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    Home » Gardening

    28 Unique Planter Ideas

    by Patti Estep · Mar 19, 2023

    A collage of planter made with recycle vintage and inexpensive containers.
    Collage of unusual garden planters like a grill and a book.

    Be inspired by this fun list of unique container garden ideas. Unusual planters can add whimsy and fun to your indoor and outdoor decor.

    Collage of six out of 28 unusual container gardens.

    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

    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.

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    1
    Vintage teacup hanging with string of pearls planted inside
    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.
    Continue Reading
    2
    DIY ~ Easy Greenroof Birdhouses
    ourfairfieldhomeandgarden.com
    DIY ~ Easy Greenroof Birdhouses
    Create a beautiful green roof birdhouse succulent garden with this easy tutorial.
    Continue Reading
    3
    HGTV Gardens {Sifter Planter Photo Excitement}
    oursouthernhomesc.com
    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.
    Continue Reading
    4
    Farmhouse Garden Planter Ideas
    houseofhawthornes.com
    Farmhouse Garden Planter Ideas
    A chicken waterer from an estate sale finds a new home for succulents in this planter upcycle.
    Continue Reading
    5
    Hanging globe planter
    A Hanging Moss Globe Planter for Flowers
    This hanging globe planter can be easily made with sphagnum moss, dollar store hanging basket containers, and your favorite annual flowers. Great for small spaces with full sun like apartment balconies.
    Continue Reading
    6
    Troll Doll Succulent Planters
    gardenchick.com/
    Troll Doll Succulent Planters
    Only a gardener would see this as a planter! How cute these would be with succulent “hair”.
    Continue Reading
    7
    floral living wreath on door.
    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.
    Continue Reading
    8
    Rubber Boot Plante- chicken scratch ny
    chickenscratchny.com
    Rainboot Planter
    Upcycle old rainboots into pretty planters with this easy tutorial.
    Continue Reading
    9
    DIY Scalloped Pallet Wood Planter
    charlestoncrafted.com
    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.
    Continue Reading
    10
    Rope Planters with Paint DIY - Making Joy and Pretty Things
    makingjoyandprettythings.com
    Rope Planters with Paint DIY - Making Joy and Pretty Things
    Rope, paint, and clay pots are turned into stunning flower pots for a Mother's Day gift in this easy DIY.
    Continue Reading
    11
    Philodendron micans in a faux cement planter
    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.
    Continue Reading
    12
    How to Make a Dresser Planter
    kellyelko.com
    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.
    Continue Reading
    13
    How To Make Unique Shibori Indigo Planters
    pillarboxblue.com
    How To Make Unique Shibori Indigo Planters
    Make some gorgeous Shibori indigo planters using just tin cans and repurposed socks. No sewing needed to make these cool indigo plant covers.
    Continue Reading
    14
    Unique DIY Window Planter Box
    chatfieldcourt.com
    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.
    Continue Reading
    15
    How to Use a Bowl as a Planter
    creeklinehouse.com
    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.
    Continue Reading
    16
    Learn how to make a simple and very affordable hanging herb garden that you can enjoy all season long.
    How to Make a Simple Hanging Herb Garden
    Learn how to make a beautiful hanging herb garden for your own home, or to give as a gift. It makes a unique statement piece in your yard or garden area.
    Continue Reading
    17
    Repurposed Vintage Watering Cans
    myrepurposedlife.com
    Repurposed Vintage 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.
    Continue Reading
    18
    DIY Lantern Planter in Just Minutes
    thecountrychiccottage.net
    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.
    Continue Reading
    19
    Planted Hypertufa Containers ~ Freeform Hypertufa Planters ~ gardenmatter.com
    How to Make a Freeform Hypertufa Planter
    These rustic looking containers are perfect for succulents and shallow rooted plants.
    Continue Reading
    20
    Wire Fruit Basket Planter
    drought-smart-plants.com
    Wire Fruit Basket Planter
    Take an old rusty fruit basket and turn it into a lovely container garden.
    Continue Reading
    21
    Repurposed Grill
    cottageatthecrossroads.com
    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.
    Continue Reading
    22
    How to Make a Book Planter
    town-n-country-living.com
    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.
    Continue Reading
    23
    Enamel Colander as a Hanging Porch Planter
    sadieseasongoods.com
    Enamel Colander as a Hanging Porch Planter
    Butterflies and bees will love this enamel colander into a planter with bright colorful annuals.
    Continue Reading
    24
    Grout decorated cheap flower pot
    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.
    Continue Reading
    25
    How to Make a Better Strawberry Pallet Planter
    lovelygreens.com
    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.
    Continue Reading
    26
    French Country Chair Planter – A Repurposing Story
    hymnsandverses.com
    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.
    Continue Reading
    27
    Wooden pallet garden against a brick wall.
    DIY Pallet Garden
    Grow herbs and lettuces in a wooden pallet for a fun and practical vertical garden.
    Continue Reading
    28
    Vintage Container Plantings
    theoldbluebucket.blogspot.com
    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.
    Continue Reading

    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.

    Patti signature
    Collage of seven different unique planters.
    « Lebanese Stuffed Zucchini AKA Kousa
    DIY Mason Jar Chandelier from Thrift Store Finds »

    About Patti Estep

    Patti is the creator of Hearth and Vine, a home and garden blog filled with projects to inspire your creative side. She loves crafting, gardening, decorating and entertaining at her home in Pennsylvania. When she is not working on a project at home or searching for treasures at nurseries and thrift stores with her girlfriends, you’ll probably find her with family and friends, at a restaurant, or home party enjoying new and different food adventures.

    Reader Interactions

    Comments

    1. Judy Walters Weiss

      May 23, 2016 at 11:34 am

      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!

      Reply
      • Patti Estep

        May 24, 2016 at 6:28 am

        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

        Reply

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    A collage of planter made with recycle vintage and inexpensive containers.
    Collage of unusual garden planters like a grill and a book.
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