Before you throw out empty kitchen jars or leftover coconut shells, take a look at what they can become. Broken shell pieces and braided jute twine turn an ordinary clear plastic jar into a sturdy, stone look mosaic pot. This DIY coconut shell planter is a great best out of waste project, and it needs no artistic skills at all.
It makes an earthy home for indoor aloe vera, jade or snake plant, and it costs next to nothing. Here’s the complete step by step guide.
Why You’ll Love This Upcycled Planter Craft
- Eco-friendly and almost free: It rescues both a single use plastic jar and natural kitchen waste from the trash.
- Faux stone mosaic look: Painting the gaps between the shell pieces black mimics dark grout, so the finished pot looks like stone or terracotta tile.
- Sturdy and moisture tolerant: The plastic body holds water and the hard shell pieces shrug off splashes, so it handles normal watering well.
Watch the Step-by-Step Video Tutorial
Materials and Tools You’ll Need
- Coconut shells: 2 to 3 dry shell halves.
- 1 empty wide-mouth plastic jar: A clean candy, chocolate or kitchen storage jar.
- Hot glue gun and glue sticks: To attach the shell pieces and jute twine.
- Black acrylic paint and a fine paintbrush: To fill the mosaic gaps like grout.
- Copper, bronze or gold metallic paint: To highlight the texture of the shells.
- Jute twine or burlap rope: To wrap and hide the threaded neck of the jar.
- Drainage hole tool: A heated metal poker, soldering iron or drill.
- Safety gear: Gloves and safety glasses for breaking the shells.
Step-by-Step Instructions
1. Break and Prep the Coconut Shells
Start with dry shells and pull off any long, loose outer fibers. Wearing gloves and safety glasses, break the shells into small, irregular pieces about 1 to 1.5 inches wide. Shell shards can fly, so cover them with a towel while you tap them with a hammer. Gather the pieces on a tray so they’re easy to grab as you work.
2. Clean the Jar and Add Drainage Holes
Peel the label off the jar. Flip it upside down and melt or drill 3 to 4 evenly spaced drainage holes in the base so excess water can escape. If you use a heated tool, work in a well-ventilated area.
3. Glue On the Coconut Shell Tiles
Heat up your glue gun. Starting just below the threaded neck, put a generous dab of hot glue on the back of a shell piece and press it firmly onto the plastic.
- Keep gluing pieces around the jar, working from top to bottom.
- Fit the irregular shapes together like a puzzle, leaving small natural gaps between them.
- Keep the textured outer side of each piece facing out, so it catches the metallic paint later.
4. Paint the Gaps Black for a “Grouted” Look
Once the jar is fully covered, use a small brush to paint black acrylic into every exposed gap between the pieces. This hides the clear plastic completely and makes the brown shells stand out like a real stone mosaic. Let the paint dry fully.
5. Rub On Metallic Highlights
Dip your fingertip lightly into copper, bronze or gold paint and dab it across the rough tops of the shell pieces. This picks out the natural ridges and gives the pot a warm, antique terracotta glow. Use very little paint at a time, since you can always add more.
6. Wrap the Jar Neck with Jute Twine
To hide the screw top threads, run a line of hot glue around the top rim and press the end of the jute twine into it. Wind the twine tightly around the neck in neat, stacked rows until the plastic is fully covered, then secure the final end with another dot of glue.
7. Plant Your Favorite Greenery
Fill the pot with well draining potting mix and add a hardy indoor plant such as aloe vera, jade or snake plant. Set it on a staircase, a sunny windowsill or a balcony shelf for an instant rustic upgrade.
Pro Tips for the Best Results
- Don’t worry about label residue. If sticky glue is left on the jar after peeling the label, the hot glue and black paint will cover it.
- Seal it for outdoor use. If the planter will sit outside, brush on a light coat of clear varnish to protect the painted shells from rain.
- Avoid hot, direct sun. Hot glue can soften in strong heat, so keep the pot in a spot with some shade.
- Water moderately. Aloe, jade and snake plant prefer to dry out between waterings, which also keeps the shell pieces in good shape.
Frequently Asked Questions
Where can I get coconut shells?
Save the shells after using fresh coconuts in cooking, or ask at a juice stall or temple that goes through many coconuts. Let them dry completely and scrub off any remaining flesh before using them.
Can I use a glass jar instead of plastic?
You can, but drilling drainage holes in glass needs a special bit and care. Plastic is far easier for beginners. Without drainage holes, treat the jar as a cover pot and keep the plant in a nursery pot inside it.
Will the shell pieces fall off over time?
Pressing each piece firmly into a generous dab of hot glue gives a strong hold. If one comes loose, simply re-glue it and touch up the black paint around it.
Tell Us What You’d Plant
What do you think of this best out of waste coconut shell planter? Tell us in the comments what plant you’d put in yours, and pin or share this tutorial for your next weekend craft session.
