Before you toss those round white takeout tubs or dessert cups into the recycling bin, take a second look. They’re the perfect size and shape for a DIY hanging planter from plastic containers: a bright, space saving vertical garden that costs almost nothing to make.
If you grow trailing indoor plants like pothos, string of hearts or Swiss cheese vine, you know how fast windowsills fill up. With five plastic containers, a little acrylic paint and some sturdy cotton cord, you can build a cheerful five tier polka dot planter that turns a blank wall or balcony corner into a green display.
Here’s the complete step-by-step guide.
Why This Upcycled Planter Works So Well
- Budget friendly: You’re reusing sturdy tubs you already have instead of buying pricey ceramic hanging pots.
- Easy custom drainage: Thin plastic is simple to pierce with a heated tool, so you can make exactly the drainage and hanging holes your plants need.
- Saves space: Five pots on a single wall hook give you five times the greenery in the footprint of one.
Watch the Step-by-Step Video Tutorial
Materials and Tools You’ll Need
- 5 round plastic containers: Clean, empty takeout tubs or yogurt and dessert cups, all the same size.
- Acrylic or multi surface paints: Bright shades such as yellow, blue, red, green and purple, plus white for the dots.
- Flat paintbrush: For smooth base coats.
- Dotting tool: Or the flat end of a pen or pencil, for even polka dots.
- Soldering iron: Or a heated metal skewer or awl, to melt clean holes without cracking the plastic.
- Sturdy white macramé cord or cotton rope: Three long, equal lengths to suspend the tiers.
- Potting mix and small trailing plants: Succulents, golden pothos or other trailing vines.
Step-by-Step Instructions
1. Clean and Paint the Containers
Wash all five containers and peel off any labels so the surface is clean and dry. Paint the outside walls and bottom of each tub in a different bold color. Let the first coat dry fully, then add a second coat so the finish is opaque and vibrant.
2. Stamp the White Polka Dots
Once the base coats are dry to the touch, dip the flat end of a pen, marker or dotting tool into white paint and press it onto the sides of each tub. Space the dots evenly all the way around, and let them dry completely before handling.
3. Melt the Hanging and Drainage Holes
Heat your soldering iron or an old metal skewer and work in a well ventilated area, since melting plastic gives off fumes. Keep children away from the hot tool.
- Hanging holes: Press the hot tip just below the top rim to melt 3 evenly spaced holes around the upper edge, forming a triangle when viewed from above.
- Drainage holes: Flip the container over and melt 3 small holes in the center of the base so excess water can escape.
4. Thread and Knot the First Container
Cut three long, equal lengths of cotton or macramé cord. Starting with the container that will be your top tier, thread one cord through each of the three rim holes from the outside in, and tie a secure double knot on the inside of the rim so the cord locks in place.
5. Add the Remaining Four Tiers
- Thread the three hanging cords down through the matching rim holes of the next container.
- Decide on the gap between pots. About 5 to 6 inches works well for small foliage.
- Tie a sturdy knot in each cord directly beneath the rim holes so the pot sits level and fully supported.
- Repeat for all five containers until they form a vertical ladder.
6. Tie the Top Loop and Plant
Gather the three cords above your top container, pull them taut so the tiers hang straight, and tie them together in a single overhand loop. Fill each pot with lightweight potting mix, tuck in your trailing plants, and hang the planter from a sturdy wall hook in a bright spot.
Pro Tips for a Long-Lasting Planter
- Seal the paint. For a balcony or porch, spray the painted tubs with one coat of clear acrylic sealer so rain and sun won’t chip the polka dots.
- Keep it light. Use a coco peat and perlite mix instead of heavy garden soil so five filled tubs don’t overload the hook. Check that the hook is rated for the full weight when the soil is wet.
- Water from the top. With drainage holes in every pot, watering the top tier gently lets extra moisture drip down to the ones below. Water slowly so the lower pots don’t overflow.
- Match plants to light. Succulents like bright, direct light, while pothos and Swiss cheese vine prefer bright, indirect light. Put the thirstier plants on the lower tiers.
Frequently Asked Questions
What kind of paint works on plastic containers?
Acrylic or multi surface craft paint works well. Wash the plastic first, and use two coats for an opaque finish. A clear sealer on top helps the paint hold up outdoors.
Can I make this without a soldering iron?
Yes. A metal skewer or awl heated over a flame works, as long as you hold it with pliers or a heat proof grip. A drill with a small bit also works on thicker plastic.
Which plants grow best in a hanging tiered planter?
Trailing plants such as golden pothos, string of hearts and Swiss cheese vine do best, along with small succulents. Because the tubs are shallow, avoid plants with large root systems.
Which Tier Is Your Favorite?
Which color is your favorite in this vertical planter? Tell us in the comments what you’d plant in yours, and pin this project to share with a fellow plant lover.
