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Vertical Cascade Planter

An entry in an Instructables Contest!!!

Check out the Instructable (by me) on my Original Vertical Cascade Planter!!!

Here is the link to the 3D model via Printables!!!

I won't bore you with too much information here, since it's all in the Instructable and the 3D model repository, but here is the general overview!

🚀 Why I Built This

Urban gardening is hard. Most vertical planters are bulky, expensive, or require pumps and tubes that feel more like aquarium gear than home decor. I wanted something simple, modular, and beautiful—a planter that works with gravity, not against it.

That’s how this 3D printed cascade planter was born:

  • No electronics
  • No plumbing
  • No complicated setup
    Just a smart use of geometry and soil science.

💡 The Core Idea

This vertical planter uses a central soil core that slowly wicks water downward through gravity. Side cutouts in each layer hold herbs or flowers. Each module locks into the one below, creating a compact tower of greenery.

Key Features:

  • 🌱 Central Soil Core
  • 🔄 Stackable, Snap-Lock Modules
  • 🚿 Funnel-Top Watering System
  • 🌀 Self-Draining Gyroid Base
  • 🧩 Fully Modular, Tool-Free Assembly
  • 🌸 Designed for biodiversity (plant different species per layer)

🧠 Design Philosophy

I designed this entirely in Fusion 360. The goal was to minimize part count, avoid extra hardware (like screws or magnets), and make it printable on common consumer printers like the Prusa MK3s+ and Bambulab A1 Mini (yes, it even fits on small(er) printers!).

🔧 Design Constraints:

  • Compact footprint (desk or balcony-friendly)
  • No external plumbing
  • Tolerances built-in (0.2mm)
  • Printable without support (or supports modeled in)
  • Eco-friendly: made using biodegradable PLA

🖨️ 3D Printing Guide

  • Material: PLA or PETG (~500g for 3-5 modules)
  • Layer Height: 0.2mm
  • Infill: 15% gyroid (5% minimum)
  • Supports: Built into the model
  • Print Time: ~5–9 hrs per module

📁 STL + Fusion 360 files available for download (linked above).

🌱 Setting Up

  1. Plan Your Plants
    • Top layer: orchids (dry-loving)
    • Middle: aloe vera (succulent)
    • Bottom: mint (likes wet soil)
  2. Assemble Thoughtfully
    • Use coffee filters/paper for drainage
    • Align & twist-lock the modules
    • Add soil by dropping from the top
  3. Water Smart
    • Pour water into the top
    • It will trickle through the core
    • Water once every 2–3 days (or as needed)

🔧 Customization & Remix Ideas

This design is fully editable via Fusion 360. Some remix ideas:

  • 🧱 Add wall-mount clips or railing hooks
  • 💧 Include a drip-spout for bottom runoff
  • 🔌 Make it smart! Add soil moisture sensors & an LCD
  • 🎨 Personalize with text or textures

I encourage makers to download the Fusion file and try their own mods.

🎥 Watch the Build

Check out the full assembly and design breakdown on my YouTube channel AZ3Dp (coming soon). I walk through the print, assembly, and planting process, plus some mistakes I made and lessons I learned.

🌍 Final Thoughts

This project started as a contest submission—but it became something I’m proud of. If even one person starts growing food because of this planter, that’s a win. Whether you're in an apartment or a classroom, this design makes growing green simple, accessible, and low maintenance.

Let’s keep Earth green and the air clean—one planter at a time. 🌿

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