Last spring, my neighbor walked in on me planting basil inside an old rain boot. Ever since then, she has not let it go.
Right then, I was completely hooked on weird outdoor planters. They take an ordinary patio and give people a reason to look twice.
Most of mine cost me nothing. Instead of heading to a garden center, I hunted through my own garage.
Now, after fifteen builds, no other yard on our street looks remotely like mine. Here’s are 15 best unusual planters you need to tried soon.
Everyday Objects Turned Into Unusual Planters
This first bunch is the easiest place to start. None of this costs much, and you probably have every piece stashed in your garage or closet as we speak.
1. Old Wheelbarrow Planter
Between the rusted-out spots and loose seams, an old wheelbarrow drains naturally.
All I do is lay landscape fabric inside so the dirt stays in place and won’t wash away.
Petunias and trailing lobelia look lovely tumbling over the edges. If you have a rustic or farmhouse yard and need a centerpiece without buying another pot, this is ideal.
My tip: Prop the wheelbarrow at a slight angle so the runoff heads to one corner rather than sitting in the center.
2 . Vintage Suitcase Planter
Old suitcases do not offer much depth, but that turns out to be an advantage.
I put heavy plastic sheeting inside mine and punch drainage holes right through the base.
Sedum, succulents, and shallow-rooted herbs such as thyme do wonderfully in these, since they don’t demand much room below. A covered porch is the ideal spot for this.
My tip: Tuck it beneath an overhang so a downpour never hits it straight on.
3. Rain Boots Planter
Rubber lasts for years outside, and it looks charming right away. I slice a couple of slits by the toe to let water drain out.
Ivy, trailing petunias, and low herbs look wonderful cascading out of the top. Children are drawn to them, and they sit naturally on a front porch.
My tip: Put flowers in one boot and herbs in the other to create a matched pair that serves two purposes.
4. Colander Planter
Because a colander has built-in drainage, it saves you an extra step. I can usually grab one secondhand for just a couple of dollars.
The shallow bowl works wonderfully for strawberries, herbs, and shallow-rooted flowers like alyssum. It looks right at home in a cottage-style garden.
My tip: Put a layer of coconut coir inside first so fine dirt doesn’t wash right out through the holes.
5. Teapot or Teacup Planter
They’re small, playful, and easily among my favorite things to make as gifts for fellow gardeners. Because they’re so compact, your plant options are limited.
Moss, air plants, and succulents are all appropriately scaled for them. They do best sitting on a windowsill or tucked into a fairy garden.
My tip: Don’t bother drilling through the ceramic; drop a little nursery pot inside and treat it as a cachepot.
Repurposed and Reclaimed Finds
You have to look a bit harder for this next batch, whether you’re browsing flea markets, construction scrap, or a neighbor’s trash pile on collection night.
That legwork is exactly why they feel so satisfying.
6. Wooden Drawer Planter
You can turn an old dresser drawer into a low raised bed with hardly any effort. Because raw wood rots so quickly outside, I always start by coating mine in exterior wood sealant.
Shallow rooters like lettuce, herbs, and annual flowers thrive without much depth.
They fit right on a patio if you want greenery that still blends with the furniture.
My tip: Drill several drainage holes along the bottom joint, since furniture drawers don’t come with any.
7. Claw Foot Bathtub Planter
There is no denying this one makes a scene. Using an entire tub gives you massive planting volume inside a single, eye-catching fixture.
This planter offers plenty of root space for pole beans, tomatoes, and broad leafy greens. It works best in a sizable yard with room for something that really stands out.
My tip: Put broken pottery or packing foam into the bottom third, and you won’t have to buy enough soil for the entire tub.
8. Wine Barrel Planter
Half barrels hold up well, never go out of style, and look better the older they get. Mine has weathered every single season without an issue.
That deep soil gives dwarf fruit trees, tomatoes, and tall perennials exactly what they need. They do the most good on patios that feel flat and need a bit of vertical weight.
My tip: Spin the barrel a quarter turn each spring so sun exposure doesn’t rot one side before the rest.
9. Painted Tire Planter
You can pick up tires for nothing in most places, and once painted, they hold a surprising volume of dirt. A local garage was glad to see the back of mine, so I took them home for free.
Squash, potatoes, and long-running vines do very well in the deep, warm soil tires offer.
My tip: Pile two tires on top of each other if your plants need deeper root room.
10. Birdcage Planter
The open wire frame of an old birdcage lets trailing greenery spill out on all sides. Out of everything on this list, it is easily one of the prettiest.
Ferns, ivy, and string of pearls all look wonderful spilling through the wire. It suits a romantic patio with a cottage feel.
My tip: Hang it rather than resting it on a surface. Lifting it to eye level makes it look twice as good.
Bold and Artistic Statement Planters
This final set is meant for gardeners aiming for an intentional feel, like living sculpture. Pulling it off takes a bit more confidence, but you get great results.
11. Concrete Block Planter
When stacked, they look industrial and modern, and they cost very little. I bought mine at a local hardware store for just a couple of dollars apiece.
Concrete drains quickly, which suits ornamental grasses and succulents just fine. Minimalist and modern yards get the biggest lift from these.
My tip: Arrange the blocks into a small pyramid to get a quick, tiered succulent setup.
12. Hollowed Tree Stump Planter
Store-bought pots never quite match the way a hollowed stump settles into a wooded yard. A storm knocked down an old oak, which is how I got mine.
Ferns, hostas, and similar shade-loving perennials do wonderfully in a spot like this.
My tip: Use a wood preservative on the interior so the stump doesn’t rot out from the middle.
13. Bicycle Basket Planter
Mounted on something or left standing alone, a vintage bicycle basket adds charm right away. I picked mine up for practically nothing at an estate sale.
Trailing varieties like verbena or bacopa tumble over the woven sides really well.
My tip: Pad the inside with sphagnum moss before filling it with soil so nothing drops through the cracks.
14. Tiered Ladder Shelf Planter
You can turn an old wooden ladder into vertical garden space right away. Few options make adding height this easy without building anything.
Each rung neatly fits a mix of fresh herbs and small potted blooms. This setup works best in tight spots where you need vertical room rather than floor space.
My tip: Give every rung a slightly different tone to create a soft ombre look.
15. Cascading Broken Pot Planter
No need to throw away a terracotta pot just because it cracked. Pair it up with another pot, and you turn it into a playful garden accent.
Trailing succulents and sedum look particularly good tumbling through that angled break.
My tip: Angle two or three damaged pots together so one looks like it pours into the next.
Which Repurposed Material Holds Up Best Outdoors
| Material | Weather Resistance | Sealing Needed | Typical Lifespan | Best For |
| Rubber | High | Rarely | 5+ years | Boots, tires |
| Wood | Medium | Yes | 2 to 4 years | Drawers, ladders |
| Metal | Medium | No, but drill holes | 3 to 5 years | Birdcages, tins |
| Ceramic | Low to medium | No | Varies, cracks in freeze | Teapots, broken pots |
| Concrete | High | No | 10+ years | Blocks, planters |
Frequently Asked Questions
What can I use as a planter without buying one?
Almost anything with enough depth works, including old boots, drawers, or buckets. Just add drainage holes before planting.
Do repurposed planters need drainage holes?
Yes, almost always. Standing water rots roots fast, even in the most creative container.
Are metal containers safe for plants?
Most metal containers work fine, but they heat up quickly in direct sun. In hot climates, line them with a thin layer of insulation.
How do I stop wood planters from rotting?
Seal the inside with exterior wood sealant and line it with landscape fabric. That combo roughly doubles how long it lasts.
Can I paint any planter to match my style?
Yes, use outdoor-rated paint or a primer made for that material, like metal primer or wood sealant.
Will repurposed containers attract pests?
Rarely, as long as you use fresh soil and drainage holes so water doesn’t sit. Old debris left inside is usually the real culprit.
Final Thoughts
I never thought a rain boot would become my favorite planter. But here we are.
These creative containers were never about spending money. They’re about looking twice at things you already own.
Grab something from your garage today, drill a hole in it, and see what grows.
