Instant (and Cheap!) Planter Upgrade

Family Handyman

Healthy Plant Hydration

Water settling at the bottom of pots can lead to root rot. To combat this problem, cut up old sponges and put them in the bottom of the pot. The sponges retain moisture and create necessary air space. They also help prevent water from flushing out the bottom. The sponge acts as a water reserve and keep soil moist longer.

Love to garden but short on time? Here are some tips that will help you plant, water and weed more efficiently so you have more time to stop and smell your roses.

11 DIY Planters Made From Kitchen Castoffs

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Photo: Courtesy of Pretty Handy Girl

Flour Sifter Flower Pot

If you have an old flour sifter you no longer use, try turning into a planter. If you don't have one, there's a good chance you'll find one at a thrift store or garage sale. For additional unique planter ideas, visit Pretty Handy Girl. Check out these 15 items you should think twice about donating.

Photo: Courtesy of The Unextreme

Dual-Purpose Coffee Pot

Updating your old coffee pot? Try using your castoff as a fishbowl and planter in one. Have your child choose a small fish from the pet store and add a couple small plants to the top of the pot. Read about the project here. Check out these 12 other perfect projects to do with kids.

Photo: Courtesy of The Indoor Gardens

Coffee Mug

Try using an old coffee mug or tea cup to grow some small plants. Try an oversized mug to hold flowers on your dining table.

Photo: Courtesy of just about home

Loaf Pan

Are your loaf pans getting rusty or showing their age? Use them to plant some succulents, which don't need much maintenance. Read more about this project at just about home. Check out these 10 seriously cool succulents that make great houseplants.

Photo: Courtesy of Fred Gonsowski Garden Home

Cupcake Pan

Instead of cupcakes, this pan is serving up some hens and chicks! You'll need a drill to complete this planter, along with some landscape fabric or burlap. Find the instructions at Fred Gonsowski Garden Home. Plus, the next time you host a barbecue or a patio party, pull out a cupcake tin, here's why.

Photo: Courtesy of Cut Out + Keep

Cardboard Carton

Instead of tossing that cardboard milk or orange juice carton in the recycling bin, cut off the top, wrap it with fabric and use it as a planter for herbs or flowers. For more ideas, visit Cut Out + Keep.

Photo: Courtesy of So Fresh and So Clean

Tea Pot

This old tea pot has a new life as a planter. You can get a similar look with an old coffee carafe. For even more ideas, click here. Here's how to make your own pour-over coffee maker.

Photo: Courtesy of iTendToWingIt on YouTube

Coffee Cans

Don't toss those empty coffee cans! Give them an updated look with some paint and use them as planters. For a video tutorial, click here. Plus, here are 15 items you didn’t think you could recycle.

Photo: Courtesy of Veggie Gardener

Cabinet Drawer

If you're remodeling your kitchen, save an old drawer and use it as a planter. You can use it as a small garden box or hang it on the wall for a vertical garden or flower box. For ideas, visit Veggie Gardener.

Photo: Courtesy of Croydon Food Swap

Plastic Jugs

Those plastic milk jugs can be cut and used as planters. Try hanging them from a fence with wire coat hangers, as shown here. To read about the project, click here. Plus, here are 21 nifty ways to reuse plastic jugs and bottles at home.

Courtesy of World of Art

Wine Bottle

If you're up for cutting glass, try using empty wine bottles as planters. You'll need to cut either the side or the top, depending on the look you're going for. Next, try building this space-saving kitchen cabinet wine rack project.