Inspiration: Using Alternative Plant Containers

Maybe it's because we saw a set of these exact same Mikasa mugs and pitcher at the Salvation Army a couple of weeks ago and didn't buy them, but when we ran across these planted succulents on Etsy we were reminded that you can use pretty much any container to put plants in. If it's the perfect color yellow, then all the better. All you really need is...

You need to make sure that the roots of your plants don't rot. Here are a couple of ways to ensure they stay healthy in a container that doesn't necessarily have a drainage hole on the bottom:

• Make a hole using a Masonry Bit and a drill.
• Add stone or pebbles to the bottom third of the container before you add the soil. This gives the water a place to go where it isn't sitting on the roots.
• Add styrofoam peanuts to the bottom third of the container.
• use the pieces from a broken pot in the bottom of the container.
• Use drought tolerant plants and water infrequently.

For more inspiration or to buy those great containers and plantings, check out Sassy Tee Designs' Etsy Shop, Adventures in Vintage's Etsy and Wishful Thinking's Etsy.

Comments (9)

Those are all so cute! The possibilities are endless!

posted by jessimarie33 on April 28th 2009 at 4:26pm
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I'm convinced it doesn't actually matter whether you add a drainage layer or not. Just don't overwater.

posted by whytephoenix on April 28th 2009 at 4:46pm
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I don't have drainage holes in 43 of my 46 succulents. They are peachy. It's important to layer substrate and watch your watering. And I don't use styrofoam peanuts for anything, let alone in the garden.

posted by Kimber on April 28th 2009 at 4:49pm
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Wine corks work great in place of styrofoam peanuts.

posted by twenty twenty-one on April 28th 2009 at 4:58pm
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good idea twenty twenty. I only recommended peanuts in case you have some lying around--don't go buy any for your plants!

posted by laure on April 28th 2009 at 5:34pm
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Definitely not necessary to make drainage holes. I have my succulents planted in a variety of teacups and bowls using regular potting soil and no special drainage. I mist them with water about once a week so that there is no chance of standing water around the roots. I did learn the hard way that standing water succulents = rotting icky mess. Aesthetically speaking, I love using thrift store containers as planters. I've also found it's also a great way to reuse cracked dishes instead of tossing them out (just watch out for sharp edges).

posted by littlepaperheart on April 28th 2009 at 6:22pm
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I give up. That third picture? Is the mug I used through my early teens. It was ugly then. It's even uglier now. And all this Etsy-fueled kitschomania is going to make my eyes bleed.

posted by rosenatti on April 28th 2009 at 9:07pm
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I once had a large chest freezer that died. Pushed it out the back door, punched a few drain holes in it, filled it with soil.
(Once I tossed a bunch of ruined food and sanitized it.)

posted by NavySeabee on April 29th 2009 at 10:01am
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One of my favorite Etsy shops is Monkeysalwayslook. I have bought multiple succulents from her in vintage containers. She is super nice too, and even sent me a bonus plant when I bought a second item!

posted by leely16 on April 29th 2009 at 3:46pm
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