What Can I Use Instead Of Plant Pots

If you’re looking to add personality to your garden or start seedlings on a budget, you might be wondering what can i use instead of plant pots. The good news is that your home is likely full of potential containers just waiting to be repurposed. With a little creativity, you can give everyday items a new life and grow a thriving, unique garden without buying a single traditional pot.

This approach is not only economical but also sustainable. It reduces waste and adds a charming, personal touch to your indoor and outdoor spaces. Let’s look at some fantastic alternatives that you can find around your house or at local thrift stores.

Almost any container that can hold soil and allow for drainage can become a plant pot. The key is to ensure you can make holes in the bottom for water to escape. This prevents root rot, which is a common killer of container plants.

Repurposed Kitchen Items

Your kitchen is a treasure trove of potential planters. Before you toss or recycle, consider giving these items a second purpose.

Mugs and Teacups: Chipped or lonely mugs make perfect homes for small succulents or herbs. They’re especially cute on a windowsill.
Tin Cans: Thoroughly washed soup, coffee, or vegetable cans are classic DIY pots. Use a nail and hammer to poke drainage holes in the bottom.
Colanders: These are actually ideal because they already have plenty of holes! They work great for herbs or strawberries.
Teapots: A quirky teapot with its spout makes a delightful planter. You may need to drill a hole in the bottom if the lid is closed.
Baking Dishes & Mixing Bowls: Older ceramic or metal bowls can become stunning statement planters for larger plants.

Unexpected Household Containers

Look beyond the kitchen for other everyday objects that can hold a plant.

Old Boots & Shoes: Leather boots, rubber rain boots, or even worn-out sneakers have character. Just add drainage holes.
Toolboxes & Lunchboxes: Vintage metal boxes offer a rustic, industrial feel. They are perfect for creating a themed container garden.
Baskets: Wicker or wire baskets are lovely, but they need a liner. Use a plastic pot inside or line them with a heavy-duty plastic bag (with holes poked in it) to hold the soil.
Drawers: An old wooden drawer from a dresser can be mounted on a wall or set on the ground for a shallow, wide planter.

Upcycled Food & Beverage Packaging

Many product packages are the right size for starting seeds or growing herbs.

Plastic Bottles: Large soda or juice bottles can be cut horizontally to make pots, or vertically to create hanging planters.
Egg Cartons: Cardboard egg cartons are perfect for starting seeds. You can plant the whole cardboard cell directly into the ground later.
Milk Jugs & Cartons: These are excellent for protecting young plants from frost. Cut the bottom off and place the jug over the seedling.
Yogurt Cups & Plastic Tubs: Small dairy containers are ideal seed starters. Just wash them well and poke holes in the base.

Furniture and Larger Finds

For a bigger project, some furniture pieces can be converted into stunning garden features.

Old Sinks & Bathtubs: A vintage porcelain sink or a clawfoot tub makes a deep, spacious planter with built-in drainage!
Dressers & Cabinets: Removing some drawers from an old dresser and filling the cavities with soil creates a tiered planting effect.
Barrels & Buckets: Wooden whiskey barrels or large metal buckets are robust and suit small trees or big tomato plants.

How to Prepare Your Alternative Container

Just grabbing any container isn’t quite enough. Proper prep is crucial for your plant’s health. Follow these steps to get your creative pot ready.

Clean Thoroughly: Wash the container with warm, soapy water to remove any residues, especially if it held food or chemicals.
Create Drainage: This is the most important step. Use a drill (for ceramic, wood, or metal) or a heated nail (for plastic) to make several holes in the bottom. Without drainage, roots will drown.
Consider a Liner: For porous materials like wood or terracotta, line the inside with plastic to prevent rapid soil drying and rot. Remember to put holes in the liner too.
Add a Base Layer: Place a few inches of broken pottery, pebbles, or gravel in the bottom before adding soil. This improves drainage further.
Use Quality Potting Mix: Fill your container with a good-quality potting soil, not garden dirt. Potting mix is formulated to drain well in containers.

Choosing the Right Plant for Your Pot

Match your plant to the size and style of your container. A huge plant in a tiny mug will struggle, and vise versa.

Small containers (cups, cans): Best for succulents, small herbs (like thyme or oregano), or single annual flowers like pansies.
Medium containers (mixing bowls, boots): Good for larger herbs (basil, parsley), lettuce, peppers, or a cluster of flowers.
Large containers (barrels, sinks): Perfect for tomatoes, dwarf citrus trees, potatoes, or big, bushy flowers like geraniums.

Also think about material. Metal cans get hot in the sun, so they might need shade-loving plants. Wooden boxes are great for veggies but will eventually decay, which is fine for seasonal use.

Creative Ideas for Display

Once you’ve planted your upcycled pots, arranging them creatively adds to the charm.

Group pots of varying hights together on steps or a bench.
Hang bottles or tin cans from a fence or railing to create a vertical garden.
Use an old ladder as a plant stand to display a collection of smaller pots.
Paint or decorate plain containers to match your garden’s color scheme.

Potential Pitfalls to Avoid

While fun, using alternative containers comes with a few cautions. Be aware of these common issues.

Chemicals: Avoid containers that held toxic chemicals, unless you are certain you can clean them completely. Its better to be safe than sorry.
Overheating: Dark-colored metal or plastic pots can heat up quickly in direct sun, cooking the roots. Light-colored paint or a shaded location can help.
Durability: Some materials, like thin plastic or cardboard, will break down quickly outdoors. This is okay for short-term use, but not for perennial plants.
Weight: A large container filled with wet soil can be extremely heavy. Make sure it’s in its final spot before you plant, especially if it’s on a balcony.

FAQ: Creative Container Alternatives

What household items can be used as plant pots?
Many items work well, including mugs, tin cans, teapots, colanders, boots, baskets, drawers, plastic bottles, and wooden crates. The main requirements are that they can hold soil and you can create drainage holes.

How do you make drainage holes in containers?
For plastic, use a drill or a heated nail or screwdriver. For ceramic or glass, use a special glass/tile drill bit. For thin metal like cans, a regular nail and hammer will do the trick. Always wear safety glasses.

Can you use containers without drainage holes?
It’s not recommended. Without drainage, water pools at the bottom and causes root rot. If you must use a pot without holes (like a decorative ceramic one), use it as a cachepot. Keep the plant in a plastic nursery pot that fits inside, and remove it to water.

What are the best plants for small alternative pots?
Succulents, cacti, small herbs (chives, thyme), and shallow-rooted annual flowers like lobelia or alyssum are perfect for small containers like cups or cans.

Are there any containers I should avoid using?
Avoid anything that previously held harsh chemicals, paints, or solvents unless you can be absolutly sure it’s clean. Also, be cautious with treated wood, as it can leach chemicals into the soil over time.

Getting creative with your plant containers is a rewarding way to garden. It saves money, reduces waste, and gives your green space a unique personality that reflects your style. So next time you’re about to throw something away, take a second look—it might just be your next favorite planter. With a little preparation, you can turn almost anything into a happy home for your plants.