15 Genius DIY Plant Pots & Recycled Garden Planter Ideas

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When I first started exploring garden landscape ideas for our little backyard corner, I had a vision, lush greenery, vibrant textures, and clever use of space. But like many garden lovers on a budget, I quickly ran into a problem.

I wanted green charm without spending my fortune. That’s when the concept of a recycled garden planter came to the rescue. I turned to what I already had like plastic bottles and decided to transform these items into beautiful plant containers.

Recycled Garden Planter

At one point, I wondered if all this prep work was worth it. But by sticking with it, I created a vertical garden using soda bottles that not only looked surprisingly good but also fit perfectly into my eco-friendly gardening goals.

These recycled garden planter creations became homes for herbs, lettuces, and strawberries, though I eventually opted to keep edibles in safer containers and used my bottle planters for ornamental greenery.

Now, my upcycled treseeras don’t just blend into my beaituuful garden, they make the garden look more green. Each DIY planter tells a story and adds more character to my outdoor heavan.

And by incorporating them, I was able to stretch my budget and showcase creativity. If you’re thinking of starting your own recycled garden planter project, I roundedup these ideas to inspire your for your next project.

Whether you’re stacking teacups or reworking wood pallets, the joy is in the process, and the plants don’t mind one bit.

15. Tin Can Herb Towers

Recycled Garden Planter
Materials:
  • Empty food cans (different sizes)
  • Hammer and nail (for drainage holes)
  • Acrylic paint or spray paint
  • Heavy-duty adhesive or screws
  • Wood board (for stacking, optional)
Recycled Garden Planter Instructions:
  1. Punch 3–5 holes in the bottom of each can.
  2. Paint the exterior in bright, weather-resistant colors.
  3. Stack vertically using adhesive or attach to a wood plank in a staggered pattern.
  4. Fill with soil and add herbs like basil, thyme, or mint.

14. Old Boots as Quirky Flower Pots

Recycled Garden Planter
How to Use:
  • Clean out old rubber boots or leather shoes.
  • Drill drainage holes at the bottom.
  • Fill with gravel, then potting mix.
  • Plant succulents or colorful annuals like petunias.
Recycled Garden Planter Tip:

For added charm, line multiple pairs along a pathway.

13. BrokenChair Planter

Recycled Garden Planter
What You’ll Need:
  • An old wooden chair with no seat
  • A hanging basket or wire frame
  • Moss and potting soil
  • Trailing plants (like ivy or lobelia)
Recycled Garden Planter Steps:
  1. Fit the hanging basket into the empty seat.
  2. Line with moss or coco liner.
  3. Fill with soil and insert plants.
  4. Place in a shaded patio area for dramatic vertical impact.

12. Wicker Basket Planter

Recycled Garden Planter

Wicker baskets add rustic texture to your outdoor setup.

Recycled Garden Planter Setup:
  • Line with heavy plastic and poke holes for drainage.
  • Add stones at the base.
  • Use for seasonal color displays (e.g., pansies, chrysanthemums).
Maintenance Tip:

Keep baskets off the ground to avoid moisture rot.

11. Repurposed Sink Garden

Recycled Garden Planter

Old sinks make excellent deep planters with natural drainage.

How To:
  • Seal off the plumbing if needed.
  • Add gravel and potting mix.
  • Grow root veggies like radishes or compact herbs like parsley.

10. Milk Crate Vegetable Bins

Recycled Garden Planter

Use milk crates to create modular, portable planters.

Recycled Garden Planter Instructions:
  1. Line crates with landscape fabric.
  2. Fill with potting mix.
  3. Stack or group them together for a movable mini-garden.

9. Teacup Succulent Arrangements

Recycled Garden Planter

Small teacups and mugs make beautiful indoor or balcony planters.

Recycled Garden Planter Process:
  • Drill or Dremel a small hole in the base.
  • Add a layer of pebbles.
  • Plant small succulents or air plants.
Display Idea:

Group several teacups on a tray for a centerpiece.

8. Shopping Cart Salad Garden

Recycled Garden Planter

Discarded shopping carts can become mobile raised beds.

Recycled Garden Planter Instructions:
  1. Line the inside with coconut fiber or heavy-duty mesh.
  2. Fill with soil.
  3. Plant leafy greens for an instant salad garden.

7. Cinder Block Modular Planters

Recycled Garden Planter

Stackable and customizable, cinder blocks work well for modern gardens.

Configuration:
  • Stack blocks in patterns (L-shape, staircase, or grid).
  • Fill cavities with soil.
  • Plant succulents or shallow-rooted herbs.

6. Soda Box Vertical Garden

Recycled Garden Planter

Use soda boxes to build a vertical garden on walls or fences.

Guide:
  1. Mount soda boxes securely using screws.
  2. Line with plastic and make holes for drainage.
  3. Fill with soil and stagger plant types for color and texture.

5. Juice Carton Seed Starters

Recycled Garden Planter

Great for germinating seeds indoors.

Setup:
  • Cut off the tops of cartons.
  • Rinse thoroughly.
  • Poke small drainage holes.
  • Fill with seed-starting mix and plant your favorites.

4. Plastic Bottle Wall Garden

Recycled Garden Planter

Turn 2-liter bottles into vertical planters.

Steps:
  1. Cut a rectangle out of one side.
  2. Make drainage holes on the bottom.
  3. String bottles horizontally on a wall or fence.
  4. Add soil and small herbs or lettuce.

3. T-Shirt Hanging Planters

Recycled Garden Planter

Create soft hangers from worn-out t-shirts.

Method:
  • Cut shirts into strips and braid them.
  • Tie into nets for holding small pots.
  • Hang from nails or curtain rods.

2. Newspaper Seedling Pods

Recycled Garden Planter

Biodegradable and easy to transplant.

Directions:
  • Wrap strips of newspaper around a small can or bottle.
  • Fold the bottoms to seal.
  • Remove the can and fill with soil.
  • Plant seeds directly in the pod and transplant when ready.

1. Recycled Barrel Planter

Recycled Garden Planter

Old metal or plastic barrels can be halved for large planters.

Steps:
  1. Cut barrel in half (lengthwise for trough, upright for deep pot).
  2. Drill multiple drainage holes.
  3. Paint or stencil for a decorative effect.
  4. Fill with soil and plant shrubs or flowering perennials.

Conclusion

These DIY plant pots and recycled garden planter ideas offer eco-friendly and artistic ways to expand your gardening space without spending much. By repurposing forgotten household items, we reduce waste and celebrate creativity. Incorporating even a few of these designs can add structure, color, and sustainable flair to your home garden.

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Sarah Mega Mom
Sarah

I'm the sister of Helena, and I love helping her write blog posts. You might see many of my thoughts and ideas featured here, and I hope you enjoy them.

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