You’ve got a beautiful planter, but maybe you’re tired of flowers or struggle to keep plants alive. That’s okay. There are so many creative ways to fill that container. Let’s talk about what to put in a planter besides plants. You can make stunning, low-maintenance displays that show off your style.
Empty planters are just opportunities waiting to happen. They can hold objects, create focal points, and add texture to your space. The best part? No watering required. Here’s how to see your pots in a whole new light.
What To Put In A Planter Besides Plants
This is your guide to non-plant ideas. We’ll cover materials, themes, and simple steps to get you started. Whether your pot is indoors or outside, these suggestions will work.
Starting With the Basics: Drainage and Filler
Even without plants, you need to prep your planter. If it’s staying outdoors, drainage is still important to prevent water from pooling. Start by covering the drainage holes with a piece of broken pottery or mesh. Then, add a layer of lightweight filler.
This saves on material and makes heavy pots easier to move. Good filler options include:
- Upside-down plastic pots or nursery containers
- Packing peanuts (the biodegradable kind if outdoors)
- Crumpled newspaper or plastic bottles
- Sand or gravel for weight and stability
Top your filler with a layer of burlap or landscape fabric. This creates a stable base for your decorative elements to sit on.
Idea 1: A Sculptural Display of Stones and Minerals
Natural stones bring calm and permanence. You can use one type of stone or mix sizes and colors for contrast. This idea works great for modern or zen garden spaces.
How to assemble a stone planter:
- Fill the base of your planter with sand or pea gravel for a firm foundation.
- Select your stones. Large, smooth river rocks make a clean statement.
- Arrange them thoughtfully. Try grouping three large stones of different heights together.
- Add smaller pebbles or glass beads around the base to cover the filler material.
For a sparkle, include chunks of quartz or geodes. You can even find tumbled colored glass that looks like gemstones. This display never needs a drop of water.
Idea 2: A Cozy Nest for Outdoor Essentials
Turn a large planter by your door into a useful station. It’s a perfect spot to keep things you need often but want to keep tidy. This idea combines function with a welcoming look.
- Fill the planter about halfway with sand or gravel for stability.
- Stand a rolled-up outdoor blanket or yoga mat in one corner.
- Add a few citronella candles or a bottle of insect repellent.
- Tuck in a small, decorative basket to hold dog leashes or garden gloves.
- You could even stand a folded rain umbrella in the center.
The result is organized and inviting. It tells guest you’re ready for any outdoor activity. Just be sure to bring in fabric items if rain is forcasted.
Idea 3: Seasonal and Holiday Decorations
Planters are fantastic for rotating seasonal decor. They provide a ready-made container for your themed items. Change them out a few times a year for instant curb appeal.
For Fall:
Fill with a mix of mini pumpkins, gourds, and dried corn cobs. Add cinnamon sticks and pine cones for scent and texture. A few faux autumn leaves can complete the look.
For Winter:
Use birch logs of varying heights as a base. Add pine branches, red berry sprigs, and large pinecones. Wrap a string of outdoor fairy lights through it all for a magical glow at night. A big velvet bow on the side adds a festive touch.
For Spring:
Nestle painted eggs (ceramic or plastic) into a bed of spanish moss. Include pussy willow branches or curly willow twigs for height. Pastel-colored ribbons tied to the branches finish it nicely.
Idea 4: A Water Feature or Bird Bath
The sound of water is incredibly relaxing. A large, water-tight planter can become a simple fountain. You’ll need a small submersible pump, some tubing, and a power source.
Simple steps to try:
- Ensure your planter does not have drainage holes, or seal them completely.
- Place the pump in the bottom and run the tube up through a central arrangement of rocks.
- Fill the planter with water and hide the tube outlet among the top stones.
- Plug it in, and water will trickle down the rocks, recirculating from the basin below.
For a simpler version, just fill a sealed planter with clean water. Add a few floating flowers or candles. Birds will love it as a bath on a warm day, too.
Idea 5: An Artistic Arrangement of Found Objects
This is where you can get really personal. Look for interesting shapes and textures. Think driftwood, antique bottles, wrought iron pieces, or old garden tools.
Create a story with your objects. A piece of coral, a sea-worn shell, and some blue glass marbles can suggest the ocean. A stack of old books, a vintage clock, and a pair of spectacles creates a scholarly vibe. The key is to group items with a common theme or color palette.
Play with height and balance. Use taller items in the back or center. Let some items spill over the edge a bit. There’s no wrong answer here, just what looks good too you.
Idea 6: Light It Up
Planters make excellent bases for outdoor lighting. They lift lights up to a better height and add a decorative touch. This is both practical and beautiful for patios and pathways.
- Torches: Insert bamboo tiki torches into a planter filled with stones or sand. It’s very secure.
- Lanterns: Group a collection of lanterns (metal, glass, paper) at different levels inside a wide planter.
- String Lights: Coil a string of globe lights inside a clear glass vessel or hurricane lamp placed in the planter.
- Candles: For safety, place pillar candles on a bed of sand or in deep glass jars surrounded by pebbles.
This creates instant ambience for evening gatherings. Always follow safety precautions with open flames and outdoor electrical connections.
Tips for Success and Longevity
To make sure your non-plant display lasts, keep a few things in mind. Weight is important for outdoor pots so they don’t blow over. Use sand, gravel, or rocks as a base filler to add heft.
Consider the material of your planter. Terracotta can crack in freeze-thaw cycles if it holds water. For permanent outdoor installations, choose frost-proof ceramic, metal, or fiberglass. For indoor displays, anything goes.
Dust happens. Plan to gently rinse or wipe down stones and objects every few months. A quick refresh keeps your creation looking its best. Rotating items seasonaly also prevents them from looking stale.
Frequently Asked Questions
What can I use to fill the bottom of a large planter without plants?
Use lightweight, bulky items like plastic bottles, packing peanuts, or upside-down pots. Top with landscape fabric before adding your decorative layer.
How do you weigh down a planter for decoration?
Start with a layer of sand or gravel at the very bottom. This provides a stable, heavy foundation that prevents tipping.
Can I make a planter decoration for indoors?
Absolutely. All these ideas work inside. For indoor displays, you can use more delicate items like books, yarn balls, or decorative ornaments without worrying about weather.
What do you put in a planter for winter interest?
Use evergreen branches, birch logs, red twig dogwood branches, pinecones, and weather-resistant ornaments. Adding outdoor-rated lights is a great idea for the dark winter months.
How do I keep my decorative planter from collecting water?
If your pot has drainage holes, you don’t need to seal them. Just use the filler-and-fabric method. If it doesn’t have holes and is outdoors, you may need to tip it after rain unless you want a water feature.
Empty planters are a blank canvas. They invite you to think beyond petals and leaves. With a little creativity, you can design something that reflects your personality and needs no care at all. So look at that empty pot with new eyes and start filling it with possibilities.