Plants have the incredible power to transform any outdoor space. They add pops of color, soften harsh lines, and create a sense of life and vibrancy.  But have you ever considered using something other than the standard clay pot to house your leafy friends?  The world of planters is expanding, and the trend of using unexpected and upcycled items is taking root!

Gone are the days of boring, mass-produced planters. Today, it’s all about embracing the unique and unconventional.  “Junky” planters, as they’re affectionately called, are all about using everyday objects, vintage finds, or even cast-offs to create quirky and conversation-starting homes for your plants.

Benefits Of Junky Planters

So, why choose junky planters? Here are just a few reasons:

• Budget-Friendly: Who needs to spend a fortune on planters when you can transform something you already have or find at a thrift store for a fraction of the price?
• Uniqueness: Junky planters allow you to express your personality and create a yard that reflects your own style. There’s no mistaking a repurposed bathtub overflowing with flowers for anything ordinary!
• Sustainability: Upcycling unwanted items gives them a new lease on life and keeps them out of landfills. It’s a win-win for your wallet and the environment.

Unleashing Your Inner Upcycler: The Magic of Junky Planters

“Junky” doesn’t mean ugly!  These planters are all about embracing imperfections and finding beauty in the unexpected. They add a touch of whimsy and character to your yard, turning everyday objects into functional works of art.

The possibilities are truly endless! From mismatched boots overflowing with colorful blooms to a vintage bathtub transformed into a miniature herb garden, junky planters are a great way to add personality and a touch of surprise to your outdoor space.

Here’s the best part: upcycling is easier than you think! With a little creativity and some basic DIY skills, you can transform almost anything into a charming planter.

12 Fun and Junky Planter Ideas to Get You Started

Ready to ditch the boring clay pots and get creative with your planters? Here are 12 inspiring ideas to get you started:

1. Reimagined Treasures: A Second Life for Old Boots

Have a pair of old rain boots gathering dust in the back of the closet? Don’t toss them out! With a little TLC, they can be transformed into charming and unexpected planters.

• Key elements: Repurposed rain boots, overflowing with colorful flowers spilling out of the top.
• Upcycled Touches: Use mismatched boots for a playful look. You can also paint them in bright colors for added personality. Consider using stencils or freehand painting to add fun designs or messages.
• Tips: Ensure proper drainage by drilling a few holes in the bottom of the boots. This will prevent water from accumulating and rotting the roots of your plants. Choose boots made of durable materials like rubber to withstand the elements.
• Planting Inspiration:  Old rain boots are perfect for shallow-rooting plants like pansies, violas, succulents, or even small herbs.

2. Wheelie Good Time: Revamped Wheelbarrows

Looking for a statement piece for your yard? Look no further than an old, rusty wheelbarrow!

• Key elements: Weathered wheelbarrow overflowing with cascading vines or trailing flowers.
• Upcycled Touches: Embrace the vintage look of a rusty wheelbarrow, or give it a fresh coat of paint in a cheerful color. You can even add a whimsical touch by stenciling designs or messages on the sides.
• Tips: Choose a wheelbarrow with a sturdy base that can support the weight of the soil and plants. Consider lining the interior with a heavy-duty plastic sheet before adding soil to prevent leaks.
• Planting Inspiration:  Wheelbarrows are ideal for creating a cascading effect. Plant with trailing vines like ivy, petunias, or million bells. You could also create a miniature vertical garden with herbs or small flowering plants.

3. Tubby Time: Bathtubs as Statement Planters

Who says bathtubs are only for bathing? With a little imagination, a reclaimed bathtub can become the centerpiece of your garden.

• Key elements: Reclaimed bathtub overflowing with vibrant flowering plants or a small herb garden.
• Upcycled Touches: Paint the bathtub a whimsical color to add a pop of personality to your yard. You can also get creative and use the faucet handles as hanging hooks for climbing vines.
• Tips: Ensure proper drainage by drilling holes in the bottom of the tub. Choose a location with adequate support for the weight of the soil and plants. A sturdy patio or a flat, well-compacted area of ground is ideal.
• Consider adding a layer of gravel or broken pieces of pottery to the bottom of the tub before adding soil to improve drainage.
• Planting Inspiration:  Bathtubs offer ample space for a variety of plants. Create a vibrant flower garden with a mix of perennials and annuals, or establish a small herb garden for fresh culinary delights right outside your back door.

4. Let’s Get Cooking: Teapots for Tiny Blooms

Don’t let those chipped or mismatched teapots languish in the back of the cupboard! They can be transformed into charming miniature planters for your porch or patio.

• Key elements: Vintage teapots overflowing with delicate flowers or succulents.
• Upcycled Touches: Use a collection of mismatched teapots in different sizes and colors for a whimsical display. You can also get creative and paint them in pastel colors or add floral patterns for a touch of vintage charm.
• Tips: Choose teapots with a wide opening for easy planting. Ensure proper drainage by drilling a few holes in the bottom or placing a layer of pebbles inside before adding soil.
• Planting Inspiration: Teapots are perfect for small, shallow-rooted plants.  Succulents, cacti, violets, or tiny ferns all thrive in these miniature containers. They’re ideal for adding a touch of greenery to windowsills, patios, or tablescapes.

5. Shoe Biz in the Garden: Repurposed Shoes

Don’t throw away those old sneakers or mismatched high heels! With a little TLC, they can be transformed into quirky and conversation-starting planters.

• Key elements: Old sneakers or mismatched high heels transformed into mini planters for herbs or small flowers.
• Upcycled Touches: Use brightly colored shoes for a playful touch, or paint them with fun designs for added personality. You can even personalize them further by adding stencils or glitter for a touch of sparkle.
• Tips: Choose shoes made of water-resistant materials like rubber or canvas to ensure they hold up to the elements. Ensure proper drainage by drilling holes in the bottom of the soles.
• Planting Inspiration: Shoes are best suited for shallow-rooting plants that don’t require a lot of soil. Herbs like thyme, parsley, or chives are perfect candidates. You could also plant small flowering plants like pansies or violas for a burst of color.

6. Swinging Success: Upcycled Tire Swings

Calling all nostalgic gardeners! Take a trip down memory lane by transforming an old tire swing into a hanging planter.

• Key elements: Old tire swings transformed into hanging planters for cascading vines or trailing flowers.
• Upcycled Touches: Paint the tire a cheerful color to add a pop of personality to your yard. You can also get creative and add colorful ribbons or twine for a whimsical touch. Consider stenciling designs or messages on the sidewall for a personalized touch.
• Tips: Ensure the tire swing can be securely mounted in a location with adequate support, such as a sturdy tree branch or a pergola. Consider lining the interior with a heavy-duty plastic liner or fabric before adding soil to prevent leaks.
• Planting Inspiration: Tire swings are ideal for creating a cascading effect. Plant with trailing vines like ivy, sweet potato vine, or million bells. You could also plant a vertical herb garden with cascading varieties like oregano or thyme.

7. Birdbath Bonanza: A Refreshing Oasis for Plants Too

Give your feathered friends a break and repurpose an old birdbath into a charming planter.

• Key elements: Repurposed birdbath transformed into a planter for a water-loving plant or a miniature water feature.
• Upcycled Touches: Add colorful pebbles or glass marbles to the bottom of the birdbath for a decorative touch. You can also get creative and paint the birdbath in a cheerful color.
• Tips: Choose a birdbath with a shallow basin suitable for planting. Ensure proper drainage by drilling a small hole in the bottom if creating a water feature. Consider lining the basin with a plastic liner before adding soil to prevent leaks.
• Planting Inspiration: Birdbaths are ideal for water-loving plants like ferns, hostas, or water lilies. You can even create a miniature water feature by adding a small solar-powered fountain for a touch of tranquility in your yard.

8. Mailbox Magic: Reimagining Delivery Destinations

Give your retired mailbox a new purpose as a charming planter.

• Key elements: Repurposed mailbox transformed into a planter for trailing vines or small flowering plants.
• Upcycled Touches: Embrace the vintage charm of an old mailbox. You can also paint it a cheerful color or add stencils for a personalized touch. Consider using the flag as a creative plant support for climbing vines.
• Tips: Choose a mailbox with a sturdy base and a large enough opening for planting. Ensure proper drainage by drilling holes in the bottom. Line the interior with plastic sheeting if the mailbox isn’t watertight.
• Planting Inspiration: Trailing vines like ivy or million bells will cascade beautifully from the mailbox, creating a visually appealing display. You could also plant small flowering annuals like pansies or violas for a burst of color.

9. Tin Can Treasures: Upcycled Containers of Creativity

Don’t toss those empty food cans! With a little TLC, they can be transformed into a collection of mini planters.

• Key elements: Upcycled tin cans adorned with colorful paint or decoupage, brimming with herbs or succulents.
• Upcycled Touches: Unleash your creativity! Paint the cans in bright colors, add fun patterns, or use decoupage to create unique designs. Group a collection of decorated cans together for a whimsical display.
• Tips: Choose cans made from sturdy materials like steel or aluminum. Ensure proper drainage by poking a few holes in the bottom of each can.
• Planting Inspiration: Tin cans are ideal for small, shallow-rooted plants like succulents, cacti, or herbs. You can create a collection of miniature herb gardens or a vibrant display of colorful succulents.

10. Crafty Crates: Repurposed Containers for Climbing Companions

Give old wooden crates a second life as rustic planters for climbing plants.

• Key elements: Weathered wooden crates transformed into planters for climbing vines or vegetables.
• Upcycled Touches: Embrace the natural wood grain of the crate or paint it a rustic color. You can also add stencils or messages for a personalized touch. Consider lining the interior with plastic sheeting to prevent leaks.
• Tips: Choose a sturdy crate that can support the weight of the soil and mature plants. Ensure proper drainage by drilling holes in the bottom. Secure the crate to a fence, wall, or trellis to provide support for climbing plants.
• Planting Inspiration: Crates are ideal for climbing vines like morning glory, clematis, or peas. You can also plant vegetables like tomatoes, cucumbers, or pole beans, creating a vertical vegetable garden for a touch of functionality and fresh produce.

11. Guttering Greenery: Repurposed Rainwater Pathways

Turn old gutters into a unique and functional planter system.

• Key elements: Upcycled rain gutters transformed into hanging planters for trailing plants or herbs.
• Upcycled Touches: Paint the gutters in a cheerful color or leave them with a rustic, weathered look. You can also add decorative brackets or hooks for hanging. Consider drilling drainage holes along the bottom of the gutter.
• Tips: Choose gutters made from durable materials like metal or vinyl. Ensure they are securely mounted in a location with adequate support, such as a fence or patio. Line the interior with landscaping fabric to retain soil while allowing for drainage.
• Planting Inspiration:  Gutters are perfect for creating a cascading effect. Plant with trailing vines like ivy, petunias, or million bells. You could also use them to create a hanging herb garden for easy access to fresh culinary delights.

12. Lantern Light Upcycled: A Glowing Oasis for Plants

Give an old lantern a new purpose as a home for shade-loving plants.

• Key elements: Repurposed lantern transformed into a planter for shade-loving ferns or mosses.
• Upcycled Touches: Embrace the vintage charm of the lantern or paint it a muted color to complement shade-loving plants. You can also add decorative touches like moss or pebbles around the base. Consider lining the interior with plastic sheeting if not watertight.
• Tips: Choose a lantern with a good-sized opening for planting and ensure proper drainage by drilling holes in the bottom. Opt for a location with shade or dappled sunlight, as most ferns and mosses prefer indirect light.
• Planting Inspiration: Ferns, mosses, and bromeliads thrive in the cool, moist environment lanterns can provide. You can create a miniature terrarium-like

Conclusion

Junky planters are a fun, creative, and budget-friendly way to add personality and charm to your outdoor space. They’re a conversation starter guaranteed to spark curiosity and admiration from visitors. But beyond the aesthetics, upcycling everyday objects into planters is a sustainable choice that reduces waste and gives new life to unwanted items.

So next time you’re cleaning out your garage or browsing a thrift store, keep your eyes peeled for potential planter candidates! With a little imagination and some basic DIY skills, you can transform almost anything into a unique and functional home for your plants.

Here are some additional tips to ensure your junky planters thrive:

1. Choose the Right Plant for the Planter: Consider the size, drainage, and sun exposure of your chosen planter when selecting plants. For example, shallow containers like teapots or shoes are best suited for shallow-rooted plants like succulents or herbs.
2. Prepare Your Planter: Ensure proper drainage by drilling holes in the bottom of most planters (except birdbaths with water features). Line the interior with plastic sheeting or fabric for larger containers like wheelbarrows or bathtubs to prevent leaks.
3. Use High-Quality Potting Mix: Don’t skimp on the soil! Use a well-draining potting mix specifically formulated for container gardening to ensure optimal plant health.
4. Water Wisely: Watering needs will vary depending on the plant and the type of planter. Monitor your plants regularly and water deeply when the soil feels dry to the touch. Avoid overwatering, which can lead to root rot.
5. Bring Them Indoors for Winter: If you live in a climate with harsh winters, some junky planters, especially those made from non-weatherproof materials, may not survive the elements. Consider bringing them indoors or protecting them with burlap or frost cloth during cold snaps.

Share Your Junky Planter Creations!

We’d love to see your junky planter creations! Share photos of your upcycled planters and inspire others on the comment section below using the hashtag #JunkyPlanterLove.