25 DIY Planter Ideas You’ll Wish You Tried Sooner
If you’ve ever stood in your backyard, looked around, and thought, “Something here needs a glow-up,” you’re not alone. I say that every spring… and sometimes mid-winter when I get too bored.
DIY planters save me every time because they make any space look intentional—even when I obviously didn’t plan anything.
If you love plants and want fun, creative ways to show them off, you’re in the right place. Let’s talk planters you can actually make without losing your sanity.
1. Rustic Wooden Crate Planters
You can’t go wrong with wooden crates. They always look charming, even when you literally do nothing but add dirt.
Why I love it:
- They add instant farmhouse vibes.
- They age beautifully outdoors.
- They’re roomy enough for herbs or flowers.
Ever wondered why these look great even when they’re old? Because rustic never fails—lucky for us.
2. Painted Tin Can Planters
I once saved a mountain of coffee cans thinking I’d “use them someday.” Shockingly, I did.
Paint them, stencil them, or leave the dents for character. These make cute planters for small succulents.
Quick benefits:
- They cost basically nothing.
- They’re easy to customize.
- They fit anywhere.
3. Cinder Block Planters
Cinder blocks scream industrial chic. Or at least pretend to.
Stack them, paint them, or arrange them in patterns. They work as modular planters, which is a fancy way of saying you can keep rearranging them when you get bored. 🙂
4. Mason Jar Wall Planters
If your walls feel empty, why not slap a jar on them? Just mount a few mason jars onto a wooden board, add soil, and boom—instant vertical garden.
Great for:
- Herbs in the kitchen
- Small plants near windows
- Adding depth to a bland wall
5. Old Drawer Planters
If you ever replace a dresser, save the drawers. Trust me.
They make charming shabby-chic planters, especially when you stack them at different angles.
Pro tip: Line them with plastic so they don’t turn into mulch themselves.
6. Colander Planters
Yes, the same one you used for pasta. Colanders already have drainage holes—basically half the job done for you.
Ever wondered why they always look cute hanging? Because they add shape and color instantly, especially when you spray-paint them.
7. Upcycled Tire Planters
Old tires take up space, so you might as well turn them into something cute instead of a backyard eyesore.
Paint them bold colors and stack them or hang them for a vertical display.
8. Ladder Shelf Planters
I once found an old wooden ladder on the curb and nearly sprinted to grab it. IMO, ladder planters make any patio look like an intentional design moment.
Why it works:
- Multiple levels = more plants
- Looks great even when imperfect
- Adds height instantly
9. Teacup Succulent Planters
If you break a teacup set, don’t cry—use it.
Succulents love small, shallow spaces, and teacups make adorable planters for desks or windowsills.
10. PVC Pipe Planters
PVC pipes offer a sleek, modern look without costing much. Cut them at an angle or mount them horizontally for a fun, quirky display.
11. Hanging Gutter Garden
Rain gutters make excellent space-saving planters because they’re long, slim, and easy to mount.
Perfect for balconies or fences, especially when you want herbs but don’t want the cat knocking them over. Been there.
12. Wine Barrel Planters
If you get your hands on a half wine barrel, treat it like treasure.
These make deep, sturdy planters that look amazing with flowers, tomatoes, or even dwarf trees.
13. Concrete Molded Planters
Concrete planters look high-end, and people think you spent a fortune, which is honestly the best part.
Use molds like bowls or containers to shape them. Ever tried making one? It’s weirdly satisfying.
14. Book Planters
Yes, it feels wrong to cut into a book—but also satisfying. Choose a thick hardcover, hollow the center, insert a liner, and add succulents.
It’s perfect for people who want to look artsy without actually doing much.
15. Pallet Wood Planters
Pallets are basically a DIY rite of passage. If you haven’t used one yet, are you even crafting?
Turn a pallet into a vertical planter by adding backing and pockets for soil.
16. Fabric Grow Bags
Grow bags don’t require fancy building skills. You just fill them and place them. Easy.
They come in different sizes, they breathe well, and they work for veggies, flowers, or whatever you want to grow.
17. Shoe Organizer Planters
You know those hanging shoe sleeves people forget to use? They make incredible vertical gardens.
Ideal for:
- Herbs
- Strawberries
- Small flowers
Just make sure you buy a fabric one, not plastic, unless you enjoy soggy roots.
18. Log Planters
If you have access to fallen logs, hollow them out and use them as natural rustic planters.
They blend beautifully in garden beds and add texture that store-bought planters never match.
19. Bucket Planters
Old metal buckets instantly give a vintage touch. I once bought one at a thrift store thinking it would “complete my life.” Surprisingly, it kinda did.
Drill holes, add soil, done.
20. Broken Pot Fairy Garden Planters
Instead of tossing a broken terracotta pot, turn it into a fairy garden.
Stack the broken pieces inside the pot and create stairs, layers, or tiny pathways. It looks charming even if you have zero sculpting skills.
21. Basket Planters
Baskets add warmth that hard containers can’t match.
Add a plastic liner, choose plants with airy foliage, and enjoy the cozy cottage-style look. Ever noticed how they instantly make everything feel softer? Magic.
22. Antique Toolbox Planters
Old metal toolboxes give any space a rugged, vintage feel.
They’re deep enough for flowers or herbs and look stylish without trying—unlike me when I pretend to have a minimalist aesthetic.
23. Repurposed Light Fixture Planters
Old glass light covers make beautiful hanging planters. Flip them, string them up, and fill them with trailing plants.
They look far fancier than they should.
24. Wooden Bench Planter
If a bench breaks and you’re too lazy to fix it, just turn the seating area into a planter.
Cut openings for pots or remove the center entirely. Suddenly, your broken bench becomes “garden art.”
25. Hanging Macramé Planters
Macramé adds texture and charm to any space. Hang a few rope or fabric holders with pots, and you’ve got a boho vibe instantly.
Bonus: You don’t need to master complex knots. You can fake it, promise.
Final Tips for Choosing DIY Planters
Still wondering which planter idea fits your space best? Here are a few quick things I always consider:
- Size matters—plants need space to grow, even the small ones.
- Drainage saves lives, plant lives at least.
- Style consistency helps, unless eclectic chaos is your thing.
- Budget doesn’t limit creativity, especially with DIY.
Conclusion
DIY planters offer endless creativity, and honestly, half the fun comes from repurposing stuff you already own. You can make a planter out of practically anything, and some of the best ones come from those “Oops, I broke it” moments. So pick a few ideas, try them out, and see what clicks. And FYI, once you make one planter, you’ll probably make ten more because it gets addictive fast. If anyone asks why you suddenly have 30 plants, just tell them it’s “therapy.” It works every time.
