Painted, Glittered Or Tiered: DIY Planters That Inspire
Maximize your gardening space with these clever DIY planters.
For many of us, planters are a go-to staple for indoor décor. If you’re tired of displaying your beloved houseplants in the same old terracotta planters, try these fresh, patio-friendly takes on the typical display.
Stack ‘em
- Select three terracotta pots in varying sizes
- Decorate and paint each pot before assembling the planter. (Tip: Acrylic paint is great for decorating pots because it’s waterproof and comes in a variety of bright colors.)
- Fill all three pots with soil, leaving enough room to nestle the smaller pots in the soil
- Place the medium-sized pot in the center of the largest pot, about 2 inches deep Place the smallest pot in the center of the medium-sized pot. (Tip: Try planting strawberries or flowers in the smallest pot.)
Repurpose a toolbox
- Purchase a used toolbox at a yard sale or thrift store. Boxes with one or two inner trays that rise as you open the lid work best for planting
- Wash the toolbox with Dawn Ultra Dish Soap and water, and let it dry
- Before adding soil and plants, dress up the toolbox with spray paint and embellishments
- Place fresh soil in the trays and bottom, and then add plants. (Tip: Herbs like basil, lavender or sage work best in this planter.)
Serve up plants in a pie tin
- Select a metal pie stand and two pie tins
- Fill each pie tin with soil, and plant seeds or starter plants. (Tip: Succulents work best because the pie tins are shallow.)
- Place each tin in the pie stand to display.
Tier plants in a garden fountain
- Purchase a used, tiered garden water fountain at a yard sale or thrift store
- Make sure the fountain is level before adding soil
- Fill each tier with soil
- Plant veggies like carrots, radishes or beets
Give your planters a makeover
- Paint the upper rim of a terracotta clay pot. Or if you’re feeling ambitious, try painting stripes! (Tip: Use painter’s tape to easily paint straight lines.)
- Use glitter paint to write an inspiring phrase on your pot, like “I Will Survive!” or “Life is Beautiful”
Potting soil tips
- Make sure the roots of your plants have enough air under the soil. When choosing a potting soil, look for one that’s light and fluffy. Potting soil is best for containers because it’s lighter than soil from a garden bed. It typically contains peat, sand, composted bark and perlite
- Some bagged potting soils also contain ingredients that help retain moisture, which is helpful for shallow planters placed in full sunlight
- When you’re finished planting, use a Swiffer WetJet to help clean up quickly