Unique planters add eye-catching charm and personality to an indoor garden. They can also provide a more effective way to display greenery than conventional containers.
For a rustic touch, try this rusty metal planter. It pairs well with Swiss cheese plants and other similar varieties. Another option is a basketball planter, as outlined by Surajsajo in this tutorial from Instructables.
Paint Cans
Paint cans are a quick and easy way to elevate cheap plastic pots into something more stylish. They are also a great way to use leftover spray paint.
Before using an old paint can as a planter, it’s important to scrape out the inside and dispose of it properly according to local municipal guidelines. Choose a spray paint color and apply two coats, allowing the can to dry between each coat. Remember to follow the instructions on the spray paint can and use it in a well-ventilated area.
Once the paint has dried, add stenciled designs or wrap tape around the planter to create stripes. If you prefer a more artistic touch, try Decoupage. Collect or cut images you like from books, postcards, magazines and the Internet. Then, attach them to the planter using craft glue or decoupage sealer.
Finish by filling the cans with potting soil and planting your favorite plants, such as Icelandic poppies or herbs. You can also add a bit of gravel or sand for drainage and then cover it with mulch.
Colanders
If you’re bored of the same old terra cotta pots in your garden or on your porch, consider giving them a fresh look. You can add modern patterns, tie-dye fabric, poured paint, or even hand-stamp words to create custom planters that are inexpensive and easy to change whenever you want. Colanders, which you probably already use to collect choppings or soaked beans for cooking, are cute and functional planters ready to go in a moment (plus, they have micropores that help with drainage).
Old shoes you no longer wear or an antique dressing table can function as a planter and look charming on your porch or garden. You can even use a vintage screen door as a trellis for your climbing plants. Just be sure to line them with a plastic bag before planting. You can also turn an old light fixture into a flower-filled showstopper for something more dramatic.
Burlap Sacks
When a big planter looks too heavy for the plants inside, you can make it lighter by filling the outside with a burlap bag. It gives the planter a great look and reduces the weight, so it’s easy to move.
If you don’t have a porch or patio but want to grow some greenery in your home, try this unique tabletop rectangular garden planter box idea. It’s ideal for a small space and works well with flowers, herbs, and succulents.
Rectangular planter boxes are also popular for creating privacy around balconies and patios. They look stunningly lined up near doors or used in restaurants to separate long tables. You can even customize the color of your planters to align with your business or brand’s branding. For example, you could add a panel across the front of a large rectangular container that displays your company logo. This is an excellent way to promote your business in a visually pleasing and unique way.
Wooden Boxes/Crates
Wooden containers add interest and structure to a garden but can be expensive. Look for recycled, smaller containers in antique stores and salvage yards to save money on this creative project.
Decorative, low-growing succulents like these hens and chick plants (Crassulaceae) complement the silver undertones of this vintage copper planter. The combination also provides a natural, lush counterpoint to the textural grass plantings.
This large, wooden crate looks great on the porch and is a simple way to frame ‘Celebration’ and ‘Florida Sweetheart’ caladiums in the shade. Depending on the size and gaps between the slats of your crate, you may need to line it with heavy-duty plastic or landscape fabric before planting to prevent water loss and rot. To test your crate, fill it with water and see how quickly it drains. If it takes too long to run out, you’ll need to line the container. It also helps protect the underlying surface of your deck or patio.
