Complete guide to making homemade planters: materials, ideas, and tips

  • Use recycled materials and simple techniques to create unique and sustainable planters.
  • Learn how to build wooden planters step by step and customize them to your liking.
  • Discover the best plants for each type of home pot.

kokedamas

When create homemade planters for plants, the options are as varied as your creativity allows. From recycled materials like plastic bottles or tires, to traditional Japanese techniques like using kokedama, any everyday object can be transformed into the perfect container for your plants and give a special and personalized touch to your home or garden.

Furthermore, the making of homemade planters It's a simple and rewarding activity, accessible to everyone, and perfect for both indoor and outdoor use. Beyond decorating, it promotes recycling and sustainability, providing an excellent opportunity to reuse materials and reduce waste. In this article, you'll discover how to make the most of different types of materials and techniques, as well as practical tips for choosing plants and creating long-lasting and beautiful combinations.

Materials and techniques for making homemade planters

How to make homemade planters for plants

  • kokedamasThese Japanese moss balls are a very decorative and easy-to-make option. You only need moss, coconut fiber, and some strong thread. After wrapping the plant's roots in the mixture and tying them, you'll have an organic and aesthetically pleasing planter perfect for indoors. If you'd like to learn more about the process, we offer a Step-by-step guide to making kokedamas.
  • Reused cupsPlacing small cacti or succulents in ceramic cups allows you to create charming, portable mini-gardens. Fill the cup with soil and part coarse sand to ensure efficient drainage. This option is ideal for small spaces like desks, coffee tables, or entryways.
  • Recycled tiresOld tires can be transformed into attractive outdoor planters. Simply clean them, paint them to your liking, place a shade cloth or mesh netting on the bottom, add substrate, and plant hardy plants like echeverias or bulbous flowers. They're perfect for terraces and gardens, and allow you to group various plants together to create colorful and original arrangements.
  • Plastic bottlesCut a bottle in half or make a window in the side, add soil, and plant small plants. These planters are inexpensive, lightweight, and can be hung or placed on surfaces to make the most of any space.
  • Wooden plantersUsing recycled pallets or old planks, you can build sturdy and customizable planters for indoor or outdoor use. It's important to sand the wood, join the pieces with screws, line the interior with plastic to protect the wood, and drill drainage holes. You can add a coat of varnish to improve durability and decorate with paint if you prefer.

Step-by-step tips for building wooden planters

Homemade wooden planters

  1. Choose recycled wood in good condition (pallets, planks or pieces of old furniture).
  2. Sand surfaces thoroughly to avoid splinters and ensure a smooth finish.
  3. Cut the pieces to the desired size and join them together to form a rectangle or square, using nails or screws.
  4. Place the bottom of the planter and, if it is for outdoors, add legs using dowels or scraps of wood.
  5. Drill holes in the base to secure a proper drainage and install a metal grid over them.
  6. Line the inside with heavy plastic, making sure not to block the drainage holes, and secure with staples.
  7. Protect the planter with varnish or paint. If you place it outdoors, choose a suitable varnish to withstand the elements.

The best plants for your home planters

Plants for planters

  • Succulent plants and cactiThey require little maintenance and thrive in small containers, making them perfect for cups, bottles, or kokedamas. If you'd like some specific tips, you can visit our section on cacti painted with paint effects.
  • Aromatic herbsParsley, chives, basil, and mint are ideal for wooden planters or recycled bottles. They provide a fresh touch and are useful in the kitchen.
  • Bulbous flowers: They add color and fit well on tires or wooden crates.
  • resistant plantsIf the location is sunny or the planters are outdoors, choose species that can withstand temperature changes and wind.

Extra ideas to personalize and decorate your recycled pots

Homemade outdoor planters

  • Decorate the surfaces made of wood or tires with water-resistant paints, stencils or adhesive vinyl for an even more original result.
  • Add decorative stones or pine bark to the substrate to improve aesthetics and retain moisture.
  • Experiment with height and arrangement: combine pots of different sizes and colors to achieve harmonic compositions.
  • Remember to change the substrate and check the drainage regularly to ensure the health of your plants.

The ability to transform everyday objects into functional and beautiful homemade planters not only represents a sustainable and creative contribution to your environment, but also allows you to enjoy gardening in a personalized way. From recycled materials to more elaborate wooden constructions, each option adapts to your space and style. All you need is a little bit of knowledge. inspiration and a desire to experiment to achieve a natural, colorful and lively environment both inside and outside the home.

More information - A plant in a tire

Image – A home with a lot of skill, In the know mom, MCP Activities, Josefina Petrinovic