Reclaimed or repurposed planters are a fun and inexpensive way to brighten up your garden or patio. DIY projects like this are great fun at home too – perfect for the whole family! So if you’re wondering what to do with random odds and ends like plastic bottles, old shoes and discarded water bottles, look no further.
In this article, I show you 55 unique, imaginative and creative recycled planter ideas. They’re sure to put a smile on your face, and they’re also convenient for growing a variety of plants.
1. Make creative plant pots from recycled plastic bottles and containers
Plastic bottles can feel like an inescapable part of our lives. And personally, I hate throwing them away, knowing they might not always be recycled. This clever idea for a vertical hanging garden incorporates the top halves of 2-liter plastic bottles painted with various beautiful, bright patterns. Perfect for growing herbs, you can set up your own mini hydroponics system to ensure your fresh greens get a consistent water intake. Disposable water bottles and straws come in handy here. This is a brilliant way to use old plastic bottles that won’t require any additional expense to set up.
These fun decorative planters are perfect for your patio or backyard deck. Make the handle of an old milk or juice bottle a “nose” and draw a face on an old milk or juice bottle. For added appeal, you can use old fabric as a bandana. Finally, when you add beautiful blooms to these planters, they look like lavish hats or hairstyles. This boho DIY project is fun and easy to make. Just like in real life, every face can be unique.
Solar Light Stands
The easiest way to make these is to use old table legs. You can paint them the color of your choice and hot glue the solar lights on top. This makes your outdoor area look very bright and friendly.
Make your own watering can
Award-winning garden designer Joe Perkins says homemade watering cans are perfect for small pots and houseplants. “First, use a small drill to drill a hole in the cap of a large plastic bottle. Make sure to support the cap with a workbench or something similar. That’s it! “You have a very useful watering can with a fine spray,” he advises .
Find a home for your old shoes and bags
There’s no need to throw away worn-out shoes that don’t even fit in charity shops. Instead, give them new life by turning them into lovely planters.
Add bright laces or ribbons to make them even more eye-catching.
In my opinion, a full range of shoes is better.
Show off the ages, hobbies, and personalities of the whole family by pairing the mini rain boot planter with the repurposed cowboy boot planter. This fun DIY project is one-of-a-kind and will forever be a fond memory for years to come.
The targeted positioning of the shoe grooves can also give them a particularly attractive appearance. Discard old boots as if the wearer had left them immediately. Or, place them on tree trunks like long-forgotten relics, and they’ll sprout and bloom on their own.
What can be recycled in your garden?
You can use whatever you want, so be creative. Scraps from home improvement projects and the dumps you see on the side of the road during spring cleaning are recyclable gold mines.
Still, there are a few things to consider:
- Do not use anything that has previously contained harsh chemicals or toxins, especially if the material will be repurposed for growing food.
- Avoid pressure-treated wood if it is going to be used in food production.
- Wood will degrade in the garden unless painted or stained.
Be aware that items with old paint may contain lead.