Looking to give your garden a fresh, creative update without breaking the bank? DIY planters are a fun, budget-friendly way to add charm, personality, and greenery to any outdoor space. From repurposed household items to rustic handmade containers, there are countless ways to craft beautiful, unique planters that reflect your style. Whether you prefer modern minimalism, cottage chic, or vintage flair, these 8 DIY planter ideas will inspire your next garden makeover and help you create eye-catching, personalized displays.
1. Upcycled Tin Can Planters
Don’t toss those empty coffee, soup, or paint cans — transform them into stylish upcycled tin can planters! Clean the cans thoroughly, then paint or wrap them with fabric, twine, or decorative paper. Drill a few drainage holes at the bottom and fill with potting soil and your favorite small plants like succulents, herbs, or pansies. Arrange several cans on a windowsill, fence, or table for a colorful, eco-friendly planter display that’s easy to create and endlessly customizable.
2. Wooden Crate Garden
Repurpose old wooden crates into charming, rustic planters perfect for patios, balconies, or front porches. Sand and stain or paint the crates to suit your style, then line them with landscape fabric and fill them with soil. Plant a mix of seasonal flowers, herbs, or trailing plants like sweet alyssum or ivy for a lush, layered look. Stack multiple crates for a vertical garden effect or arrange them at different angles for added visual interest. It’s a beautiful, low-cost project with endless possibilities.
3. Hanging Mason Jar Planters
Create a unique vertical garden or wall-mounted display using mason jars as hanging planters. Fill each jar with small plants such as herbs, air plants, or trailing pothos. Attach metal clamps or twine to the jars and secure them to a wooden board or fence panel. This design works wonderfully for compact spaces and brings a farmhouse-chic vibe to patios and garden walls. You can also add labels or tags to identify herbs or plant varieties, making it both decorative and practical.
4. Repurposed Old Drawer Planters
Give old, unused dresser drawers new life by turning them into vintage-style garden planters. Remove any hardware, paint the drawer in a weather-resistant finish, and drill drainage holes at the base. Fill with rich soil and plant a variety of blooms like petunias, marigolds, and daisies or mix herbs for a kitchen garden look. Stack multiple drawers at varying angles for a tiered display or place them individually around your garden for a charming, cottage-inspired feel.
5. Colander Hanging Planters
Add a quirky, whimsical touch to your garden with colander hanging planters. Vintage metal colanders make excellent planters thanks to their built-in drainage holes. Spray-paint them in cheerful colors or leave them rustic for a farmhouse look. Fill them with trailing plants like bacopa, fuchsias, or lobelia and suspend them from sturdy chains or rope. Hang them on pergolas, tree branches, or garden hooks to create a floating garden that’s both playful and practical.
6. Pallet Vertical Garden
Turn a discarded wooden pallet into a lush vertical garden planter ideal for herbs, succulents, or small flowering plants. Sand the pallet and seal it with weather-resistant paint or stain. Staple landscape fabric to the back and bottom of each slat, creating pockets to hold soil and plants. Lean the pallet against a wall or fence and fill each pocket with colorful blooms or edible herbs. This DIY idea makes excellent use of vertical space while adding rustic charm to your garden.
7. Tire Planter Creations
Old tires can be transformed into bold, statement-making planters. Clean and paint the tires in vibrant colors or patterns, then either lay them flat on the ground or mount them on walls or fences. Fill the center with soil and plant hardy flowers like petunias, zinnias, or portulaca. For added flair, stack multiple tires to create a tiered garden bed. This eco-friendly project not only recycles waste but also adds a fun, playful touch to your garden design.
8. Teacup and Teapot Planters
For a touch of vintage elegance, use old teacups and teapots as tiny planters for succulents, air plants, or small herbs. Drill drainage holes at the bottom or add a layer of pebbles before planting. These charming containers are perfect for tabletops, window ledges, or even mounted on garden walls. Mix and match floral patterns and pastel colors to create a whimsical, Alice-in-Wonderland-style display that’s perfect for quaint cottage gardens or garden parties.
Final Thoughts
DIY planters are an easy, affordable way to inject creativity and personality into your outdoor spaces. From upcycled cans and quirky colanders to vintage teacups and repurposed drawers, these 8 planter ideas offer endless inspiration for your next garden makeover. Mix and match styles, materials, and plant types to create a garden space that’s uniquely yours, full of color, charm, and character.
