DIY Recycled Planter Pots from Old Coffee Cans

Houseplants are having a moment right now, and here’s an easy way to upcycle vintage coffee cans into adorable garden containers.

How to Make a DIY Coffee Can Planter

I’ve always enjoyed having fresh flowers and plants outside on my patio space. It’s only been in recent years that I have started to dabble in houseplants, and I will admit I find them a bit harder to manage!

But I do love pop of fresh greenery, especially in my kitchen.

If you would like to create your own houseplant container garden, there are unlimited planters and pots you can purchase new. But isn’t it more fun to upcycle something you may already have, and create a pot with a fun, vintage feel?

That’s exactly what I decided to do with this selection of old coffee cans I have been collecting.

I like their vibrant colors and vintage graphics, and thought they would pair well with fresh greenery.

Keep reading to see how you can create your own!

Gather Your Materials for a DIY Coffee Can Garden

Vintage coffee cans in various sizes
Pea gravel
Potting soil
Small houseplants in various shapes
Garden gloves
Garden shears (optional)

Step 1: Prepare Your Coffee Cans

I’ve been gathering these vintage coffee cans over the past year, finding them mostly at garage and estate sales. They were pretty dirty, so the first step was to give them a good cleaning, inside and out.

Next you want to plan for drainage in your container. One option is to drill holes in the bottom of your coffee cans using a small drill bit, or nail a few holes in them.

Sometimes your vintage coffee cans can be a little valuable though, and if you decided to drill holes in the base it would take away a bit of that value.

So another option is to add a small layer of pea gravel to the base of the can, before any potting soil.

This will help the soil drain excess water and keep the roots from rotting in the soil.

Step 2: Plan Your Plant Arrangement

When planting containers, I like to go by this simple rule:

One thriller, one filler, and one spiller.

This means you pick one plant to be the “main event” and then add another smaller plant to fill in underneath. Last you can add one more plant that will trail and “spill” over the edge of your canister.

Of course, if you only want one large houseplant, that’s ok too!

For these containers, I used a mix of pothos, dracaena, zinnias, dusty miller, ivy, and creeping jenny

A few tips when picking plants for your containers . . .

Most houseplants prefer shade or filtered light. If you are mixing in regular garden plants (like the zinnias or dusty miller), make sure you pick plants that will be happy enough in the shade.
Don’t mix succulents with other types of houseplants or garden plants, as their watering needs are completely different.
Ferns are beautiful, but can be tricky for a mixed container. If using a fern, I would plant it as the only plant in the container.

Another tip for how to stretch your plant budget . . .

Often, your trailing plants can be divided up and used in several different pots!

To divide the plant, brush off most of the dirt from the rootball and separate out the roots. You can use a pair of garden sheers to help divide them if necessary.

As long as there is a bit of root connected to your piece of plant, it will regrow.

That’s how I was able to divide up and use both the single ivy and creeping jenny plant in multiple containers.

Step 3: Fill Coffee Cans

Once you have your design in place, you can add small amount of potting soil to the coffee can, on top of the pea gravel.

Next, place your plants in the container and fill around them with more potting soil. Tap them in firmly to secure.

After all plants are in your coffee can, give it a nice drink of water, then display and enjoy!

Frequently Asked Questions About Coffee Can Container Gardens

Can I take my container garden outside?

If using houseplants in your container garden, it’s best to keep your pot inside during the cold winter months. Once the temperature is consistently above 65-70 degrees Fahrenheit, I will take my containers out onto my patio to enjoy the warmer weather. When it cools off again, it’s time to bring them inside. Before bringing them back inside, be sure to spray them down with a diluted solution of a few drops blue Dawn dish soap and water, and then rinse them off. This will help kill any bugs living on the plant or in the soil, so you don’t bring any critters in with them!

How often should I water my potted plant?

Every plant is a bit different, and it depends on whether your container is outside in the heat or inside. Generally with houseplants that are inside, I water them once a week. If my container is outside in the heat, I will water them 2-3 times a week. If you decide to use succulents in your container, they require even less water; you can usually mist them and the soil about once a week, and they will stay happy.

Where can I find old coffee cans?

My favorite place to look is the garages of estate sales! Often, homeowners used vintage coffee cans to store nails, screws, or other odds and ends in garages or work sheds. I’ve found many affordable vintage coffee tins this way. Not many make it to thrift stores; they’re usually thrown out as trash. For more collectible coffee cans, check Ebay, Etsy, or your other favorite online vintage seller.

How long will my plant last in the coffee can?

If you’re planting houseplants, they will live as long as they stay happy! If you use garden plants designed to be outside, generally they will only survive during the summer growing season and then die off when you bring them in for the winter.