Planters are a great way to add visual interest and greenery to any space. Whether indoors or outdoors, planters allow you to grow plants and flowers even in areas without a garden.
With many styles and materials available today, you can find unique planters to match any decor. Here are 30 creative planter ideas to spice up your home or garden.
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Repurposed Item Planters
One of the easiest ways to make a unique planter is to repurpose household items and materials. Get creative with these repurposing planter ideas:
1. Old Books
Stack a few old books together and secure them with glue. Cut a hole in the top book just big enough for the plant. Old encyclopedias and dictionaries work great for giving your planter an old world look.
2. Tea Cups
A delicate tea cup makes a charming planter for a small succulent or herb. Group a few different patterned tea cups on a tray or shelf. Make sure to drill drainage holes in the bottom.
3. Wine Crates
Wine crates are the perfect size for showcasing trailing vines or flowers. You can stain or paint the wood in your desired color and attach a few crates together to make a vertical garden.
4. Mason Jars
Mason jars are inexpensive and available in a variety of sizes, ideal for making mini planters. Clean the jars thoroughly and paint or decorate them before planting small blooms.
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5. Hanging Pallets
Give new life to an old wooden pallet by turning it into a vertical hanging planter. Plant flowers, herbs, or succulents in the openings and hang with chains on a patio or front porch.
6. Rain Boots
Rain boots make whimsical planters when filled with potting soil and bright blooms. Opt for tall boots and set them on the ground or look for short rain boots and hang them on walls or fences.
7. Ladder
Turn an old wooden ladder into a cascading pot rack by attaching galvanized buckets or pots with flowers to the rungs. Place against any vertical surface inside or outside the home.
8. Pipes
Used plumbing pipes and fittings to build a unique vertical planter that mounts to the wall. Vary pipe sizes and cap ends for interest.
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9. Colanders
Hang metal colanders on walls, fences, or railings and display trailing succulents and vines. For stability, attach a metal plate across the bottom before planting.
10. Bird Cages
Create a decorative display by lining a bird cage with moss or coconut fiber then placing air plants inside. Opt for large sturdy cages that can sit on the ground.
Fun Shape and Material Planters
Unique planters come in all sorts of unconventional shapes and materials like metal buckets, woven baskets, and geometric concrete pots. Mix and match shapes for maximum visual impact.
11. Metal Buckets or Tubs
Vintage styled galvanized buckets offer farmhouse charm and make great oversized planters for small trees or herbs. Hammered copper buckets bring beautiful patina. Opt for tubs large enough to create an in-ground effect.
12. Woven Baskets
Sturdy woven baskets give a natural touch to any space. Use wire baskets for herbs and trailing vines. For flowers, select baskets lined with plastic or moss to hold in soil moisture. Hang baskets from hooks or set on the ground.
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13. Geometric Pots
Modern geometric concrete planters are on-trend right now. The graphic shapes like hexagons and octagons and smooth concrete material give a clean, contemporary look. Use large geometric pots as stand-alone statement pieces.
14. Sculptural Ceramic
Sculptural ceramic planters really make plants pop with their artistic shapes and earthy finishes. Look for handmade style ceramic pots to use for succulents and exotic plants. Let the sculpted vessel shape shine by keeping the plantings simple.
15. Wood Crates
Give your patio, balcony or yard a modern rustic style using wooden crates as planters. Untreated oak or pine wood crates work well. Just line them with landscape fabric or plastic before filling with soil. Opt for long narrow crates to edge pathways or patios.
16. Silicone Molds
Get creative by making your own concrete planters using silicone molds. Toy molds shaped like robots, dinosaurs, or cars make fun decorative pots.
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17. Metal Drums
Upcycle 55-gallon metal drums into quirky oversized planters. Paint the exterior in bright colors and fill with tall grasses or bamboo. Use standalone or in matching pairs.
18. Recycled Plastic
Take eco-friendly to the next level by using stackable planters made from recycled plastic. The molded plastic containers are durable, lightweight, and come in great colors.
19. Upcycled Electronics
Give retired computer parts and electronics new life as sculptural planters. Line or fill old computer towers, keyboards, monitors, and TVs with plants.
20. Furniture Planters
Upholstered chairs, headboards, and dressers can all be transformed into quirky planters for the front porch or backyard. Customize by painting pieces with bright colors first.
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DIY Concrete Planters
Concrete planters can be expensive, but you can easily make your own with a little creativity and effort. Making your own concrete planter allows you to fully customize the shape, texture, and color.
21. Tiered Planters
This project involves stacking three concrete bowls of descending size and pouring concrete into the gaps to seamlessly adhere them. Once dry, paint or stain the finished piece. The tiered bowls are ideal for cascading flowers or herbs.
22. Stamped Concrete
Create an imprinted pattern on concrete planters before the concrete dries and hardens. Press items like leaves, seashells, or bricks into the wet concrete to leave behind unique textures. Then seal and stain the concrete.
23. Colored Concrete
White and gray concrete is versatile, but you can also add color pigments to the concrete mix for vibrant planters. Test colors on scraps first before pouring your colored concrete into a mold. Red, blue, and turquoise are eye-catching choices.
24. Pebble Mosaic
Decorate basic concrete pots with a pebble mosaic design using pebbles or broken tile. Outline your mosaic image with painters tape first before adhering the pieces in the concrete with tile adhesive.
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25. Geometric Patterns
Use molding strips to imprint geometric patterns into square or rectangular concrete planters. Lay diamond, horizontal line, or crisscross strips over wet concrete, then remove once partially dry. The texture adds subtle interest.
26. Aggregate Concrete
Mix aggregates like tumbled glass, marbles or seashells into the concrete for planters with shimmer and texture. Best for simple rectangular shapes to show off the materials used.
27. Foil Texture
Press aluminum foil against wet concrete to imprint a metallic sheen onto plantar surfaces. Try wavy or wrinkled foil for organic patterns.
28. Ombre Effect
Create an ombre effect on tapered concrete planters by coloring the concrete darker at the bottom and lighter at the top. Use spray bottles to gradually apply color washes.
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29. Fossil Imprints
For a natural history look, press actual fossils and shells into concrete planters before they harden. Clean specimens thoroughly before pressing them into the cement.
30. Wood Mold
Build wood molds to create geometric and sculptural shaped concrete planters like spirals, diamonds, and waves. Line the mold well with plastic before pouring concrete.
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FAQs
Q: Where can I find creative planter ideas?
A: You can discover unique planter ideas in this article, featuring repurposed items, unconventional materials, and DIY concrete options.
Q: What’s the advantage of using repurposed planters?
A: Repurposed planters add character and sustainability to your space, turning everyday items like books, tea cups, or wine crates into charming plant displays.
Q: How can I make my own concrete planters?
A: Crafting DIY concrete planters allows you to customize shape, texture, and color. You can experiment with various techniques, including stamping, coloring, or imprinting.
Q: What materials are best for creating modern planters?
A: Metal buckets, geometric concrete pots, and sculptural ceramics offer modern and contemporary options. They add an artistic touch to your greenery.
Q: Which unconventional materials can I use for planters?
A: Consider using items like woven baskets, silicone molds, recycled electronics, and even upcycled furniture for unique and eye-catching planter displays.
Conclusion
Embracing unique planters adds charm to your space. Repurpose items like old books, tea cups, wine crates, or rain boots for an inventive touch. Explore materials like metal buckets, woven baskets, and geometric concrete pots for unconventional styles.
If you’re feeling crafty, make custom concrete planters to suit your design preferences, whether tiered, stamped, colored, or textured. With an array of choices, these 30 unique planter ideas enhance your decor with creativity and greenery.
Whether you’re aiming for a whimsical garden or a chic outdoor retreat, these ideas provide ample inspiration to elevate your decor.
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