23 Upcycled Outdoor Planters and Containers: DIY Projects for Your Garden

Creating beautiful outdoor planters and containers doesn’t have to mean spending a lot of money.

With a bit of creativity and some everyday items, you can upcycle a variety of materials into unique and charming planters for your garden.

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Here are 23 DIY projects that turn ordinary objects into extraordinary planters.

1. Tin Can Planters

Materials Needed:

• Empty tin cans
• Paint or decorative paper
• Drill
• Potting soil
• Plants or seeds

Instructions:

1. Clean the tin cans thoroughly and remove any labels.
2. Drill drainage holes in the bottom.
3. Paint the cans or wrap them in decorative paper.
4. Fill with potting soil and plant your favorite flowers or herbs.

2. Old Boot Planters

Materials Needed:

• Old boots or shoes
• Drill
• Potting soil
• Plants or seeds

Instructions:

1. Drill holes in the soles of the boots for drainage.
2. Fill the boots with potting soil.
3. Plant flowers or herbs inside the boots for a quirky garden display.

3. Colander Planters

Materials Needed:

• Old metal colander
• Chain or rope (optional)
• Potting soil
• Plants or seeds

Instructions:

1. Use the colander as is, since it already has drainage holes.
2. Optionally, attach a chain or rope to hang the colander.
3. Fill with soil and add plants.

4. Teapot Planters

Materials Needed:

• Old teapots
• Drill
• Potting soil
• Small plants

Instructions:

1. Drill drainage holes in the bottom of the teapot.
2. Fill with potting soil.
3. Plant succulents or small flowers.

5. Drawer Planters

Materials Needed:

• Old drawers
• Drill
• Paint (optional)
• Potting soil
• Plants or seeds

Instructions:

1. Drill drainage holes in the bottom of the drawers.
2. Paint the drawers if desired.
3. Fill with potting soil and plant flowers or herbs.

6. Pallet Planters

Materials Needed:

• Wooden pallet
• Landscape fabric
• Staple gun
• Potting soil
• Plants or seeds

Instructions:

1. Attach landscape fabric to the back of the pallet to create pockets.
2. Fill the pockets with potting soil.
3. Plant flowers or herbs in the pockets.

7. Wine Bottle Planters

Materials Needed:

• Empty wine bottles
• Glass cutter
• Sandpaper
• Potting soil
• Plants or seeds

Instructions:

1. Cut the wine bottles in half using a glass cutter.
2. Sand the edges to smooth them.
3. Use the bottom half as a planter by filling it with soil and planting herbs or flowers.

8. Wheelbarrow Planters

Materials Needed:

• Old wheelbarrow
• Drill
• Potting soil
• Plants or seeds

Instructions:

1. Drill drainage holes in the bottom of the wheelbarrow.
2. Fill with potting soil.
3. Plant a variety of flowers for a vibrant garden centerpiece.

9. Birdcage Planters

Materials Needed:

• Old birdcage
• Liner (optional)
• Potting soil
• Trailing plants

Instructions:

1. Line the bottom of the birdcage if necessary.
2. Fill with potting soil.
3. Plant trailing plants like ivy for a whimsical look.

10. Hollow Log Planters

Materials Needed:

• Hollow log
• Drill
• Potting soil
• Plants or seeds

Instructions:

1. Ensure the log is hollow and has enough space for soil.
2. Drill drainage holes if needed.
3. Fill with potting soil and plant flowers or succulents.

11. Tire Planters

Materials Needed:

• Old tires
• Paint (optional)
• Drill
• Potting soil
• Plants or seeds

Instructions:

1. Clean the tires thoroughly.
2. Optionally, paint the tires for a colorful look.
3. Drill drainage holes if necessary.
4. Fill with potting soil and plant flowers or shrubs.

12. Bathtub Planters

Materials Needed:

• Old bathtub
• Drill
• Potting soil
• Plants or seeds

Instructions:

1. Drill drainage holes in the bottom of the bathtub.
2. Fill with potting soil.
3. Plant a variety of flowers or create a mini vegetable garden.

13. Cinder Block Planters

Materials Needed:

• Cinder blocks
• Potting soil
• Plants or seeds

Instructions:

1. Arrange the cinder blocks in your desired layout.
2. Fill the holes with potting soil.
3. Plant flowers, herbs, or succulents in the cinder block holes.

14. Kitchen Sink Planters

Materials Needed:

• Old kitchen sink
• Drill
• Potting soil
• Plants or seeds

Instructions:

1. Ensure the sink has proper drainage.
2. Fill with potting soil.
3. Plant a variety of flowers or herbs.

15. Basket Planters

Materials Needed:

• Wicker baskets
• Plastic liner
• Potting soil
• Plants or seeds

Instructions:

1. Line the basket with plastic to retain soil.
2. Fill with potting soil.
3. Plant flowers or herbs and place in a sunny spot.

16. Milk Crate Planters

Materials Needed:

• Old milk crates
• Landscape fabric
• Potting soil
• Plants or seeds

Instructions:

1. Line the inside of the milk crates with landscape fabric.
2. Fill with potting soil.
3. Plant flowers or vegetables.

17. Gutter Planters

Materials Needed:

• Old gutters
• End caps
• Drill
• Hanging hardware (optional)
• Potting soil
• Plants or seeds

Instructions:

1. Cap the ends of the gutters.
2. Drill drainage holes along the bottom.
3. Attach hanging hardware if you want to hang them.
4. Fill with potting soil and plant small flowers or herbs.

18. Light Bulb Planters

Materials Needed:

• Burnt-out light bulbs
• Pliers
• Twine
• Potting soil
• Small plants

Instructions:

1. Carefully remove the insides of the light bulbs with pliers.
2. Fill the bulbs with a small amount of potting soil.
3. Plant small succulents or air plants.
4. Tie twine around the neck of the bulb to hang them.

19. Toilet Bowl Planters

Materials Needed:

• Old toilet bowl
• Potting soil
• Plants or seeds

Instructions:

1. Clean the toilet bowl thoroughly.
2. Fill the bowl with potting soil.
3. Plant flowers or shrubs in the bowl for a quirky garden feature.

20. Drawer Planters

Materials Needed:

• Old drawers
• Drill
• Paint (optional)
• Potting soil
• Plants or seeds

Instructions:

1. Drill drainage holes in the bottom of the drawers.
2. Paint the drawers if desired.
3. Fill with potting soil and plant flowers or herbs.

21. CD Spindle Planters

Materials Needed:

• Old CD spindles
• Potting soil
• Small plants

Instructions:

1. Remove the spindle from the base.
2. Fill the base with potting soil.
3. Plant small succulents or herbs.

22. Laundry Basket Planters

Materials Needed:

• Old laundry baskets
• Plastic liner
• Potting soil
• Plants or seeds

Instructions:

1. Line the laundry basket with plastic to retain soil.
2. Fill with potting soil.
3. Plant flowers or vegetables.

23. Chandelier Planters

Materials Needed:

• Old chandelier
• Small pots or planters
• Potting soil
• Plants or seeds

Instructions:

1. Remove the wiring from the chandelier.
2. Attach small pots or planters to the chandelier arms.
3. Fill the pots with potting soil and plant flowers or succulents.
4. Hang the chandelier planter in a sunny spot.

Upcycling everyday items into outdoor planters is not only environmentally friendly but also a creative way to personalize your garden. These DIY projects show that with a bit of imagination, you can transform almost anything into a beautiful planter. Enjoy creating unique garden decor while contributing to a more sustainable lifestyle. Happy gardening!