There are three different types: an upside-down can planter, a simple hanging can planter, and an upside down soda bottle planter.
Of the three I think I like the soda bottle the best, unfortunately this was the only bottle of soda I had around and I had to empty it from my fridge (it's been there for over a year so I thought it'd probably be about time anyway).
We'll start on the left in this photo and move right. As we go through the steps, click on any of the images to enlarge them. Note that my drill in the photos is a Yankee drill and if you are using an electric drill you may want to make some modifications. If you don't have a drill you can use a hammer and nail to puncture the can.
I really like this planter until it comes to the lid part. I've been trying to think of a way to overcome that but thus far have been unsuccessful. I don't drink can coffee or eat wasabi nuts so I don't have a whole lot of "lidded" cans around. I got my lid from my baking cocoa can which now is covered with sran wrap. As you can see from the photo above, you must secure it with duct tape and it's not the most beautiful-looking thing. I may go back and paint over it though which would solve that problem.
Materials
- 1 can (a size large enough for your plant), labels removed
- can opener (optional)
- drill
- duct/gorilla tape
- spray paint
- 1/8" dia. braided nylon cord
- cardboard or 2 coffee filters
- scissors
- a lid that will fit over the opening of your can
- spring link for hanging (optional)
Directions
1. Start by drilling holes in the bottom of your can. You can use the can opener to take it off first or you can drill them while it's attached (if you choose the latter skip step 2). If you take it off you can drill on top of a scrap piece of wood or work surface. Since I didn't have one I used the gaps in my deck but you'll get a nicer hole if you use the wood (as opposed to drilling like I did or leaving the bottom on).
2. Use your heavy duty tape to reattach the lid. Hold the lid up by putting your hand through the middle of the can and use small strips of tape to gradually cover the edges piece by piece. Be sure to press each piece down tightly so that a seal forms. The bottom doesn't need to be even with the sides of your can. There can be a little depression for water and how much of one is up to you. None is also fine you'll just have go slower when watering by hand.
3. Drill two holes opposite one another near the base of your can (where you just taped). These will be used for hanging your planter so make them fairly close to the base (maybe even closer than this photo depending on how much of a depression you left when you taped your bottom in).
4. Use a rust resistant spray paint to paint your can. Allow drying time. For designs you can decorate with acrylic (like I did) or any outdoor paint.
5. When can is dry cut desired length of nylon cord. You will need to cut more or less cord depending on how high up your hanging site is. Feed the cord through a side hole and make a knot at the interior end. Pull tight against the wall of the can. Repeat for other side.
6. Plant your selected plant in the can as usual.
7. Cut out a circular piece of cardboard or doubled coffee filter. Make a cut halfway through your circle and cut out a small circular opening at the center. Put this around the base of the plant covering the soil.
8. Cut a larger circular opening in your can lid (don't cut the radial line this time). This opening should be just large enough to feed your plant through (it will be challenging) but not so large that the contents of your pot will fall out. 1" to 1.5" should be sufficient. Gently feed the plant through until the lid can be secured on the can. Tape the lid to the can using your utility tape.
9. Paint over utility tape carefully. Hang plant.
Most of the steps for this planter are the same as the last, with a few adjustments for orientation, so most of the photos are the same as well. This planter is good for any plant that is not fond of growing upside down.
Materials
- 1 can (a size large enough for your plant), labels removed
- drill
- spray paint
- 1/8" dia. braided nylon cord
- a coffee filter or two
- scissors
- a lid that will fit over the opening of your can (optional)
- spring link for hanging (optional)
Directions
1. Start by drilling holes in the bottom of your can. The bottom should remain attached as if you tape it back on you run a greater risk of your plant eventually falling out of it. Keep secure what you can.
2. Drill two holes opposite one another near the top (open end) of your can. These will be used for hanging your planter so make them fairly close to the top (yours will not be taped as in the photo below, which is reused from the last project).
3. Use a rust resistant spray paint to paint your can. Allow drying time. For designs you can decorate with acrylic (like I did) or any outdoor paint.
4. When can is dry cut desired length of nylon cord. You will need to cut more or less cord depending on how high up your hanging site is. Feed the cord through a side hole and make a knot at the interior end. Pull tight against the wall of the can. Repeat for other side.
5. Trace the outline of your can onto your filter. It may not fit entirely but so long as it covers your holes it's fine. Use two if need be. Cut out your circle(s) and place it in the bottom of the can, covering the holes.
6. Fill your can with plant and potting mix and hang using a spring link or other hanging tool.
This planter has good versatility and gives your roots lots of room to grow in. There's nice space and it's pretty simple to make.
Materials
- soda bottle, labels removed
- drill
- sissors
- utility knife
- hairdryer
- spray paint
- 1/8" dia. braided nylon cord
- cardboard/2 coffee filters
- spring link for hanging (optional)
Directions
1. Cut off the bottom of the base of your soda bottle just below where the label or above the feet with an extra 1/2 inch of space. There were little lines/dents on mine and I just cut along them. It's easiest if you puncture the bottle with your utility knife and use the scissors to finish the cut. The utility knife doesn't cut straight but the scissors alone won't make a smooth puncture. You'll also need to cut off the mouth of the bottle leaving a 2" to 3" gap (enough room to feed your plant through, but not so much that it will slip out; getting it through will not be simple). Discard the cap.
3. With your drill, a nail or other puncturing tool poke holes in the removed bottom.
2. Using a hairdryer heat the top until the plastic becomes wavy and pliable. Push the mouth inward until the top of the bottle is inverted. You might consider using gloves as I found the plastic somewhat hot (and I can handle pretty hot dishes). *it is a mistake in my photographing below that the mouth is still on. I forgot this step initially
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3. Invert the removed base of the bottle into the open bottom. With your drill, a nail or other puncturing tool make two holes opposite one another near the base of the bottle. The holes should go through both the inverted base and the bottle body. These will be used for hanging. (the hole is circled in the photo below)
4. Spray paint your bottle and allow to dry. Paint should be ready for careful (without rough handling) design painting after 1 hour.
5. When paint is dry, feed nylon cord through holes. Knot the string on the interior end and pull tight against sides of bottle.
6. Trace the circumference of your bottle onto cardboard or 2+ coffee filters. With scissors cut halfway into the circle. In the center cut a small hole for the plant's stem. Fit this around the base of your plant. This should cover the hole at the mouth of your bottle so that the plant and dirt do not fall out when you water. A coffee filter works well as it will allow water to flow out onto the ground but not dirt.
7. Pull the base off enough for the plant to fit through (it will be attached to the body via the nylon string). Carefully feed your plant up through the opening at the mouth. Surround plant with potting mix and replace the base.
8. Hang plant using spring link or other hanging tool.
6. Trace the circumference of your bottle onto cardboard or 2+ coffee filters. With scissors cut halfway into the circle. In the center cut a small hole for the plant's stem. Fit this around the base of your plant. This should cover the hole at the mouth of your bottle so that the plant and dirt do not fall out when you water. A coffee filter works well as it will allow water to flow out onto the ground but not dirt.
7. Pull the base off enough for the plant to fit through (it will be attached to the body via the nylon string). Carefully feed your plant up through the opening at the mouth. Surround plant with potting mix and replace the base.
8. Hang plant using spring link or other hanging tool.
If you have any questions or suggestions about any of these instructions let me know. I can clarify or get additional photos if they're needed.
A note about spring links...
If you don't know what they are you've probably seen them on key chains. They're very simple to use when hanging plants. Just clip the link onto your cord, wrap the cord and link around whatever you want to hang your plant from and clip the spring link back onto the cord. It will hold tight.
If you don't know what they are you've probably seen them on key chains. They're very simple to use when hanging plants. Just clip the link onto your cord, wrap the cord and link around whatever you want to hang your plant from and clip the spring link back onto the cord. It will hold tight.
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