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Advice / Tips

Upcycle to Create Unique Containers For Your Garden

By Wendy Helfenbaum, Rise Writer
Last Updated: Apr 11, 2025

Gardening and homesteading, in general, have exploded in popularity in the past few years. Container gardening works for most people wanting to grow flowers, herbs, and vegetables because you don't need a sprawling yard. You can plant in pots and enjoy the blossoms and the bounty. Container and balcony gardens are also an affordable and easy way to boost your curb appeal.

 When choosing containers for plants, most gardeners end up with lots of terra cotta pots. But you can transform just about anything into a funky and fun vessel for edibles, flowers, and other plants. Channel your inner zero-waste eco-warrior and take a good look around your basement, garage or storage shed to find items that are perfect for planting. You can use everything from old suitcases to shoe organizers to children's rain boots. 

Here's how to repurpose items into unique, sustainable garden containers.

Table of Contents

  1. What Are the Advantages of Using Repurposed Items as Garden Containers?
  2. What Materials Should Garden Containers Be Made Of?
  3. What Are the Best Garden Container Shapes?
  4. How Deep Should a Garden Container Be?
  5. What Items Work Well as Garden Planters?
  6. How Should You Prepare an Item to Become a Garden Container?
  7. Where Can You Buy Unique Items That Make Good Containers if You Don't Already Have Any? 
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Gardening Succulent Insta
Photo Credit: Gardening Succulent via Instagram

What Materials Should Garden Containers Be Made Of?

In her recently published book, Complete Container Herb Gardening, garden designer Sue Goetz suggests various materials that work as containers for herbs and other plants. Generally, anything that holds soil and has holes for water to drain away will work. Some good choices include containers made of terra cotta, earthenware, concrete, and cast stone.

Metal containers – including galvanized, zinc, steel, and cast iron – are very sturdy and resistant to freezing temperatures, so you can use them season after season. They will rust over time unless you're using galvanized containers. Metal also offers different looks depending on whether you prefer a contemporary or traditional vibe in your garden.

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How Should You Prepare an Item to Become a Garden Container?

Make sure whatever object you choose has a hole for evaporation or drainage, suggests Goetz. You can drill or punch holes if it doesn't. If your item is dirty or rusty, you can clean it up, paint it or leave it as is and appreciate its patina. 

Recyclart.org Wine Bottle Planter
Wine Bottle Planters. Photo Credit: Recyclart.org

Where Can You Buy Unique Items That Make Good Containers if You Don't Already Have Any? 

If you don't have a stash of potential containers lying around, you can bet most people in your neighborhood do. You can find terrific and inexpensive items to repurpose as garden containers at flea markets, garage sales, and online marketplaces. Keep an eye on the curbs before garbage or recycling pickup days: many people put things out for collection that would work well in your backyard.

There are no rules for container gardening. The only limiting factor is your imagination, so have some fun.

Article By

Wendy Helfenbaum

Wendy Helfenbaum is a Montreal-based journalist and TV producer whose work has appeared in many outlets including Apartment Therapy, Metropolis, Architectural Digest’s AD Pro, AARP, Costco Connection, Country Gardens, Realtor.com, Style at Home, Canadian Living and many more. Follow her @WendyHelfenbaum

Wendy Helfenbaum