Whether you enjoy flowers, herbs or other easy-to-grow plants, here are 12 ways to recycle and reuse stuff you'd probably just throw away.
10 DIY Planters Made From Kitchen Castoffs
Updated on May 09, 2025
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Flour Sifter Flower Pot
If you have an old flour sifter you no longer use, try turning into a planter. If you don’t have one, there’s a good chance you’ll find one at a thrift store or garage sale.
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Coffee Mug
Try using an old coffee mug or tea cup to grow some small plants. Try an oversized mug to hold flowers on your dining table.
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Loaf Pan
Are your loaf pans getting rusty or showing their age? Use them to plant some succulents, which don’t need much maintenance.
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Cupcake Pan
Instead of cupcakes, this pan is serving up some hens and chicks! You’ll need a drill to complete this planter, along with some landscape fabric or burlap
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Cardboard Carton
Instead of tossing that cardboard milk or orange juice carton in the recycling bin, cut off the top, wrap it with fabric and use it as a planter for herbs or flowers.
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Tea Pot
This old tea pot has a new life as a planter. You can get a similar look with an old coffee carafe.
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Coffee Cans
Don’t toss those empty coffee cans! Give them an updated look with some paint and use them as planters.
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Cabinet Drawer
If you’re remodeling your kitchen, save an old drawer and use it as a planter. You can use it as a small garden box or hang it on the wall for a vertical garden or flower box. For ideas, visit Veggie Gardener.
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Plastic Jugs
Those plastic milk jugs can be cut and used as planters. Try hanging them from a fence with wire coat hangers, as shown here. To read about the project, vist Cupcakes and Cutlery.
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Wine Bottle
If you’re up for cutting glass, try using empty wine bottles as planters. You’ll need to cut either the side or the top, depending on the look you’re going for.
FAQ
Do DIY planters need drainage holes?
Yes, all planters need drainage holes to allow excess water to escape, preventing root rot and promoting healthy plant growth.
Can I grow edible plants in DIY planters?
Yes, edible plants can be a great option to plant in a DIY planter, as long as the reused item for the planter is made of food safe material and did not previously contain unsafe chemicals.
