Home DIY 30 Clever DIY Planters from Unused Kitchen Stuff

30 Clever DIY Planters from Unused Kitchen Stuff

by Marry Dell

If you love both gardening and saving money, these brilliant ideas for DIY planters from unused kitchen stuff will spark your imagination.

Your kitchen cabinets and drawers are a treasure trove of potential planters, ready to be transformed into unique, eye-catching homes for your beloved plants.

Repurposing old items is a wonderful way to practice sustainable gardening and reduce household waste. It’s truly amazing what a little creativity can do to turn a forgotten item into a beautiful garden accent.

Get ready to raid your drawers and create a whimsical, personalized garden that reflects your playful style.

#1 Hanging Pot Flower Planter

Turn a brightly colored, unused ceramic teapot into a whimsical hanging pot flower planter for your garden. The vibrant orange hue of this teapot beautifully contrasts with the deep blue flowers, creating a cheerful focal point.

Using a teapot as a planter adds instant personality and a touch of unexpected fun to your outdoor space. You’ll need to drill a drainage hole in the bottom of the teapot to keep your plants healthy.

Secure a sturdy wire or rope to the teapot handle, then hang it from a fence post or tree branch. Fill it with lightweight potting mix and your favorite trailing blooms for a delightful display.

#2 Hanging Funnel Planter

Here is a charming example of repurposing a galvanized metal funnel into a rustic and unique hanging funnel planter. The sturdy, industrial feel of the funnel provides a striking contrast to the delicate pink flowers it holds.

This unexpected planter adds a touch of vintage farmhouse charm to your garden or porch. You’ll want to ensure the funnel has adequate drainage; if not, drill a small hole in the narrow end.

Attach three chains evenly around the rim of the funnel to create a balanced hanging point. Fill it with a lightweight potting mix and a colorful annual that complements the metal.

#3 Tuna Can Planter

You can easily transform a plain tin can into a trendy, colorful planter with just a bit of paint and creative tape work. This particular tuna can planter features a fun blue and white geometric design that adds a pop of modern style to your porch.

It’s a fantastic small container for growing herbs, succulents, or small leafy greens. Start by cleaning the can thoroughly and priming it for paint adhesion.

Use masking tape or stencils to create a sharp pattern before painting your chosen colors. Punch or drill three evenly spaced holes near the top rim to attach the hanging chains securely.

#4 Tin Can Planter

You can create a collection of stylish, inexpensive containers for your herbs using simple, large tin can planters. The ridged texture of these upcycled cans adds visual interest and a subtle industrial touch to your windowsill or garden bench.

Painting them in contrasting colors, like black and white, gives the containers a cohesive, modern look. Make sure to remove the labels and wash the cans thoroughly to prepare the surface.

You must drill a few drainage holes in the bottom of each can before adding soil. These small planters are perfect for keeping your favorite fresh herbs conveniently close by.

#5 Colander Planter

An old colander planter is naturally one of the best kitchen items to repurpose, thanks to its built-in drainage holes. The dark, aged metal of this strainer offers a beautiful, rustic container that really makes the vibrant colors of the chard and lettuce stand out.

Repurposing a colander adds a wonderfully unexpected, humble element to your garden décor. You don’t even need to drill any holes; just line the bottom with a bit of porous material like landscape fabric to keep the soil from washing out.

Fill the colander with a high-quality potting mix and plant small edibles or flowers. Place it on a wooden surface for a charming tabletop centerpiece.

#6 Mesh Strainer Planter

A tiny handled mesh strainer planter is perfect for creating a miniature garden display with small, unusual plants like this air plant and moss combination.

The fine metal mesh naturally offers fantastic drainage and ventilation, making it ideal for succulents or air plants. This repurposed kitchen tool looks charming when its wooden handle is painted a cheerful color like bright green.

You can easily prop the strainer up on a little stand or hang it on a kitchen hook for an unexpected display. Line the bottom with a layer of sphagnum moss before arranging your plants. Place this tiny garden on your windowsill or a potting bench for a quirky detail.

#7 Dripolator Planter

You can bring a touch of vintage industrial style to your wall with this charming dripolator planter idea. This old aluminum coffee percolator base, or dripolator, makes a perfect vessel for a small herb or trailing plant.

Its shiny metal finish and simple structure give it a lovely, humble appeal. The black wire hanger and clothespin label add to the overall rustic farmhouse aesthetic. You’ll need to drill a few small holes in the bottom of the aluminum cup for drainage.

Hang the entire assembly from a sturdy hook on your kitchen wall or outdoor patio. This is a wonderfully unique way to display herbs where you can easily reach them.

#8 A Crazy Floating Teapot Succulent Planter

This truly clever and mesmerizing design uses a teapot to create the illusion of a pouring stream that feeds a beautiful succulent planter.

The cream-colored teapot appears to magically float above the lower pot, with the spout seemingly holding a small rock and a cascade of greenery. You’ll need a strong metal rod, bent into an S-shape, to create this effect and provide the necessary structural support.

Drill holes in both the teapot and the lower pot to secure the rod firmly in place. Arrange various green succulents and ground cover in the bottom pot to complete the charming, gravity-defying scene. This piece is a fantastic way to spark curiosity in your garden.

#9 DIY Coffee Pot Terrarium

An old glass coffee pot terrarium is a fantastic, unexpected way to display a miniature, modern garden indoors. The clear glass sides and sturdy handle transform the pot into a charming, self-contained little world.

This design is perfect for air plants, mosses, and decorative stones that thrive in humidity or don’t require traditional soil. You don’t need to worry about drainage since air plants don’t live in soil.

Start by layering the bottom with sand or decorative gravel for a clean base. Arrange your air plants and colorful accents inside the pot for a striking tabletop display. This upcycled piece brings greenery indoors in a unique, non-traditional way.

#10 Rusty Dust Pan Garden

You can celebrate the beauty of patina and age by transforming old rusty dust pans into charming wall planters. The rich, deep rust color provides a gorgeous, earthy backdrop for the cool greens of succulents.

This idea is perfect for creating a rustic, vertically displayed succulent garden on a shed or patio wall. You’ll need to drill small holes in the bottom of the dust pan for drainage, as succulents hate wet feet.

Line the bottom edge with wire mesh and moss to hold the soil in place while creating a whimsical border. Hang them up and fill the pans with your favorite low-maintenance, drought-tolerant plants.

#11 The Small Garden With Old Pots

Create a charming, cohesive display by arranging several different old kitchen pots and pans into a delightful tabletop garden. Here, a large baking pan, a small saucepan, and a metal bowl hold various herbs and succulents, showing off their aged patina.

The different sizes and shapes add visual depth, and the collection of vintage tools enhances the rustic vibe. Make sure to choose a sturdy outdoor table or potting bench to host your display.

You should drill drainage holes in the bottom of each metal item before planting. Grouping your planted kitchen items creates an impactful, personalized garden vignette.

#12 Hanging Vintage Pot Planter

Give an old enameled teapot a beautiful second life as a charming hanging vintage pot planter for a cottage-style garden. The delicate rose decals on the cream background provide a nostalgic, romantic feel that perfectly suits tiny white flowers.

Hanging the pot allows the flowers to gently sway, adding movement and grace to your outdoor space. You must drill several drainage holes into the bottom of the teapot to ensure the roots don’t rot.

Use a sturdy metal hook or wire to suspend the pot from a horizontal bar or archway. This teapot becomes a sweet, whimsical focal point that celebrates the beauty of age.

#13 Old Strainer Planter

This beautiful idea shows how an old strainer planter can become a delicate piece of hanging jewelry for your garden. The fine mesh strainer provides excellent drainage for the moisture-sensitive String of Pearls plant, allowing the delicate tendrils to trail freely.

The real charm here comes from replacing the original wire hangers with strands of colorful, mismatched beads. To make your own, first attach three or four sections of sturdy wire to the strainer rim.

Thread a vibrant collection of beads and buttons onto the wires to create unique hanging chains. This upcycled piece adds sparkle and whimsy to any covered patio or pergola.

#14 DIY Colander Planter Wind Chime

Turn a bright, unused colander into a whimsical DIY colander planter wind chime for a double dose of garden fun. The cheerful yellow color of the colander makes a fantastic contrast to the deep red petunias planted inside.

Attaching cutlery to chains hanging from the drainage holes creates an unexpected, charming chime effect when the breeze blows. You should drill a few extra holes in the bottom if the existing ones are too small for the chains to pass through.

Securely attach three chains to the colander’s rim for hanging, making sure it balances correctly. This unique creation is sure to make you smile every time you hear it chime.

#15 Hanging Springform Cake Pan Wall Planter

An old springform cake pan can easily be transformed into a unique wall planter with a fun, slightly nautical style. The galvanized metal of the pan contrasts beautifully with the lush greenery and succulents planted inside.

The large diameter makes it great for creating a wide, shallow arrangement of trailing plants and hen-and-chicks. You will want to drill a few small drainage holes in the bottom before filling it with soil.

Wrap a thick piece of rope around the rim for a rustic, decorative hanger, securing it in place with strong glue or wire. This planter is a charming, unexpected piece of vertical garden art.

#16 A Raised Garden Bed

This clever design centers around a simple wooden A-frame, which serves as a rustic, custom-built feature in your garden bed. An old black cast-iron kettle is suspended from the horizontal beam, creating a unique focal point that resembles a campfire cooking pot.

The small rock-bordered garden below provides an ideal spot for planting flowers and herbs, visually grounding the structure.

To make your own, securely set two treated wood posts into the ground and connect them with a sturdy crossbar. Use a thick chain to hang a reclaimed kettle with drainage holes drilled into the bottom.

Plant a mix of low-growing flowers and ground cover in the space beneath the suspended planter for a charming, country feel.

#17 Small Tabletop Garden

You can create a beautiful and elegant centerpiece by grouping delicate antique porcelain items into a cozy, small tabletop garden. This arrangement features a white and gold teapot and teacup holding sprouting flower bulbs, surrounded by a ring of faux greenery and fairy lights.

Using vintage tableware for your indoor bulbs and small plants adds a refined, charming touch to your dining or coffee table. Make sure to use bulbs that don’t need extensive drainage, or drill a small hole in the porcelain carefully.

Arrange the pieces on a decorative tray and weave battery-operated string lights around the greenery for a magical glow. This indoor display brings early spring cheer to your home, even when it’s chilly outside.

#18 3-Tired Hanging Basket Vegetable Planter

You can maximize your growing space, especially for herbs and greens, with this colorful 3-tiered hanging basket vegetable planter.

Using kitchen storage baskets is an ingenious way to create lightweight, attractive containers that can be easily suspended from a pergola or porch. Painting the baskets in cheerful colors like bright blue and white adds a fun, cottagecore touch to your outdoor area.

For drainage, you’ll need to drill or poke several holes in the bottom of each basket. Use strong rope or paracord to connect the baskets vertically, ensuring they are evenly spaced. This vertical garden is perfect for growing different types of salad greens or small-leafed herbs.

#19 A Small Mug Wall Garden

You can quickly create a charming and colorful vertical display by using a collection of ceramic teapots and pitchers for a small mug wall garden. The pastel blue, pink, and sunny yellow colors of this tableware bring a cheerful pop of brightness to the plain wooden wall.

By planting trailing violas and pansies, you create the illusion that the flowers are spilling out of the vessels. Drill a single hole on the back side of each ceramic piece so you can hang it securely on a screw or sturdy nail.

Plant compact flowers or small herbs that don’t need excessive root space inside the pots. This upcycled wall garden is a beautiful way to utilize vertical space on your porch or patio.

#20 Teapot Wall With Succulents

Create a charming, vertical display on a brick wall using a variety of upcycled teapot planters with succulents. Hanging different colored and textured teapots at varying heights adds wonderful visual interest and personality to an otherwise plain wall.

This is a brilliant way to display small plants in a sunny but compact space near your front door or patio. You’ll need to use sturdy brackets or wall hooks to secure the teapots firmly against the brick.

Remember to drill a drainage hole in the bottom of each teapot before you add the succulent soil. The mix of shiny metal, soft pink, crisp white, and deep green teapots creates a delightful, eclectic garden feature.

#21 Hanging Plastic Bottle Planter

Transform old plastic soda bottles into a clever, vertical hanging plastic bottle planter for growing herbs or small plants indoors or out. This ingenious upcycling method is perfect for small spaces, like a sunny kitchen wall or a balcony railing.

The three bottles are stacked vertically, making efficient use of space, and their dark color provides a nice contrast to the fresh green herbs. Cut a section out of the side of each bottle and fill it with potting soil after you have drilled a drainage hole in the bottom.

Use a strong string or wire to thread through the holes in the bottle sides, connecting them one above the other. This creative system is a fantastic, zero-cost way to grow a small kitchen garden.

#22 Hanging Basket Flower Planter

This gorgeous hanging basket flower planter uses a traditional woven basket to create a lush, spherical mass of stunning, multi-toned blooms. The deep purple, lavender, and creamy yellow pansies completely cover the basket, creating a captivating display of color and texture.

Hanging baskets are an ideal way to add vibrant color and vertical interest to a porch, pergola, or tree branch. You should line the inside of the woven basket with moss or a coconut fiber liner to prevent the soil from falling out.

Plant a mix of vibrant, mounding flowers tightly together to ensure a full, spectacular look all season long. Remember to water your hanging basket frequently, as they tend to dry out quickly in the sun.

#23 Spilled Pot Idea

Create a charming, magical effect in your garden with this timeless spilled pot idea using an old ceramic pitcher.

This unique display gives the illusion that a rich cascade of moneywort, or other trailing greenery, is perpetually pouring from the decorative vessel.

You’ll need a large, wide saucer or bowl to contain the trailing plant and hold the mouth of the pitcher. Lay the pitcher on its side, slightly propped up, and arrange the trailing plant so it appears to flow from the opening.

This simple yet effective design is perfect for tabletops or garden borders.

#24 Ladle Succulent Planters

This creative idea involves using old ladles as succulent planters, perfect for a small, quirky vertical garden display. The individual metal ladles create a clean, minimalist contrast to the intricate textures of the tiny succulents.

Hanging them vertically on a fence or wall makes great use of space for a compact garden. You will need to carefully drill a tiny drainage hole in the bowl of each ladle for your succulents.

Securely hang the ladles using the holes in their handles or attach them directly to a wooden surface. Arrange different types of succulents in the ladles to create a diverse and intriguing plant wall.

#25 Strainers Are Great For Succulents

An old metal strainer is great for succulents because its perforated design provides the perfect amount of drainage that these plants require.

This particular strainer features a simple metal base, making it easy to sit on a tabletop or garden bench. The varied shapes and colors of the small succulents create a beautiful, drought-tolerant centerpiece.

You don’t need to do any drilling for this project, which makes for a quick and easy DIY. Simply line the bottom of the strainer with a little porous material to prevent the soil from escaping.

Fill it with a succulent-specific soil mix and arrange your favorite tiny plants for an instant garden.

#26 A Miniature Can Garden

Turn a collection of brightly painted, small tin cans into a miniature can garden for displaying your smallest succulents and air plants. Using cans of different sizes adds visual height and variety to your tabletop display.

The cheerful colors you choose can be customized to match your outdoor furniture or garden theme. Clean the cans thoroughly, prime them, and paint them in your desired colors.

Make sure to carefully pierce a drainage hole in the bottom of each can. Arrange the tiny planters together on a windowsill or a picnic table for a fun, personalized touch.

#27 Glass Cup Planters

This elegant idea uses delicate glass cups as planters for small cuttings or water-propagated plants on an indoor shelf or window. The transparency of the glass beautifully highlights the plant’s roots and the water, adding a clean, sophisticated touch to your decor.

You can repurpose old juice glasses or even decorative water goblets for this project. Since there is no drainage, this setup is best used for plants that thrive in water propagation or small, temporary arrangements.

Periodically change the water to keep your plants healthy and clear. You can float a small flower head on top of the water for an extra decorative element.

#28 Easy Mason Jar Terrariums

You can use classic Mason jars to make easy terrariums, which are perfect for displaying mosses, small ferns, or other miniature plant landscapes. These clear glass containers are readily available, and their straight sides make them easy to work with.

Terrariums create a humid, self-contained environment, perfect for plants that love moisture. Start by layering the bottom of the jar with gravel, then activated charcoal, and finally your potting mix.

Carefully place your small, humidity-loving plants inside the jar using long tweezers or chopsticks. You can seal the jar with the lid or leave it slightly ajar to manage the moisture.

#29 DIY Teacup Planter and String of Pearls

A delicate teacup makes a perfect DIY planter for a trailing succulent like the elegant String of Pearls. The contrast between the fine porcelain and the beautiful, cascading strands of greenery is simply stunning.

Using teacups adds a lovely vintage or feminine touch to your garden decor. You must carefully drill a small drainage hole in the bottom center of the teacup.

Use a fast-draining succulent soil mix to ensure the String of Pearls remains healthy. Place your planted teacup on a stand or edge where the pearl-like foliage can gracefully trail downwards.

#30 Flour Sifter Planter

A vintage flour sifter can become a wonderfully rustic planter, celebrating its aged, industrial charm. The metal mesh bottom already provides great drainage, making it an excellent container for herbs or succulents.

This piece immediately adds a cool, vintage farmhouse vibe to your outdoor or indoor space. You can easily remove the handle if you prefer a cleaner look or leave it on to enhance its original purpose.

Line the mesh bottom with a porous material like burlap or coffee filters to prevent soil loss. Fill the sifter with soil and plant a dense, mounding herb like thyme or oregano for a lovely presentation.

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