If you love succulents but hate spending money on fancy pots, I have good news. You can make DIY planters for succulents using things you already own. Old cans, chipped mugs, even a forgotten shoe box can become a home for your plants. This is not just about saving cash. It is about creating something that looks like it came from a boutique, but cost you zero dollars. I have been making these for years, and I promise they work. No special tools or skills required. Just a little patience and a drill or hammer.
Budget-Friendly Succulent Planter Ideas from Home
You do not need a trip to the craft store. Look around your kitchen, garage, and recycling bin. Tin cans, yogurt cups, glass jars, and plastic containers are all fair game. The key is to add drainage holes. Succulents rot quickly in soggy soil, so every container needs a way for water to escape. Here are my favorite finds.
- Tin cans – soup or bean cans, washed and de-labeled.
- Old mugs or teacups – a chipped mug still holds soil.
- Glass jars – mason jars or pickle jars, but use with care (more on that later).
- Plastic takeout containers – poke holes in the lid or bottom.
- Wooden crates or boxes – line them with plastic or use them as cachepots.
Each of these can be transformed in under an hour. The best part? No two will look the same. Your succulent planters will have real personality, unlike anything you can buy at a big box store.
How to Make a Tin Can Succulent Planter in 10 Minutes
Tin cans are my first choice because they are free, sturdy, and easy to work with. Start with a clean can. Use a hammer and a nail to poke three to four holes in the bottom. Space them evenly. If you have a drill, even better. Just use a small bit. Next, paint the outside with acrylic paint or spray paint. Let it dry completely. Now add a layer of small rocks or pebbles at the bottom. This gives extra drainage. Fill with cactus mix soil, then plant your succulent. Water sparingly. That is it. I have kept succulents alive in tin cans for over two years.
Upcycled Teacup Succulent Planters for Tiny Spaces
Teacups and coffee mugs make adorable planters for small succulents like haworthia or echeveria. The challenge is drainage. Most teacups have no hole. You have two options. Option one: drill a hole using a masonry bit. Go slow, add water, and wear goggles. Option two: use the cup as a cachepot. Plant the succulent in a smaller plastic pot with drainage, then drop that pot inside the teacup. This keeps the cup dry and lets you water without mess. I prefer option two because it is safer for the cup. Plus you can swap plants easily. These upcycled teacup succulent planters look perfect on a windowsill or desk.
DIY Wooden Crate Succulent Planter for a Big Display
If you want a statement piece, grab a small wooden crate. I found mine at a thrift store for two dollars. Sand it to remove splinters. Paint it or leave it raw. Line the inside with a plastic bag or landscape fabric to protect the wood. Poke drainage holes in the plastic. Fill with soil and arrange multiple succulents. Leave space between them so they can grow. A wooden crate planter can hold six to eight succulents. It looks great on a patio or kitchen counter. Just remember to water less than you think. Succulents in a big container dry out slower than in small pots.
Unique Succulent Planter Ideas with Corks and Seashells
This one is for the adventurous. I save wine corks and large shells from the beach. Drill a small hole in the top of a cork, just deep enough to hold a tiny succulent cutting. Insert the cutting and mist it weekly. These make fantastic mini planters for a fairy
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