with each mark and carefully drill through the slat. Then, sand the edges of the holes to remove rough patches.

PRO TIP: Test the fit of your test tubes before putting away your drill. Adjust any holes as needed for a snug fit.

Step 5: Paint Your Slats

Once the holes are drilled and the edges smoothed, it’s time to paint each wood slat, ensuring complete and even coverage. Take care to avoid getting paint inside the holes, as this can prevent the test tubes from fitting properly. If paint does seep into the holes, allow it to dry fully before sanding it away.

Patience is key during this step, as excessive paint buildup in the holes can create unnecessary complications. In my case, two coats of paint were sufficient to achieve the desired finish. Depending on the color you choose, you might consider applying a coat of primer beforehand to ensure a smooth and vibrant final result.

I painted my wood slats the same color as my wall so that I’d get that tone on tone magic behind my plants.

Step 6: Attach Wall Hangers + Hang on Wall

Using hangers allows the boards to mount flush against the wall, creating a clean and polished look. If you prefer a simpler method, you can attach sawtooth hangers to the back of the slats or even screw the slats directly into the wall. 

I’ll do my best to guide you through attaching the wall hangers for a polished finish.

P.S. If this feels like too much effort, there are pre-made propagation walls available that can achieve a similar effect with far less elbow grease! Here’s one option that I think is very similar to what I have created, and a second smaller option. 

To begin, locate the wall studs using a stud finder. The Stud Buddy is great and will come in handy on so many different projects. Here’s a link to purchase the Stud Buddy on Amazon. If you prefer Home Depot, you can find Stud Buddy there too! 

Once identified, start with your lowest slat. Draw a straight, level line on the wall that matches the length of the slat. Repeat this step for each slat, working your way up.

Next, along each of these lines, add screws aligned with the studs. For my project, I used two screws per slat to ensure stability. 

Now, take your slat and align it with the level line you drew on the wall. Mark on the back of the slat where the screws in the wall will align. These marks will indicate where to attach the hangers.

To attach the hangers, drill out small recesses on the back of the slats to ensure the hangers sit flush with the wood. Secure the hangers in place, making sure they align perfectly with the screws on the wall.

Once all your hangers are attached, you’re ready to mount your slats! Align each slat with its corresponding screws and press it into place. Step back and admire your handiwork!

Also, I’m not going to lie. I had no part in this step. My handy dandy husband Andy is always so kind to help bring my ideas to life. You can’t buy him from Home Depot but maybe you can find someone similar on Tinder? 

Step 7: Add Clippings, Water, and Test Tubes

First thing you need to do is gather your clippings. Propagation is different for each type of plant, so I’d recommend doing a little research on how to properly clip your plants to get them ready for propagation. 

For my plant wall, I mainly did pothos clippings of various species and found these directions to be very helpful. 

Also, I invested in these plant pruning shears about a year ago and they have been so helpful in my plant adventures. 

After I gathered my clippings, I filled each test tube with water, leaving about 1 to 1.5 inches empty. Then, one by one, I carefully slid my test tube filled with water into each hole. Then I added my clippings.

You Did It! 

Congratulations! You’ve built a stunning plant propagation wall that’s as functional as it is beautiful. Not only will this wall nurture your plant cuttings, but it’ll also serve as a daily reminder of your creativity and love for greenery. 

Snap a photo, share it with your plant-loving friends, and remember to tag me so I can see your beautiful work. Bask in the glory of your DIY success.

Happy propagating!