She Stacked Cinder Blocks Into a Wall and Used the Openings as Planters
Cinder blocks became both the structure and the planters in this staggered garden wall. Instead of stacking every block into straight rows, Kate Simmons turned several outward, creating projecting pockets that appear to float from the face of the wall.
Rather than filling the openings with loose soil, she pushed flexible plastic nursery pots into them. The pots compress to fit the square cavities, while their rims catch on the concrete edges and keep them from dropping through.
Pothos and silver-green kalanchoe fill openings across the top, middle, and lower sections, leaving enough concrete exposed to show how the wall was assembled. Some blocks project farther than others, so placement and support matter: Simmons notes that a wider base or added stabilization may be needed to keep the structure secure.
Five Blocks Form the Base of the Wall
Five half-size cinder blocks sit side by side to establish the width. Their single openings face up, creating a straight foundation for the rows that follow.
Simmons built the wall on a concrete porch against exterior siding. She notes that a wider base or full-size blocks at the bottom would provide more stability.
Full-Size Blocks Project From the Next Row
The second row changes the flat arrangement. Full-size blocks turn across the wall, causing one end to project toward the front while the other remains supported by the blocks beneath it.
That shift creates the square pockets that become part of the plant display. Half blocks fill the spaces between them and support the next course.
Plastic Nursery Pots Fit Inside the Concrete Openings
Small nursery pots provide the planting containers rather than putting soil against the concrete. Simmons chose flexible pots around 5 1/2 to 6 inches across so they could fit the block cavities.
Using pots also avoids the chicken wire and landscape fabric found in some cinder-block planter projects. Plants can remain contained while the concrete provides the visible exterior.
Flexible Pots Change Shape Inside the Blocks
A round plastic pot compresses as it enters the square opening. Its upper rim remains above the cavity and catches against the block instead of dropping through.
Kalanchoe leaves spread over the concrete edge and conceal much of the black container. From above, the plant appears to grow from the block itself.
Pothos Fills the Open Spaces Between Rows
Golden pothos occupies the wider planting pockets, bringing larger green leaves into the gray structure. Some blocks face upward while others extend toward the front, giving plants several positions across the wall.
The staggered layout also prevents the display from reading as one solid rectangle. Concrete projects at different depths as foliage fills the gaps.
Plants Sit at More Than One Depth
From the side, the blocks reveal how far the planting pockets extend beyond the main wall. Kalanchoe sits near the outer edge while pothos grows from a recessed opening below.
The contrast between projecting blocks and recessed plants gives the structure depth without separate shelves or planter boxes.
Concrete Becomes Part of the Plant Display
Once the pots are in place, the wall no longer looks like a stack of identical masonry units. Pothos fills the outer and center openings, while smaller silver-green plants occupy the raised pockets.
Exposed block faces remain between the foliage, keeping the staggered construction visible rather than hiding it behind plants.
Protruding Blocks Create a Second Pattern Across the Front
Two blocks project from the center row, while three lower sections extend beneath them. The placement creates a stepped pattern across a wall that began with straight rows.
Plants reinforce that pattern. Larger pothos clusters occupy wider openings at the sides and center, while compact kalanchoe plants sit in the raised blocks.
Trailing Leaves Soften the Square Openings
Pothos leaves push beyond the concrete edges instead of remaining inside each cavity. As stems grow, they can trail across the face and cover parts of the hard block lines.
The planting also brings variation to areas where the masonry repeats. Green and yellow leaves sit against rough gray concrete without another decorative finish.
Half Blocks Support the Projecting Planters
A closer view shows how the arrangement works without a wood or metal frame. Half blocks support the full-size units, while selected openings remain accessible for pots.
Simmons did not use mortar or adhesive for this low wall, but recommends added stabilization where needed, including a broader base. A taller structure or one near children would need more secure construction.
Finished Wall Turns Masonry Openings Into Growing Space
Once the plants go in, some blocks appear to float from the face of the wall, turning the stack into more than a row of concrete planters. Pothos can trail from the side openings, succulents can fill the smaller pockets, and the same layout could hold herbs, flowers, or other compact plants.
That floating effect depends on how the blocks are stacked and supported. Projecting blocks need enough support behind and below them to keep the structure stable, and a wider base, mortar, or another securing method may be needed depending on the height and location.
With that in mind, the pattern leaves room for plenty of variations. Would you keep the staggered floating look, add more planting pockets, or build a wider version across an empty patio wall?
Image credits go to Kate Simmons from Decoist.