20+ Creative DIY Outdoor Planter Ideas

Hey there, garden lovers! If you’re like me, always looking for unique ways to spruce up your outdoor space, then you’re in for a treat.

Galvanized Tub Garden

Galvanized tubs offer a rustic and durable planting option.
Galvanized tubs offer a rustic and durable planting option.

A galvanized tub can make a sturdy, rustic planter that’s perfect for large floral displays or small vegetable gardens. I love the way they age naturally over time, adding more character to your garden.

Items that may come in handy:

  • Rustic Galvanized Tub: Create a charming garden display with this durable, rustic galvanized tub. Transform your outdoors!
  • Drainage Pebbles for Planters: Enhance drainage for your plants with these essential pebbles. Keep roots healthy and thriving!
  • Outdoor Plant Soil Mix: Boost plant growth with this nutrient-rich soil mix. Ensure vibrant plants in your tub garden!

Vertical Ladder Planter

A vertical ladder planter brings vibrant life to narrow spaces.
A vertical ladder planter brings vibrant life to narrow spaces.

Imagine a ladder, but instead of climbing it, your plants do! Vertical planters are fantastic for saving space and adding a lush, green backdrop to any wall. I’ve helped many clients transform their small patios with this idea, and it’s always a hit. Explore these inspiring ideas for climbing plants to find the perfect greenery for your setup.

Maybe worth checking out:

  • Wooden Ladder: Transform your space with a rustic wooden ladder for creative vertical gardening displays.
  • Colorful Plant Pots: Add a splash of color with vibrant pots perfect for displaying your favorite plants.
  • Hanging Plant Brackets: Enhance plant display with sturdy brackets designed for vertical and creative setups.

Repurposed Bicycle Planter

A vintage bicycle becomes a delightful focal point with blooming flowers.
A vintage bicycle becomes a delightful focal point with blooming flowers.

Give an old bicycle a new life by using its basket and frame as a planter. The whimsical touch it adds to gardens has always been a favorite among my clients, especially when we plant trailing flowers that cascade down the sides. You can find more inspiration in our creative old bicycle garden ideas.

You might give these a try:

  • Decorative Bicycle Basket: Add charm with a classic wicker bicycle basket, perfect for holding your vibrant blooms.
  • Trailing Flower Seeds: Plant trailing flowers for a cascading effect that enhances your bicycle planter’s visual appeal.
  • Rust-Proof Bicycle Frame Paint: Revitalize your old bike with rust-proof paint, ensuring durability and a fresh look.

Wooden Crate Planter

Rustic charm meets functionality with a wooden crate planter.
Rustic charm meets functionality with a wooden crate planter.

Wooden crates aren’t just for storage anymore. They make excellent planters with a rustic charm, perfect for those who love a farmhouse vibe. I often recommend this to clients who want something quick and easy yet stylish.

These products might help:

  • Wooden Crates: Transform your space with rustic wooden crates ideal for creating stylish outdoor planters.
  • Garden Bedding Soil: Enhance your plants with nutrient-rich soil formulated for optimal growth in planters.
  • Outdoor Plant Variety Pack: Add color to your planters with vibrant outdoor plant packs for year-round beauty.

Hanging Boot Planters

These hanging boot planters bring a playful touch to any garden.
These hanging boot planters bring a playful touch to any garden.

Old boots can be quirky, hanging planters that add character to your garden. They’re a fun project that I love doing with kids during my workshops, and they never fail to bring a smile. You can find more inspiration in our creative outdoor plant container ideas.

A few relevant products:

  • Heavy-Duty Hanging Hooks: Securely hang your boot planters with these strong hooks, ensuring stability and style outdoors.
  • Gardening Tool Set: Plant efficiently with a handy set designed to make gardening projects fun and easy.
  • All-Purpose Potting Soil: Nourish your plants with quality soil, ideal for promoting healthy growth in boot planters.

Tiered Drawer Planter

Tiered drawer planters offer a charming, layered planting solution.
Tiered drawer planters offer a charming, layered planting solution.

Stack a few old drawers and voila, you have a multi-level planter! This idea makes great use of vertical space and adds a vintage feel. I’ve seen it work wonders in both large and small gardens. For more inspiration, check out these creative hydrangea planter ideas.

Consider these options:

  • Vintage Wooden Drawers: Get these vintage wooden drawers to create a charming, multi-level planter for your garden.
  • Outdoor Wood Sealant: Protect your wooden planters from the elements with a durable outdoor wood sealant.
  • Potting Soil Mix: Ensure healthy plant growth with a quality potting soil mix, ideal for any garden setup.

Colorful Tire Planters

Colorful tire planters add a vibrant touch to any outdoor area.
Colorful tire planters add a vibrant touch to any outdoor area.

Old tires painted in bright colors can be stacked or arranged creatively to form unique planters. They’re especially great for those who want to add a pop of color to their outdoor space. I’ve used this idea to liven up many a dull corner. Check out these creative tire garden ideas for more inspiration.

A few suggestions:

  • Outdoor Acrylic Paint Set: Brighten your tires with durable paints. Perfect for weather-resistant and vibrant outdoor projects.
  • Heavy Duty Drill with Hole Saw Kit: Easily drill drainage holes in tires to ensure proper water management for your plants.
  • Gardening Soil Mix: Fill your planters with this premium soil mix for healthy plant growth and vibrant blooms.

Basketball Hanging Planter

A basketball planter offers a fun, sporty element to your garden.
A basketball planter offers a fun, sporty element to your garden.

Turn a deflated basketball into a hanging planter for a sporty twist. This quirky idea is a favorite among my clients with kids, and it’s a great way to recycle old sports equipment. If you want to complete the look, check out these small backyard basketball court ideas.

May just do the trick:

  • Macrame Plant Hanger: Elevate your planter’s look with a sturdy macrame hanger. Easy to install and decorative.
  • Heavy Duty Ceiling Hook: Securely hang your basketball planter with a reliable ceiling hook. Perfect for indoor or outdoor use.
  • Potting Soil for Indoor Plants: Ensure your plants thrive with nutrient-rich potting soil. Ideal for vibrant, healthy growth.

Succulent Cup Planter

Teacup planters bring a vintage charm to small spaces.
Teacup planters bring a vintage charm to small spaces.

Use old teacups as tiny succulent planters for a delicate, vintage look. These make adorable additions to windowsills or garden shelves, and I love how they’re perfect for small spaces. You can find more inspiration in our creative DIY succulent planter ideas.

Check these products out:

  • Vintage Teacup Set: Add charm to your planters with vintage teacups that enhance your decor with elegance.
  • Succulent Soil Mix: Ensure healthy growth for your succulents with this specially formulated soil mix.
  • Mini Succulent Plants: Bring life to your teacup planters with these easy-to-care-for mini succulents.

Wine Barrel Planter

Wine barrel planters offer depth and rustic elegance.
Wine barrel planters offer depth and rustic elegance.

Half wine barrels make excellent large planters for flowers or small trees. They’re a staple in many of my garden transformations, offering both depth and a touch of rustic elegance. Check out these half barrel planter ideas for inspiration on your next project.

A few helpful options:

  • Half Wine Barrel Planter: Elevate your garden’s charm with a rustic half wine barrel planter, perfect for vibrant blooms.
  • Soil Mix for Outdoor Planters: Enhance plant growth with nutrient-rich soil mix, ideal for vibrant flowers and small trees.
  • Drainage Pebbles for Containers: Ensure optimal drainage and plant health with these easy-to-use drainage pebbles.

Light Bulb Terrarium

Light bulb terrariums add a whimsical, upcycled touch to your garden.
Light bulb terrariums add a whimsical, upcycled touch to your garden.

Repurpose old light bulbs into tiny hanging terrariums for a unique garden feature. They’re a brilliant way to upcycle and add a delicate decorative touch that my clients adore.

You might like:

  • Clear Glass Light Bulb Shaped Vase: Create stunning terrariums with these glass bulb vases, perfect for hanging or table displays.
  • Miniature Terrarium Plant Kit: Enhance your terrariums with this kit of assorted miniature plants, ideal for small spaces.
  • Hanging Twine Rope for Planters: Securely hang your terrarium creations with this durable twine, adding rustic charm to any decor.

Vintage Suitcase Planter

A vintage suitcase planter adds an unexpected twist to garden decor.
A vintage suitcase planter adds an unexpected twist to garden decor.

An old suitcase can be transformed into a charming planter for your patio or front porch. It adds an unexpected twist to your garden design, and I’ve seen it become a conversation starter at many gatherings. For more inspiration, check out these stunning front porch planter ideas.

A few things you might like:

  • Waterproof Planter Liner: Protect your vintage suitcase and keep plants healthy with a durable waterproof liner.
  • Potting Soil Mix: Ensure optimal plant growth with premium potting soil designed for container gardens.
  • Assorted Flower Seeds: Brighten your planter with colorful blooms using assorted flower seed packs.

Concrete Block Planter

Concrete block planters offer a modern, geometric aesthetic.
Concrete block planters offer a modern, geometric aesthetic.

Use concrete blocks to build a sturdy, modern planter. Their geometric shapes allow for endless configurations, and I love using them to create sleek, minimalistic looks in contemporary gardens. You can find more inspiration in our modern planter outdoor ideas.

Try these:

  • Concrete Blocks: Stack these durable concrete blocks to craft a modern and stylish outdoor planter.
  • Geotextile Fabric Liner: Line your planters with geotextile fabric to ensure proper drainage and plant health.
  • Outdoor Planter Soil Mix: Select a premium soil mix for optimal plant growth in your concrete block planters.

Old Wheelbarrow Planter

A wheelbarrow planter adds a rustic touch with a practical twist.
A wheelbarrow planter adds a rustic touch with a practical twist.

An old wheelbarrow can be repurposed into a mobile planter for larger plants or flowers. It’s a delightful way to add a rustic, country feel to your garden, and it’s practical too!

Check if these fit your needs:

  • Gardening Soil for Outdoor Planters: Enhance plant growth with rich gardening soil. Perfect for your wheelbarrow planter project.
  • Assorted Flower and Plant Seed Pack: Explore vibrant blooms by planting diverse seeds in your wheelbarrow planter.
  • Rustic Wheelbarrow Garden Decor: Add a vintage touch with decorative wheelbarrows crafted for garden displays.

Birdcage Planter

Birdcage planters bring vintage romance to garden spaces.
Birdcage planters bring vintage romance to garden spaces.

Turn an old birdcage into a whimsical planter that’s perfect for trailing plants. This idea brings a touch of vintage romance to any garden space, and I’ve found it particularly charming in cottage-style gardens. For more inspiration, explore these charming petunia planter ideas to elevate your outdoor decor.

Products that could assist:

  • Vintage Metal Birdcage: Add a touch of vintage charm with a decorative metal birdcage, perfect for charming displays.
  • Trailing Ivy Plant: Enhance your birdcage planter with lush, trailing ivy for a romantic greenery display.
  • Colorful Faux Flowers: Brighten your garden display with vibrant faux flowers that require no maintenance.

Handbag Planter

Handbag planters add personality and charm to any outdoor space.
Handbag planters add personality and charm to any outdoor space.

Repurpose an old handbag into a fashionable planter for your deck or patio. It’s a fun way to bring some personality into your garden, and I always enjoy seeing how clients personalize this idea.

Some handy options:

  • Waterproof Liner for Planters: Protect your handbag with a waterproof liner to prevent leaks and prolong use.
  • Potting Soil Mix: Use quality potting soil mix to ensure healthy plant growth in your handbag planter.
  • Hand Pruners: Keep your plants well-trimmed and healthy with sharp hand pruners.

Mason Jar Planters

Mason jar planters bring DIY charm to your outdoor decor.
Mason jar planters bring DIY charm to your outdoor decor.

Mason jars can be used as charming planters for herbs or small flowers. Group them together for a lovely display on a garden table, and they’re perfect for those who love a DIY touch.

Possibly helpful picks:

  • Set of Decorative Mason Jars: Create a rustic charm with these decorative mason jars perfect for indoor and outdoor use.
  • Wooden Tray for Mason Jars: Organize your mason jar planters neatly with this stylish wooden tray, ideal for patios.
  • Jute Twine for Crafting: Enhance the look of your planters by wrapping them with durable jute twine for a natural feel.

Colander Hanging Planter

Colander planters add a unique, playful touch to garden decor.
Colander planters add a unique, playful touch to garden decor.

An old colander makes a quirky, functional hanging planter. It’s ideal for herbs or trailing plants and adds a playful element to your garden decor. Explore more creative planter ideas to find other unique ways to display your greenery.

Explore these options:

  • Metal Colander with Handles: Use a durable metal colander for a rustic and functional hanging planter outdoors.
  • Hanging Chain Kit: Ensure your planter hangs securely with this sturdy and adjustable hanging chain kit.
  • Herb Seed Mix: Grow your favorite herbs in your planter with this easy-to-sow seed mix.

Log Planter

Log planters bring a natural, organic feel to outdoor spaces.
Log planters bring a natural, organic feel to outdoor spaces.

A hollowed-out log makes a natural planter that blends seamlessly into any garden. I love using these in woodland or rustic settings for a truly organic look. You can find more inspiration in our creative tree planter ideas.

Possibly handy products:

  • Outdoor Wood Sealer: Protect your log planter from weather damage. Enhance durability with a quality wood sealer today!
  • Succulent Plant Assortment: Add vibrant colors to your log planter with easy-to-care-for succulent plants. Order now!
  • Soil Moisture Meter: Ensure optimal moisture levels for your plants. Use this soil moisture meter for healthier growth.

Metal Lantern Planter

Lantern planters create a magical, elegant atmosphere in your garden.
Lantern planters create a magical, elegant atmosphere in your garden.

Convert an old metal lantern into a charming planter for small plants or succulents. It adds a touch of elegance and can be placed on tables or hung from trees for a magical garden vibe.

Useful items to consider:

  • Vintage Metal Lanterns: Transform your garden with vintage lanterns that offer a charming and unique planter option.
  • Strong Hanging Chains: Ensure your planters are securely hung with durable chains for added safety and style.
  • Assorted Succulent Plants: Add life to your lantern planter with a variety of colorful succulents for an elegant look.
Text: Joyce Peterson