Be inspired by this fun list of unique container garden ideas. Unusual planters can add whimsy and fun to your indoor and outdoor decor.
I've rounded up several unique planter ideas to inspire you this season. Perfect for the patio or for providing visual interest anywhere in your landscaping, there are so many, from fun and whimsical, to fancy and practical.
If it holds soil, and you can put a hole in it, then you can plant in it.
Rule of thumb
Be the first to receive new posts and get access to our Subscribers Only Page.
These out-of-the-norm planters, add tons of texture, character, and whimsy to your garden, and most are very affordable, if not free. Many are repurposed items, that you probably have in your basement, shed, or garage.
More ideas that you can put on your list, for the next time you are out antiquing or checking out the flea market and local garage sales.
Fill them with your favorite ferns and foliage plants for areas with shade or bright color annuals such as lantana, petunias, and geraniums for sunny spots. Some of them would even work well with vegetables such as tomatoes, peppers, and other small plants.
28 Unique Container Gardening Ideas
Let this fun list of unique planter ideas, many complete with drainage holes, inspire you to create a beautiful flower planter with something other than your standard terra-cotta pots.
Hanging Teacup Planter Upcycle
Learn how to create a beautiful hanging teacup planter by upcycling an antique teacup and planting it with a string of pearls plant.
DIY ~ Easy Greenroof Birdhouses
Create a beautiful green roof birdhouse succulent garden with this easy tutorial.
HGTV Gardens {Sifter Planter Photo Excitement}
This vintage Bromwell's flour sifter was found in an antique store in Southport, NC for $6 and turned into a pretty container garden.
Farmhouse Garden Planter Ideas
A chicken waterer from an estate sale finds a new home for succulents in this planter upcycle.
Troll Doll Succulent Planters
Only a gardener would see this as a planter! How cute these would be with succulent “hair”.
Flowering Living Wreath Tutorial
You can use an old wreath that is laying around the house and pick up some sheet moss and a pack of container plants at your local nursery.
DIY Rain Boot Planter
Upcycle old rainboots into pretty planters with this easy tutorial.
DIY Scalloped Pallet Wood Planter
Here's a great wood crafting idea made entirely out of a pallet that was leftover from a shipment of concrete.
Rope Planters with Paint DIY
Rope, paint, and clay pots are turned into stunning flower pots for a Mother's Day gift in this easy DIY.
Faux Concrete Planters for Your Indoor Garden
See how easily and inexpensively you can create a pretty aged looking faux concrete planter. Perfect for showing off your pretty indoor plants.
How to Make a Dresser Planter
See how to repurpose a dresser into a planter that will be the talk of your garden. Half herb garden with lots of peachy orange geranium blooms for a sunny spot on your deck.
How To Make Unique Shibori Indigo Planters
Learn how to use Shibori dying to create beautiful fabric sleeves. They are a great way to cover tin cans or plastic pots.
Unique DIY Window Planter Box
See how you can make a unique DIY window planter box with a little bit of rust and a whole lot of vintage charm.
How to Use a Bowl as a Planter
Coleus and sweet potato vines look great in a simple bowl planter that works well for small garden spaces.
Repurposed Vintage (gas/watering) cans
How fun are these vintage gas cans repurposed as planters for hens and chicks? Set them somewhere in your backyard for a focal point to walk by every day.
DIY Lantern Planter in Just Minutes
You can use any lanterns that you love for this project to create a gorgeous lantern planter on your front porch and around your home this summer.
How to Make a Freeform Hypertufa Planter
These rustic looking containers are perfect for succulents and shallow rooted plants.
Wire Fruit Basket Planter - a run of the mill basket made fabulous
Take an old rusty fruit basket and turn it into a lovely container garden.
Repurposed Grill
Repurposing an old grill. Why not? It's better than a large flower pot and a great idea to recycle a large container that would otherwise end up in the dump.
How to Make a Book Planter
Yes you can! Turn an old textbook into a great container for plants. See how this creative blogger did just that.
Enamel Colander as a Hanging Porch Planter
Butterflies and bees will love this enamel colander into a planter with bright colorful annuals.
DIY Cheap Flower Pots
Here's a simple technique for creating cheap flower pots, by dressing up basic black plastic nursery containers. No need to re-pot.
How to Make a Better Strawberry Pallet Planter
Use a wooden pallet to grow strawberries. The perfect vessel to grow a huge crop of delicious fruit.
French Country Chair Planter - A Repurposing Story
You may have seen this one but it deserves a spot on this list. An old French country chair is turned into a beautiful container garden full of pink and white petunias.
DIY Pallet Garden - Easy Vertical Gardening
Grow herbs and lettuces in a wooden pallet for a fun and practical vertical garden.
Vintage Container Plantings
This last one shares a host of vintage planter ideas showing lots of creative ways to use unusual containers for a dramatic effect.
Next time you clean out your basement, garage, or Aunt Sophie's house, consider re-purposing an item or two to plant some pretty flowers in.
Judy Walters Weiss
Patti - A nice selection of unique planter ideas...I need to get busy & come up with a couple new planter ideas for this summer. Thanks for including my hanging scale & washtub planters!
Patti Estep
Hi Judy,
So many fun and interesting ideas, with several from you. I'm curious to see what you come up with next.
Have a great week,
Patti