I love to keep old tin cans and re-purpose them and upcycle them into the best tin can planters!
My kitchen window sill is adorned with planters. Ideally, they would be full of fresh herbs to cook with. However, I’m a herb killer! As I’m rubbish at remembering to water them even when they are next to the sink.
Therefore, to avoid that ugly wilted herb look I have more resilient cacti and succulents in my kitchen window. And who doesn’t love a succulent or cacti? These gorgeous plants sit in lovely tin can planters, which I think are very apt for a kitchen.
I’ve even made an upcycled faux succulent garden for one of my tin can planters. So there is no chance of killing that one!
I have to admit that I’m swayed by great packaging, I often buy things just because I like the box it comes in (shameful!). The simple tin can must be one of the best packaging designs. Not only are they fit for purpose, but with all that steel and ridges they just ooze industrial chic.
Naked tin cans look awesome as planters especially if you like that rustic farmhouse look. However, it doesn’t take much to jazz them up a bit if you are going for an alternative interior look.
Upcycling Tin Cans As Planters
Food cans are the best to upcycle into planters as they have a coating inside to stop them rusting. However, if not painted or varnished on the inside and left out in the rain then they might rust on the outside.
If the planters are for the garden where you cant’ control the amount of watering, I recommend drilling drain holes in the bottom of the cans.
Inside planters where you control the amount of watering, drill holes aren’t necessary. As long as you make sure you don’t over water the plants.
I recommend adding a layer of pebbles in the can planters to aid with the water drainage. There is plenty of room to add this drainage layer, as can planters are often quite deep.
Many of the planter ideas below have tips on planting in the tin cans, especially the rainbow tin can planters and the window herb planters.
Most of these planters sit on window sills or shelves, but if you want to hang your planters, there is a great tutorial for tin can plant hangers here.
Best Tin Can Planter Ideas
There is more than one way to upcycle and repurpose your old tin cans to create affordable planters. Here are the best ideas for transforming a tin can into a planter.
Easy Upcycled Marimekko Decorative Tin Can Planters
These gorgeous Marimekko planters would brighten up any garden. It is just such a beautiful riot of colour and pattern.
Rainbow Tin Can Planters
If you love rainbows, then this is the tin can planter for you. A great one to put on the front wall during pride month. It also includes a tutorial for the pallet planter holder.
How To Make A Gorgeous Recycled Jean Planter
Two pieces of trash, tin cans and denim seams can be combined to great a cool unique upcycled planter.
DIY Copper Tin Can Planters and Chalkboard Tags
The black chalk labels look great against the copper. Also, the labels help if you don't know your parsley from your basil.
Rustic Vintage Seed Packets Tin Can Planters
The combination of rusty tin cans and vintage seed packets make for some fun garden planters.
Gold Crushed Can DIY Planters
This is literally a five minute upcycle. The tin can planters look like pineapples.
Cute DIY Hanging Tin & Soda Can Planters
There are two versions of these tin can planters, one made from soda cans and the other food cans. Both are squashed and designed to hang. They look cute as door number displays.
Trendy Upcycled Planters With Velvet
Give your tin can planters a luxurious look and feel by upcycling them with velvet ribbon.
Recycled Tin Can Handbag Planter
This has to be one of the most creative tin can planter upcycles. So clever making the planter look like a handbag.
Unique Shibori Indigo Planters
These tin can planters are made with Shibori dyed socks and bandages.
birch wood tin can planters | DIY - Lolly Jane
I love the natural look the birch wood gives these planters. They would look great on a Christmas mantle.
Fun and Unique Oriental Vase DIY flower pots
Who'd of thought you could make old tin cans look like priceless ming vases?
An Upcycled Leather Planter
Upcycle an old leather (or faux leather) handbag into a colourful planter.
Pretty Plant Pots (Re-Cycled Cans)
Pretty plant posts made with tin cans, decoupage and burlap flowers.
Cross Stitch Planter
I love cross stitch and this is a fun way to show it off by turning it into a tin can planter.
Upcycled Can Planter With Paper Flowers
The paper flowers are a pretty addition to this painted tin can planter.
DIY Herb Hanging Planter
Sometimes simple just really works, like with these planters. I love the rustic stamped labels.
Easy and Inexpensive DIY Tin Can Decor
I love all three of these tin can planters, but I think the printed paper one is my favourite.
Boho Style Vases from Tin Cans
Use doilies, lace ribbon and old jewelry to give your tin cans a boho vibe.
Tin Can Planter With Patina
A tutorial on how to give a shiny tin can a patina so it looks like galvanized steel.
It’s hard to pick a favourite tin can planter. However, if pushed I think that the Marimekko ones are my favourite, then again I have a thing about Marimekko.
Tin cans can be upcycled into other things besides planters, such as caddies and I even made an upcycled advent calendar using tin cans, and a stylish copper and denim craft caddy.
Smaller tin cans are good for upcycling into tin can Christmas ornaments.
There are other things you can upcycle into planters even old road maps can be made into waterproof plant pot covers.
You might like to check out these other posts and my comprehensive list of clever upcycling ideas and resources. In particular, these brilliant gardening upcycle ideas.
Alison
Monday 22nd of February 2021
Absolutely love the copper-looking tins. Plenty of great ideas here
I literally just ran to my recycling and pulled out a few cans. That will keep the kids busy for a few hours of crafting.
Succulent planters and seedling pots here we go!
Claire Armstrong
Tuesday 23rd of February 2021
Thank you. I always keep a few tins aside for decorating. They are fun to upcycle. Good like with your planters.
Maisy
Wednesday 29th of March 2017
As you know, I was already a fan of your golden crushed tins, but this roundup is even better! So many cute ideas :)
Have a wonderful day, Claire!
*Maisy
Claire Armstrong
Wednesday 29th of March 2017
Thank you, Maisy. Have a wonderful day too!
dianna keefe
Monday 27th of March 2017
I really enjoyed going thru all of your upcycling for plants. last year I planted my garden on upstairs deck and had my share of daily veggies even corn I would like to add some more plants upwards out of scraps etc and would like to see more. I would like these sentto my e mail so I can incorporate them into my plans. thank you for great ideas!!!!
Claire Armstrong
Monday 27th of March 2017
Thank you. Your upstairs deck sound lovely with all the plants.
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