Creative Ways to Reuse Old Flower Pots Around the House
Reduce waste and add some charm to your space with these ideas.
Over time, many gardeners and plant collectors end up with an array of old flower pots. They might be chipped, strangely sized, or just not your style anymore. But before you toss them, read up on these creative ways to reuse old flower pots.
Flower pots can be put to use in your garden for more than just holding plants. You can use them to create a birdbath that attracts feathered friends to your yard, build whimsical art pieces, or label your plants. Indoors, you can use them as storage bins, umbrella stands, or utensil crocks. For flower pots in good condition, you can also pass them to family and friends for their gardens, list them in your local Buy Nothing group, or donate them to local thrift stores.
Finding a new purpose for your old pots is a way to be a little more sustainable. Keep reading for plenty of creative ideas for repurposing your old flower pots. If you're looking for more recycling inspiration, read up on some of the most unexpected things you can upcycle, ideas for how to refresh your home without buying anything new, and ways to reuse old mason jars instead of throwing them away.
Plant Labels
Mini pots or broken terracotta pieces are easy to turn into charming plant labels. For whole pots, write the plant name on the outside with a permanent marker, then flip the pot upside down and mount it on a stake to mark rows or clusters. For broken shards, simply write the name on the smooth side and tuck the piece into the soil near the plant.
Garden Art
Turn extra terracotta pots into playful garden art by stacking and securing them with strong twine or wire to create whimsical figures. Use acrylic paint to add simple faces or designs, then seal with a weatherproof finish for durability.
Bird Bath
Birds and pollinators need a reliable water source, especially during hot, dry months. Create a simple bird bath by stacking sturdy pots and adding rocks or gravel at the base of the pot for extra stability. Top it with a large, shallow saucer or a shallow pot with the drain hole sealed. Add larger stones for perching and place a small solar fountain in the center, since moving water naturally attracts wildlife and helps keep the water fresher longer.
RELATED: 6 Reasons Why Birds Aren't Coming to Your Yard—and How to Fix It
Wreath
Create a statement garden wreath by attaching small pots to a sturdy berry or wire wreath form with floral wire. Fill a few of the pots with succulents, moss, or trailing plants for added texture and color. Hang it on a shed door, fence, or porch wall for a rustic statement piece.
Mini Pond
Ponds are a wonderful garden feature that attract wildlife and add a calming focal point to your space. But installing a full-sized pond can be costly and time-consuming. Thankfully, it’s easy to make a miniature pond using an old pot. Choose a watertight container (or seal the drainage hole), set it in place, fill with water, and add aquatic plants like dwarf water lilies or floating greens. Add a few smooth stones for insects and birds to perch on.
Saucer Bird Feeder
Birds, like bluebirds and robins, prefer to eat from open saucers or platform feeders. It’s especially helpful to supplement their feeding before fall migration and in early spring when fledglings are leaving the nest. If you have a rogue saucer or shallow pot that needs a new purpose, simply add seeds or mealworms and place it on a stand. Keep it clean and refreshed to encourage repeat visitors.
Toad House
Toads are garden allies, helping to control pests like slugs, beetles, and mosquitoes while reducing the need for chemicals. Invite them to stay by creating a simple shelter: lay a small pot on its side and partially embed it in the soil in a shady, damp spot. Even a broken pot works beautifully! It offers a cool refuge and natural charm to your garden beds.
Debbie Wolfe is a writer, photographer, and author. She has contributed hundreds of home and garden articles and DIY tutorials to leading media outlets and retailers. Debbie covers all home and gardening topics and has published hundreds of DIY tutorials with step-by-step photography for leading home and garden media outlets.
6 Useful Ways to Repurpose Old Newspapers
6 Practical Ways to Repurpose Paper Towel Rolls
6 Fun Ways to Craft With Bottle Caps
7 Creative Ways to Reuse Old Magazines
