There are so many things you can repurpose as a one-of-a-kind container. Whether you're looking to create a bathtub planter, toolbox planter, wheelbarrow planter, or something totally original, think outside the terra-cotta pot with these stylish alternatives.
Boxed Flowering Kale
There's something stunning about repetition and contrasting colors, shown here by planting gorgeous flowering kale in a distressed wooden box.
Galvanized Tub Planter
Galvanized tub planters can work for any garden style—cottage, country, or even modern and contemporary.
Bathtub Planter
A salvaged bathtub makes the perfect water garden. This tub planter includes a working showerhead to help keep water from becoming stagnant.
Toolbox Planter
Antique toolboxes make the perfect home for succulents, whose low water requirements mean the wood underneath won't rot.
Wheelbarrow Planter
This repurposed planter made from a vintage wheelbarrow creates the perfect boundary for a fairy garden village. Just make sure to add pebbles to the bottom to prevent tipping and help with drainage.
Gutter Planter
Give old gutters new life as container gardens! They're designed to handle water and the elements, so they'll last through many gardening seasons.
Bonus: They're an easy addition to any deck railing.
Barrel Planter
If you scored an antique barrel at a flea market, turn it into a repurposed planter! It's the perfect vessel for tall, deep-rooted plants. Line up several barrels to create a natural path or border.
Hanging Planter
Don't forget to think vertical when it comes to salvaged containers. This 4-foot-tall floor lamp got a new life with the help of bright paint, colanders, and metal grates used as plant vessels.
Hanging planter tip: Firmly anchor tall planters by pounding a stake into the ground and setting the hollow lamp base over the stake or by drilling holes in the base and sinking stakes through the holes and into the ground.
Boot Planter
Don't throw those old boots away—make a boot planter in your garden! Or make a statement with a pair of brightly colored rain boots that match your garden's scheme.
Rustic Chicken Feeder
Whether the chickens are gone, or you have a special place in your heart for all things galvanized, an old feeder is a charming repurposed planter and a fun way to add a conversation piece to your garden.
Pretty Painted Wooden Box
A fresh coat of paint is all that's standing between you and a new twist to your container garden. Don't be afraid to try a bold color—you can always repaint it!
Oil-Free Oil Can
An oil can is the perfect-sized repurposed planter for the small areas of your garden or to set on a table. Make sure you clean out any remaining oil before planting your favorite flowers.
Green Enamelware
An easy find at any flea market, enamelware has been around for years. It comes in a variety of colors, patterns, and sizes.
Video: Container-Garden Design Tips
Watch this quick video for ideas on putting together beautiful combinations once you find a cool, repurposed container to plant in.
Steel Pillars of Herbs
Elevate your herbs to a new level—right next to your outdoor kitchen—with the help of discarded steel rods. Make sure to soften any rough edges before planting!
Sewing Desk Drawer
When the needle and thread have gone by the wayside, take your sewing desk drawers to the garden to display gorgeous spring-blooming bulbs.
Galvanized Steel Trough
Sometimes size matters, and sometimes a large repurposed planter is just the size needed to make an impact in the garden. This galvanized steel trough adds the right height and weathered texture alongside a collection of terra-cotta containers.
Glitzy Old Glasses
If your old, decorative glasses aren't holding water anymore, use them to hold plants such as drooping string of pearls, reindeer moss, and miniature succulents.
Rusted-Steel Pedestals
Put your plants on a rusty platter for a high-rise display. Experiment with succulents that flaunt a variety of textures and growing habits to create a distinguished arrangement.
Picture-Perfect Metal Vent
Frame miniature plants, such as specialty ferns and succulents, with an old metal vent. Add sphagnum moss to help retain moisture and keep the soil intact.
Fountain Focal Point
Add new life to your old fountain by filling the cracks with container soil and planting your favorite succulents. Get creative with varieties by selecting for variegation, fun texture, or drooping growth habits.
Water Cooler
The most unsuspecting piece could turn into your new favorite repurposed container. Let color be your guide, and if turquoise tickles your fancy, go for it!
Mini Shopping Cart Display
What's great about this piece is that it's mobile! Relocate this container garden to wherever the party is.
Wire Wastebasket
Lightly line a wire wastebasket with peat moss, then fill the remaining area with potting soil. Top it off with your desired plants. Here, white delphiniums lend subtle elegance to an entry area.
Love the look but don't have an old wastebasket around? Find a wire wastebasket of preferred height at a home store.