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Wednesday Works: Upcycling Household Items into Plant Pots
Breathe new life into forgotten things—and give your plants a home with heart.
John Harrison
May 21, 2025
Ever Look at a chipped teacup and feel a tiny part of guilt before tossing it?
There’s something quietly magical about giving old things new roots. The quirky mug missing its match? That rusty old colander you’ve never quite had the heart to throw away? These aren’t just forgotten odds and ends—they’re future homes for something green, living, and full of potential.
This Wednesday, we’re pausing before the trash can—and planting a little creativity instead. This week, we’re inviting you to pause before the toss along with us. Take one more look at the objects headed for the trash or donation bin and ask yourself: Could this hold a little life instead?
Because upcycling isn’t just about saving money or being clever. It’s about reimagining what’s possible. It’s a practice of care—of seeing beauty in imperfection, of believing that what’s been worn down or cast aside still has something to give.
Even cracked bowls, faded tins, and broken baskets can be transformed into something purposeful and poetic. In your hands, they don’t just become planters—they become stories. A chipped mug becomes a cradle for a trailing pothos. A candle jar becomes the new home of a jade cutting. A lonely rain boot becomes a quirky outdoor succulent garden.
You’re not just giving your plants a place to grow—you’re giving forgotten objects a second chance to matter.
And in that small act, you’re creating something far bigger: a home that grows not just leaves and stems, but intention, imagination, and care.
Let’s get into it.
Why Upcycling Works (Especially for Plant Lovers)Upcycling isn’t just about being thrifty—it’s about seeing possibility where others see junk. That colander with a little rust? Built-in drainage. A woven basket on its last leg? Line it with moss and you’ve got instant rustic charm. That cracked teacup? It was always destined to cradle a succulent. But it goes deeper than clever hacks. Every item you repurpose is one less thing tossed into a landfill—and one more piece of your home infused with story, soul, and sustainability. When you give an old object a new purpose, especially in the garden, you’re practicing a kind of quiet, creative stewardship. You're blending design with dirt, imagination with intention, beauty with roots. And your plants? They’re not chasing trends or brand names. They want the basics: light, care, and something—anything—that can hold a bit of soil and soul. Upcycled planters offer all of that, plus texture, character, and charm. They add visual variety to your plant displays, spark conversation, and remind us that beauty doesn’t have to come off a shelf. Sometimes, it’s been sitting in your junk drawer all along—just waiting for a second life. Community Spotlight: From Junk Drawer to Jungle To her surprise, the plant thrived—and so did the bowl’s second life. That one small act sparked a wave of creativity: candle jars, tea tins, even a broken ladle became planters, each one filled with character and care. “I never thought of myself as crafty,” Amira shared, “but turning throwaways into something green helped me slow down and see beauty where I used to see clutter.” One pot, one plant, one story at a time—that’s how upcycling grows more than just plants. -Amira J-Salt Lake City, OR | Upcycling is the art of seeing not what something is, but what it could become—with a little care and something green to grow. - John Harrison Ideas to Get You StartedNeed a little inspiration to get those creative planting gears turning? Don’t worry—you don’t have to be a designer or DIY pro to start. Some of the most charming planters we’ve ever seen came from a quick glance at the recycling bin or a forgotten shelf in the garage. The magic is in the repurposing—in turning something ordinary (or even a little odd) into a space where life can take root. Whether you’re working with leftovers from the kitchen, the thrift store, or the back of your closet, here are a few favorite ideas from the upcycled plant parent playbook to spark your imagination:
Each one is a conversation starter, a character piece, a spark of curiosity that adds depth to your space. These vessels carry more than soil—they carry stories. A quirky mug brings humor, a vintage tin adds charm, a cracked bowl whispers of history. Together, they create a plant world that’s not just alive, but personal—rooted in memory, meaning, and a little creative magic.  |
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