10 Repurposed Containers for a One-of-a-Kind Potted Garden
Unusual containers, including bamboo steamers and vintage olive buckets, can spice up your plant collection
If you’re looking to add some variety and a little more of an eclectic feel to your garden, think beyond the terra-cotta pot when it comes to choosing your containers. Almost any medium-size vessel can be repurposed as a planter.
The following 10 containers, which include a teapot planted as a party table topper and a weathered copper cooking pot filled with ferns and flowers, offer distinct ideas to jump-start your creative container garden. Which one is your favorite?
The following 10 containers, which include a teapot planted as a party table topper and a weathered copper cooking pot filled with ferns and flowers, offer distinct ideas to jump-start your creative container garden. Which one is your favorite?
2. Copper cooking pot. Here, Chapman used a patinated copper cooking pot to hold an arrangement of ferns, succulents, flowering kalanchoe and a lilac-purple clematis.
For containers that don’t have a drainage hole, you can either drill one yourself or keep plants in their plastic nursery pots inside the outer container. In the latter case, spread a layer of gravel on the bottom of the container to avoid pots sitting in water. Eventually, plants will outgrow their nursery pots and need to be potted in more soil. Think of this no-drainage-hole strategy as a more short-term solution, and be mindful not to overwater.
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For containers that don’t have a drainage hole, you can either drill one yourself or keep plants in their plastic nursery pots inside the outer container. In the latter case, spread a layer of gravel on the bottom of the container to avoid pots sitting in water. Eventually, plants will outgrow their nursery pots and need to be potted in more soil. Think of this no-drainage-hole strategy as a more short-term solution, and be mindful not to overwater.
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3. Rain gutters. Make your own vertical garden by repurposing metal rain gutters — cut to your desired length and end-capped — into wall-mounted planters. Drill drainage holes in the gutters before mounting, or attach the ends of the gutters to allow water to slowly flow out.
Annual flowers, like pansies, or trailing sedums and other shallow-rooting succulents could grow well in the gutters for a season or longer.
Annual flowers, like pansies, or trailing sedums and other shallow-rooting succulents could grow well in the gutters for a season or longer.
4. Galvanized stock tank. Nail that modern farmhouse look and expand your ability to grow larger container plants like tomatoes or dwarf citrus by turning a metal stock tank into a planter. In this case, you’ll need to drill drainage holes before you add potting soil, as the plants will be living in here for a while. Choose among sizes ranging from 1 foot tall and 2 feet wide to as large as 3 feet tall and 10 feet wide. Stock tanks are available from feed stores.
5. Bamboo steamer. Cactus dumplings, anyone? While this arrangement may not be all that long-lasting, it makes up for it in short-term cuteness. To re-create this dim sum party look, pick up a few inexpensive bamboo steamers and cut a piece of landscape fabric or burlap into a circle to cover the lattice section inside. Fill the top section with potting soil and plant up with low-water succulents or cactuses.
6. Teapot. Another short-term container arrangement, this planted teapot holds a crush of succulents and a frothy “steam” of Diamond Frost euphorbia. The plants won’t be happy growing in these tight quarters for too long, but the arrangement can dress up the table of a themed party or be enjoyed for a few weeks before transplanting to a more long-term container.
Remember to water lightly if you plant in a teapot or porcelain vessel, as the containers have no drainage holes.
See the best succulents to grow in containers
Remember to water lightly if you plant in a teapot or porcelain vessel, as the containers have no drainage holes.
See the best succulents to grow in containers
7. Metal olive basket. Zinc-coated Italian olive-harvesting baskets, shown here to the right of the center chair, make durable planting containers, both indoors and outside. The slotted sides and weathered patina add an interesting texture to any space. Just be sure to line the metal basket with landscape fabric before planting or drop a planting container into the basket to avoid potting soil escaping through the small side holes.
You may be able to score a vintage metal olive basket at a flea market, or you can order from Etsy or other online sources.
You may be able to score a vintage metal olive basket at a flea market, or you can order from Etsy or other online sources.
8. Wooden crate. You can use wooden crates of all shapes and sizes to create a rustic look in the garden. Crates that are 18 inches or deeper can work as long-term planting vessels for a variety of veggies, herbs, strawberries or seasonal flowers. If you’re lucky, you may be able to score an old wood crate made of redwood or cedar — both will be more rot-resistant than other woods.
Learn more about gardening with wooden crates
Learn more about gardening with wooden crates
9. Wooden shoes. Mounted three, four or five in a row, planted shoes make a sweet statement along a garden shed wall or a back gate. Dutch clogs work well mounted vertically, as the toe-section forms a natural planting pocket for sedums, small flowers or a cascade of ivy. Other shoes to try: worn out wellies, cowboy boots or hiking shoes.
10. Metal basin. A bit more sophisticated than planting in a bathtub — although that works too — a metal basin set on a stand with wheels creates a moveable seasonal planting display. Here, a fresh white metal basin is filled with strappy foliage plants and rosy-pink cyclamen.
Tip: The designer of this wash basin on wheels used a handy trick to help lighten the load of the good-size planter. Instead of filling the entire wash basin with potting soil, he lined the bottom with a lightweight filler of plastic soda bottles.
Tip: The designer of this wash basin on wheels used a handy trick to help lighten the load of the good-size planter. Instead of filling the entire wash basin with potting soil, he lined the bottom with a lightweight filler of plastic soda bottles.
Houzz readers: Have you used a creative planting container before? Show us in the Comments below.
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See more inspiring container gardens
Learn more about salvage style
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See more inspiring container gardens
Learn more about salvage style
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Tip: Boosting a heavy container onto casters (as the designer did for the wooden crate) makes it easy to move around and switch container layouts.