Tribe, as part of my zero-waste lifestyle, I get very less disposable packaging at home and I try to re-use as many trash items as possible. There are many creative ways of re-using trash at home for upcycling and re-purposing. However, as a plant lover, my most favorite reuse of the trash is planters for my organic garden. Especially when you grow food in the container garden, you need many planters. Then why buy planters, when you can find them in your recycling or trash bin?
1. Copper and Brass Planters
I love copper and brass wear so I get gifted by my family back home. Now I can’t use all those traditional pots in my kitchen so I planted some easy indoor plants like pothos and succulent in them, which don’t necessarily have regular watering and water drainage needs. When you plant in brass or copper containers it adds a great rustic vibe to your room decor.
2. Plastic Upcycled Planters
These are mainly food packaging containers, where I can’t find package-free options. If the plastic containers are big in size, appropriate as a planter, just drill a hole of a few at the bottom before you plant.
3. Tin Planters
Tin containers have a great many uses in storage and organizing at home, but I like to use beautiful-looking containers as planters, especially with some great print and design and if the tin size is big enough to hold a plant. Again, make a hole with a hand drill machine or hammer in the bottom to drain excess water from the plant, which will keep your plant healthy and avoid root rot.
4. Coconut Planters
Coconut husk planters or coconut shell planters look very beautiful and are great organic, natural planters. Coconut husk or shell is great to plant some herbs or simple and easy indoor plants like pothos, they are even great if you could hang them with vines falling down when you plant asparagus fern, etc. in it.
5. Chipped Teacup Planters
Chipped, broken teacups, and even mugs are great mini planters, you can plant succulents or cacti in them that don’t require draining, just use mist spray. These decorative planters, especially bone china with floral design can be used for shabby chick decor or just keep them on dining tables or in a window as decore. I planted simple aloe vera in them and they added so much beauty to my balcony garden.
6. Wine Glass Planters
Who all have difficulty recycling chipped wine glasses like me? They are so elegant in shape, so I can’t help but make planters out of every drinkware. Wine glass succulent planters are the best way to decorate any tiny corner of your house, just make sure to keep them out of reach of kids and pets, as they can topple and break very easily.
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7. Candle Jars Planters
Candle jars, once cleaned are great for storage but you can also use them as planters. These planters can be used on small desks, side tables, where space is limited and you want to add something green.
Succulents, cacti are easily planted in candle jars and they thrive in these jars, Candle container planters are great if you go after coastal decor. You can also make a terrarium in bigger size candle jars.
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8. Earthen Ware Planters
These are other great rustic planters you can have in your home and garden. You can get creative with them and use any kind of earthen wear as planters.
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9. Car Tires Planters
These ones are not as easy to handle because of their weight, but once you make them, they are super-useful as planters, you can hang them or even use them in your garden by burying them.
10. DIY Fabric Planters
Now, this one can be either used directly as grow bags or you can use to decorate your plant pots. To make this DIY fabric planter, you can upcycle your unwanted clothes. Find our DIY tutorial for this fabric planter here.
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You can also make macrame plant hangers at home, find some basic knots on the spruce crafts. My coconut planters are hung in jute yarn macrame-plant hangers made at home when I felt a little crafty.
11. Bottle Planters
You can also upcycle glass bottles or plastic bottles into planters. I generally do not use plastic or glass bottles as planters because I save them for the self-watering system for plants I need when I travel or away from home.
I hope you like our up-cycled planter ideas and you will upcycle some waste items into planters now to reduce waste and grow something green. Don’t forget to join our Tribe here!
You can also watch this video, made especially for our Tribe during coronavirus lockdown to share some positivity and sustainable quarantine tips.
Inspired enough to make your home more sustainable?
You can also access our self-paced online course, Sustainable Home Masterclass. is designed to give attendees a complete guide to sustainable homes right from how to select a property up to what changes can you make in your existing property including budget-friendly options. This course will also contain an introduction to green buildings and sustainable material choices. Plus how to develop conscious consumption choices to select sustainable household items and develop simple habits for a healthy home. After this course, you will be able to gain enough knowledge to reduce your utility bills and cost elsewhere, improve your family’s wellness as well as contribute to climate action right from your home.
