Why Upcycled Planters Make Sense for Small Space Gardening
If you’re looking for DIY planter ideas for small spaces, you’ve landed in the right spot. Right now, as spring starts to creep in and everyone’s itching to get their hands dirty, the smartest move is to look at what you already own. Tin cans, old jars, wooden crates, even that chipped teapot in the back of your cabinet. These aren’t trash. They’re the perfect homes for a bit of greenery, especially when square footage is tight.
Upcycling containers for plants isn’t just about saving money, though that’s a huge perk. It’s also about making your space feel personal and lived in. A row of painted tin cans on a windowsill says more about you than a generic plastic pot from the garden center ever could. And with the rising popularity of smallspacegardening, finding ways to tuck plants into every corner matters more than ever.
Tin Can Planters: A Weekend Project That Actually Works
Let’s start with the most obvious upcycle: the humble tin can. You probably have three or four sitting in your recycling bin right now. They’re the perfect size for herbs, succulents, or small trailing plants. And they cost exactly zero dollars.
Here’s what you need to get started:
- Clean, empty tin cans (any size, but soup or tomato cans work best)
- A hammer and a nail (to poke drainage holes in the bottom)
- Spray paint or acrylic paint (optional, but a quick coat makes them look intentional)
- Potting soil and small plants or seeds
Poke three or four holes in the bottom of each can, then paint the outside if you want to match your decor. Let the paint dry completely before adding soil. I like to group three cans on a tray or shelf for a mini herb garden. Basil, chives, and mint do especially well in cans because they don’t need deep roots. Keep them on a sunny kitchen windowsill and you’ll have fresh garnishes all season.
One tip: if you’re using cans that held acidic food (like tomatoes), rinse them well and let them air out for a day. The smell can linger and attract gnats.
Glass Jar Hanging Planters for Vertical Greenery
When floor space is nonexistent, look up. Glass jars are my go-to for creating a hanging garden that takes up zero counter or shelf room. Mason jars, pasta sauce jars, even pickle jars work. The clear glass lets you see the roots, which adds a modern, almost scientific vibe to the arrangement.
To turn a jar into a hanging planter, you have two solid options. The first is to use a simple macrame hanger or twine wrapped around the neck of the jar. The second is to buy metal jar hangers (they look like a collar with a hook) from a craft store or online. Both methods cost under five dollars for several planters.
What do you plant in a jar? Because jars lack drainage (unless you drill a hole in glass, which is tricky), stick with plants that tolerate moist soil. Pothos, spider plant babies, and small ferns are perfect. Or go for a closed terrarium style with moss and a little succulent. Group three hanging jars at different heights on a wall near a window for an instant living art piece.
Seasonal note: in late spring, these jars are perfect for propagating cuttings from your neighbors’ plants. Stick a few stems in water and watch roots grow before transferring to soil.
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