DIY planter ideas to inspire you
Whether you’ve got a green thumb or you’re just starting your urban gardening journey, these creative DIY planter ideas are a great way to refresh your outdoor space or bring life indoors. From mason jars to raised garden beds, there’s a diy planter here for every skill level.
1. Old wooden ladder planter
That rickety ladder from the thrift store? It’s about to become your new favorite plant stand. Lean it against a wall, secure side frames, and place planter pots or baskets on the steps. Add colorful foliage or a trailing sweet potato vine for vertical drama. It’s a great option for small spaces!
2. Mason jar herb planters
Perfect for indoor plants, these little planters are stylish, space-saving, and oh-so-easy. Screw hose clamps onto a piece of wood, slide in your mason jars, and you’ve got an adorable herb garden for your kitchen window. Add native plants like green onions or mint for a fresh supply year-round.
3. Spray-painted plastic pots
Give tired pots new life with a can of spray paint. Choose a bold colour, metallic finish, or stone-textured spray for a high-end feel. Be sure to keep the drainage holes clear and let them dry fully before planting. A beautiful flower pot idea that takes minutes but looks fabulous.
4. DIY planter ideas… raised garden bed from pallets
Turn salvaged pieces of wood or old pallets into a rustic raised garden bed. Line the inside of the planter with plastic sheeting or landscape fabric, and fill with soil. It’s a great choice for vegetables like lettuce or even a tomato plant. Bonus: I have a free step-by-step pallet planter guide for you here.
5. Succulent planter in chicken wire frame
Wrap chicken wire around a shallow rectangular frame, then fill with moss and secure your faux succulents or real ones. This doubles as wall art and a succulent planter — ideal for patios or balconies. A little unconventional, but a seriously great idea.
6. DIY vase ideas using thrifted finds
Visit your local facebook marketplace or charity shop and look for quirky vases, mugs, or bowls. With a drill (and some patience), you can add drainage holes to most ceramic pieces. These make charming diy planters for smaller indoor plants or faux plants.
7. Front porch planters from old drawers
Repurpose old drawers into show-stopping front porch planters. Sand down the rough edges, attach long sides with wood glue if needed, and paint to match your exterior. Fill with colourful annuals or faux plants for low-maintenance charm at your front door.
8. Container gardens in recycled tubs
If you’re short on space or soil, go for container gardens using storage tubs, buckets, bathtubs, or metal basins. Add drainage holes at the bottom of the planter, fill with soil, and grow anything from herbs to sweet potato vine. A good material choice is galvanized steel — it looks cool and lasts.
9. DIY garden planter with free plans
There are tons of free plans online to build your own diy garden planter from scratch. I have this step-by-step guide for DIY raised planters for a kitchen garden here. You’ll need a few basic tools, hardware store supplies, and some time. Focus on the kind of plant you want to grow to determine size and depth. Add wheels if you want to move it around your patio!
10. Flower planter from scrap wood
Use leftover pieces of wood to create a DIY repurposed planter. I used leftover planks of tongue and groove panelling and roofing battens to create this DIY olive planter. Customize with stencils or a pop of spray paint for personality.
🌼 DIY planter ideas for the win!
With these simple DIY planter ideas, you can create your own planters that match your style, suit your space, and support your green thumb goals. Whether it’s a DIY vase idea from a thrift store find or a bold outdoor planter built from scratch, these project ideas are all about making the most of what you’ve got.
Which one will you try this weekend?
