Need more plant pots but don’t want to spend a fortune on new ones? Instead of buying new planters, why not get creative and make your own from household items you already have?
Let’s face it: we can never have too many plant pots, especially in spring when we’re busy prepping seedlings for the garden. Store-bought planters can be pricey, and sometimes we just need a more budget-friendly solution.
Upcycling is not only an excellent way to give old items a new lease on life but also helps reduce waste. By repurposing things that might otherwise end up in the landfill, you can create unique and functional planters while being kinder to the environment.
These DIY planter ideas are a great way to reuse and repurpose things so you can be a little more eco-friendly, and they will help save money by not having to buy more planter pots.
Here are 20 things you can repurpose into planters, including some really unique ideas!
1. Food Container Planters
You can buy storebought food that comes in plastic containers of all sorts of shapes and sizes and then upcycle the containers into planters.
Using containers as planters is a great way to repurpose plastic that may not be recyclable, and if you buy the same type of food/container often, they stack really well which helps with space.
Additionally, use the cover of the container underneath the upcycled pot to collect excess water. You can also easily paint the outside of the container to make it more aesthetically pleasing.
Also, rotisserie chicken containers that have a clear cover make great greenhouses for starting seedlings!
2. Plastic Bottles Planter
You can DIY some planter pots from an upcycled soda bottle and using different techniques as well! You can simply cut a hole in the side like shown in the picture above and hang them.
Another way to go about your DIY plastic bottle planter is to cut the bottle in half and just use the bottom. Alternatively, you can flip the top, and insert the top into the bottom to make a little herb garden.
3. Plastic Bags Planter
You can also upcycle plastic bags into planters that would be especially helpful if you want to grow something large but plan on moving in the near future.
Grab a plastic bag like the one you got your soil in, poke a couple of holes in the bottom of the bag to allow drainage and you’ve got yourself a DIY planter.
4. Plastic Buckets Plant Pot
Upcycling a plastic bucket into a planter is a great way to get a large planter for free. Since some buckets can be really large, you’d be able to grow plants all season long in them, which is perfect for anyone living in an apartment.
All you need to do is drill a couple of holes in the bottom to allow for drainage. Also, most buckets come with handles, which makes moving them around a breeze.
5. Glass Jars Planter
Glass jars would be better suited for propagating plants rather than as an actual planter since there’s no drainage. A succulent or cactus plant would make a great fit for a glass jar in this case!
However, at the same time, since the glass is clear, you can get a good look at the soil to see the water situation so overwatering shouldn’t be a problem.
When collecting glass jars for future uses, try and get multiple jars of different sizes, rather than a lot of the same size. Big jars are great for planting, along with other uses, but smaller jars that have a narrow mouth are great for propagating plants like avocados.
If you love repurposing jars, you’ll love my post filled with a bunch of ways to reuse glass jars around the house.
6. Tin Cans Plant Pot
Another household item you can reuse as a planter is tin cans. Repurposed tin cans make great planters, and they will last forever. Tin cans are extremely versatile as well considering you can get them in different sizes.
Upcycle tin cans that originally had food in them into planters, as well as bigger tin cans such as coffee cans and paint cans.
7. Car Tire Planter
Why not get creative with old tires that have outlived their use on the road? They can be transformed into unique outdoor planters with a bit of DIY magic.
There are several ways to repurpose a tire into a planter. For a simple approach, lay the tire flat on the ground and fill the center with soil to create a sturdy, ground-level planter. Alternatively, you can hang the tire vertically, filling the bottom with soil for an eye-catching hanging planter.
8. Egg Shells Planters
Egg shells are great mini planters for seedlings. Reusing the eggshells as mini planters will allow the plant to receive extra nutrients considering you can plant the whole thing in the ground once it’s ready for transplanting.
Before planting the seedling with the eggshell, gently crush the shell and remove some pieces from the bottom so that the roots will have an easier time growing.
9. Egg Carton Planters
Similar to eggshells, egg cartons are fantastic for upcycling into seedling planters. Not only are they biodegradable, but they also provide a convenient way to start your seeds. When it’s time to transplant your seedlings, you can move them directly into your garden along with the egg carton, making the process both simple and eco-friendly.
10. DIY Newspaper Pots
Another great option for your seedlings is to repurpose newspaper into small planters. Simply fold and shape the newspaper into little pots, and when it’s time to transplant, you can place the entire pot into the soil. The newspaper will naturally decompose, making it an easy and eco-friendly choice for growing your plants.
11. Plastic Bin Planters
Big plastic storage bins make great DIY planters for things like potatoes. When potatoes are ready to harvest, you can simply dump everything out and repeat the same thing next year.
Plastic storage bins can be used for all sorts of outdoor plants. Just make sure to drill a couple of holes in the bottom to allow for water drainage.
12. Basket Planter
Baskets are fantastic for upcycling into planters and come in various shapes and sizes. To keep the soil in and protect the basket from moisture damage, consider lining it with plastic or a similar material. For optimal plant health, make sure to add drainage holes to the bottom of the basket to prevent water from pooling and causing root rot.
13. Laundry Basket Planter
Another good planter idea, especially for potatoes, is to upcycle a broken laundry basket. An old laundry basket makes a great planter since you can just flip it over when your potatoes are ready to harvest, instead of having to dig through soil.
14. Watering Jugs Plant Pot
For more of a whimsical DIY planter, upcycle an old watering jug! A repurposed watering jug planter will look right at home in your garden, or even inside the home.
15. Rain Boot Planter
Another creative but fitting idea for the garden would be to repurpose rain boots as a planter. Upcycling rainboots into a pot for your plants will help keep them out of the landfill. And it JUST makes the perfect repurposed item for your garden.
16. Tea Pot Planter
Another thing you can repurpose into a planter is a teapot. There are so many things that can be repurposed into planters and look so cute!
17. Coffee Mug Plant Pot
Why not turn an old coffee mug into a planter? This is a creative idea for a plant container especially if you have a sentimental mug that may have chipped but you don’t want to get rid of it.
18. Colander Planter
You’ve probably realized by now that pretty much anything can become a planter, and making a colander a planter is no exception.
If you have an old colander that you can repurpose, you might as well! Colanders have a bunch of drainage holes, so they make great upcycled planters.
19. DIY Sample Tile Planter
A beautiful and budget-friendly DIY planter idea is to use repurposed tile samples. If you have leftover tiles from a home renovation, you can easily upcycle them into a stylish planter by simply supergluing 5 pieces together to make a little pot.
Don’t worry if you don’t have tiles from a past renovation—just visit a store and ask for some sample tiles. They’re often available for free, and it’s a great way to get materials without spending a dime.
20. Burlap Sack Planter
Have you ever bought something such as rice that came in a burlap sack and then didn’t what to do with it? Repurpose it into a planter!
This is such an easy DIY because you just need to add the soil and the plants and you’re good to go. Excess water will easily seep through the bag. And just like using a plastic bag, burlap sack planters are great for mobility.
21. Wood Boxes
If you have random wooden boxes or crates lying around and aren’t sure what to do with them, they can make fantastic planters. For example, wooden crates often come with produce like oranges from the grocery store, and these crates can be repurposed into planters.
To turn a wooden crate into a planter, start by drilling drainage holes in the bottom to prevent water from accumulating. Line the crate with landscaping fabric or plastic to protect the wood from moisture damage, then fill it with soil and your favorite plants.
22. Pallet Planter
Another wooden item you may already have on hand is a pallet and you can easily repurpose the pallet into a vertical planter. All you need to do is add a few extra pieces of wood to create a shelf on the planter.
Final thoughts on these DIY repurposed planters
As you can see, there are so many different things you can repurpose into a planter for your garden plants or houseplants.
Repurposing these items that would probably just end up in a landfill is a great feeling, and the money saved is the cherry on top.
If you’re interested in more DIY ideas using upcycled items, check out my list of 22 DIY ideas for repurposing old clothing.
