Hanging Gutter Planter - Easy DIY

Have you seen the hanging gutter planters and wanted to make one for your home? Here is an easy tutorial that will have you brightening up your space with fresh flowers, herbs, and vegetables in just a few hours. 

Jump to:

• Supplies
• Tools:
• How to Make a Rain Gutter Planter
• What Plants Can I Grow in Guttering?

*This post may contain affiliate links and I'll earn a commission if you shop through them. You can read my full disclosure here. 

Supplies

• 10 ft. traditional gutter - I used a metal gutter as locally vinyl isn't available so don't be discouraged and think you can't make this if you can't find the vinyl ones - update: (the vinyl ones are currently available and here is a link to the ones I found)
• 3 Sets – White Gutter End Caps - 3 left and 3 right
• White gutter screws - 18 (the package I purchased contained 25)
• 20´– 1⁄4 in x 1ft. white braided nylon and polyester rope cut at the store (or purchased using the provided link)
• 2 – 3 in. Steel Screw-In Plant Hooks

Tools:

• ⅜″ drill bit
• ⅛ " drill bit
• electric drill
• measuring tape
• pencil
• safety glasses
• safety gloves

How to Make a Rain Gutter Planter

I purchased One 10-foot gutter and an associate at the hardware store cut it into 4 equal 30 inch sections.  Be careful when handling this - the metal edges can be sharp.

Measure for gutter holes - turn your gutters upside down and mark 3" in from the short side and ½" in from the long side.  

Now flip your gutters right side up and mark 3" in from the short side and ½" in from the long side on all 4 corners and once again, make a mark.  

Do this on all 3 gutters, both right and left sides. Drill holes at each mark - I used the ⅛" drill bit to do pilot holes first since I was using a metal gutter and then used those holes as a guide for drilling with my ⅜" drill bit.  You will have 8 holes on each gutter.

I also drilled two ⅜" inch holes for drainage on the bottom of each gutter and four ⅛" holes for drainage as well.

Next, cut your rope in half into two 10' lengths.  

Tie a knot at one end of each rope piece.  

Thread the unknotted end of the rope through one of the holes in the bottom of the left gutter section and then out the hole in the side.  

You can put a piece of tape on the end to make the threading easier. Repeat the threading up and through the bottom hold and through the side hole on the next two gutter sections.  

Measure 12" of slack and tie a knot between the second and third sections.  You will have a knot underneath each gutter on each side.

Once all three gutter sections have been threaded loop the top and thread it back down the inside hole of the left gutter.  

Once the rope has been threaded down through the last remaining bottom hole of the third gutter section make a know (again, this is underneath the gutter).  

I left any excess in place to allow for adjusting once hung.  Repeat the above steps for the right side.

Place the end caps on each side of your gutters.  I added gutter screws to each end cap since I was using a metal gutter.

Secure plant hooks into a beam or a strong support.  Loop the two S-hooks on each side of the top ropes and hang your gutter planters.

Once hanging, you may need to loosen and adjust the knots between each gutter section.  Mine were fairly even but I did have to do some adjusting.

Once everything is adjusted, cut off any excess rope.

What Plants Can I Grow in Guttering?

Add a good quality potting mix and fill your planters with whatever your heart desires!

I customized mine by adding vinyl cutouts for each gutter level (I used my Cricut to make these - all of the SVG files can be found for free in Cricut Access).

I wanted one gutter for vegetables, one for herbs and one for flowers.  

I added flowers to the center level as well- you can never have too many flowers.

Keep in mind when filling your planter that there will not be a lot of room for growth or spread so smaller flowers and herbs will work better.

I haven't done it yet but I think that a succulent garden, something like the hens and chicks in this post, would work great in the gutters.

I have mine hanging in my sunroom for now but will move it outside once there is no more danger of frost in my area.

Check out all of these other awesome customized Hanging Gutter Planter Blog Posts (by some of my very favorite bloggers) to get some inspiration! 

The Creative Mom | Her Toolbelt | The Contractor Chronicles | A Girl and a Glue Gun | Make It Love It

Live Laugh Rowe | My Fabuless Life | Place of my Taste | Hawthorne and Main | House By Hoff

Domestically Speaking | My Repurposed Life | Restoration Redoux | Designs By Studio C | Cupcakes and Crinoline

All Things Thrifty | Lou Lou Girls | Reality Daydream | Over The Big Moon | Pretty Providence

The Rustic Life | The Glam Farmhouse | Boxwood Avenue | Our Vintage Farmhouse | A House and a Dog