How To Make Flower Planters Using Old Kitchen Pots

by CountrySunshine

Upcycle old kitchen pots and pans into unique flower planters | A step-by-step guide with photographs and detailed instructions

I love gardening, and have flower beds surrounding my house. Zinnias, marigolds, snapdragons, and Johnny Jump-ups all call my house "home". While I like the look of flower beds, it is also fun to recycle household items into planters. It gives a casual country feel to my landscape.

While I've used old tractor tires and boots as planters in the past, I decided to use old kitchen pots this year. I've always thought these pots were pretty, but they weren't very useful. Food simply sticks to the bottom! I could donate them to Goodwill, but using them as flower pots is simply more practical.

Making these flower planters is easy, and below are the steps to creating your own.

All photos on this site are by L.C. Clifton / Country Sunshine, who retains the copyright.

Have you ever used recycled items as flower planters?

Items Needed

Old kitchen pots and pans

 

 

 

 

 

 

In order to create your kitchen pot planters, you'll need the following:

  • Old kitchen pots
  • A hammer and a nail
  • Drill & drill bits
  • Coffee filter and/or coco liner
  • Potting soil
  • Plants

Step 1: Make A Pilot Hole

pilor hole for drill bit

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Using your hammer and nail, make a small dent in the bottom of your pot where you wish to drill a hole.  It's best to have at least one hole in the bottom center, with other holes around the edges.

The dent will help hold your drill bit in place, which in turn will cut down on slipping and scratches.

Step 2: Drill Drainage Holes

drill holes in bottom of kitchen pot

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

After creating dents with your nail, it's time to drill your drainage holes.  Using a medium to large size bit, drill all the way through the metal pot.

inside of pot with drilled holes

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Once you've drilled all of your holes, turn your pots over.  The inside of your planters should look like this.

Step 3: Line The Bottom of Your Planter

Line bottom of pots with coco or coffee filters

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

To keep the soil from coming out the bottom of your planter, you'll need to line it with either a coffee filter or coco liner. The coco liner works best, as it will trap the soil in addition to keeping the dirt moist.

 

Add rocks to kitchen pot for drainage

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

A coffee filter is also a good liner, as it will eventually biodegrade.  With this in mind, you'll need to add a layer of small pebbles inside the coffee filter to trap the soil after the filter disintegrates.

Step 4: Add Your Soil

Fill planters with potting soil or dirt

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

It's best to fill your flower planters with quality potting soil.  If you don't have any, top soil from your yard will work. 

Add enough soil to fill your planter half-way.

Step 5: Plant Your Flowers

Add flowers to your pot planters

 

 

 

 

 

 

Add enough flower plants that your pot looks good, but isn't too crowded.  Place the plants inside your pot, then add more potting soil until the plant roots are covered.

Step 6: Water Your Flowers

Water freshly planted flowers

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

After planting your flowers in the pot, it's time to water them thoroughly.  Using a watering can or pot is the best way; a garden hose may have too much pressure and damage your plants.

After the soil is wet, wait a few minutes for the soil to settle.  You may need to add more soil to fill up the pot. 

Note:  If you add more soil, be certain to water your plants again.

Step 7: Keep Your Plants Moist

Depending on your potting soil and the sunlight your plant receives, you'll need to water  your flowers often.  I often forget to water mine until they look a bit peaked!

I've found that if I keep my watering pot handy, I'm more apt to keep my flowers moist.  And when I know I'm going to be away for awhile, I've found that the aqua globes work as well.

Only $35.0

I use a simple plastic watering can to water my kitchen planters. It is much lighter than the metal watering pots, so you won't have to worry about how heavy it is when carrying it across the yard. It's easy to fill from either the sink faucet or the hose, and the spout is long for hard-to-reach places.

I've owned my watering can for 3 years, and have never had any problems with it. Just keep it out of the sun to prevent cracks, and you'll get your money's worth!

Only $12.99

Simply fill these mini aqua globes with water, stick them in your flower planter, and the water will stay moist. They are great to use when you're going on vacation and don't want to rely on the neighbors to water your plants! I've found them to be pretty; small enough to use in kitchen pot planters, and a good way to keep my plants alive.

More Gardening Ideas

Have you ever planted flowers in kitchen pots?

As a fan of recycling, I like the idea of using castoff objects in which to plant flowers.  Have you ever planted flowers in pots, tires or boots?  What other items have you used for planters?

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Copyright 2013-2016 L.C. Clifton / Country Sunshine
Originally published June 4, 2013 on Zujava

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Updated: 02/10/2016, CountrySunshine
 
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Comments

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Mira on 05/07/2015

This is nicely decorative, and I like your practical solutions (with the coffee filter, etc.). I may try this :D

CountrySunshine on 05/06/2015

It is really easy, and all it requires is imagination and a couple of tools. The next item I'm going to use for a planter is an old barbecue grill. I've purchased the potting soil, but haven't decided what type of flowers to plant. Something colorful, I'm sure!

CountrySunshine on 05/06/2015

I have a few garden store planters that I use, but I much prefer using old kitchen pots, shoes, tires and other old items. It brings color and interest, and like you say, make a garden unique!

dustytoes on 05/06/2015

This is a great idea. I use all kinds of odd things in my gardens. I'm always thinking about recycling items to fill with flowers. Your tutorial makes it look so easy.

AngelaJohnson on 05/06/2015

Recycled flower pots and planters make a garden unique. Sure, planters from garden stores look nice and you can get them to match, but you're spending a whole lot of money that could be spent on buying more plants.

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