21 Cheap Planter Pot DIY Ideas (Renter-Friendly)

Cheap Planter Pot DIY Ideas featuring painted pots and removable basket covers — Your next pot cover might already be sitting in a cupboard.

You bring home a small plant, check the price of a decorative pot, and start looking differently at the recycling bin. These Cheap Planter Pot DIY Ideas give you 21 ways to use what you already own, with the drainage and watering details worked out before the decorating begins.

Mehedi Hasan is the founder and lead writer at GrowDwell. He writes practical gardening guides based on research from university extensions, horticultural organizations, and trusted horticultural resources.

Table of Contents

TL;DR

The easiest inexpensive planter project starts with a sound container you already own and a clear way to manage water. Keep plants in removable nursery pots inside decorative covers, or add drainage to suitable planting containers before filling them; check the fit and lifting access before buying supplies.

Start these Cheap Planter Pot DIY Ideas with materials already at home.
Keep nursery inserts removable inside containers without drainage.
Use waterproof trays and empty collected runoff.
Count tools, finishes, plants, and potting mix separately.

Quick recommendation: Start with a reused container around a nursery pot. Skip any pairing that traps the inner pot.

Your situation	First choice	Main check
Quick makeover	Nursery pot	Open drainage
No drilling tools	Mug cachepot	Removable insert
Larger plant	Basket cover	Waterproof tray
Temporary styling	Paper cover	Dry surfaces
Chewing pets	Plain container	No loose decoration

A project stays cheap when it works with your existing supplies and watering routine.

Why These Planters Work for Apartment Renters

These projects suit renters because they use portable containers, manageable work areas, and no required wall installation. A planting pot holds roots and potting mix, while a cachepot is an outer cover holding a separate pot; deciding which you’re making prevents a decorative container from becoming an accidental water reservoir.

Illinois Extension explains double potting as placing a growing container inside a larger decorative one. It also rejects gravel beneath potting mix as a drainage fix: water still needs an escape route.

Draining planting pot compared with removable nursery pot inside a cachepot — The outer container can hide the pot, but it should never hide standing water.

I would choose the watering method before the paint color. Test every outer vessel for leaks over the sink, and use a waterproof tray above furniture.

Easy access to the inner pot matters more than hiding every millimeter of plastic.

21 Cheap Planter Pot DIY Ideas for Small Spaces

These 21 projects cover functional planting containers and decorative covers, so choose according to the materials and tools you already have. Spending tiers describe additional craft supplies, while hands-on times are planning estimates; plants, potting mix, purchased tools, and manufacturer-specified drying or curing time are separate.

Protect your work surface, secure containers before cutting or drilling, and wear eye protection for drilling. Reject brittle plastic, sharp metal, and containers with unknown chemical histories; for finishes and adhesives, follow the product’s surface, ventilation, curing, and moisture instructions.

Start with practical recycled containers.

1. Decorated Nursery Pot

A sound nursery pot already does the difficult job: holding roots while letting excess water escape. A restrained exterior pattern can make it presentable without adding another container.

Materials and tools: Nursery pot, waterproof saucer, cloth, brush, and paint labeled for the pot material. Extra spending: Free with suitable supplies; otherwise a small craft purchase. Hands-on time: About 20 minutes, plus label-directed curing.

Clean the outside and let it dry; temporarily remove the plant if the finish instructions require it.
Apply thin exterior stripes or dots, keeping paint away from the interior, rim contact area, and drainage openings.
After curing, check the holes and place the pot on its waterproof saucer.

Best for: A small desk plant. Skip this if: The plastic is cracked or the coating cannot adhere properly.

Water at the sink and return the pot after runoff stops. A painted exterior still needs a dependable tray.

Painted nursery pot with open drainage and a separate waterproof saucer — A few brushstrokes are enough when the original pot already drains.

2. Yogurt-Tub Starter Pot

A sturdy yogurt tub makes a temporary home for a rooted cutting. Choose one deep enough for the existing roots rather than folding them into a shallow cup.

Materials and tools: Clean tub, marker, suitable drill and bit, support block, potting mix, and saucer. Extra spending: Free if owned. Hands-on time: About 15 minutes; no finish required.

Wash away food residue and inspect the tub for cracks or brittle areas.
Secure the empty tub over a backing block and make several drainage holes through the lowest part of its base.
Remove burrs, test drainage over the sink, then plant at the original soil depth.

Best for: Small starts that will move into larger pots. Skip this if: The tub flexes excessively or splits during drilling.

Keep it on a waterproof saucer, and check root development periodically. Our houseplant repotting guide explains the eventual move.

Reused yogurt tub with smooth rim and drainage holes beside a saucer — A temporary pot only needs to give a small root system room to grow.

3. Milk-Jug Planter With a Carry Handle

Preserving the jug’s handle makes a small planter easier to guide toward the sink. Support the base during every move; a cut jug is no longer as strong as the original container.

Materials and tools: Clean milk jug, marker, sturdy scissors, suitable starter-cut tool, drainage-hole tool, and tray. Extra spending: Free if owned. Hands-on time: About 25 minutes; no drying beyond washing.

Mark a planting opening while preserving the handle and the plastic supporting both attachment points.
Secure the empty jug, cut carefully, and trim rough edges; discard it if a safe rim cannot be achieved.
Add base drainage, rinse away fragments, and test with water before adding potting mix.

Best for: A lightweight, portable starter planter. Skip this if: Cutting leaves a flimsy wall or stressed handle.

Use a tray covering the entire base. Keep the finished planter small enough to lift comfortably with two hands.

Milk-jug planter with intact carry handle and waterproof catch tray — Keep the handle, then support the base when moving your plant.

4. Self-Watering Bottle Planter

A bottle reservoir supplies moisture through a wick. Illinois Extension distinguishes these systems from containers for plants needing pronounced drying, including many cacti and succulents.

Materials and tools: Wide plastic bottle, cap, absorbent wicking cord, scissors, cap-hole tool, and tray. Extra spending: Free or a small purchase. Hands-on time: About 30 minutes, plus monitoring.

Cut the bottle across its middle, smooth both rims, and make a cap opening snug enough to retain mix around the wick.
Thread damp cord through the cap, leaving one end among the potting mix and the other reaching the reservoir bottom.
Invert the upper section into the base; keep reservoir water below the cap and growing chamber, with only the wick bridging the gap.
Moisten the mix initially, then check daily for saturation, dryness, leaks, and wick contact.

Best for: A monitored moisture-loving plant. Skip this if: You need an immediately reliable vacation system.

I would treat this as a project to monitor before relying on it while away.

Bottle planter diagram showing wick connecting potting mix to a separate reservoir — The wick reaches the water; the growing chamber stays above it.

5. Takeout-Tub Seedling Planter

A shallow takeout tub works for early seedlings, provided you plan their next container. Its broad surface can disguise how little growing depth is available.

Materials and tools: Sturdy washed food tub, appropriate hole-making tool, seed-starting mix, labels, and waterproof tray. Extra spending: Free with supplies. Hands-on time: About 15 minutes; no curing.

Choose an intact tub and measure the usable depth below its rim.
Make drainage holes across the base, remove fragments, and check that runoff reaches the tray.
Add seed-starting mix and sow at the seed packet’s depth and spacing, leaving room for watering.

Best for: Short-term seed starting on a suitably lit shelf. Skip this if: You want a permanent herb garden in a very shallow container.

Label the sowing date and transplant before roots become crowded. A lid used during germination needs ventilation and removal as seedlings emerge.

Shallow takeout container holding young seedlings on a waterproof tray — Plenty of surface space does not mean plenty of root space.

6. Food-Bucket Floor Planter

A bucket can accommodate a larger root system without complicated construction. Choose its size for the plant, however; a tiny plant doesn’t need a bucketful of unused mix.

Materials and tools: Known food-use bucket, drill, support block, potting mix, and oversized waterproof saucer. Extra spending: Free or a modest tray purchase. Hands-on time: About 25 minutes; no finish required.

Confirm the bucket’s history, wash thoroughly, and reject damaged walls or a weak base.
Secure it before drilling several base drainage holes; clear plastic fragments and test runoff.
Position the empty bucket on its saucer before planting, leaving access to remove collected water.

Best for: A floor plant with a matching root ball. Skip this if: You cannot safely move or drain the filled container.

Protect flooring with a waterproof barrier beneath the saucer. A carrying handle is not a guarantee that a heavy planted bucket is safe to lift.

Food-use bucket planter standing in an accessible oversized waterproof saucer — Plan how you will empty the saucer before filling the bucket.

Use existing vessels as removable covers.

7. Tin-Can Cachepot

A clean food can adds a compact metallic finish while the plant remains in its nursery insert. There’s no need to drill metal for this version.

Materials and tools: Smooth-edged can, nursery pot, cloth, and waterproof surface tray. Extra spending: Free or minimal. Hands-on time: About 10 minutes, plus drying after washing.

Remove the label and adhesive residue, then inspect the rim and interior carefully.
Reject sharp edges, flaking surfaces, or substantial corrosion; rinse and dry a suitable can.
Fit a nursery pot that lifts out easily, leaving its rim accessible above the can.

Best for: A small upright plant on a protected shelf. Skip this if: The insert catches under the rim or the can feels unstable.

Remove the plant for watering and return it after draining. Check underneath periodically for rust marks, and retire the cover if corrosion develops.

Smooth-edged tin can beside a removable planted nursery pot — The can supplies the finish; the nursery pot handles the roots.

8. Wide-Mouth Jar Cachepot

A clear jar makes the inner container part of the display. The useful measurement is its narrowest opening, not the width of its belly.

Materials and tools: Intact wide-mouth jar, ruler, removable nursery pot, and waterproof tray. Extra spending: Free if owned. Hands-on time: About 10 minutes, plus washing and drying.

Check the glass for cracks and measure the opening against the nursery pot’s widest rim.
Lower the empty insert into the jar, then lift it out several times to check clearance.
Add the planted insert only after confirming that fingers can reach its rim without squeezing stems.

Best for: A small plant where the visible nursery pot suits your style. Skip this if: The jar narrows around the insert.

Water separately and inspect the jar bottom before replacing the plant. Glass without drainage should remain the outer vessel, not the soil-filled growing container.

Wide-mouth glass jar beside a nursery insert showing removal clearance — Measure the opening before committing to the jar.

9. Thrifted Mug Mini Cachepot

A spare mug can hold a small nursery insert without ceramic drilling. Keep the plant’s eventual size in mind: this is a miniature display, not a permanent answer for expanding roots.

Materials and tools: Intact mug, ruler, small nursery insert, and waterproof coaster tray. Extra spending: Free or an inexpensive secondhand purchase. Hands-on time: About 10 minutes; allow the washed mug to dry.

Inspect the mug for cracks, then test it for leaks over the sink.
Choose an insert with an accessible rim and enough clearance for easy removal.
Check stability with the plant inside, and place the mug away from shelf edges.

Best for: A young plant on a broad desk. Skip this if: Tall foliage makes the mug top-heavy.

A rooted spider plant offset is one possibility; our spider plant care guide covers its growing needs beyond the container.

Ceramic mug beside a correctly sized nursery pot with a young spider plant — A spare mug can dress a small plant without meeting a drill.

10. Mixing-Bowl Planter Display

A broad bowl gathers several plants into one arrangement while preserving separate pots. That separation lets you remove an individual plant when it needs water.

Materials and tools: Leak-tested bowl, two or three small nursery pots, ruler, and waterproof surface tray. Extra spending: Free or an inexpensive reused vessel. Hands-on time: About 15 minutes; no curing.

Set the empty nursery pots inside the bowl and check that each base rests securely.
Space them so every rim remains reachable; avoid packing pots tightly together.
Add plants with compatible light requirements, keeping their mix in separate containers.

Best for: A movable tabletop grouping. Skip this if: The bowl is too shallow to support the pots or too heavy to handle.

Take each insert out for watering and dry the bowl before reassembly. Avoid filling the gaps with loose material that makes removal awkward or conceals spilled water.

Broad ceramic bowl holding separate accessible nursery pots — One display can still have separate watering routines.

11. Woven-Basket Pot Cover

A basket adds texture around a larger nursery pot, but its fibers need to stay dry. A loose plastic bag is a poor substitute for a sound waterproof tray.

Materials and tools: Basket, fitted waterproof tray, nursery pot, and ruler. Extra spending: Free if owned; potentially a larger accessory purchase. Hands-on time: About 15 minutes; no curing.

Measure the basket’s base and opening, including any narrowing caused by handles.
Fit a rigid waterproof tray that lies flat without bending or pinching.
Place the pot inside and practice lifting it out while supporting its weight.

Best for: A floor plant that you can lift. Skip this if: The basket traps the pot or the loaded arrangement is unmanageable.

A basket earns its place here only if you can remove the plant without wrestling with the handles. Return the drained pot with a dry exterior and check underneath for dampness.

Woven basket with separate waterproof tray and removable nursery pot — The waterproof tray is the small part doing the biggest job.

12. Wooden-Crate Herb Pot Holder

A small crate keeps herb pots together without making them share soil. Use a sound crate with a known history and enough room to reach each container.

Materials and tools: Compact crate, sandpaper, separate herb pots, waterproof trays, and ruler. Extra spending: Free or a moderate materials purchase. Hands-on time: About 25 minutes; no finish required.

Remove splinters and inspect the base, joints, and handles for weakness.
Fit individual waterproof saucers or one rigid tray beneath all the pots.
Arrange herbs with similar light needs, leaving space to lift each pot without pulling its stems.

Best for: A bright growing spot with sufficient light for your chosen herbs. Skip this if: The crate’s weight or dimensions make watering inconvenient.

Keep wet pot bases away from bare wood. Check the support surface’s load capacity, and move heavy pots individually rather than trusting decorative crate handles.

Small wooden crate holding individually accessible herb pots on waterproof trays — Leave enough room to lift the middle pot, too.

13. Colander Planter With a Catch Tray

A colander comes with openings, although side perforations make runoff less predictable than a nursery pot’s bottom holes. Give it a broad tray and a secure resting position.

Materials and tools: Sound colander, flexible plastic mesh, scissors, potting mix, and oversized waterproof tray. Extra spending: Free or a small mesh purchase. Hands-on time: About 20 minutes; no curing.

Inspect the metal for sharp areas and corrosion, then wash and dry it.
Cut permeable mesh to cover the interior openings without sealing them.
Add suitable mix and a proportionate plant, then water over the sink to observe runoff.

Best for: A stable countertop display with easy sink access. Skip this if: The feet wobble or side holes discharge beyond the tray.

Mesh retains particles; it doesn’t improve unsuitable soil. Choose an appropriate houseplant potting mix, and check moisture instead of assuming extra holes prevent overwatering.

Colander planter with permeable mesh liner and oversized catch tray — Side holes need a wider landing zone for runoff.

Refresh the outside with removable or decorative finishes.

14. Hand-Painted Terracotta Pot

A sound terracotta pot needs only a little exterior detail. University of Maryland Extension notes that porous containers generally dry faster than plastic or metal; finishes can change that behavior, so recheck moisture after decorating.

Materials and tools: Terracotta pot, suitable exterior paint, brush, tape, and waterproof saucer. Extra spending: Small if the pot is owned. Hands-on time: About 30 minutes, plus full drying and curing.

Clean the empty pot and let it dry thoroughly before applying any finish.
Paint a limited exterior pattern, following the coating’s terracotta and moisture instructions.
Keep the interior and drainage opening clear, then cure before planting.

Best for: Refreshing an existing pot. Skip this if: The clay is cracked or you cannot provide the required curing conditions.

Use a leakproof saucer or barrier over furniture; unglazed clay accessories can transmit moisture.

Plain and hand-painted terracotta pots with drainage openings unobstructed — Leave the drainage opening out of the makeover.

15. Rope-Wrapped Cachepot

Rope gives a plain rigid cover a textured exterior. Keep it entirely outside the water-holding vessel, where it can remain dry and be inspected.

Materials and tools: Cachepot, rope, scissors, compatible adhesive, and work mat. Extra spending: Small if the vessel is owned. Hands-on time: About 30 minutes, plus adhesive curing.

Clean and dry the outer vessel, then plan a rope band below its rim.
Attach close rows according to the adhesive instructions, keeping glue off the interior.
Secure both ends, trim loose fibers, and cure before fitting the nursery pot.

Best for: A dry display beyond chewing pets’ reach. Skip this if: Your cat or dog pulls at cords or fibers.

Keep the wrapped base clear of runoff and remove the insert for watering. Replace any cover that stays damp, smells musty, or develops loose sections.

Rope-wrapped cachepot showing secured rope ends and removable nursery insert — Secure the ends and keep the fibers away from runoff.

16. Removable Fabric Pot Sleeve

A fabric sleeve changes the look of an existing cachepot and slips off for cleaning. Think of it as clothing for the container; it cannot contain water.

Materials and tools: Washable fabric, ruler, scissors, needle and thread, and a rigid cachepot. Extra spending: Free or a small sewing purchase. Hands-on time: About 30 minutes; wash and dry fabric beforehand.

Measure the vessel’s widest circumference and height, adding seam allowance and enough ease for removal.
Sew a simple open-bottom sleeve and finish its edges so they resist fraying.
Slide it onto the dry cachepot, keeping the lower edge above the supporting tray.

Best for: Seasonal changes using fabric remnants. Skip this if: Splashing or pet chewing is likely.

Remove the sleeve before watering or washing the vessel. If it becomes damp, take it off promptly rather than letting moisture remain against furniture.

Washable fabric sleeve removed from a rigid ceramic cachepot — A sleeve should come off as easily as it goes on.

17. Folded Kraft-Paper Pot Cover

This is the option I would choose for a quick change using paper already at home. It is deliberately temporary and easy to replace.

Materials and tools: Kraft paper, scissors, ruler, tape, and a dry cachepot. Extra spending: Free or minimal. Hands-on time: About 10 minutes; no curing.

Cut a rectangle long enough to overlap around the vessel, leaving extra height for a folded upper cuff.
Fold the upper edge twice, then wrap the paper loosely and tape the overlapping seam.
Leave the bottom open and position the sleeve above the vessel’s base and waterproof tray.

Best for: A short-lived shelf refresh. Skip this if: The location gets splashed or your pet shreds paper.

Slip the cover off before watering. A small group of repeated paper tones can suit plant shelf styling without hiding access to individual pots.

Kraft-paper cover stages showing folded cuff and open-bottom sleeve — Fold, wrap, and keep the paper above the wet zone.

18. Cork-Sheet Pot Wrap

A thin cork wrap adds texture without changing the functional container beneath it. Keep the seam removable so you can inspect the vessel and dry any spills.

Materials and tools: Flexible cork sheet, ruler, scissors, adhesive-backed hook-and-loop tabs, and a straight-sided cachepot. Extra spending: Small if using an offcut. Hands-on time: About 20 minutes, plus tab-adhesive setting time.

Measure the vessel and cut a rectangle with an overlapping seam.
Curve the cork gently around it; stop if the sheet cracks instead of bending.
Attach closure tabs at the overlap, leaving the base and upper rim uncovered.

Best for: A plain cylindrical cover. Skip this if: Thick or brittle cork will not conform.

Cork is not a leakproof liner. Remove the wrap during watering and check behind it occasionally, especially if the underlying vessel has ever leaked.

Removable cork-sheet pot wrap with overlapping closure seam — A removable seam makes hidden dampness easier to catch.

19. Wooden-Slat Cachepot Cover

Short craft slats create a ribbed exterior around an existing rigid vessel. Buying pre-cut pieces keeps the project manageable at a kitchen table.

Materials and tools: Pre-cut slats, sandpaper, ruler, compatible adhesive, and cachepot. Extra spending: Moderate compared with simple wraps. Hands-on time: About 45 minutes, plus full adhesive curing.

Dry-fit the slats around the vessel and adjust spacing before opening the glue.
Sand rough ends and attach each slat according to the adhesive instructions.
Keep slats below the rim and clear of the base, preserving insert access and stable support.

Best for: A permanent decorative cover. Skip this if: Suitable adhesive, ventilation, or drying space is unavailable.

Lift the finished piece by its rigid vessel, never by an attached slat. Check the added width against the shelf depth, and remove the nursery pot for all watering.

Short wooden slats attached around a rigid cachepot below its rim — Dry-fit the spacing before the first slat is glued.

20. Paper-Mâché Cachepot Shell

Paper-mâché offers more control over shape than a simple paper sleeve. The finished shell remains a dry decoration around a separate water-holding vessel.

Materials and tools: Paper strips, craft paste, brush, removable mold, release covering, and rigid cachepot. Extra spending: Small with reused paper. Hands-on time: About 45 minutes across sessions; drying may take days.

Choose a mold wider than the intended cachepot, with no undercuts that trap the shell.
Cover the mold with a suitable release layer and apply thin overlapping paper layers using the paste instructions.
Dry fully, release the shell, and check inside for damp areas before inserting the separate vessel.

Best for: A patient weekend craft. Skip this if: You need a washable or water-resistant exterior.

Keep the shell clear of wet surfaces and remove the functional pot for watering. Paint or varnish should not be treated as proof that paper-mâché is waterproof.

Dry paper-mâché shell beside its separate functional cachepot and nursery insert — Let the paper provide the shape and a separate vessel contain moisture.

21. Air-Dry-Clay Cachepot Cover

I would use the clay for the shape and let a separate container handle the water. Air-dry clay is not interchangeable with fired, glazed pottery.

Materials and tools: Air-dry clay, rolling tool, craft knife, release-covered mold, and separate cachepot. Extra spending: Moderate. Hands-on time: About 45 minutes; drying follows the clay manufacturer’s instructions.

Choose a simple mold without undercuts, allowing extra clearance for clay shrinkage and later pot removal.
Form an even open-bottom sleeve using the recommended thickness, smoothing joints without narrowing the opening.
Follow release and drying directions, then check for cracks and fit before placing it around the independent vessel.

Best for: A sculptural cover in a dry location. Skip this if: You want to plant directly into the clay.

Keep the sleeve above the waterproof tray and avoid carrying the plant by its clay cover. The inner container should remain usable even if the decoration is removed.

Air-dry-clay decorative sleeve beside an independent water-holding container — The clay can be sculptural without becoming the watering system.

Choose a construction you can inspect, lift, and water comfortably.

How to Pick the Right Planter for Your Apartment

The right planter matches your available tools, the plant’s root space, and the route from its display spot to the sink. Before decorating, test the complete arrangement empty: check stability, reach the inner rim, and confirm that the tray catches runoff without blocking your ability to remove it.

If you have chewing pets: Favor plain, stable containers without accessible cords or loose trim. The ASPCA lists spider plant, Chlorophytum comosum, as non-toxic to cats and dogs; that classification does not certify a DIY container’s glue, paint, or decorations.

Match the plant as carefully as the pot using our guide to pet friendly indoor plants.

For ordinary removable nursery pots, University of Maryland Extension recommends watering according to need, allowing free drainage, and emptying collected water. Remove the insert, water at the sink, let runoff finish, then replace it in the dry cover.

Four-stage sequence showing nursery pot removal, watering, draining, and replacement — An easy watering routine is part of the finished project.

Yellowing leaves alongside persistently soggy mix deserve investigation. Check the outer container for standing water, then review overwatered plant signs before adding more.

Your best container is the one whose drainage remains easy to check after the decorating is finished.

FAQs

How can I make a cheap planter pot at home?

You can make a cheap planter pot by reusing containers you already own, such as nursery pots, food tubs, jars, or baskets. The most important step is keeping proper drainage or using a removable inner pot. Test the container’s stability and water handling before placing it near furniture.

Can I use a container without drainage holes as a planter?

Yes, but it should usually work as a decorative cover rather than the actual growing container. Keep the plant inside a removable nursery pot and empty any collected water regularly to avoid creating a standing water problem.

What is the easiest DIY planter idea for beginners?

A decorated nursery pot is one of the easiest beginner DIY planter projects. The original pot already provides drainage, so you only need to improve the outside appearance with a suitable exterior finish while keeping openings clear.

Are DIY planters safe for apartment renters?

Yes, many DIY planters work well for renters because they use portable containers and do not require permanent installation. Choose lightweight designs that can be moved easily and protect surfaces with waterproof trays.

Can I use recycled plastic containers as plant pots?

Yes, sturdy recycled plastic containers can work as temporary planters if they are clean, suitable in size, and modified with proper drainage. Avoid cracked, brittle, or unknown-history containers.

What Actually Matters

Cheap Planter Pot DIY Ideas work best when the finished container is inexpensive to make and convenient to water. Choose a project that fits the plant you have, keeps runoff off your furniture, and lets you inspect the growing pot without dismantling the display.

Start with one container already available. Test the inner-pot fit, arrange a waterproof tray, and rehearse lifting the plant out before buying craft supplies.

That plant beside your shopping bag may already have a suitable pot. The next step might simply be finding its cover in the cupboard.