DIY Flower Planter Ideas

If you look around the store or online for flower planters, you’ll quickly realize these can be very pricy.

And, unless you’re a professional gardener, chances are you don’t need something that’s super high-end or expensive. So, what’s a thrifty person to do? Well, one option is to DIY your own flower planter!

There are tons of different ways you can go about this, and it really doesn’t have to be difficult or time-consuming.

To help give you some inspiration, we’ve rounded up a few of our favorite DIY flower planter ideas.

My favorite way to make planters is to repurpose old objects I have around the house or buy objects second-hand for cheap that I can then reuse.

Disclaimer: This blog post contains affiliate links. As a member of the Amazon Associates Program, I earn a commission on qualifying purchases.

1. Painted wooden crate

This is probably the most common DIY planter because 1) wooden boxes or crates are easy to find and 2) there’s no real handiwork required – just a basic paint job.

All you have to do is paint an old wooden crate or box and add some colorful flowers for a fun and summery look.

So here are the steps for this most simple DIY:

Step 1: Gather your supplies. You’ll need a wooden box or crate, paint, a brush, a plastic planter, and flowers.

Step 2: Decide on the color scheme you want to use for your planter. This can be anything from a single color to a more complex design.

Step 3: Paint your box or crate. If you’re using more than one color, make sure to allow each layer of paint to dry completely before adding the next.

Step 4: Once the paint is dry, add a plastic planter inside the box or crate. This will help protect your plants from any moisture that may seep through the wood.

Step 5: Fill your planter with soil and add your flowers.

You can even stack the planters on top of each other in a vertical ladder-like planter.

There you have it – a beautiful and unique flower planter that cost you next to nothing to make!

2. Tin cans

Another great way to recycle old items is by upcycling tin cans into planters.

This is a super easy project that anyone can do, and it’s a great way to add a pop of color to your porch or patio.

To make this DIY planter, you’ll need:

• Tin cans (I used 3)
• Paint
• A paintbrush
• Soil
• Flowers

Step 1: Start by giving your tin cans a good wash. You want to make sure they’re clean before you start painting them.

Step 2: Once they’re dry, decide on the color scheme you want to use. You can paint them all one color or get creative and do a design.

Step 3: Paint your cans and allow them to dry completely.

Step 4: Once the paint is dry, add a layer of rocks or pebbles to the bottom of each can. This will help with drainage.

Step 5: Add some soil and your flowers.

And that’s it! These cute little planters are perfect for small spaces or as a way to add some color to your outdoor space.

3. Rustic wheelbarrow

For this idea, turn a wheelbarrow into a planter by painting it and adding some greenery and flowers. Create a rustic look by using a distressed paint finish.

To make this DIY, you’ll need:

• A wheelbarrow
• Paint
• A paintbrush
• Sandpaper (optional)
• Soil
• Flowers

Step 1: Start by giving your wheelbarrow a good wash. You want to make sure it’s clean before you start painting it.

Step 2: Once it’s dry, decide on the color scheme you want to use. You can paint it all one color or get creative and do a design.

Step 3: Paint your wheelbarrow and allow it to dry completely.

Step 4: Once the paint is dry, you can optionally distress the paint by sanding down some of the edges.

Step 5: Add some soil and your flowers.

This is such a fun and unique way to display your flowers, and it’s sure to be a conversation starter!

4. Watering can flower planter

Get creative with an old watering can by painting it and adding some cheerful flowers. This is a great idea for a porch or patio.

To make this DIY, you’ll need:

• An old watering can
• Paint (chalk paint is ideal if you’re going for a rustic look)
• A paintbrush
• Soil
• Flowers

Step 1: Start by giving your watering can a good wash. You want to make sure it’s clean before you start painting it.

Step 2: Once it’s dry, decide on the color scheme you want to use. You can paint it all one color or get creative and do a design.

Step 3: Paint your watering can and allow it to dry completely.

Step 4: Add some soil and your flowers.

There you go, this is another one of my favorite flower planter DIYs because it takes minutes to make.

You can even use spray paint if you want to make this project even easier.

5. Old dresser turned flower or herb garden

Upcycle an old dresser into a beautiful planter by adding some paint and flowers. This is a great idea for a porch or patio.

To make this DIY, you’ll need:

• An old dresser (I used an antique one but even a basic IKEA dresser will work)
• Paint
• A paintbrush
• Soil
• Herbs or flowers

Step 1: Start by giving your dresser a good sanding or cleaning. You want to make sure it’s clean before you start painting it.

Step 2: Once it’s dry, decide on the color scheme you want to use. You can paint it all one color or get creative and do a design.

Step 3: Paint your dresser and allow it to dry completely.

Step 4: Add plastic planters, add some soil and your herbs. I used a mix of mint, basil, and rosemary. Flowers will look amazing too.

This is such a fun way to add some color to your outdoor space, and it’s also practical since you can grow your own herbs.

6. Hanging colander planter

Hang a colander on the wall or from the wall and add some plants or flowers for a unique look. I like to paint the colanders bright colors for a fun pop of color.

To make this DIY, you’ll need:

• A colander
• Paint
• A paintbrush
• Soil
• Flowers or plants

Step 1: Start by giving your colander a good wash. You want to make sure it’s clean before you start painting it.

A stainless steel colander with a base works best for this DIY.

Step 2: Once it’s dry, decide on the color scheme you want to use. You can paint it all one color or get creative and do a design. You can use neon paint colors which are a fun twist on the classic planter colors.

Step 3: Paint your colander and allow it to dry completely.

Step 4: Add some soil and your flowers or plants. I used succulents for this project but you can use any type of plant.

This is such a fun and unique way to display your plants, and it’s sure to be a conversation starter!

7. Tea cup flower planter

Turn an old tea cup into a flower planter for a unique and pretty way to display your flowers. This is a great idea for a windowsill or table.

To make this DIY, you’ll need:

• An old tea cup
• Paint
• A paintbrush
• Soil
• Flowers

Step 1: Wash your tea cup and allow it to dry completely.

Step 2: Paint the outside of the tea cup. I used a light blue color but you can use any color you want. Allow the paint to dry completely.

Step 3: Add some soil and your flowers. I used a white daisy for this project but you can use any type of flower.

These tea cup planters are great for the home or even outside on your balcony or porch.

8. Repurposed chandelier hanging planter

This is such a fun and creative way to repurpose an old chandelier. Hang it from the ceiling or a tree and add some plants or flowers for a unique look.

To make this DIY, you’ll need:

• An old chandelier
• Paint
• A paintbrush
• Soil
• Flowers or plants

Step 1: Start by giving your chandelier a good wash. You want to make sure it’s clean before you start painting it.

Step 2: Once it’s dry, decide on the color scheme you want to use. I used a metallic silver paint for this project but you can use any color you want. Gold paint or gold spray paint is quite popular these days too!

Step 3: Paint your chandelier and allow it to dry completely.

Step 4: Add some soil and your flowers or plants. You can use a mix of succulents and air plants for this project combined with classics like begonias, petunias, or impatiens.

9. Hanging rubber boots planter

This is a great idea for those who have wellies or rain boots that they no longer use.

Simply wash out the inside of the boot and let it dry.

Once it’s dry, fill it with soil and plants of your choice.

You can either hang it on a fence or wall, or place it on the ground.

10. Old logs succulent planter

This is a great way to upcycle old logs.

Simply cut the log into pieces and drill holes into the top. Use a saw if necessary to make sure the holes are big enough.

Fill the holes with soil and succulents or cacti of your choice.

You can either place these on the ground or hang them on a wall.

Conclusion

I hope you enjoyed these fun and creative DIY flower planter ideas. Get creative and see what you can come up with using things you have around the house.

See? You don’t need to spend tons of money on some planters when you can just repurpose things and give them a nice paint job!