How to Make a Recycled Planter

Gardening and watching plants grow is such a fun spring activity. Learn how to make a recycled planter that you can use to start seedlings or start your own container garden for herbs and other plants. I get commissions for purchases made through the affiliate links in this post.

sunflower seedling planted in a yogurt cup

I made these simple recycled planters with my after school nature class. I had 16 elementary students in the class. We decorated the containers to take home our sunflower seedlings.

The sunflower seedlings were started using our seed germination in a plastic bag method. After watching the sunflowers germinate (it was cool to see the roots grow), we planted the seedlings in the decorated yogurt cups.

Materials Needed for Decorating the Recycled Planter

Recycled container (we used yogurt cups)
Tissue paper
Clear glue or Mod Podge
Paint brush
Soil
Seeds or seedlings

How to Decorate the Recycled Planter

Squeeze a small amount of clear glue onto paint tray or container. (You can also use Mod Podge. If the planter will be outdoors, you can use the Mod Podge Outdoor.)

Tear tissue paper into small pieces.

Choose a container from your recycling bin. I used a yogurt cup as they are a good size for starting seedlings. You can use this same method with a larger container.

Brush clear glue onto the recycled container.

brush glue on yogurt cup to decorate with tissue paper

Place small pieces of tissue paper on top of the glue. Brush the tissue paper with more glue.

add pieces of tissue paper to yogurt container

Continue this method until you have covered the entire outside of the container (excluding the bottom). You can do multiple layers of tissue paper for different color effects.

add glue and tissue paper to yogurt container

Allow the glue to dry.

Get the Container Ready for Planting

To get the container ready for planting, you’ll need to poke holes for drainage. I used a hammer and nail to do this. 2 or 3 small holes should be sufficient for water to drain out.

Next add soil to your container.

Plant a seed or seedling a couple inches into the soil.

sunflower seedling planted in a yogurt cup decorated with polka dot tissue paper

Water your plant. Add enough water to moisten the soil but don’t oversoak it. When the soil fills dry, it needs more water.

Have fun decorating and planting!

More Gardening Ideas

Make a Plant Journal – Record the growth of your plant over time.

How to Start a Butterfly Garden – This post has tips and resources for planting your own butterfly garden.

Garden Project for Kids: Make a Toyrarium – Make a simple terrarium with toys for added fun.

Recycled Container Gardening for Kids – Lots of ideas for reusing containers here.

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