Skip to Content

The Best Tin Can Planters You Will Want To Make

I love to keep old tin cans, repurpose 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! I’m rubbish at remembering to water them even when they are next to the sink.

Therefore, I have more resilient cacti and succulents in my kitchen window to avoid that ugly wilted herb look. And who doesn’t love a succulent or cacti? These gorgeous plants sit in a lovely tin can planters, which I think are 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 must 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 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 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 prevent rust. However, if not painted or varnished on the inside and left out in the rain, they might rust on the outside.

If the planters are for the garden where you can’t control the amount of watering, I recommend drilling drain holes in the bottom of the cans.

Drill holes aren’t necessary inside planters where you control the amount of watering. As long as you make sure you don’t overwater 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 and window herb planters.

Most of these planters sit on window sills or shelves, but if you want to hang your planters, there is an excellent tutorial for tin can plant hangers here.

the best tin can planters

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.

It’s hard to pick a favourite tin can planter. However, if pushed, I think the Marimekko ones are my favourite; I have a thing about Marimekko.

Tin cans can be crafted 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 suitable for upcycling into a tin can Christmas ornaments.

You can upcycle other things 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, I like these brilliant gardening upcycle ideas.

41 Of The Best Ways To Repurpose Old Crates

Fantastic And Unique Ways To Repurpose Vintage Suitcases

Pin for later!

22 tin can planter ideas pin

You might also want to check out these fantastic ideas for plastic bottle planters.

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.

Happiness is Homemade Link Party! - MOMMY ON DEMAND

Sunday 26th of March 2017

[…] Five of the Best Tin Can Planters from Pillar Box Blue […]

Happiness is Homemade Link Party #164

Sunday 26th of March 2017

[…]  Five of the Best Tin Can Planters from Pillar Box Blue […]