Complete Gardening
Discover the charm and creativity of crafting your own planters with these 16 imaginative DIY ideas. Perfect for transforming any space, these projects range from upcycling common household items to unexpected and decorative containers. Embrace sustainability and personal style as you create unique homes for your plants, better than any store-bought option.
1. Upcycled & Repurposed Planters
There’s a magic in breathing new life into old objects, turning them into charming planters. Vintage tin cans, cleaned and punctured for drainage, offer rustic beauty when adorned with paint or fabric. Wooden crates transform into perfect mini herb gardens, ideal for patios. Stacked, brightly painted old tires create funky vertical gardens, showcasing vibrant flowers or succulents. Each planter tells a story, adding character and sustainability to your garden. These repurposed creations are not only eco-friendly but also reflect personal style and creativity, making every garden truly unique and beautiful.
2. Teacup & Coffee Mug Planters
Have you ever thought a chipped teacup could house a thriving succulent? These quaint planters bring a whimsical charm to any nook or cranny. Perfect for small herbs or tiny plants, they add a touch of elegance to your kitchen windowsill or bedside table. Thrifted mugs, with their unique patterns and colors, become delightful homes for your green friends. A teacup’s gentle curves enhance the aesthetic appeal, creating a miniature garden that’s both practical and endearing. This creative reuse of everyday items fosters sustainability and personal expression in your living space.
3. Old Tires (Painted & Stacked)
Turning old tires into vibrant planters is an eco-friendly way to add color and life to your garden. By spray-painting them in vivid hues and stacking them creatively, you can create a unique vertical garden. These planters are perfect for showcasing cascading flowers or lush foliage. The bold colors of the tires contrast beautifully with the greenery, adding a playful touch to your outdoor space. Their sturdy structure makes them ideal for larger plants, and their recycled nature supports an environmentally conscious lifestyle.
4. Vintage Tin Cans
Ever considered the charm of a vintage tin can as a planter? Cleaned and equipped with drainage holes, these cans become rustic containers for your favorite herbs or small flowers. Painted in bright colors or wrapped in decorative fabric, they fit perfectly on a windowsill or garden shelf. Their textured surfaces and nostalgic designs add character to your green space. Each tin tells a story, transforming your garden into a visual narrative of creativity and history, offering both charm and practicality to any plant lover.
5. Wooden Crates or Wine Boxes
Imagine a wooden crate brimming with vibrant herbs or colorful blooms, adding rustic elegance to your patio. These crates or wine boxes, often discarded, find new purpose as charming planters. By lining them with plastic and adding drainage, they become perfect homes for plants. Their sturdy structure and natural wood grain offer timeless beauty, blending seamlessly with any outdoor décor. Whether used for herbs, flowers, or small shrubs, these planters infuse your space with warmth and a touch of pastoral charm, making gardening a delightful experience.
6. Gutter Gardens
Transform old rain gutters into innovative vertical gardens that save space and add greenery to your walls. Mounted on fences or walls, these planters are ideal for growing vegetables, herbs, or flowers. Their linear design allows for organized planting, and their elevated position keeps plants safe from ground pests. Aesthetic yet functional, gutter gardens are perfect for small spaces, providing ample room for creativity and cultivation. The repurposing of materials not only contributes to sustainability but also offers a fresh way to garden vertically.
7. Concrete Block Planters
Concrete block planters bring a modern edge to gardening with their geometric shapes and industrial feel. Arrange cinder blocks in creative patterns and fill their hollows with soil and plants. This versatile method allows for endless design possibilities, from simple rows to elaborate structures. Ideal for succulents or herbs, these planters add a minimalist aesthetic to any garden. Their sturdy nature ensures longevity, while their neutral tones provide a backdrop for vibrant foliage. Concrete block planters blend functionality with contemporary style, offering a fresh approach to home gardening.
8. Hanging Shoe Organizer Garden
Why not turn a fabric shoe organizer into a thriving vertical herb garden? Perfect for small spaces like balconies or patios, these organizers hold various plants in each pocket. Easily hangable, they provide a space-efficient way to grow your favorite herbs or flowers. The individual pockets allow for differentiation, making it simple to care for diverse plant species. This creative solution not only maximizes limited space but also adds a splash of green to urban environments. It’s a practical, inventive approach to gardening in compact areas.
9. Basket Planters (Lined with Plastic)
Imagine wicker baskets, lined with plastic and filled with vibrant flowers, adorning your porch or garden. These baskets, with their natural texture, bring a boho-chic vibe to any space. By adding a plastic lining and ensuring proper drainage, they become ideal planters. Their portability allows for creative placement and easy rearrangement. Filled with colorful blooms or lush foliage, basket planters add a touch of whimsy and elegance. It’s a delightful way to merge functionality with aesthetic appeal, creating enchanting green spaces anywhere.
10. Plastic Bottle Planters
Plastic bottle planters are a quirky, eco-friendly solution for gardening enthusiasts. By cutting soda bottles in half and decorating them, they become unique hanging planters. Perfect for small plants, these containers add a playful touch to any garden. Their transparency allows for creative decoration and monitoring soil moisture. Hanging them at varying heights creates a dynamic display of greenery, bringing life to otherwise plain walls or fences. This inventive reuse of materials not only promotes sustainability but also adds personality to your gardening endeavors.
11. Broken Terra Cotta Pot Fairy Garden
A broken terra cotta pot doesn’t have to be tossed aside; instead, it can become a whimsical fairy garden. By laying the pot on its side and filling it with miniature plants and tiny figurines, a magical scene unfolds. This creative use of broken pottery adds an enchanting touch to any garden or patio. The terracotta’s earthy tones complement the lush greenery, creating a harmonious blend. This project invites imagination and creativity, turning accidents into opportunities for artistic expression and a touch of fantasy in the garden.
12. Colander Planters
Colanders, with their built-in drainage, make excellent planters for herbs or strawberries. Available in various colors and styles, they bring a playful flair to your garden. Hang them with chains for a unique display that combines functionality with style. The colander’s perforations ensure proper drainage, promoting healthy plant growth. Their vibrant appearance adds a splash of color, making them both decorative and practical. Whether used indoors or outdoors, colander planters offer a creative way to showcase your gardening prowess and add a touch of whimsy to any space.
13. Drawer Planters
Old dresser drawers can find new life as charming planters in your garden. By sanding and painting them, they transform into vintage displays for your favorite plants. Their rectangular shape provides ample space for soil and a variety of flowers or herbs. Arranged creatively, these drawers add a touch of nostalgia and elegance to any garden. Their sturdy construction ensures durability, while their unique look serves as a conversation starter. This innovative repurposing of furniture enhances both the aesthetic appeal and functional diversity of your gardening space.
14. Boot & Shoe Planters
Imagine your old rain boots or sneakers as vibrant homes for flowers. These quirky planters add a playful touch to any garden, bringing personality and color. By filling them with soil and your favorite blooms, they become whimsical garden features. Their unique shapes and colors create visual interest, making them delightful focal points. This imaginative reuse of footwear not only reduces waste but also showcases your creative flair. Boot and shoe planters offer a fun, unexpected way to decorate your outdoor spaces with charm and character.
15. Ladder Shelf Planter Display
Leaning an old wooden ladder against a wall and adorning each step with potted plants creates a charming tiered display. This vertical arrangement offers a unique way to showcase a variety of plants at different levels. The rustic charm of the ladder complements any garden, adding height and dimension. It’s a practical solution for those with limited space, allowing for more plants without sacrificing style. This innovative use of a common household item transforms your garden into a multi-layered visual delight, combining practicality with aesthetic appeal.
16. Book Planter (Hollowed-Out)
For a literary touch, hollow out an old hardcover book and transform it into a planter for a small succulent. This unique idea blends the worlds of literature and gardening, creating a conversation piece for any room. The book’s cover adds a touch of elegance, while the plant provides a burst of life. Placed on a bookshelf or coffee table, this planter offers a creative way to display greenery in your home. It’s an imaginative fusion of interests, celebrating both nature and the written word in a singularly artistic fashion.